One way fee - when is it payable
 

Folks,

I'm trying to book a one way rental from RSW to MCO. I have a good price for the 2 weeks I need the car, but the price breakdown is a bit confusing to me. From the below, you can see the total cost for the hire is $881.59. Under "Included in the rates", it states: One way fee (payable on return of the vehicle)150.00 USD
So, am I:
a) paying $881.59 at pick up at RSW with no more charges to be paid
b) paying $881.59 - $150 at RSW, with the $150 only hitting my card after I return the vehicle to MCO
c) paying $881.59 at RSW with a further $150 due at MCO when I return the vehicle.

Apologies if this is a dumb question. It does seems clear that $881 is the price for the rental, and that the one way fee is included. I just find it odd it breaks out the $150 and states it's to be paid on vehicle return. Thanks in advance.

PAY AT LOCATION $881.59 USD

INCLUDED IN THE RATES
Airport Concession Fee Included
Loss Damage Waiver Included
Total Sales Tax Included
Liability Insurance Supplement Included
Vehicle Licence Fee (VLF) Included
State Surcharge Included
Vehicle Licensing Cost Recovery Included
One way fee (payable on return of the vehicle)150.00 USD
Unlimited Miles Included

NOT INCLUDED IN THE RATES*
Personal Insurance*
Premium Emergency Roadside Service*
Additional Driver Fee
Fuel

First off, it's a common misnomer that you pay for a (non-prepaid) rental at pickup. This is actually not the case. The rental company will typically pre-authorize your credit card for the full amount of the rental plus an extra deposit of $150-$500 (depending on company/location/policy) at pickup. At rental return, the final charges are settled up and the rental company will then "capture" an amount up to the original authorization amount (typically less than that).

Regarding your question specifically, your total cost including the one-way fee is going to be $881.59. You should see an authorization for that amount, plus probably $200 or so hit your card, and at the end of the rental, assuming you did not opt for any add-ons and returned the car full, you would see a final charge of $881.69.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the answer AS. Much appreciated.

Slightly off topic, but I'd recommend splitting the part you actually need into a second rental. For example, you'll be spending the first 12 days near RSW and then heading to MCO, so you do a 12 day RSW-RSW rental and a 2 day RSW-MCO rental. You should save some money that way.

Thanks m907 - will have a look at that.