Beware Rick's recent car rental advice

Car rental companies are full of rules that work in their favor. When I have heard of that issue occurring, I think it was for periods of less than 3 days, but looks like it could also happen at 4 days, and if extending longer, you should request a price quote.

In my experience of booking car rentals through Auto Europe for myself and for our book researchers, rentals do cost the same for 5, 6, or 7 days (and you are quoted the same rental price when you test different options). These bookings are pre-paid. Here are a few lines from the fine print of a rental last year (italics mine):

• Reservations may be extended without penalty by contacting Auto Europe before the expiration of the rental period.
• Reservations made on an Internet Rate are subject to a cancellation fee of $75 USD if cancelled within 3 days of pick up and there will be no refund in the event of cancellation after the scheduled date and time of pick up.
• There will be no refund for unused days.
• All rentals are based on 24 hour periods with a 3 day minimum rental, a full day is charged for any portion of a day that the vehicle is used.
• 5, 6 & 7 day rentals constitute a weekly rate, any rental duration longer or shorter than 5-7 days is calculated on a daily basis.

Definitely read the fine print. I just got word that Hertz has a new charge. If you drive less than 75 miles, you must bring a receipt when you return the car proving you added gas. If not, you will be charged $14. (Not sure if this applies outside the U.S. )

certainly not true with the Company I use on a regular basis. I usually rent for a week as I can get a good deal doing things that's way and there certainly has been no penalties for returning it a day early. Might be different if you are expecting a refund on your unused time but I have never encountered an extra payment for returning cars early and would not seek a refund for returning the car early.

Rick has this one wrong for almost all agencies. Not sure where he comes up with the advice sometimes LOL!

I rent a lot of cars and if you change the dates then rules change. If someone has an agency where that's not true please post it ,but with most of the biggies this is how it works.

Carol, I think that Laura did just post an example. I didn't see the email as I've dropped off his list, but here's what it says on the website:

"Get quotes for weekly rentals. Typically, the longer you rent, the less it’ll cost per day. You may find that renting for a full seven days costs the same as, or even less than, five or six days."

This is exactly what Laura cites from her fine print. It's certainly, what I've experienced in the past. It's a good tip. But, you always have to read the fine print or ask specific questions.