It is recommended that you return your rental car before the scheduled drop-off time, or you may be charged for an extra day's rental. However, please note that your return location may allow a limited grace period but this is entirely at its discretion.
Most rental agencies provide renters an additional 29 minute grace periods for unforeseen circumstances, with the exception of Dollar, Fox and Thrifty. Usually, if the rental is not back in that grace period they would charge at around one third to one half of the daily rate per hour. Some charge the full day after the grace period. All insurances are charged at the full day rate even if the vehicle is only one hour past check out time. We recommend you ask the rental staff to write on the Rental Agreement the very latest you can return without going into the next day charges.
To help you further understand the grace period for car rental returns and corresponding penalties, check out this brief overview.
| Agency | Grace Period | Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Alamo | 29 minutes | Hourly charge for every full and partial hour late |
| Avis | 29 minutes | 30+ minutes: ¾ day's charge 90+ minutes: full day's charge |
| Budget | 29 minutes | 30+ minutes: hourly rate 90+ minutes: full day's charge 7+ hours: additional $10/day fee on top of everything else |
| Dollar | None | $15.99 charge per day late on top of daily rate |
| Enterprise | 29 minutes | 30+ minutes: ¼ daily rate per hour 2+ hours: full day's charge |
| Fox | 59 minutes | 60+ minutes: hourly charge 3+ hours: full day's charge |
| Hertz | 29 minutes | 30+ minutes: hourly rate 2+ hours: full day's charge |
| National | 29 minutes | 30+ minutes: hourly rate 2+ hours: full day's charge |
| Payless | 29 minutes | 30+ minutes: hourly rate that starts from minute one |
| Thrifty | None | Immediately charged hourly rate 24+ hours: charged daily rate |
Please Note: Price charges and grace periods are subject to change at any time without notice.
Read more about returning your rental car.
