William Lipovsky
There are additional fees involved when you return a rental car late, but there can also be fees for early rental car returns. Early return policies vary between rental car companies — you can end up paying extra fees, or you can save money by paying for fewer rental days and/or miles.
Continue on to find out more about returning your rental car earlier than planned.
What Happens If You Return a Rental Car Early?
In some cases, you will be charged the amount originally agreed upon at the time of rental, but will not be refunded a partial amount for unused days.
Other companies will recalculate your rental rate based on the number of days you used the vehicle and charge you the recalculated rates — which may be higher or lower than your original rental quote, depending on any discounts you may have been quoted.
An example would be if you rented a car for one week at a discounted weekly rate, but returned the car after four days, you would be charged the higher daily rate for those four days instead of the discounted weekly rate.
Finally, a few companies may charge additional fees for early rental returns, and may or may not refund you for unused days. Early return fees typically function to compensate the rental company for its inability to rent the vehicle during the remaining time that was reserved for your use.
Car Rental Companies That Charge Early Return Fees
The following are the car rental companies that charge additional fees when you return your rental early:
Dollar Rent A Car
- Early return policy: Allows early returns; pay only for the days used. However, additional fees apply if you did not prepay your rental and you return the vehicle more than 24 hours before your scheduled return time.[1] You may be able to reduce the early return fee by calling (888) 283-0898 ahead of time and modifying your agreement to reflect an earlier rental return day and time.[2]
- Early return fees: $25[2]
Fox Rent A Car
- Early return policy: Allows early returns; anything in excess of the daily early return fee will be refunded or discounted when vehicles are returned early.[3]
- Early return fees: Additional $20 per day, with a total charge not exceeding the original estimated total at time of rental[4][3]
Sixt
- Early return policy: Allows early returns for rentals that are not prepaid; rates will be recalculated based on current rental fees and actual length of rental, plus additional fees where applicable. This rate may be higher than your originally quoted rate. No refunds on early returns for prepaid car rentals.[5]
- Early return fees: Varies by location and actual length of rental[5]
Thrifty Car Rental
- Early return policy: Allows early returns; pay only for the days used. However, additional fees apply if you did not prepay your rental and you return the vehicle more than 24 hours before your scheduled return time.[6] You can avoid the early return fee by calling (888) 283-0898 at least 24 hours in advance modifying your agreement to reflect an earlier rental return day and time.[7]
- Early return fees: $25[6]
Car Rental Companies That Change Rental Rates for Early Returns
The following car companies will recalculate the rental charges for your vehicle if you return it early — but will not charge an actual fine for an early return.
In many cases, the recalculated rates can still result in a higher overall charge if you rented a car at a discount weekly rate or through a special deal because the fees are recalculated using the current daily rental rate.
For example: If you rented a car at a weekly rate of $119 and returned it after four days, and the current daily rental fee on your return date was $45, you would pay $180 for the rental rather than the discounted $119.
ACE Rent A Car
- Early return policy: Allows early returns, though you will still have to pay the full amount of the original rental agreement.[8][9]
- Early return fees: You’re responsible for paying the original agreed-upon amount, even if you return a vehicle earlier than you planned.[8][9]
Alamo
- Early return policy: Allows early returns; if you prepaid, refunds will depend on the terms at the time of payment and may be affected if you paid through a third-party site. If you didn’t prepay, you will only be charged for the days you drove the car. However, if you made a reservation for a whole week and return it early, you will be charged a daily rate instead of a weekly rate.[10]
- Early return fees: No additional fees[10]
Avis Rent A Car
- Early return policy: Allows early returns; rental fees are recalculated according to the current rates at the time of return.[11][12] Early return may result in an increased daily rate.[13]
- Early return fees: No additional fees[13]
Budget Rent A Car
- Early return policy: Allows early returns; rental fees are recalculated according to the current rates and actual length of rental, and may be higher than the original rate.[14]
- Early return fees: No additional fees[14]
Hertz
- Early return policy: Allows early returns; for rentals that are not prepaid, rates will be recalculated based on the current rental fees at the time of return.[15][16] There are no refunds for early returns on prepaid rentals.[17]
- Early return fees:No additional fees[18][16]
Payless Car Rental
- Early return policy: Allows early returns in most locations; in general, rates will be recalculated based on the actual length of the rental.[19]
- Early return fees: Typically no additional fees, though this may vary by location.[19]
Car Rental Companies That Don’t Penalize Early Returns
These car rental companies may or may not give partial refunds for early returns, but they do not recalculate rental rates or charge additional fees.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Early return policy: Allows early returns; you will only be charged for the day(s) you kept the vehicle. For non-airport Enterprise locations, vehicles that are returned after business hours are not considered checked in until the next business day. If you return a vehicle to a non-airport location after hours, you may not be refunded for the additional day.[20]
- Early return fees: No additional fees[20]
Getaround
- Early return policy: No refunds for early returns[21][22][23]
- Early return fees: No additional fees[21][23]
National Car Rental
Rent-A-Wreck
- Early return policy: No refunds for early returns[25]
- Early return fees: No early return fees; returning a car after hours will result in a $20 fee.[25]
Turo
- Early return policy: Varies by owner; refunds may be provided for early returns, provided you request to end your rental agreement early through the Turo app and the request is accepted by the owner. For approved requests, unused rental time is automatically refunded through the app.[26]
- Early return fees: No additional fees[26]
U-Save
- Early return policy: No refunds given on early returns at most locations;[27][28][29] U-Save’s early return policies may vary by location, as the company is franchised. Contact your local U-Save office to ask about any location-specific early return policies.[30]
- Early return fees: No additional fees[30]
