Other Car Rental Programs (ie. Alamo, Enterprise) - Enterprise Pre-Paid gas

Picked up an Enterprise car yesterday and was offered a "pre-paid" gas option. I've been given this option with other rental companies but never Enterprise. Is this new system-wide?

I declined it, since I wasn't going to be driving far enough to return the car on empty (which is pretty much the only way you can use this option and not get ripped off).

Picked up an Enterprise car yesterday and was offered a "pre-paid" gas option. I've been given this option with other rental companies but never Enterprise. Is this new system-wide?

I declined it, since I wasn't going to be driving far enough to return the car on empty (which is pretty much the only way you can use this option and not get ripped off).

It's only available from locations that have the standard policy of always renting cars out with a full tank. Generally, this requires the location to have the ability to fill cars up on-site, such as an on-airport rental (where all of the rental agencies usually share a dedicated gas pumping station), although it's possible a large neighborhood store may have a gas tank or a very convenient (i.e. right next door) gas station.

When I worked at the PHX Airport in 2007 we offered it. I think back then it was pretty new. As the always wise Jackal says the location has to be near a fuel source and it's most common at airports.

It's only available from locations that have the standard policy of always renting cars out with a full tank.

Ha, well this location apparently didn't get the memo, then. I rent from there frequently and only get a full tank about 25% of the time. In this case, the tank was 75% full. I was told I'd be charged for 3/4 of a tank (on a Kia Rio). I have no idea how much that would have cost me and I needed to hit the road so I didn't bother asking (since that would have inevitably meant the agent would have had to go back inside and look it up).

Ha, well this location apparently didn't get the memo, then. I rent from there frequently and only get a full tank about 25% of the time. In this case, the tank was 75% full. I was told I'd be charged for 3/4 of a tank (on a Kia Rio). I have no idea how much that would have cost me and I needed to hit the road so I didn't bother asking (since that would have inevitably meant the agent would have had to go back inside and look it up).

Hmm, then that may be new, indeed.

I just rented a car from Enterprise (Roslyn, NY), the gas option I chose was 3/4 tank when renting, return empty. They are charging $3.17/gal--while the going rate for gas in the area is $3.95 (avg.), is there some "catch" which I am missing?

I just rented a car from Enterprise (Roslyn, NY), the gas option I chose was 3/4 tank when renting, return empty. They are charging $3.17/gal--while the going rate for gas in the area is $3.95 (avg.), is there some "catch" which I am missing?

Yes--that's the catch: return it empty. Harder than it sounds. ;) You won't get any refunds if you bring it back with anything more than 0 gallons.

Picked up an Enterprise car yesterday and was offered a "pre-paid" gas option. I've been given this option with other rental companies but never Enterprise. Is this new system-wide?

I declined it, since I wasn't going to be driving far enough to return the car on empty (which is pretty much the only way you can use this option and not get ripped off).


Sometimes their rate is cheaper than the local gas rate. Before I rent I always check with www.gasbuddy.com to get the gas prices in the market. If the rental company's prices are lower, I buy the rental gas. If higher, I buy the gas station gas. But you always have to check on the DAY OF travel.

Pre paying for gas NEVER EVER FAVORS the renter, don't forget that your also paying airport taxes and fees on that top of that advertised price per gallon, Pre paying for $3.00 per gallon is more like $3.50 with the taxes and fees :(

Pre paying for gas NEVER EVER FAVORS the renter

I don't know; I'm pretty talented at getting every last drop of gas out of the car. I'd bet I've left less than a gallon in the tank most times I've taken prepaid fuel. (It's also been the only thing that prevented me from missing my flight.)

don't forget that your also paying airport taxes and fees on that top of that advertised price per gallon, Pre paying for $3.00 per gallon is more like $3.50 with the taxes and fees :(

That varies by location, and I might even suggest it's not common at all. I take prepaid fuel about 75% of the time when I rent a car, and I've never been charged taxes and fees on top of it.

Also, for some people, time is money, and spending a couple extra bucks on prepaid fuel is worth the time and hassle saved. That should be factored before making any blanket statement about the value of a particular product.

If you're taking a vacation roadtrip, stopping at gas stations, truck stops, and restaurants provides more opportunities to learn about the local culture and lifestyles. I once met a real cowboy at a gas station near I-5 in central CA, for instance.

Also, for some people, time is money, and spending a couple extra bucks on prepaid fuel is worth the time and hassle saved. That should be factored before making any blanket statement about the value of a particular product.

Indeed. Especially at airports like PHX or ABQ where finding nearby gas stations can be difficult. It's also one less thing you have to worry about if you're running late.

I used to buy the prepaid gas on my Kanas City/Des Moines runs, where I would land at MCI, and drive up to Des Moines. I could make it there and back and then coast that car back to the MCI rental returns on fumes.

When I did it with the Mercury Mystique, it was starting to knock as I pulled into the return line. I bet the staff couldn't even get to repark it without filling it up. That thing had a huge tank, the prepaid gas fee was about 37 dollars but I am sure it would have cost me 48-50 to fill it up locally, especially in Missouri.

It was always amusing to see the look on the attendants face.

I also managed a 5 hour run from Tulsa to Kanas City in a Honda Civic without filling up..

But when I don't drive much, such as on my Vegas and Orange County trips, I never prepay the gas.