If you are late to pick up your rental car, the rental company will wait for a grace period ranging from 29 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the company and location. If this period is exceeded without prior notice, the reservation may be canceled as a no-show (failure to appear), which may result in fees according to the company's policy, and the vehicle you selected may be made available to other customers.
See below for the exact grace periods and what to do if you know you will be late.
How long is the grace period for late rental car pickups?
Each rental company has its own waiting policy. See below for the standard rules commonly applied in the market:
Reservations in Brazil:
General rule: The standard grace period is up to 60 minutes after the scheduled pickup time.
Unidas: Allows an extended grace period of up to 2 hours.
Foco: Offers up to 2 hours of grace for prepaid reservations and 1 hour for reservations paid directly at the counter.
International reservations:
The standard grace period is up to 29 minutes.
What happens if I exceed the rental company's grace period for picking up the car?
For delays exceeding the grace period, the rental company may apply fees and penalties according to its no-show policy.
To find out what charges may apply, check your reservation voucher. Each rental company has its own no-show policy and may retain between 20% and 100% of the total rental reservation amount.
Won't you be able to pick up the car? See our full article about no-show.
I will be late to pick up the vehicle. What should I do?
The best course of action depends on when you realize that you will not arrive on time:
Before the scheduled pickup date and time
If you know in advance that you will be late, you can request a change to the vehicle pickup date and/or time. See how to change your reservation directly on the Rentcars website or app.
Keep in mind that changes to the pickup time may increase or decrease the total reservation amount due to changes in the number of rental days or current rates.
After the scheduled pickup date and time
If you find that your delay has exceeded the permitted grace period, contact us immediately via online chat or the phone numbers provided on your confirmation voucher. Our team will assist you as best as possible by providing a new quote/reservation or attempting to update your status with the rental company so that your reservation remains active.
What should I do in case of flight delays or arrivals outside business hours?
Some situations require additional care on the part of the renter:
Rental car pickup delays caused by airlines
If your flight is delayed or canceled, contact us as soon as possible through our customer service center or online chat so that we can provide guidance and all the necessary support. It is a good practice to enter your flight number when making your reservation, as some airport rental companies monitor arrivals and are already aware of delays.
If your reservation includes pickup with a shuttle service (free transfer to the rental location), it is best to contact the rental company's branch directly. The branch's phone number is available on the confirmation voucher sent to the email address used for the reservation. If you cannot reach the branch or experience any difficulties, contact us so we can help you.
Arrivals during the early morning hours (location closed)
If you arrive at the pickup location and the rental company's branch is already closed due to the delay, contact the rental company's customer service center to check whether service or pickup is possible the following day.
Have an alternative transportation plan, such as a taxi or mobility app, until the vehicle can be picked up the following morning.
Important: rental companies are not required to provide service outside their stated business hours. It is essential to check the opening hours of the pickup location when making your reservation, especially if you are expected to arrive during the early morning hours or outside business hours.