Charged fee to keep car 1 extra day, when did this start?
 

Backgound:
- Avis Preferred.
- Rented using my corporate rate that I am eligible for (it is a really big US company that everyone will know so not some obscure AWD code)
- Made 1 day rental
- Prior to trip realized I needed 2 days but they were sold out.
- I didn't want to muck with my reservation and rate prior to pick up.
- I am Avis Preferred and used Select and Go option.
- Line at regular desk was really long so I didn't go to the counter prior to starting my rental (was that my mistake)?

During the rental since I needed to extend 1 more day and app was charging me $12 for changing the return date on top of the daily rate plus taxes. I called Customer Service and they told me they would charge me even more if I didn't change it prior to the 1 day ending and extending it; i.e. would be charged as a "no return." Didn't want to have rental towed on me like the guy in NJ on Twitter last month so I went ahead and paid.

I don't ever recall having to deal with this in the past. Is this a new practice or I just got lucky for the last few decades?

I've had this happen a handful of times, starting at least 5 years ago. I haven't had it happen in >2 years since I now just book extra days if there's any chance I'll keep the car longer (I've never been hit with a charge to return early). I thought it was $10 if you changed prior to the original return day or time (can't remember which) and about $25 if you did it after that point. Unfortunately, in your situation, the only options are to change the return time before driving off the lot, or, paying the fee.

Thanks for the feedback; I didn't know they won't ding for early return.

Yes, you are correct it is $10 (not $12) when I saw the final bill.

I used to hold a car for an extra day all the time pre-pandemic. Is this a practice the competition does as well?