is there any rental agency can do this?

[HorizonSeeker]

I need a rental car to go from SoCal to Phoenix next weekend (27th), but I only need it for one day. i'll be going there in the morning and haul my ass back that night. is there any rental agency that will let me pick up the car friday night and return it saturday night without charging me for sunday/monday or am I screwed and will have to rent the car for the whole weekend?

Thanks.

I'm thinking about enterprise or budget because they are close to me. I can pick up from Santa Monica, Burbank, Alhambra or surrounding area.

 

[AlienCraft]

Almost every agency will rent you for one day, but expect no discounts. You're shopping for an item they want to keep out of the lot for as long as possible. Expect to pay a premium. Mileage charge or drop off or soemthings gonna get you.

 

[SoyBoy004]

u'd most likely have to rent from airport locations since they are open every day and later. plus, airport locations CAN be a lot cheaper than other retail locations as they are all competing with each other. however, this can also push prices up.

 

[ucdnam]

All the rental agencies can do that. I rented a car for a one way trip from LA to Sacramento, because of LAX being closed off due to the fires. I've rented one way from New Orleans, LA to Jacksonville, FL, because my flight was from there. They don't care as long as they get their money.

I usually go with Budget, because they're pretty cheap compared with the other big name guys. They offer very cheap rentals w/o charging for mileage. Go to their website and take a look. Their low end car should run $25/day or so with each increase in size bumping up the price $5 or so.

 

[Mermaidman]

If you're renting and returning from the same location, there is usually no mileage charge if you don't drive the car out of state. So--are you going to tell them that you are driving out of state? Sometimes, the rental rate will decide whether there is a mileage charge, so compare the final estimated cost. The lowest daily rate may not have the lowest final cost. (Yes--I learned all these the hard way . . . )

Also--if you're returning the car after regular business hours or on weekends, the airport locations offer better hours. They are also convenient in that you can leave your car at airport parking, then pick up the rental.

 

[vegetation]

As long as the window of your rental is 24 hours and not a minute later (literally, they seldom offer any grace period) then all you will be charged is the daily rate which may unfortunately be slightly higher on a weekend (Fri-Sun is considered weekends). I haven't seen any type of mileage charge on national chains, they are almost always unlimited miles in the US at least; speciality cars might have a mileage charge though, such as a full-size van or something.

 

[Freejack2]

Also if you can, check to see if the company has a corporate discount. In addition to saving you money some companies that don't normally offer unlimited miles on a rate will offer unlimited under the corporate rate.

 

[HorizonSeeker]

Thank you to all the replies, I will try the airport rentals first, my main problem is that even were I to return it to a regular office, there would be no one to take the car back, but I guess the air port ones would be different since it's a 24 hour go around there.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: vegetation
As long as the window of your rental is 24 hours and not a minute later (literally, they seldom offer any grace period) then all you will be charged is the daily rate which may unfortunately be slightly higher on a weekend (Fri-Sun is considered weekends). I haven't seen any type of mileage charge on national chains, they are almost always unlimited miles in the US at least; speciality cars might have a mileage charge though, such as a full-size van or something.

It really varies. Avis has been generous to me if I return within one hour after the deadline. With regard to the weekend vs weekday rates--Usually weekday rates are HIGHER except in vacation destinations.