Hertz - Bogus Fuel Charges

I have been hesitant to post this because I did not want to appear alarmist or sensational, but enough is enough. I have noticed an alarming trend over the last year of Hertz charging erroneous fuel charges particularly for cars dropped off early in the morning outside of normal turn in times. I always hit the fuel station on the way to Hertz and my regular rental location DCA the last Exxon is about a quarter of a mile from the turn in point. I have received the hertz fuel charge every time I have turned the car in at 0430 for my early flight. I call Hertz and they remove the charge, but this is beyond a trend and has turned into matter of course. I have to examine and scrub every Hertz receipt. I have also found this at TUS and DIA. Always on early morning returns. I just find it infuriating.

FYI- I have been told that if you drive less than 100 miles for your rental period than they "automatically" add on the fuel charge even if you refill the car.

FYI- I have been told that if you drive less than 100 miles for your rental period than they "automatically" add on the fuel charge even if you refill the car.

Hmmm...I'll have to look that up in the TOS. That could very well be the answer. This particular rental was 64 miles. This is frustrating. I am really tempted now to go back and comb through my last year of rental history. If this is the case, it is Very deceptive. They would probably consider it an enhancement claiming that one does not need to refuel before they return the car.

The other frustrating point about this is that EVERY time I rent a car I get asked if I want the fuel option and EVERY time I say no. Then things like this happen.

The Hertz system defaults to "N" on fuel every time unless you prepaid for it. It's up to the agent to put an 8 (full) on the return page. 5 miles or 100miles doesn't matter.

The Hertz system defaults to "N" on fuel every time unless you prepaid for it. It's up to the agent to put an 8 (full) on the return page. 5 miles or 100miles doesn't matter.

This makes sense and I would almost assume as much. None the less the receivers who log the cars in should actually do their assigned tasks and verify that the tank is full and note it 8/8 on their PDA's. This was not a one of incident. This is more of a sign that Hertz will attempt to collect $32 when possible and rely on the consumer to exercise scrutiny. We all should, however, we are busy. Charge 100 people the fuel charge, if only 50 call back Hertz has mad an additional $1500 that day at that location.

This happened to me too - last Saturday I dropped off a car before opening hours using the dropbox. I filled it up on the way to the rental location - needle was well above F. Called the rental location after they opened to check that everything was good - the agent confirmed the total charges I expected and said everything was set. Then, email with "Hertz statement of charges" came through yesterday with an additional "fuel and service" charge added - for only $19.77 (compared to $32), but still...

Called Hertz - the rep immediately said she "would remove the charge and log a complaint" (her words not mine, and very quick and smooth - it didn't seem to be the first time she had fielded calls about erroneous fuel charges). Yeah, quite a number of people might fail to notice an extra charge and call in about it - this would definitely add up. Another thing to check in the future no matter which rental company is used.