If I arrive late and want to pick up my vehicle the following day is this OK?

We explain the ins and outs of late arrival car hire, and what happens if you are late to pick up your car.

If you have pre-booked, keep the car rental company informed - there will be a telephone number on your booking paperwork. Often at airports the cars are kept 'off-airport' as storage is more expensive near airport terminals and, therefore, it's important they know what is happening so they can make sure a vehicle is available when you want it. Many will also have defined when they consider the contract to have been terminated due to non arrival, but are pretty flexible as long as they are kept informed.

Even at airports, car rental offices do close at night, and off airport some close for lunch too so you may have to wait until the office has reopened to collect the car. If you have pre-booked a car and your rental company are aware of your flight number they tend to remain open if your flight is delayed - in our experience for around an hour after your plane has landed. If more than one of you are travelling, it can be worthwhile getting the car hirer to go ahead to collect the car whilst others remain in the baggage hall for luggage to arrive.

If you have a flexible booking you should be able to rearrange the car hire at fairly short notice, although if you have a 'fixed' booking you will probably forgo the cost of the period between the time you were expected to take the car and when you actually did.

Compare car hire insurance prices with MoneyMaxim

If you have any queries do call a member of the MoneyMaxim car hire insurance team.

This content was last reviewed on 16/10/2018

Image courtesy of: Squidocto

Similar Questions

General Car Hire Queries Answered

• Can I hire a car if I don't have my driving licence?
• Do I need an International driving licence?
• What happens if I forget my driving licence?
• Am I able to accept an upgrade?
• What happens if the car rental company do not have the car I booked?
• What's the maximum number of passengers I can take in my hire car?
• Can I pick my car up in one place and return it to another?
• How can I pay for my policy?
• If I arrive late and want to pick up my vehicle the following day is this OK?
• What if I am overcharged or do not get the car group I booked?
• What happens if the model I have booked is unavailable?
• Will I get a Sat Nav with my hire car?
• Do hire cars have to be new and well cared for?
• What happens if the car or the boot is not big enough for my party?
• Which fuel rules apply to hire cars?
• Can I be charged a fee for cleaning my hire car?
• Do car rental companies have spare keys?
• If I need a car for less than a week, is it cheaper to hire daily or weekly?
• I booked snow chains, a roof rack or a roof box - what happens if they are not there when I arrive?
• What do car rental companies typically charge if you lose the keys to your rental car?
• How do I Find the Best Deals for Cheap Car Hire?
• Can I take my hire car cross border from one country to another and how much will it cost me?
• Can you provide me a quote for car hire and car hire excess insurance even if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
• Can you tell me if my car hire company will be in the airport or if I will need to get a shuttle bus?
• Will I be able to put a roof rack on my hire car?
• If I return the hire car late, will I be charged?
• If my Interrent car breaks down do I get a replacement?
• Should I choose unlimited mileage with my car hire? And how do I?