First, what the advance actually is
When you book, you pay a small advance through Razorpay. Each shop sets its own advance amount, and you see it clearly before you pay. It is not a fee and not a security deposit: it is the first part of your fare, and it exists because a reserved vehicle is one nobody else can book. At return you pay the balance, which is the fare minus the advance. Full pricing mechanics on the Prices page.
Cancelling a booking: the 2-hour rule
- checkMore than 2 hours before pickup: you can cancel and request a refund of your advance, subject to the shop's terms shown at booking.
- checkWithin 2 hours of pickup: the advance is non-refundable. The vehicle was held out of the market for you when someone else could have booked it.
- checkShops can be more generous, never stricter: cancellation terms vary shop to shop, and the exact terms for your booking are shown before you pay and in your ticket. What was on your screen is what applies.
- checkWhere to cancel: from your digital ticket at My Bookings, any time before pickup.
When a refund is always due
Regardless of any window, you get your advance back in full if the failure is on the supply side:
- checkThe shop cancels your confirmed booking.
- checkNo vehicle of your booked model is available at pickup time.
- checkYou were double-charged for one booking. The duplicate is refunded.
How refunds move
Refunds are processed to your original payment method via Razorpay, initiated by the shop through Rentie's refund system, so money never moves off the record. Allow 5 to 7 business days for your bank to post it. Every refund is tracked; if yours is overdue, email support.rentie.shop@gmail.com with your booking reference and we chase it.
Paid but something errored?
If you ever see "your payment is recorded" after an error: do not pay again. The capture is already tied to your booking reference. The shop confirms your ride manually or the amount is refunded. That message exists precisely so a glitch cannot eat your money.
Refund FAQs
Is the booking advance a security deposit?
No. The advance is the first part of your fare, paid up front to reserve the vehicle. Each shop decides the amount, and it is shown clearly before you pay. There is no separate deposit to chase after the ride; the advance simply reduces what you pay at return.
Until when can I cancel and get my advance back?
As a platform rule, refunds are possible only for cancellations made more than 2 hours before your pickup time. Cancel within 2 hours of pickup and the advance is non-refundable. Individual shops can set more generous terms, and the terms shown on your booking screen are the ones that apply to you.
I cancelled in time. Where's my money?
Refunds go back to the original payment method via Razorpay. Banks typically post it in 5 to 7 business days. If it has been longer, email support.rentie.shop@gmail.com with your booking reference.
The payment went through but the booking errored. Did I lose my advance?
No. Your payment is recorded against your booking attempt the moment Razorpay captures it, and the error message you saw includes the payment reference. Do not pay again; the shop will confirm the ride or the amount comes back. Stuck? Email support.rentie.shop@gmail.com.
The shop cancelled on me / no vehicle at pickup. Now what?
That is a full refund of your advance, no questions, regardless of any window. It is initiated by the shop through Rentie to your original payment method. If a shop resists, escalate with your booking reference and we take it from there.
Can I move my booking instead of cancelling?
Yes, and it is usually easier for everyone. Contact the shop before your pickup time using the number on your booking ticket. Shops accommodate reschedules readily when asked early.
Book without breath-holding
Terms on screen before you pay, payments on the record after. That's the whole policy.
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