Flight delayed, pickup time wrong?
The short answer
Several big companies hold an airport reservation for up to 24 hours after the pickup time when your flight is delayed, but that doesn't help if the counter closes before you land. Add your flight number to the booking, and if you'll land after closing time, get word to the branch or move the pickup before you board.
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Key takeaways
- Tell the rental company your flight number so it can see the delay.
- Companies hold reserved cars for a limited time after pickup, so update your pickup time as soon as you know.
If this is you right now
You're stuck at the gate watching the departure time slide. Your pickup was 6 pm, it's now looking like 10, and the branch may close before you land. You don't know whether to call the rental company, the travel site or the airline first.
Why it matters
Once that hold window passes, the car can be given to another customer and the booking treated as a no-show. On a guaranteed or prepaid booking, a no-show can also mean a fee or a lost payment, and the rate you had may be gone.
The honest insider bit
Some companies track your flight if its number was on the reservation and hold the car accordingly. If it wasn't, or the branch closes before you land, who to contact and how fast depends on where you booked, and the travel site is often not the quickest route.
What usually helps
Getting word to the right branch in time, moving the pickup to match your new arrival, choosing a location that's open late, or rebooking at a rate the counter will honour when you land.
Where a cancel and rebook comes in
If the original booking can't be moved, a new one at the corrected time, confirmed before the old is cancelled, keeps a car waiting for you when you finally get there.
How long companies hold your car
Enterprise and National say US airport reservations are valid for 24 hours from the scheduled pickup for delayed flights, with charges starting at pickup, and Enterprise keeps locations open up to 2 hours after closing when valid flight details are on the booking. Avis says it honours a reservation up to 24 hours past the pickup time. Hertz says it's notified of the delay if your flight is on the reservation. Budget says its airport locations stay open until the last scheduled or delayed flight has arrived.
Questions people ask
How long will a rental car company hold my reservation if my flight is delayed?
Enterprise, National and Avis say up to 24 hours after the scheduled pickup at US airports. The counter's opening hours still matter, so add your flight number and contact the branch if you'll land after it closes.
Do I need to tell the rental company my flight is delayed?
If your flight number is on the booking, Hertz says it's notified automatically and Enterprise keeps locations open up to 2 hours late. If it isn't, contact the branch or let us do it for you.
What if the rental counter is closed when my delayed flight lands?
Move the pickup to a location that's open, or to the next morning, before you board. Budget says its airport locations stay open until the last scheduled or delayed flight. We can check your location.
Related problems
- No car at the counter
- Airport rental counter finder
- Extending a rental car
- Card declined at the counter
We're an independent service. Not the rental company, not the site you booked through. We're better than both because we actually pick up, and we stay with you until it's fixed. We only take payment details once you've agreed, and we never keep them. We'll never ask for your card PIN or your banking passwords.
OneCall Rental is an independent service and is not affiliated with any rental company or travel site.
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