Rent for full week, return early for refund?

[sheilatakeabow]

I need to rent a car for my parents for 4 days in August. I have heard that it is cheaper to rent for a full week, then return early (without penalty).

Is this possible to do with Priceline or Hotwire? I somehow don't see them refunding money to my card, but figured it was worth asking.

Thanks.

[thereuare]

I have heard that it is cheaper to rent for a full week, then return early (without penalty).

Who said that the car rental company won't charge a fee or penalty for returning the car early (and actually issue a refund)... i don't think it will play out that way. The more likely scenario is that the entire rental would be re-calculated based upon a 4 day rate instead of a full week rate and you will pay the more expensive 4 day rate.

With PRICELINE and HOTWIRE you actually have a chance at returning the car early without a penalty or rate re-calculation, but no refund will be given for the unused portion of the rental... although one user is currently 'fighting' this issue with a PRICELINE rental thru Avis: Return Rental Car Early

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[happysaver]

AFAIK none of the major car rental companies would let you return weekly rental after four days without penalty.

Fox Rent-A-Car in LAX once reduced my rental cost when I've returned the car one day sooner, but that was an exception rather then the rule.

[sheilatakeabow]

Thank you both for responding. It seemed too good to be true when a friend of a friend told me about the trick. Very glad I asked beforehand.

Cheers.