Hertz - Requiring a receipt for gas purchase

Where is it stated that you should have a receipt for the gas purchased? I thought a year or so ago they changed the policy and could require you to show a receipt within 10 miles of the rental return location.

Can anyone help me out where it states this?

I know Budget does this but I don't remember Hertz requiring it. Would be curious as well.

Szymon

Where is it stated that you should have a receipt for the gas purchased? I thought a year or so ago they changed the policy and could require you to show a receipt within 10 miles of the rental return location.

Can anyone help me out where it states this?

I've never been asked for a receipt, and am not aware of that "requirement" anywhere. Besides that, I never actually get a receipt at the gas station.

If Hertz wants one that bad, I'll give them the phone number of my CC company, and make them do the leg-work.

Steve

In many, many rentals with Hertz, I've never been asked to present a receipt for gas.

I get asked in ATL all the time.

Never been asked or never seen anyone asked either...

I find it a bit sad if your trying to save your self a buck by trying to stop it right as it gets to the F instead just waiting for the shutoff. I know gas is expensive but another reason Hertz is #1 and Budget, Thrifty, and Dollar are not!

Have never been asked that in Europe - Europcar or Sixt. Same thing for the States... Avis in JFK and IAD, and Hertz in SNA and LAS

Only time it has ever come up for me is with Budget on Molokai-- not only a receipt for gas, but the receipt had to be from a gas station within 10 miles of the airport. As I only saw about three gas stations on the entire island, that wasn't a problem.

former hertz slave here:
not current info, but it was against company policy to ask for the receipt in any way. I had a few people have a receipt handy, but those were all generally pretty obvious.

In all honesty, they do know if you filled it or not, the asking is just a formality. I told a woman once that she was lying, and I guess she wrote a nice nasty letter in about it too. But, when you drive 100 miles in a corolla and you've got 7/8 of a tank, you didn't put a drop of gas in it....I know, I drove one every day to work.

I've never been asked for a gas receipt

"Did you buy gas?"

"Yes".

That is the extent of it. Over all my years, Herts has never asked for a reciept.

I've been asked for a receipt before at various locations - however, it's not required AFAIK. It's none of their business whether I have a receipt - all that matters is that that the tank is full. Sometimes they'll give you a BS line about how they have to top it off & that there's a charge for that (especially if it's a franchise location). If they do refuse and take down the name of the person who is checking you in & report them to the station manager or the district manager. It's total BS. You can call Hertz & they'll give you the station or district manager's number and that will resolve any issues you may have.

Thank you everyone. I am glad to hear that most places don't require you to produce it. I always put my receipt away before I hit the Hertz lot.

I thought I remembered though they made a change about a year or two ago.

I know gas is expensive but another reason Hertz is #1 and Budget, Thrifty, and Dollar are not!I personally don't like Hertz all that much and think their service sucks, I guess your claim they are "#1" is just your opinion ...

I wasn't asked for a gas receipt but needed it when a bozo return agent assumed I hadn't filled (and it actually ended up costing me more to fill than if I had just paid the mileage rate for gas) when I only drove 8 miles on one rental, this happened just a few months ago at the Hertz location at CLT.

"Did you buy gas?"

"Yes".

That is the extent of it. Over all my years, Herts has never asked for a reciept.I actually take a more proactive approach and when asked if I bought gas I clearly state "I just filled it."

My wife was asked at SNA. She showed the receipt, which was from a station in Seal Beach (~20 mi. from SNA) and they told her that was too far away and charged her for a 1/8 of a tank. :td:
Having read this thread, I now know not to bother "proving" I filled it up.

I don't ever recall Hertz asking. Avis used to ask regularly, and dinged me for gas one time at PWM where the gas station couldn't provide a reciept. It's pretty obvious when you drive a car 200 miles and return it with the pointer on "F", but they charged me for 200 miles worth of gas anyway.

With Budget, I was asked for a receipt in SJC and LAS. I believe this is quite arbitrary of a request, especially for one/same day rentals. I've never seen this documented.

I don't ever recall Hertz asking. Avis used to ask regularly, and dinged me for gas one time at PWM where the gas station couldn't provide a reciept. It's pretty obvious when you drive a car 200 miles and return it with the pointer on "F", but they charged me for 200 miles worth of gas anyway.

That would have been my last rental with Avis. I did have one time with Hertz in Spokane where I didn't fill up before returning the car (I was down about 1/8 a tank at most). The receipt I later received (I forget if it was regular mail or e-mail) said that I was down 1/4 a tank, and the # of gallons I was charged for actually equaled more 1/4 of the car's stated capacity.

