Occasionally, airline schedules and rental car pick-ups or returns don't get along well. It is well known that flights can arrive or depart at strange times, and this can make it difficult to pick up or return your rental car, which can affect a little (or a lot) your travel plans.
We are aware of how difficult it can be to coordinate air and ground travel. Some expert car rental consultants gave us few tips and mentioned some main things to remember when booking and travelling, to ensure your holiday runs as smoothly as possible.
At the airport or outside the airport
Deciding whether to book your rental car with a rental company inside or outside the airport is an important consideration in many aspects of car rental, but more especially if you pick up the car outside office hours. Check
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The most well-known dichotomy is that rental companies at airports are more convenient, while off-airport providers are a little cheaper. Generally, off-airport warehouses do everything in their power to make life easier for potential customers, with free transportation and pickup services. However, if you fly late or on an off-peak schedule, it may be worth paying the slightly higher price of a company within the airport.
Rental counters at terminals are normally open at the same time as the airport, either 24 hours a day or until the last flight arrives. This makes it much easier to take the wheel once your flight lands and makes life a little simpler.
Delays
If your travel plans change, for example, if your trip is delayed or something happens, which means you can't get to the warehouse outside the airport or in the city, it's always a good idea to call and make this known to the rental company or their reservation agent. They could do something about it most of the time, so it's always better to get in touch. If you don't have a cell phone, remember to always have a few coins on hand to use public phones.
For this reason, it is always important to print your rental confirmation with contact numbers, addresses and all relevant information. Travel insurance is another important thing to consider, in case the situation does not go as planned and you need to book with another company.
Charges for after-hours services
Many rental companies allow after-hours (between certain hours) pickups, but there is usually an extra charge for it. Here's good news if your plans change and you know ahead of time that you won't arrive before closing: instead of rebooking and perhaps losing your deposit, you can call your reservations consultant and coordinate pickup when possible.
Charges vary between companies, of course, but typically range from $30 to $40. Of course, if you need to return the car after hours, there is another charge to pay.
Stay one night
Picking up a rental car late at night after a tiring day's travel is not just a matter of convenience or cost; sometimes it's also a matter of safety. If you arrive too late to pick up your rental car during office hours, chances are you'll be too tired to drive long distances. .
Major airports often have hotels within their facilities or very close to them. If your flight arrives late, we recommend you book your first night at one of them. This way, you can arrive, have a night's rest without the hassle of an additional trip, and wake up relaxed the next morning with the rental company of your choice. The thought of taking the shuttle to the warehouse outside the airport at 9 o'clock in the morning doesn't seem such a bad idea after a good night's rest!