You can typically pick up a rental car from Enterprise up to 29 minutes after your scheduled reservation time before it's considered a late pickup. However, if you are going to be more than half an hour late, you must contact the specific rental location directly. Failing to do so may result in your reservation being canceled and the vehicle being released to another customer.
The most critical factor is communication. Enterprise locations, especially those at airports, manage their vehicle inventory based on flight arrivals and scheduled pickup times. If they don't hear from you and you are significantly late, they cannot guarantee a car will be held for you. The official policy allows for a short grace period, but practices can vary by location and how busy they are.
Here’s a breakdown of common scenarios:
| Scenario | Likely Outcome | Recommended Action |
|---|
| On-time to 29 minutes late | Car is held. Standard rental process. | Proceed to the counter. |
| 30 minutes to 2 hours late | High risk of cancellation if location is busy. | Call the branch directly immediately. |
| More than 2 hours late | Reservation is very likely canceled. | Call to plead your case; be prepared to pay a higher walk-in rate if a car is available. |
| No-show (no call, no show) | Reservation is canceled. May be subject to a no-show fee. | Rebook online or call to check availability. |
It's not just about losing the car. If your reservation is canceled and you show up later, you will have to pay the current, often significantly higher, walk-in rate for any available vehicles. To avoid this, always update your reservation online or call the branch. Providing your flight number when booking an airport rental can offer some protection, as Enterprise will then track your flight's arrival time.
