Hertz - Rental Car Fuel

Any thoughts on this? It's more of a tip then a concern. But it makes good sense to me that when renting a car that has only 7/8 of fuel is actually better rented out than being Full. Reason...A person can drive 40 or 50 miles on a car and it still shows full. So when you come along and rent it you get screwed putting that missing gas back in. Then you only have to bring it back to or very close to that level you know what the gas level really is. It's always good to know no matter who you rent your car from that a full tank is always a good tank but is it really.

Any thoughts on this? It's more of a tip then a concern. But it makes good sense to me that when renting a car that has only 7/8 of fuel is actually better rented out than being Full. Reason...A person can drive 40 or 50 miles on a car and it still shows full. So when you come along and rent it you get screwed putting that missing gas back in. Then you only have to bring it back to or very close to that level you know what the gas level really is. It's always good to know no matter who you rent your car from that a full tank is always a good tank but is it really.

If I suspect a less than a full tank, I may top off at a nearby station right after I pick up the car. If it is over a gallon, I usually will ask for a refund of gas purchased. (I never been refused since I have fuel receipt with time/date & nearby location). More often when I rent locally.

I usually top off tank within a few miles of rental location. (once, I was bad & top off about 25 miles away). Definitely not at the overpriced station ($5/gallon) near the Orlando airport. :mad:

I believe in the general theory that the gas stations nearest the airports charge a mark-up to make a profit on those returning rental cars. Whenever I can, I will find a safe location that is reasonably close to the airport to gas up (if possible a Sam's Club so I can use my membership for a discount). I don't know if I'd do 50 miles between topping off and turning in, but I certainly have done 10-15 miles.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hertz/577060-hertz-mia-gas-receipt-required.html

I think it's sometimes impossible to expect a rental car to be completely full of gas unless there is a gas station near the rental site. Plus, even if that's the case, most people avoid them because of the typical mark up. Hence, if you drive off a rental car that's not completely full, chances are you will return that car not completely full, either. Hence, what's the big deal?

LAX

I picked up a car at an Avis in Kansas today - they had a little sign that said "You must refuel within 5 miles and show a receipt at return." No idea whether they will enforce it or not...the place I will refuel is about 3.5 miles away so it doesn't matter to me.

I generally try to refuel within a few miles of the airport. I have noticed that LAX has two gas stations across the street from each other: one fairly priced for the area and one outrageously priced. At least it was that way a year or two ago...

And then there's the notorious MCO station. I think we *all* know to avoid that one. If the "airport premium" is 10 cents a gallon or so, I'm okay with it...