Courtesy Return Buffer
Sep 26, 2024 | 6:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,808
Courtesy Return Buffer
Does Avis give renters a courtesy return buffer for late returns… Such as one hour, etc.?
Does it help to be a Presidents Club member?
Does it help to be a Presidents Club member?
Sep 26, 2024 | 7:00 pm
#2
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,974
Like most rental companies, the grace period is 29 minutes. Once you pass that point, you are charged for an extra hour based on the rate displayed in your rental contract. If you return more than 1 hour and 29 minutes late, you are charged for two hours. If you return more than 2 hours and 29 minutes late, you are typically charged for an extra day. All of that said, rentals are priced based on a 24-hour day, so it may depend on what time you picked up the vehicle.
Sep 26, 2024 | 7:01 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,808
Like most rental companies, the grace period is 29 minutes. Once you pass that point, you are charged for an extra hour based on the rate displayed in your rental contract. If you return more than 1 hour and 29 minutes late, you are charged for two hours. If you return more than 2 hours and 29 minutes late, you are typically charged for an extra day. All of that said, rentals are priced based on a 24-hour day, so it may depend on what time you picked up the vehicle.
Sep 26, 2024 | 7:16 pm
#4
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,974
If you pick up at exactly noon on your pickup day, then you would have until 12:29 PM on your return day to return without additional charges. This assumes your original return time was noon as well. If you pick up earlier or later, then you can adjust your return time forward or back accordingly.
Sep 26, 2024 | 7:41 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 34,988
I don't know if it's still the case, but in the past, some Avis locations would pre-print the contract with a pick-up time 45 minutes after one's reserved time (so 12:45 pm for a 12:00 Noon reservation), and you would then have 24 hours and 29 minutes from 12:45 pm to return the car without incurring an additional charge. But I'm not sure whether that is offered when one selects their own vehicle rather than have Avis pre-assign one.