nelsonian

I have had a van booked for our trip to Disneyworld in January, since May and got a really good deal. However I need to change the duration, instead of seven days it will now be five. Just wondering before I ring them whether this means this reservation will be cancelled, and I have to book a new one, or is it no big deal normally to change dates etc.

I haven't rung them yet as it is an overseas call, might get my DD to do it.

MidwestHiker

You might be in luck. Generally a 5 day rental is charged the same price as a weekly rental...so you can probably return at 5 days and keep the same rate. Call to verify but there probably won't be any penalty for returning early and you wouldn't need to rebook.

DebbieDoesDulles

You got a really good car rental deal by phoning up from overseas? Did they email you a confirmation and does it include all the fees, taxes, collision waiver and liability supplement?
If not, compare rates with a booker like usrentacar.uk.co or happytoursusa.

NeoPatrick

The usual problem would be that the rates are now much different from those you booked at. So even if a five day rental is the same as a week, they are likely to require a new contract at the current prices.

nelsonian

That's what I was thinking NeoPatrick. What happens if you just drop off two days early?

I didn't phone overseas to book Debbie, I did it through the Expedia website. My DD and her fiancee will be driving it, they live in the US and I think their insurance covers the extras.

Melnq8

I'd do this - pull up your booking online, and enter the changes you want to make, but don't confirm the changes until you see how it affects the rate.

Or begin a new reservation online with the revised dates and see if/how much the rate changes.

I'd only call as a last resort - especially since you're calling from NZ and have a huge time change to deal with.

nelsonian

Melnq I tried to bring up the reservation online but it said it couldn't be found. Then I went to the FAQ page, and it says any bookings booked through a third party need to be changed by the third party. I did ring Expedia NZ and they said they couldn't change it, it had to be done by the rental company. Hmmm.

I also read in the FAQ that there is no penalty for dropping off early, and you will only be charged for the days used. However the pickup time needs to change from 1pm to 5pm, which probably will affect things, If my DD didn't pick up at 1pm the car may not be available at 5pm.

vincenzo32951

Just my 2 cents:

Do what MelnQ says: Go through the process (with your current company and with others) as if you're booking a new reservation (not changing the old one) for 5 days and see how the price shakes out.

As Neo points out, for many rental companies, the rate for a 5-day rental is often the same as a weekly rental. So it might not be worth bothering to try to change.

As for the 5 pm pickup: Since your daughter lives in the US, just have her call the rental company with the info -- I assume you have a reservation number, etc., and tell them you're doing a later pickup. I'd call the desk of the office where you're renting the car, not the national number.

And for that matter, why don't you have your daughter handle all changes/inquiries, since she's in the US and can phone the company, rather than your making overseas calls or struggling with online?

Melnq8

In that case nelsonian, I'd just call the rental car company a few days in advance and advise them of the revised pick up time and then when you collect the car tell them you'll be returning it a few days early.

Dukey1

Does this thing absolutely HAVE to be booked through Expedia? Can you try booking it directly through the agency website and compare prices?

Dukey1

And Yes you CAN do so from NZ, Nelsonian and without making any phone calls.

nelsonian

Yes Dukey I have put in a quote with the new dates, it comes out at $ 581 US which is $ 806 NZ compared to the actual booking for 7 days of $ 508NZ. The fact is the original booking is through Expedia, I can't change that now.
Now that I know that we can return the car without penalty I will do what Mel suggests and ring them when we are in the US, to change the pick-up time.

DebbieDoesDulles

"Reservation couldn't be found"

Well, that's concerning. Did the phone agent from Expedia look up the reservation and at least verify that you had one. Did you put an O instead of a zero or something?

There should be a link to "modify your reservation"and you should be able to modify with your new details and then get to a point where it says "yes make the modifications" or "No keep my original reservation".

What is the car rental company? Alamo, Avis, Hertz etc should be able to look it up (on the phone) with your name and date, even if the confirmation number isn't working. Have your daughter call them /the USA 800 number.

DebbieDoesDulles

Foreigners usually get much better rates on car rentals. I don't know your dates but Happy Tours is quoting $350US a week for a Dodge Caravan in January at MCO. You are probably better off renting in your name with your NZ drivers license, because your daughter's insurance wouldn't be nicked should you have a fender bender.

Insurance, damage waiver, taxes, fees and one additional driver is included in the rate...so your daughter would still be able to drive it.

www.happytoursusa.com
www.usrentacar.uk.co

jason_cron

If the shuttle company is giving you trouble i would check out OnCabs, they are teh best company to use in florida.