Avis fee for returning to different location


A drop charge is a fee for picking up a rental car at one location and returning it to a different location. The rental car drop fee varies depending on location and time of year. If you have to pay a drop charge, it will be disclosed at the time of reservation.        

Additional Information:

One-way Car Rental

Want to rent a car in a location and return it to a different one? How about returning the car in another country? Here’s what you need to know!

Renting a car to enjoy everything a city and the road have to offer is always a great choice, but sometimes you’ll find yourself thinking returning the rental car in a different location or state may be easier than driving back to where you picked it up.

Now, can you even return it in a different location?

Different pick-up and drop-off locations FAQ


Can you return a rental car in a different location?


Yes, you can return the car in a different location. Usually, this is called “one-way rental”. However, please note that, sometimes, an extra fee may be applied to your reservation.


Does it cost more to return a rental car in a different location?


Usually, rental companies charge a return fee, but it depends on the pick-up and drop-off location, date of reservation, car category and more. A good way to know how much the return will cost is to search for the price of the rental returning the car in the same location and with different pick-up and drop-off locations.


Can you return a car in a different state?

Yes, you can rent a car one-way out of state. In the US, it’s common to pick-up rental cars with plates from different states (they must have gotten there somehow, right?).

However, generally speaking, rental companies also charge the one-way rental extra fee based on how far the drop-off is from the pick-up as they’ll have to return it to its original city. This way, the more you drive away from the pick-up address, the more expensive the fee will be.


Can you return a car in a different country?

In some cases, yes. This is most common in Europe, where crossing borders is fairly easy. Usually, rental companies will let you cross borders with the rental car, but a cross-border fee may be also applied in addition to the one-way rental fee.

As the rules vary a lot depending on the location and the rental company, we always suggest you check the specific policies of each city, country and company.


Can you rent a car without a one-way or return fee?


It’s not common, but it happens. For highly popular road trips, this may be the case. For example, a lot of people rent a car from point A to point B and vice versa. That means the rental company doesn’t necessarily have to return the car to its original city.

Renting one-way with Rentcars.com

On Rentcars.com you can search for car rentals in over 160 countries and 100 rental companies. When you do, just check the option that says “Return car to different location”, enter the information asked and look for the best options!

Attention! All efforts were made to validade the information published in this blog at the moment they were written, however, Rentcars.com does not take responsibility for inaccuracies or future adjustments that can happen as a result of different offers and conditions. The posts here published, as well as the eventual comments from its readers, are merely informative and it is the client's duty to confirm with Rentcars.com and/or suppliers any content that may affect their vacation plans.

Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Kristin

Avis fee for returning to different location
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When you travel, sometimes you get curveballs. And those can sometimes lead to a costly car rental mistake. A diverted flight, family emergency, illness or itinerary change. Any of those might encourage you to return a rental car to a different location than originally planned.

Your rental agreement will note a return time and location. Dropping your car off at a different location, even with the same rental company, can cost you a pretty penny. That’s because the rates at rental car companies are typically based on round trips. That means they require bringing back the car to the same location you picked it up from. If you don’t, your trip will count as a one-way rental — and those are usually much more expensive.

Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental

Returning a rental car to an unapproved location is one of the costliest mistakes you can make. Here’s how to avoid ending up in this situation.

Understand the fine print

Most rental car companies will charge you a fee for turning your roundtrip rental into a one-way rental. The car rental companies may refer to these fees as “drop charges” or “drop-off” fees.

Rental companies will generally tell you how big that drop-off fee is when planning a one-way rental, but returning the car at an unexpected location means taking a gamble. You won’t know how much that drop charge will be until you get to the counter, and you likely will have no choice but to accept that price if you insist on returning the car there.

Some rental car companies have additional policies for unexpected drop-offs. National Car Rental, for example, has fine print stating that it charges the greater of $300 or $1.50 per mile between the original rental location and the new one, or the owner’s adjusted daily, weekly or monthly rate. In other words, if you drop off a rental car less than 200 miles from the designated drop-off location, you’ll be charged $300.

Let AutoSlash Track Your Car Rental for Price Drops

Even more worrisome is that some companies do not have a specific policy for unexpected returns, so you won’t find out how much you’ll be penalized until it’s too late.

Notify the company that plans have changed

If you have no choice but to drop off the car at an alternative rental location, never show up unannounced. Always tell the rental car company in advance that your plans have changed and confirm how much it will cost to drop the car at the new location. While this is best done by phone, you may be able to change your existing reservation through the company’s website or app.

Check out one-way trips with AutoSlash

In some situations, it might make sense to drop off your car at the original return location and then find a cheap one-way rate to finish your trip. While one-way rates are generally more expensive than round trips, making a reservation in advance could potentially be less expensive than dropping off your existing car rental unannounced at an alternative location than the one listed in your rental agreement.

To uncover affordable one-way rentals, ask AutoSlash for a quote. The process is easy, free and only takes a few minutes.

Related:

  • AutoSlash’s Cheap One-Way Car Rental Guide
  • Secrets to Getting a Cheap One-Way Car Rental
  • Quickie One-Way Car Rentals From the Airport to Downtown For $9.99

What happens if I return my Avis rental car to a different location?

If return is indicated to a location other than the location where your rental commences, you may have to pay a one way service fee. If you return the car to a different location from the agreed return location without our permission, you agree to pay an unauthorized return location fee specified by us.

Can I return to different location Avis?

Avis offers convenient one-way rentals at attractive rates. Pick up a car at one location and return it to another. Car type and availability vary by participating locations, and a drop-off charge may apply on certain rates.

Why is it so expensive to drop off a rental car at a different location?

But rent the car in one place and return it somewhere else — a one-way rental — and you'll pay hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars more. Why? Car rental companies charge hefty dropoff fees to give drivers an incentive to return the vehicle to their original location.

Can I change the return location of my rental car?

Yes, you can return the car in a different location. Usually, this is called “one-way rental”. However, please note that, sometimes, an extra fee may be applied to your reservation.