I wrote to Hertz, admitted not topping off before returning the car, but said the amount of fuel they charged me for was incorrect. They wound up waiving the entire fuel charge I got hit with.

I believe this is quite arbitrary of a request, especially for one/same day rentals. I'm not sure you meant arbitrary, but in fact the only time I was ever told I needed a receipt (a rental with Avis) was on a one day rental, I think the particular location that was their policy because they knew that's the most likely scenario for someone to be able to rent a car and not have to fill it and the needle would still show Full.

I'm not sure you meant arbitrary, but in fact the only time I was ever told I needed a receipt (a rental with Avis) was on a one day rental, I think the particular location that was their policy because they knew that's the most likely scenario for someone to be able to rent a car and not have to fill it and the needle would still show Full.

You mean like those people who drove 7 miles and "filled" it, even though the nearest gas station was a little over 3.5 and is about 7.5-8 RT?

You mean like those people who drove 7 miles and "filled" it, even though the nearest gas station was a little over 3.5 and is about 7.5-8 RT?As an example, sure ... there are plenty of folks who push the limits on this.

One of my favorite programs is the Budget at DTW will allow you to just pay $10 or something like that if you drive less than 75 miles, I wish more agencies offered a similar option (it's really not necessary at DTW because there is a gas station *right* there, though if I'm close to 75 miles I'll do it since it's about the same price, if not cheaper, and it's one less expense receipt to keep track of).

The only time I've ever been asked was a few years ago when I drove something like 35 miles total on the trip and so the fuel station bill was $2.50. I could have just skipped out on filling it up because the needle was close enough to F, so I guess that's why they asked on that one.

Never had them ask beyond a cursory "did you fill it?" when I drive several hundred miles and the needle is at "F". Never had anyone ask for or demand a receipt.

The only time I've ever been asked was a few years ago when I drove something like 35 miles total on the trip and so the fuel station bill was $2.50. I could have just skipped out on filling it up because the needle was close enough to F, so I guess that's why they asked on that one.

You've hit the nail on the head. Sure, it was only a gallon you put in, but you did use that gallon, and someone has to pay for the gas, so thats why they want to hit you for that charge. I guess you could have tried to lie, but it is pretty hard to say you didn't drive far, filled it, AND it was showing a bit off full all at once.

I have been asked once for a receipt (not HZ) when I took a very short trip. That said, I can only assume that there have been numerous times that the car I picked up was not entirely full, despite the gauge registering full. Has anyone asked them to top off the car before you drove out? Might be fun to try it at a location that has done this type of receipt check.

Never been asked for a receipt.

I have been asked once for a receipt (not HZ) when I took a very short trip. That said, I can only assume that there have been numerous times that the car I picked up was not entirely full, despite the gauge registering full. Has anyone asked them to top off the car before you drove out? Might be fun to try it at a location that has done this type of receipt check.

few people do, but you are free to ask them and they should either do it or change cars for you. it is more frequent for someone to ask that the non-full tank be noted on the contract papers, so there is documentation.

I have them note it if less than full and take the discount for the fuel when I return it full.

Only been asked once, at Hertz Marble Arch in London. He wanted to know where I'd filled it up.

I forgot to fill up once, told the attendent, he said "Don't worry, it won't be on the bill." I didn't argue. I guess when I told him he was in a good mood.

Another time I found the car only had 1/2 tank when I got to the Hotel. I told Hertz at the counter and they gave me a $25 voucher. Hertz has never screwed me. (Sad commentary when you go by who HASN'T screwed you.)

Hundreds of lifetime Hertz rentals - dozens of stations - never a question about a gas receipt.

Getting asked on Molokai...that's funny. I would have been looking for the hidden camera. :p

If a rental company ever asked me this, I'd agree to start showing receipts as soon as they agree to let me take the car over to their fuel barn at pickup, gas it up, top if off, give the car a couple little nudges, top it off again, wait a few seconds, nudge it again, and top it off one last time.

Then, I'd agree to start worrying about the few ounces of gas I burn between the gas station a mile down the road and the rental return area. :)

i rent approx 40 times a year from hertz. have NEVER been asked for gas receipt. what market is requesting this?

There is a sign on the counter of the West 77th Street location in Manhattan stating that as of June 18, a receipt will be required upon return unless you purchase the prepaid gas. I gave them my receipt with the rental contract when I returned. I assume the other Manhattan lcoations are doing the same, but wondered if anyone else has seen these anywhere?

