Change car hire pickup 12hrs cost £900!
Aug 11, 2017, 12:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
Change car hire pickup 12hrs cost £900!
I have a trip coming up which I booked a while back. It is a return flight to Chicago, one night in a hotel and a car hire for the entire trip. Apparently, as the car hire is for the entire duration it makes it a holiday!
I wanted to change the car hire pick up from being when I arrive to the morning after (so I can have a drink or two on the flight!)... a change of just 12hrs... I can do this but the amendment will cost me £983.36 !!!!!
Crazy!
I know that rules are rules but this is simply potty!
I think I shall put this down as a lesson to be learned... I shall never book flight, hotel and car on the same booking again. I know it can be cheaper but you lose so much flexibility that for me it just isn't worth it.
What I will do is get my wife (who doesn't drink) to drive to the hotel... a much better solution providing she doesn't have a nervous breakdown in the process as she totally hates driving in the USA!
I wanted to change the car hire pick up from being when I arrive to the morning after (so I can have a drink or two on the flight!)... a change of just 12hrs... I can do this but the amendment will cost me £983.36 !!!!!
Crazy!
I know that rules are rules but this is simply potty!
I think I shall put this down as a lesson to be learned... I shall never book flight, hotel and car on the same booking again. I know it can be cheaper but you lose so much flexibility that for me it just isn't worth it.
What I will do is get my wife (who doesn't drink) to drive to the hotel... a much better solution providing she doesn't have a nervous breakdown in the process as she totally hates driving in the USA!
Aug 11, 2017, 12:37 am
#2
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
I have a trip coming up which I booked a while back. It is a return flight to Chicago, one night in a hotel and a car hire for the entire trip. Apparently, as the car hire is for the entire duration it makes it a holiday!
I wanted to change the car hire pick up from being when I arrive to the morning after (so I can have a drink or two on the flight!)... a change of just 12hrs... I can do this but the amendment will cost me £983.36 !!!!!
Crazy!
I know that rules are rules but this is simply potty!
I think I shall put this down as a lesson to be learned... I shall never book flight, hotel and car on the same booking again. I know it can be cheaper but you lose so much flexibility that for me it just isn't worth it.
What I will do is get my wife (who doesn't drink) to drive to the hotel... a much better solution providing she doesn't have a nervous breakdown in the process as she totally hates driving in the USA!
I wanted to change the car hire pick up from being when I arrive to the morning after (so I can have a drink or two on the flight!)... a change of just 12hrs... I can do this but the amendment will cost me £983.36 !!!!!
Crazy!
I know that rules are rules but this is simply potty!
I think I shall put this down as a lesson to be learned... I shall never book flight, hotel and car on the same booking again. I know it can be cheaper but you lose so much flexibility that for me it just isn't worth it.
What I will do is get my wife (who doesn't drink) to drive to the hotel... a much better solution providing she doesn't have a nervous breakdown in the process as she totally hates driving in the USA!
Aug 11, 2017, 12:40 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold, LH SEN , A3*G & others less exciting that don't fit in my wallet
Posts: 1,657
The usual advice for these things is
1) Don't call BA and try to change it as you'll end up with a result like you've got there.
2) Call the local Avis office you're renting from if you want the day before and ask them if it's okay if you pick up the next morning instead - it's highly likely they won't care or if they have a charge it will be trivial.
3) If 2 doesn't work go by the counter when you arrive and ask the same .. if they say no ( fairly unlikely) then just pick up the car anyway and :
a) Forget to drive it out of the parking lot until the next morning
or
b) Do as you propose and get your wife to drive it to the hotel.
It won't be a problem really, but BA's computer usually says "NO" in these cases.
1) Don't call BA and try to change it as you'll end up with a result like you've got there.
2) Call the local Avis office you're renting from if you want the day before and ask them if it's okay if you pick up the next morning instead - it's highly likely they won't care or if they have a charge it will be trivial.
3) If 2 doesn't work go by the counter when you arrive and ask the same .. if they say no ( fairly unlikely) then just pick up the car anyway and :
a) Forget to drive it out of the parking lot until the next morning
or
b) Do as you propose and get your wife to drive it to the hotel.
It won't be a problem really, but BA's computer usually says "NO" in these cases.
Aug 11, 2017, 1:46 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
Good point... I did think I might just do that but I guess I could risk being considered a no-show and losing the booking.
Many thanks. Sounds like great advice.
I think the safest option is to turn up at the rental desk and simply ask if they would hold it over to the next day. They have already got the money for the booking so that won't change and all they are losing is 12hrs of parking space. I can always offer to pay for parking!
