Late Return Policy
Last updated: May 22, 2026
Need to keep the car a bit longer? You can extend any trip in the app — but if a car comes back late without an extension, this policy explains what fees apply and why.
01Summary
Returning a car on time keeps Alvro running smoothly for everyone — the next renter has a booking, the host has plans, and the calendar depends on it. This policy explains how late returns are handled and what fees apply when one happens.
02Grace period
Every trip includes a 15-minute grace period at the return time. Returns within this window are treated as on-time, no fee.
03Late fees
If you return the car beyond the grace period, fees apply:
| How late | Fee |
|---|---|
| More than 15 minutes and up to 1 hour late | 50% of the daily rate (half a day) |
| More than 1 hour late | 1 full day at the daily rate |
| Each additional 24 hours late | One more full day, up to 5 days total |
| More than 24 hours late, no contact | Alvro's Trust & Safety team is notified to recover the vehicle; no further late fees apply beyond the days already counted (up to 5 days). |
These fees compensate the host for lost bookings and inconvenience and may also include any costs Alvro incurs to compensate the renter whose next booking is affected.
Alvro's trip protection continues to apply during a late return, up to the point Alvro initiates recovery of the vehicle — so the period you are covered matches the period for which late-return fees are charged. (Draft — pending insurer confirmation.)
04How to avoid a late fee
If you need more time, request an extension through the app:
- Before the scheduled return time — the host confirms and the trip is extended at the prevailing rate.
- After the scheduled return time — extensions may still be approved at the host's discretion, but late fees may already apply.
If the host can't extend (the next renter has the car booked), return as quickly and safely as possible.
05Host responsibilities
Hosts must be available at the agreed return location at the scheduled time. If a host is more than 15 minutes late to receive the car, the renter is not responsible for any late-return fees caused by the host's absence.
If a car isn't returned on time, hosts must not try to repossess the vehicle themselves, disable it, or confront the guest. Contact Alvro — we coordinate recovery of an overdue or unreturned car and, where appropriate, involve law enforcement.
06Emergencies & extenuating circumstances
If a genuine emergency prevents an on-time return — an accident, sudden illness, severe weather — contact Alvro support and your host as soon as you safely can. We'll work with you to waive or reduce fees where appropriate. See our Cancellation Policy for extenuating-circumstance criteria.