{"id":19774,"date":"2022-06-16T12:00:57","date_gmt":"2022-06-16T11:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zestcarrental.com\/blog\/?p=19774"},"modified":"2024-12-03T16:28:52","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T16:28:52","slug":"flight-cancellations-delays-can-affect-car-hire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zestcarrental.com\/blog\/flight-cancellations-delays-can-affect-car-hire\/","title":{"rendered":"How flight cancellations and delays can affect your car hire"},"content":{"rendered":"

*Updated for 2024*<\/em><\/p>\n

Nobody likes cancelled or delayed flights. For starters, it gets your holiday off on the wrong foot and puts you in a bad mood when you\u2019re trying to relax. Unfortunately, these can often be completely unavoidable at times. In the event that you\u2019re facing a flight delay or cancellation, we outline the best process for you to follow, and what could happen if you don\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Recent flight cancellations 2022<\/b><\/h2>\n

We\u2019re aware of the complications created because of the recent flight cancellations due to aviation industry staff shortages<\/a>. Over the jubilee weekend, 305 flights departing the UK were cancelled out of a total of 10,662 scheduled flights. We understand this is creating a lot of anxiety for summer holidays. As advised in this blog, please contact us if you have an issue with your flights and we will do our best to make sure your car hire booking goes to plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Providing your flight number with your booking<\/h2>\n

We always ask for a flight number when making a booking from an airport, unless you\u2019ve requested a walk-in collection. Providing this number helps us and the provider track the flight if necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes to your flight<\/h2>\n

As soon as you know that your flight has been cancelled or delayed, or if your flight number changes, contact us immediately. If you\u2019re close to your travel dates, and are due to fly within 24 hours, we strongly advise that you call us. Depending on time zones and office hours, we may not pick up an email immediately. We provide 24\/7 emergency telephone support so even if our office is shut, we can work to help accommodate your changes.<\/p>\n

If you are no longer able to collect your rental car at the time you originally booked, do not assume that the vehicle will still be available to you when you do arrive – even if you’re only an hour late. With advance notice of a late collection, the majority of providers will aim to keep the booking available for up to 24 hours. Without notice, you may be deemed as a ‘no show’ and your booking cancelled.<\/p>\n

Expecting to collect the car later than 24 hours after you originally planned? Unfortunately, we may have to cancel the original booking and make a new one for your new arrival time. It may not be possible to honour the original price you booked the vehicle at as the provider\u2019s rate may have changed. This means that the new price for your booking may be higher or lower.<\/p>\n

If we have to cancel your original booking, our cancellation policy will be in place<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Collecting past opening hours<\/h2>\n

Following your delay, if you are due to collect the vehicle from the provider outside their planned office hours, you will have to pay the \u201cout of hours surcharge\u201d. This charge covers the time required for a representative to stay and complete the vehicle handover. If the provider isn\u2019t aware of your delay, they may not hang around to wait for you. It\u2019s also possible that in quiet periods providers may close earlier if they regard you as a \u2018no show\u2019 and have no bookings after yours.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

If the car rental company is unable to offer an out of hours service, you will be advised to collect your hire car from them when they are next open, usually the next day. When you contact us to let us know of your delay, we will advise you if this is the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo show\u201d<\/h2>\n

If we nor the provider are aware of your delay, don\u2019t assume that they will wait for you or hold the vehicle. If you don\u2019t turn up at the planned time, they may regard you as a no-show. This means the vehicle may no longer be available to you and you won’t be given a refund. You will have to make a new booking. Should this be the case, contact us at the time and we can check the rates. Liaising with the provider directly means you will have to pay local walk-in rates and any local extras.<\/p>\n

Free Cancellation and Enhanced Protection with Zest<\/h2>\n

When booking with Zest, you can cancel and claim a full refund up to 48 hours before the rental begins. If your flight is cancelled, you can easily cancel through the <\/span>My Account<\/span><\/a> page on the website or by giving us a call<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can also upgrade to the Enhanced Protection that gives you that extra peace of mind! When booking with Enhanced Protection you’ll be able to cancel and receive a full refund within the 48-hour period before the rental begins. This service costs <\/span>\u00a30.50 per rental day<\/span> with a minimum charge of \u00a32.50 and a maximum charge of \u00a310.00 per booking. The only exception to Enhanced Protection is in the event of a no-show, where no money will be refunded.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your flight cancellation or delay will affect your car hire<\/h2>\n

In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, always\u00a0make us aware<\/a> as soon as possible. We will work with the car rental company to work to the best possible outcome for you.<\/p>\n

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