Extending a Long-Term Car Rental in Guam: How It Works, Step by Step

Does a long-term rental renew automatically?

No. Each rental period has a fixed end date and time, printed on your rental agreement. Nothing is charged or extended for you in the background: when that time passes, the contract ends, unless you have already extended it at the office.

What the monthly rate covers, and the costs that are yours to pay, are explained in our guide to what a monthly rental includes. This page is about the extension itself.

When should you extend?

Aim for five days or more before your current period ends. That is what the office recommends, and it leaves room if your week gets busy.

The firm limit is the expiry time on your agreement. Look at the time as well as the date: if your contract ends at 10:00 a.m. on the 15th, turning up that afternoon is already late, and late fees apply.

A simple habit helps. On the day you collect the car, set two phone reminders: one a week before the expiry, and one five days before.

What to decide before you go to the office

• How much longer you need the car. Unused days are not refunded if you bring the car back early, so extend for the time you are confident about rather than the longest stay you can imagine.
• Which card will pay. It does not have to be the card you used at the start, but it must belong to a driver who is listed on the rental agreement. The office takes major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Discover and UnionPay); debit cards, prepaid cards, AMEX, JCB and cash are not accepted.
• Who will come in. Only a driver named on the agreement can process the extension. If your partner drives the car but is not on the agreement, they cannot extend it for you.

The car stays the same for the next period. An extension is not a chance to switch to a different model or size, because the office keeps track of each car's condition over the whole rental. If your needs have changed, talk to the office about your options before your current period ends.

Step by step: extending at the office

• Step 1. Go to the office before the expiry time. The office never closes: it runs around the clock, every day of the year. If you plan to come late at night, call ahead on +1-671-642-8000 to check that the extension can be handled then.
• Step 2. Bring the listed driver, their license and the card. The person processing the extension must be named on the rental agreement. Bring their original driver's license (photocopies are not accepted) and the credit card that will pay.
• Step 3. Sign for the next period and pay. The office prepares the extension and takes payment for the new period.
• Step 4. Expect a new card hold. A fresh preauthorization, a temporary hold on the card, is placed at every renewal. The hold from your last visit usually drops off after about 14 days, depending on your bank, so a new one is needed each time. Make sure the card has enough available credit.
• Step 5. Keep driving. There is no need to swap cars or move your things. Check the new expiry date and time on your agreement, and set your reminders again.

What if your plans change?

Your dates move later. PCS orders change, household goods arrive late, and a POV you shipped can take longer than expected. As soon as you know you need more time, extend for the stretch you know you need, then come back for another extension if the dates slip again. Each one follows the same steps.

The listed driver is away. If the only driver on the agreement is deployed, travelling or on duty when the period ends, someone else cannot extend on their behalf. Arrange the extension before they leave, or ask the office in advance whether another driver can be added to the agreement and what that requires.

You miss the renewal date. Go to the office as soon as you can. The office will first settle the extension charges or late fees for the time that has passed, and then renew for the next month. Do not wait it out. The rental terms say the company may charge the card on file when a renter does not show up on the return or renewal date, and that if a car is not returned within 24 hours of its return date, the company files a police complaint for "theft and unauthorized use of vehicle".

You need the car for less time than you thought. You can bring it back before the end of the period, but the unused days are not refunded. When your dates are uncertain, extending in shorter steps can make more sense than one long extension.

Staying much longer? Renting vs buying

If your stay keeps growing and you expect to need a car for many more months, compare the cost of renewing every month with buying a car. TAICO Guam Used Cars, a sister company in the same group, sells cars that served in the group's rental and leasing fleets and were maintained while in service, including Toyota, Nissan and Mazda models, with financing available through local Guam lenders. See the cars on guam-usedcars.com.

Before your next renewal, check the 30-day prices for your car type. If you are in Guam on orders, our military and PCS rentals page has more on renting for a posting.

Frequently asked questions

Can I extend my rental over the phone?

No. Extensions and payments are handled only at the office, by a driver named on the rental agreement.

Can I change to a different car when I extend?

No. An extension keeps you in the same car, so the office can follow its condition throughout your rental. Talk to the office before your period ends if you need something different.

Can my spouse extend the rental for me?

Only if your spouse is listed as a driver on the rental agreement. A listed driver can also pay with a card in their own name.

Why is there a new hold on my card at each renewal?

The previous preauthorization usually lapses after about 14 days, depending on the bank, so a new temporary hold is placed with every renewal.

What happens if I forget to extend?

Come to the office straight away. Late fees or extension charges for the extra time are settled first, and then the rental can be renewed. Every extra day adds to what you owe, so talk to the office rather than holding on to the car after your contract ends.