The only time I've ever been asked was a few years ago when I drove something like 35 miles total on the trip and so the fuel station bill was $2.50. I could have just skipped out on filling it up because the needle was close enough to F, so I guess that's why they asked on that one.

Never had them ask beyond a cursory "did you fill it?" when I drive several hundred miles and the needle is at "F". Never had anyone ask for or demand a receipt.

When I go to DTW or ORD, I usually put less than 20 miles on the car. I'll still fill it up, even though the needle still registers as full. Several times, I've gotten a rather skeptical response / look of doubt when I've said that I stopped to fill it up. If they want to see that $2.50 receipt, I've got one from the fill-up... but I've never been asked to produce a receipt yet.

There is a sign on the counter of the West 77th Street location in Manhattan stating that as of June 18, a receipt will be required upon return unless you purchase the prepaid gas. I gave them my receipt with the rental contract when I returned. I assume the other Manhattan lcoations are doing the same, but wondered if anyone else has seen these anywhere?

I just got back from returning at W77th. I'm a 5* member who rents there 2-3x a month, although this is the first time I've seen that sign in place. Girl asked for the receipt when I brought it back and then told me it was no good because it wasn't from the station on 43rd and 10th, which she says is the closest. She said she would let it go this one time, but I'm definitely taking this up with Hertz. They can't tell me which station to buy gas from!!

I just got back from returning at W77th. I'm a 5* member who rents there 2-3x a month, although this is the first time I've seen that sign in place. Girl asked for the receipt when I brought it back and then told me it was no good because it wasn't from the station on 43rd and 10th, which she says is the closest. She said she would let it go this one time, but I'm definitely taking this up with Hertz. They can't tell me which station to buy gas from!!

Hmm Interesting. I do see the point though - I am sure the majority of the rentals go so few miles, that you could easily use 2 gallons, still show full, etc. and thats why they want the receipt. As to the specific gas station, well, that is a little odd but if that is part of the requirement then they should say so before you rent, but I have never heard this before.

Check the rental T&Cs. In the past, there has been language that said the vehicle's full gauge is the formal record of fuel level. If it says full, that should be the end of it. From time to time, on low mileage rentals I am charged a fueling fee even if I have checked the 'purchased fuel; and 'full' boxes. I protest these charges strenuously and have never paid.

I can see the point if it is a low mileage rental ... but I had the car for 2 days driving 300+ miles. She was simply arguing that with so few gas stations in Manhattan, the fact that I didn't purchase gas from that station meant I traveled at least an extra mile or 2 more than necessary after refueling. That's rediculous condsidering this is Hertz we're talking about here, not some 2nd rate company that needs to make an extra dollar any way they can.

NYC Hertz locations now stamp your folio informing you that you must provide the receipt upon return. Additionally, they said counter cards are forthcoming regarding this.

I just got back from returning at W77th. I'm a 5* member who rents there 2-3x a month, although this is the first time I've seen that sign in place. Girl asked for the receipt when I brought it back and then told me it was no good because it wasn't from the station on 43rd and 10th, which she says is the closest. She said she would let it go this one time, but I'm definitely taking this up with Hertz. They can't tell me which station to buy gas from!!

I've returned cars at W77th twice since that sign went up, and in both cases gave them receipts from other gas stations (96th & 1st and 96th between West End & Riverside Drive) without a problem. In any case, I don't think 43rd & 10th is really the closest (though it's probably the cheapest)--I believe there's a Mobil on 11th at 52d, and I think there's another gas station on 11th in the 50's? But it's ridiculous to insist that anyone use a particular station, and for anyone coming in from the north, overbearing to require that they drive an extra 2 1/2miles (and how many lights?) in what can be heavy traffic to fill up. If the station that used to be on Amsterdam (at 75th?) were still there, using it might be a rational requirement, but this is not.

I've returned cars at W77th twice since that sign went up, and in both cases gave them receipts from other gas stations (96th & 1st and 96th between West End & Riverside Drive) without a problem. In any case, I don't think 43rd & 10th is really the closest (though it's probably the cheapest)--I believe there's a Mobil on 11th at 52d, and I think there's another gas station on 11th in the 50's? But it's ridiculous to insist that anyone use a particular station, and for anyone coming in from the north, overbearing to require that they drive an extra 2 1/2miles (and how many lights?) in what can be heavy traffic to fill up. If the station that used to be on Amsterdam (at 75th?) were still there, using it might be a rational requirement, but this is not.

I don't like the 'gas station' on W96th because it is a pull-in, back-out setup that always makes me think someone is going to come barreling around the corner and slam into me as I'm trying to back out.

