Booking & counter · Travelers
Early return
Also called early drop-off
The short answerBringing the car back before the agreed date; unused days are often not refunded and the rate can change.
What it means
An early return is when the car comes back before the date on the agreement. Many rental companies don't refund unused days, and some recalculate the rental at the rate for the shorter length, which can be higher per day.
Why it matters
Returning early rarely saves money and can cost more. Book the length you need, and check the early-return rule if plans might change.
Related terms
Also related Length of rental (LOR), Refund, Partial refund, Rental agreement