Originally Posted by
NotGoing.Gone.
I need the same flexibility with a rental car. I don't want to pay for an extra day if I brought it back 24 hours early. Budget used to do a "per day" rate after you pre-pay and you'd be credited the difference. Example: If you paid $100 for 4 days and brought back on the 3rd day you would have a $25 credit. Does anyone else still do that?
Then read the terms of your specific rental and ensure that you meet the terms and won't be charged for the last/"unused" day. If you might change and won't meet the terms, then find another rate that will qualify for, no matter how long you keep the car. Many rates include specific needs that need to be met (Saturday night keep, weekend rate, 4+ day keep, etc) so if you return without meeting the terms of that contract, there's no reason for the rental agency to:
1. Refund your % difference
2. Even keep the rate you booked. They can charge more due to the terms not being met and your rental falling into a new bucket.
Originally Posted by
NotGoing.Gone.
Yeah, but what gets me about a "prepay" is I have always done it that way.
Just because something used to be that way, doesn't mean it's the policy now. Do you have a printout/screenshot of the rules when you booked? Policies change all the time (not just rental cars) so you can't rely on history as a predictor of the future.
Originally Posted by
NotGoing.Gone.
So, I hit Capital One's dispute button and Capital One stated that I will likely only be refunded if Budget doesn't respond. I know my chances are low but it's not hurting my credit trying.
Be prepared to end up on the Do Not Rent list for several companies if you go this route and are disputing a proper charge. It's common to rental companies to go this route and not have to deal with you in the future.