Prepay and no show
 

Any experiences with an Avis prepay reservation and then a no-show?

I'm talking about a rental worth around $20 for a day. Small chance I might be a no show. Reading the terms and conditions it said $150 no show fee.

If it's really $150, then saving a few bucks on a $20 rental prepay doesn't make sense. I'd rather go for pay at counter rate.

Looking for experiences, thanks!

No personal experience, but I see no reason not to take Avis at its word.

If you cancel the prepaid reservation at least 24 hours in advance, isn't there a lower penalty?

"Experiences" are meaningless.

If you are offered a rate with a $150 no show penalty, expect to be charged that and be pleased if you are not.

By the way, I've sometimes seen prepaid rates available as little as one or two days before desired pick-up date. YMMV.

Check the Terms and Conditions on your reservation. You should see this text.
That just might be your "get out of jail free" card for this situation.

As long as you're somewhere with internet access, just log on and chance the reservation to a later date. That way, you can keep the money or possibly cancel it instead of being a no-show.

Thanks guv1976 for your helpful response. I see this specific prepaid rate 1 day before pickup.

Its only saving me few bucks, but the risk of $150 no-show tells me not to go for it.

You're right - for cancellation before 24 hrs, the penalty is $50. Within the 24 hr window you cannot cancel, and will be hit with $150 if you're a no-show. I doubt if this will be enforced, so was looking for experiences.

Brilliant ^, will test it out

It's prepaid, how can you "keep the money"?

I should have written "keep some of the money". As noted, the cancelation fee isn't as severe as the no-show fee.