Rentals are priced in 24-hour periods from the moment of collection, so a car picked up at 10am is due back at 10am. Most suppliers allow a short grace period, commonly 29 to 59 minutes, and then start charging.
- Past the grace period, expect an hourly rate that escalates to a full extra day.
- The extra day is charged at the counter rate, which is usually well above the rate you booked.
- Returning early almost never produces a refund, because the rate you booked was priced for the full period.
- If you know you will be late, call the branch. Some will extend at a better rate than the automatic penalty.
Out-of-hours returns
If you drop the car outside opening hours, it stays your responsibility until staff check it in. Photograph the car, the fuel gauge and the odometer at the point you leave it, and note the time — that record is what settles any dispute about damage occurring in the interim.