FWIW, I returned at W77 on Sunday and, having seen the counter card when I rented, just handed the agent the receipt (from 43rd & 10th) along with the contract. No comment about where I filled up. I asked if I could have the receipt back for my expense report and they said 'sure'. So I guess HZ is willing to take the agent's word for it that there was a receipt.

I don't like the 'gas station' on W96th because it is a pull-in, back-out setup that always makes me think someone is going to come barreling around the corner and slam into me as I'm trying to back out.



I don't like it either (and I think it tends to be more expensive than the other ones I use in Manhattan) but it is conveniently located if you're coming down the West Side Highway.

Just got an updated T&C from Avis:

Paragraph 19, Fuel Service Charge now has 4 refueling options and they will be effective on rentals commencing on or after August 14, 2007: A. If you do not accept the fuel service option at the beginning of your rental and you return the car with less fuel from when you received it, you will be charged the per-mile/per-gallon rate specified on the rental agreement. B. If you accept the fuel service option at the beginning of your rental, you will be charged as shown on the rental agreement for that purchase and you will not be responsible for a fuel service charge. C. You may avoid a fuel service charge if you return the car with the fuel tank filled as full as when you received it at the beginning of your rental. D. If you drive less than 75 miles, Avis will provide you with a time saving mechanism and simply charge a flat fee to the rental. The flat fee charge will not be levied if you provide a receipt for fuel purchased at time of return.

For rentals under 75 miles, looks like they will either have you produce a receipt or charge a fee. Hertz might not be far behind.

B. If you accept the fuel service option at the beginning of your rental, you will be charged as shown on the rental agreement for that purchase and you will not be responsible for a fuel service charge.


If the car is out of gas when I return it the agreed charge will apply - pretty clear. But what is if I return the car full of gas (and having selected this option on pick-up) - do I still have to pay the full tank or not?

If you rent the car, drive it 20 or 30 miles and return it without refilling because the gauge is "around the full mark", you are probably not cheating Hertz, but the next driver who gets the car. Its not the big bad company you are rude to; it is your fellow traveller. Happens too frequently for my taste. I wish Hertz would enforce it, although I don't think a receipt matters. Even if I have a receipt, it doesn't mean I filled it all the way and didn't stop short to save a few bucks.

If you rent the car, drive it 20 or 30 miles and return it without refilling because the gauge is "around the full mark", you are probably not cheating Hertz, but the next driver who gets the car. Its not the big bad company you are rude to; it is your fellow traveller.

I just had this happen to me in Poland. The gauge was just about on Full; more than close enough for me. It was only after driving around and on the way back I realized the guage itself was skewed and stayed on full for a good 150 miles/275km or about 4 gallons of fuel. The previous renter had obviously figured that out and had run it a good portion of that right before it started to drop.

Not the end of the world, but certainly annoying. And like you said, I paid the price, not Hertz.

Steve

I had a really weird experience, in which I can see the return attendant's position but didn't like the way they handle it.

I had a Kia Optima with a digital gauge that had a delay when going back towards full. I drove the car for about 50 or so miles and it stayed at full. As I was pulling into the gas station outside of the airport, the gauge dropped one bar. I filled the car until the tan is full (gun popped), and paid about 1.8 gal of gas. I thought 1.8 gal for 50 is right on the mark and didn't think much of it. However, the digital gauge stayed one bar short, so I tried to pump more gas but the tank wont' take because it's physically full.

When I returned the car, the agent accused me of not filling up the gas and wanted to charge me for the gas. I showed him the receipt showing 1.8 gal purchased literally 3 min before but he refused to believe me. I was pretty pissed and escalated to the manager. I was NOT going to the pay gas twice, even this was on business travel. In the midst of arguing with the manager, the gauge finally reacted and returned to full bars. The manager was utterly speechless. I gave him some not so nice words and "told you so"... I later filed a complaint against that station but never heard back from corporate. Can't believe they would piss off a 5*, almost PC, member over $4 of gas money.

I just had this happen with a Prius. Drove 170 miles, stopped, put in 3.3 gallons, gauge stays two bars low. Drive around a bit, rock the car, etc, nothing. Stop again, cram in .7 gallon more (and gas is literally starting to backflow), drive a bit, rock car...nothing. Suddenly, -- poof! -- it shoot up to full.

if I'd done this tomorrow morning I'd be boned.

Steve

If the car is out of gas when I return it the agreed charge will apply - pretty clear. But what is if I return the car full of gas (and having selected this option on pick-up) - do I still have to pay the full tank or not?

