Europe car hire.

[kelvedon]

I’m looking to book a car for 20 days through Avis/Budget from LHR
Picking the car up at 6pm and dropping it back at 6am
If I book the return to be at 7pm instead it becomes a 3 week hire and is $200 cheaper.
Any experience if I drop the 21 day hire car at 6am ( for my flight) to get the 21 day rate even though that would technically it a 20 day hire, which should be charged at the higher rate ?
It’ll be prepaid.

 

[Rayesfeg]

I’m looking to book a car for 20 days through Avis/Budget from LHR
Picking the car up at 6pm and dropping it back at 6am
If I book the return to be at 7pm instead it becomes a 3 week hire and is $200 cheaper.
Any experience if I drop the 21 day hire car at 6am ( for my flight) to get the 21 day rate even though that would technically it a 20 day hire, which should be charged at the higher rate ?
It’ll be prepaid.

So you will be returning the car earlier? There will be no problems with that.
If you are dropping the car off at 6am you will likely need to use the after hours drop off area which might be different to where you pick the car up - so just ask what the process for after hours drop off when you pick the car up.

 

[Happy Dude]

So you will be returning the car earlier? There will be no problems with that.
If you are dropping the car off at 6am you will likely need to use the after hours drop off area which might be different to where you pick the car up - so just ask what the process for after hours drop off when you pick the car up.

You're probably correct, based on my experiences in Australia, but for international I would check the rental agreement to be sure. I had issues with a pick up >59mins after the scheduled time so they don't always apply reason/logic in the way you'd think.

 

[Rayesfeg]

You're probably correct, based on my experiences in Australia, but for international I would check the rental agreement to be sure. I had issues with a pick up >59mins after the scheduled time so they don't always apply reason/logic in the way you'd think.

Yes agreed but pickup is very different to drop off. Have heard many nightmare stories of problems when you arrive at a time later than the scheduled pickup time in Europe specifically, lots of negative google reviews at most rental places in Europe mention this too so best to be at the pickup at the time or earlier.
The only mention in the rental agreement regarding an early drop off will likely be that you will not receive a refund for an early drop off. At lease this is speaking from personal experience in France, Germany and Italy - I had no problems with an early drop off.
Good point regardless, best to review the rental agreement.

 

[PERLHR]

OT, but once, some years ago, I had completed my car hire requirement two days early. Rather than pay high car parking costs I returned it to the airport (Bristol UK) and said early return, and also said I did not particularly like the car (which was true but did not interfere with my revised plans), anyway they took the car without issues and a voucher for 50 pounds was given for ",,not liking the car" with the statement reminding me that you book car class and not type. Win win. .

 

[VPS]

I’m looking to book a car for 20 days through Avis/Budget from LHR
Picking the car up at 6pm and dropping it back at 6am
If I book the return to be at 7pm instead it becomes a 3 week hire and is $200 cheaper.
Any experience if I drop the 21 day hire car at 6am ( for my flight) to get the 21 day rate even though that would technically it a 20 day hire, which should be charged at the higher rate ?
It’ll be prepaid.

I had a two week hire from Birmingham Airport and returned it a day early and they wanted to charge me more. I very politely told them that that was pathetic and I’m sure they could do something about it and they moaned and groaned, but in the end they sorted it with no extra charge. YMMV