As you say... I am sure it will be fine
PS... just mentioned that she could always drive the 2 miles to the hotel and she nearly freaked out so I guess that is not an option
The usual advice for these things is
1) Don't call BA and try to change it as you'll end up with a result like you've got there.
2) Call the local Avis office you're renting from if you want the day before and ask them if it's okay if you pick up the next morning instead - it's highly likely they won't care or if they have a charge it will be trivial.
3) If 2 doesn't work go by the counter when you arrive and ask the same .. if they say no ( fairly unlikely) then just pick up the car anyway and :
a) Forget to drive it out of the parking lot until the next morning
or
b) Do as you propose and get your wife to drive it to the hotel.
It won't be a problem really, but BA's computer usually says "NO" in these cases.
1) Don't call BA and try to change it as you'll end up with a result like you've got there.
2) Call the local Avis office you're renting from if you want the day before and ask them if it's okay if you pick up the next morning instead - it's highly likely they won't care or if they have a charge it will be trivial.
3) If 2 doesn't work go by the counter when you arrive and ask the same .. if they say no ( fairly unlikely) then just pick up the car anyway and :
a) Forget to drive it out of the parking lot until the next morning
or
b) Do as you propose and get your wife to drive it to the hotel.
It won't be a problem really, but BA's computer usually says "NO" in these cases.
I think the safest option is to turn up at the rental desk and simply ask if they would hold it over to the next day. They have already got the money for the booking so that won't change and all they are losing is 12hrs of parking space. I can always offer to pay for parking!
As you say... I am sure it will be fine
PS... just mentioned that she could always drive the 2 miles to the hotel and she nearly freaked out so I guess that is not an option
Aug 11, 2017, 2:18 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
Oh - really do not let it stress you at all. Just turn up 12 hours late. Any issues just say were feeling ill on arrival and got a taxi to the hotel. Avis really won't care.
Most importantly, enjoy your first first!
Most importantly, enjoy your first first!
Aug 11, 2017, 2:22 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
If it makes you more comfortable, book alternative car hire for the time you want on "pay at location" basis, if you don't turn up you will not be charged.
I quite often do this if I have managed to acquire a "special rate" that I think may not be honoured.
I quite often do this if I have managed to acquire a "special rate" that I think may not be honoured.
Aug 11, 2017, 2:47 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brunei
Programs: Enrich Sapphire. Kris Flyer Silver.Le Club Accorhotels,Starwood.
Posts: 2,201
The usual advice for these things is
1) Don't call BA and try to change it as you'll end up with a result like you've got there.
2) Call the local Avis office you're renting from if you want the day before and ask them if it's okay if you pick up the next morning instead - it's highly likely they won't care or if they have a charge it will be trivial.
3) If 2 doesn't work go by the counter when you arrive and ask the same .. if they say no ( fairly unlikely) then just pick up the car anyway and :
a) Forget to drive it out of the parking lot until the next morning
or
b) Do as you propose and get your wife to drive it to the hotel.
It won't be a problem really, but BA's computer usually says "NO" in these cases.
1) Don't call BA and try to change it as you'll end up with a result like you've got there.
2) Call the local Avis office you're renting from if you want the day before and ask them if it's okay if you pick up the next morning instead - it's highly likely they won't care or if they have a charge it will be trivial.
3) If 2 doesn't work go by the counter when you arrive and ask the same .. if they say no ( fairly unlikely) then just pick up the car anyway and :
a) Forget to drive it out of the parking lot until the next morning
or
b) Do as you propose and get your wife to drive it to the hotel.
It won't be a problem really, but BA's computer usually says "NO" in these cases.
Very sound advice.
Aug 11, 2017, 3:01 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
Aug 11, 2017, 3:28 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,328
No advocating binge drinking (though it is a LOT of fun), but just leisurely enjoying the service will be more than enough to keep you out of the driver's seat.
Aug 11, 2017, 3:33 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Starbucks Gold,
Posts: 624
I have always found Dan on the Avis UK twitter feed incredible at this sort of thing. I have done exactly what you propose at Nice and Aberdeen - book a package, send a message to Dan to say that I want to pick the car up 12hrs later at the crack of dawn so I can have a drink, and he messages back quickly to say that it is all sorted. On arrival there is usually a scribbled note on the pouch noting that I will be coming the next day and no extra money is asked for.
Definitely not worth £900 and not worth not having a drink on your flight!
Definitely not worth £900 and not worth not having a drink on your flight!