Shortening a reservation when sold out
Jun 3, 2021, 8:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
Shortening a reservation when sold out
Hi. I have a 10-day rental reserved and would like modify to 9-day, as I will now be arriving a day later than originally planned. When I try to modify online, the system says "no cars available on selected dates", which I guess I get because they are sold out. But really I just want the car I rented but for one less day. I don't even mind paying for the 10th day, I just don't want them to give away my car when I don't show up on the original reservation date.
What's the best way to handle this? Reserved with Budget if that matters.
What's the best way to handle this? Reserved with Budget if that matters.
Jun 11, 2021, 7:30 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
Update: I finally got through, and Budget is telling me they can't shorten the reservation because "they are sold out". They were unfazed by the logical inconsistency that all I am trying to do is shorten my reservation by a day, thus giving them one more day of inventory, not less.
Am I correct to assume that if I show up a day later, they will have given away my car?
Anyone have any ideas? HUCA? Twitter? Help!!
Am I correct to assume that if I show up a day later, they will have given away my car?
Anyone have any ideas? HUCA? Twitter? Help!!
Jun 12, 2021, 3:11 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,706
Update: I finally got through, and Budget is telling me they can't shorten the reservation because "they are sold out". They were unfazed by the logical inconsistency that all I am trying to do is shorten my reservation by a day, thus giving them one more day of inventory, not less.
Am I correct to assume that if I show up a day later, they will have given away my car?
Anyone have any ideas? HUCA? Twitter? Help!!
Am I correct to assume that if I show up a day later, they will have given away my car?
Anyone have any ideas? HUCA? Twitter? Help!!
Jun 12, 2021, 9:33 am
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
They'll have the car the day before and were prepared to rent it to me, but not the next day? That's is definitely not logical. It's like if I had a hotel room reserved for the 1st through the 7th and my flight got delayed and I arrived on the 2nd and they said "sorry, no rooms available". Doesn't make any sense.
Last edited by Mr. BoH; Jun 12, 2021 at 9:38 am
Jun 12, 2021, 10:36 am
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
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They'll have the car the day before and were prepared to rent it to me, but not the next day? That's is definitely not logical. It's like if I had a hotel room reserved for the 1st through the 7th and my flight got delayed and I arrived on the 2nd and they said "sorry, no rooms available". Doesn't make any sense.
Jun 13, 2021, 3:56 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,706
They'll have the car the day before and were prepared to rent it to me, but not the next day? That's is definitely not logical. It's like if I had a hotel room reserved for the 1st through the 7th and my flight got delayed and I arrived on the 2nd and they said "sorry, no rooms available". Doesn't make any sense.
Jun 13, 2021, 10:14 am
#10
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Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
I'll admit to not understanding inventory management. But not having anywhere to put the car seems pretty unlikely if they are "completely sold out".
Jun 13, 2021, 10:15 am
#11
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
They don't have a specific car waiting for you that they can just hold for a day. They expect to have about x-number cars and about x-number reservations on any given day, but due to extensions and unplanned one-ways they don't really know. If you're not ready to pick it up on Monday, they'd rather give a reservation to somebody who can rather than wait a day for you. I'm not saying that's the way it should be; it's just the way it is.
Jun 13, 2021, 10:41 am
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2002
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It's a matter of cars coming in and out. It's obviously not perfect but the systems are set up that way. I think your best bet is to try and speak with the station manager (again).
Jun 14, 2021, 6:11 am
#13
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Texas
Posts: 14
I tried shortening an Avis rental at ABQ this week, no dice. And I wanted to shorten it on the back end, dropping off a day earlier. They told me they couldn’t do that because they were sold out. That one makes no sense to me. I just canceled and used Uber for the trip.
Jun 14, 2021, 7:46 am
#14
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,428
See, this is even more illogical. Practically speaking, how would they even stop you from returning the car early, deny you entrance to the parking lot?