Travel doesn't always go as planned, but we’ve built total flexibility into our service to keep you moving. The best way to "delay-proof" your trip is to ensure your flight number is attached to your booking. When you provide these details, your reservation is automatically guaranteed for up to 24 hours from your original pick-up time. There’s no need to call us if you’re running late; our teams on the ground track your arrival in real-time and will even keep our airport branches open for up to an hour past closing to ensure you get on the road. This 24-hour rule is our simple way of guaranteeing your car stays yours, even if your delayed travel spills past midnight.
Secure Your Peace of Mind
If you didn't have your travel details handy when you booked, simply log into your account portal „Manage bookings" to add them now. For bookings without a flight number, we provide a 60-minute grace period past your scheduled pick-up time within branch opening hours. While we will always honor pre-paid reservations throughout your rental period, providing your travel info is the only way to guarantee your specific vehicle category and automatic protection if your arrival at the airport is delayed.
This applies to all bookings in the United States, Canada, UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France & Monaco.
The deposit serves as a security for potential additional costs, such as damages or missing fuel. The amount depends on your chosen vehicle category and payment method. You can find the exact amounts in the rental information for your selected vehicle.
How is the deposit handled?
When paying with a credit or debit card:
When paying with a Maestro card:
What is the difference between a deposit and an approval?
Approval: The amount is reserved on your credit or debit card and released after rental completion.
Deposit: The amount is charged and refunded after the rental ends.
Why has an amount been approved on my credit card?
Before your rental starts, the expected total amount plus a security deposit is approved on your card.
After your rental, this pending charge is released automatically, and at the same time any outstanding payments are charged (e.g. any additional extras added upon collection, or refuelling fees that were calculated when a vehicle was not returned full)
How long does it take for the deposit or approval to be released?
The release time depends on your bank and can vary between institutions.
No problem – we will hold your rental car from the agreed pick-up time for up to one hour within our opening hours. If you arrive later than planned without notifying us, the vehicle may be rented out to another customer after this period.
Our tip: If it looks like your arrival will be delayed, please let us know briefly. This way, we can make sure your vehicle remains available for you.
If you are arriving by plane, we recommend taking advantage of our special service for air travelers. You can find more information here: Flight Delay