If you need to change the pickup dates and times for your car rental reservation, several steps and considerations apply. Below is a complete guide.
When is it possible to change dates and times?
To make adjustments to the pickup date and times for your rental car, your reservation must meet the rental company's policy requirements. This may include:
Vehicle availability for the new requested time or day.
Confirmation that your reservation is eligible for modification according to the rental company's terms.
Important: In some scenarios, changes may not be allowed directly through the website and may require additional assistance.
How do I change the date or time of my reservation?
To change the date or time of your reservation, follow these steps:
Make the changes online: use the Rentcars website or app to make the desired adjustments. This is the easiest and fastest way to modify dates and times, as long as the request is made at least 24 hours in advance of the pickup time. For rental companies with their own retention policies, the minimum period is 48 hours before the original date and time. If the system does not allow the change, proceed to the next step.
Contact the Rentcars support center: If the changes cannot be made online or require confirmation of availability, contact Rentcars support for assistance.
Check the step-by-step instructions and other important information on how to change the reservation date and time in this FAQ.
Does changing the date or time have an additional cost?
Requests for time or date adjustments may incur additional charges, based on the rental company's policies and the terms of your reservation.
Examples include:
Charges based on rental company policies: Requests to change the date and time may incur additional fees, depending on availability and current rates.
Small changes can also generate new quotes: Seemingly minor changes, such as adjusting the pickup time by one hour (e.g., from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.), can also lead to cost changes. This is because rental companies re-verify vehicle availability and recalculate prices with the existing rates at the specified time.
The price increases even when reducing the number of days: Reducing the rental period does not always result in lower prices, as the system considers demand, availability, and other variables at the time of the query.
No additional charge: If the date and time adjustments are allowed by the terms of your reservation, no extra cost will be applied, and the reservation will be updated to “Confirmed”. You will receive a new voucher with the updated information. It is very important to read the confirmation voucher carefully and check all the information.
To avoid unexpected charges, it is recommended to be aware of any costs before finalizing the change.
Specific situations and exceptions
Some scenarios may prevent you from making time adjustments directly, including:
Rental company restrictions: In some cases, the rental company may not have the availability to approve changes. It is also important to check the rental company's retention rules.
Time-sensitive rates: When you modify a reservation (for example, by changing the pickup time by a few hours or days), the current rate at the time of the modification applies, instead of the original rate established when the reservation was made. This can lead to price differences.
What to do if I can't change the reservation online?
If you cannot resolve the issues by following the steps above, it is highly recommended to contact Rentcars support directly. Provide your reservation details, and the team will help you determine the best solution for your case. By following these steps and understanding the related policies, you can effectively manage adjustments to the pickup days and times of your reservation.