No-Show

A no-show is what the rental company calls it when you simply do not turn up for a confirmed booking and have not cancelled in advance. From their side, a car was reserved and held for you and earned nothing.

The penalty is usually steep. Many prepaid rates treat a no-show as a full loss of what you paid, and even pay-on-arrival bookings can carry a no-show fee. It is the most expensive way to change your mind.

The fix is always to cancel rather than vanish. Even a late cancellation, within whatever window the contract allows, is almost always cheaper than letting the booking lapse as a no-show.

If a flight delay or emergency means you will be very late, contact the agency as early as you can. Many will hold the car or adjust the pickup rather than treat you as a no-show, but only if you reach out.