Refund & Return Policy

1. American Drive does not take payment for rentals

American Drive Rentals LLC operates a search and comparison service. We do not charge you for a rental, we do not hold your reservation, and we do not have access to a provider's booking or payment systems. It follows that we cannot issue a refund for a rental — the provider that took the money is the only party that can return it.

2. Refunds

Who issues them

The rental provider named on your confirmation, under the policy you accepted at the time of booking, back to the card you paid with.

Typical timelines

Providers usually authorise a refund within a few business days of approving it. Your bank then takes its own time — commonly a further three to ten business days — before the credit appears on your statement. Neither step is under our control.

Common refund outcomes

• Pay-at-counter bookings: nothing was charged, so there is normally nothing to refund. Cancel within the provider's window to avoid a no-show charge.
• Prepaid flexible rates: usually refundable up to a stated cut-off before pick-up, sometimes minus an administration fee.
• Prepaid non-refundable rates: generally not refundable, including for a no-show. This is the trade-off for the lower rate.
• Early return: returning a car early does not automatically produce a refund for the unused days. Many providers reprice the rental at the shorter-period rate, which can be higher per day.
• Deposit holds: a deposit release is not a refund. The provider releases the hold after return; your bank clears it on its own schedule.

3. Returning the vehicle

The return conditions are set by the provider and printed on your rental agreement. In practice, most US providers expect:

• Return location. The one on the agreement. Returning elsewhere without prior approval usually triggers a one-way or wrong-location fee.
• Return time. Grace periods are short — commonly under an hour — after which an extra day may be charged.
• Fuel. Under the standard full-to-full policy, refuel before returning and keep the receipt. Provider refuelling rates are materially higher than pump prices.
• Charge level (EVs). Some providers require a minimum state of charge on return and charge a fee below it. Confirm the number at pick-up.
• Condition. Excessive dirt, smoking, pet hair and unreturned equipment (car seats, toll transponders) are chargeable by most providers.
• After-hours returns. Where offered, you remain responsible for the vehicle until staff check it in. Photograph the car and the fuel gauge at drop-off.

Damage, toll and penalty charges are assessed by the provider after return, against the deposit or the card on file.

4. Returns and refunds for American Drive itself

American Drive does not sell products or subscriptions and takes no payment from travellers. There is therefore no purchase from us to return and no fee from us to refund. If you believe you have been charged by anyone using the American Drive name, contact us immediately at PENDING_EMAIL.

5. How to get help

1. Find the provider's confirmation email — it carries the reference number they will ask for.
2. Contact the provider directly and cite that reference.
3. If you cannot identify the provider or locate the confirmation, contact us with your travel dates and pick-up location and we will help you work out who holds the booking.

We do not promise a refund outcome, because the outcome is determined by the provider's policy and the rate you accepted. What we can do is help you reach the right party quickly.

See also: Cancellations & Refunds · Terms & Conditions