The deadline is the whole point
Free cancellation almost never runs up to the collection time. It closes a stated number of hours before — commonly 24 or 48 — and after that the normal charges apply.
Check the specific figure on the offer rather than assuming a standard. It varies by supplier and sometimes by tariff within the same supplier.
Prepayment and refunds
Fully refundable
Cancel inside the window and the prepayment returns in full, though the bank may take several days to show it.
Partially refundable
Some tariffs retain a booking fee even inside the free window. It should be stated at checkout.
Non-refundable
Cheaper rates often waive cancellation entirely. These are only worth taking when the dates are genuinely fixed.
No-shows are different
Failing to arrive is not the same as cancelling. A no-show typically forfeits the prepayment in full even on a tariff that offered free cancellation, because the window had already closed.
If a flight is delayed and you will be late rather than absent, tell the supplier — most will hold the car if they know.
What to check before booking
- How many hours before pickup the free window closes.
- Whether the refund is full or net of a booking fee.
- How to cancel — through the platform or directly with the supplier.
- How long the refund takes to reach the card.