Why is my booking still pending confirmation?
When you complete a booking with RentCars, it isn't always confirmed instantly. Most bookings are confirmed within a few minutes, but some can remain in a pending state while we finish securing your vehicle with the rental company.
What "pending" means
When your booking shows as pending, it means we've received your request and payment details, and we're waiting for the rental company to confirm availability of your vehicle for your selected dates and location. Nothing is wrong — this is a normal part of the booking process.
While a booking is pending:
Your confirmation voucher is not yet available. Vouchers are only issued once a booking is confirmed.
You may see a temporary hold on your payment method rather than a completed charge.
You don't need to do anything — we'll notify you as soon as the rental company responds.
How long does confirmation take?
Most bookings are confirmed within 30 minutes. In some cases — for example, bookings made outside the rental company's local business hours, during peak travel periods, or for less common vehicle categories — confirmation can take up to 24 hours.
If your pickup date is very soon (within 48 hours), pending bookings are prioritised automatically.
What happens when it's confirmed?
You'll receive a confirmation email with your booking voucher attached. Your voucher will also become available in the My Reservations area of your RentCars account and in the RentCars app. You'll need to present this voucher at the rental counter when you pick up your car.
What should I do if it's still pending?
Within 24 hours of booking: no action needed — confirmation is on its way. Keep an eye on your email, including your spam folder.
More than 24 hours with no update: contact our support team through chat and we'll check the status with the rental company directly.
Pickup is less than 48 hours away: contact us through chat straight away so we can prioritise your booking with the rental company.
What if the rental company can't confirm my booking?
Occasionally a rental company can't fulfil a request — for example, if the vehicle category sells out before your booking is processed. If this happens, we'll contact you right away with alternative options at the same or similar price. If no alternative works for you, any payment made will be refunded in full to your original payment method.
Can I cancel a pending booking?
Yes. A booking that hasn't been confirmed can be cancelled free of charge from the My Reservations area of your account, or by contacting our support team.