If you take the pre-purchase option then you will be charged for a full tank of petrol/diesel. If you refill before returning then you will not be given any credit for it and will still be charged for the full tank

ime, the pre-purchase is v bad value; for example, in AU , when I rent a Fairlane they would charge for 67l petrol at a rate slightly lower than petrol station rates. The petrol guage will read empty when there is approx 4 litres remaining and the distance till empty will display zero at this point. Few people will continue driving a car showing empty so will pay the discount rate for 67l but only effectively have 63l . The cost of 67l at the discount rate is more than just refilling

Dave

I had a Kia Optima with a digital gauge that had a delay when going back towards full. [...]

I've seen the same thing recently with some analog gauges. They register 7/8 immediately after filling the tank and slowly drift towards the full mark over the next 10-15 minutes. Thankfully I've always gassed up 10-15 minutes out from the depot when that's happened.

Re: the OP: In renting more than 100 cars in the US and Canada in the past several years I think I've only been asked to show a fuel receipt once. I've frequently been asked, "Did you fill it up?" but that's easily answered by checking the gas gauge.

I had a Kia Optima with a digital gauge that had a delay when going back towards full.

I've seen the same thing recently with some analog gauges. They register 7/8 immediately after filling the tank and slowly drift towards the full mark over the next 10-15 minutes. Thankfully I've always gassed up 10-15 minutes out from the depot when that's happened.

I had a fuel gauge issue with a Kia Sportage (analog gauge) - the gauge didn't show full, when it was in fact full. It was this way before I left the lot, but since it was just a hair below full, I didn't complain - it was very late, and I wanted to get to my hotel. (I figured the last renter shorted me, but I'd spend the money opn the extra gallon, to save a bit of time at the lot.) On the return, I had filled up a couple of miles away, but it wouldn't register as full. Showed something like 15/16 full when I returned it. Attendant marked it as 8/8, and I got my receipt. Fast forward a few days, and my AMEX doesn't match the Hertz receipt given to me. Dug into it, and saw a surcharge for just under two gallons. I guess they burped the car a couple of times and got the gas in there, as I filled to the shutoff, and only drove maybe 5 miles afterwards.

Called to complain, but Hertz corporate (after 15 minutes on hold) told me they couldn't fix it, and I'd have to call the Hertz lot where I rented from. After an hour or so trying to call them and getting placed on hold, I finally gave up. Not worth my time to chase down a $12 bill, but it does make me wonder how many times this will happen again, since I go to the same Hertz lot all the time.

Lesson learned for me - if I get another Kia from the lot, I'll make sure to note that it's a hair low, if I see the gauge isn't showing full. And, I'll burp it when I refuel, to make sure I get all the fuel possible into the tank. Better yet, I may see if they have another car... although that seems to be a bit harder recently, with all the Kia's infiltrating Hertz lots.

If you take the pre-purchase option then you will be charged for a full tank of petrol/diesel. If you refill before returning then you will not be given any credit for it and will still be charged for the full tank


Not sure if this is in the US only, but if you take the pre-purchase option and driver fewer than 100 miles, they only charge you (a ridiculous rate) * (number of gallons used).

In my case, this was around $7/gallon. Of course, at the counter I was promised that the rate was $3.40/gallon for this situation, but in my estimation the SJC employee was incompetent rather than dishonest. Although this is a story for another day, it'd be interesting to compare the number of times Hertz employees' honest mistakes make Hertz more money versus less money. If it's not near 50%, then "honest" might be a misnomer. :td:

Not sure if this is in the US only, but if you take the pre-purchase option and driver fewer than 100 miles, they only charge you (a ridiculous rate) * (number of gallons used).


In Australia, if you pre-purchase, you pay for a full tank regardless

If you do not pre-pay then you either refill or they charge an excessive rate per km driven

the pre-purchase option is only worth it for v lazy people who do not want to refill during the rental who are driving at least 0.5 of a tanks worth of distance

Dave

This weekend I picked up a car that was just on full. A block from the lot it was well below full. I stopped for gas 10 minutes after renting it and it took 5.1 gallons. I only ended up driving the vehicle for 78 miles. I went inside to request and receive a fuel credit. The counter agent first said I was in the wrong for not returning it at the same level. I disagreed politely and said they were in the wrong for failing to refuel it when the prior driver returned it, and also told them to look at the notes on the rental because I had already called in to customer service. It's funny when you look at the receipt and see that Hertz sells fuel at one inflated price but only buys it back at market value.

I wish that Hertz would top off every single car, and pass the cost on to each driver. EVEN if it says full at return. If you buy gas at the pump you would then only be liable for 1-2 tenths of a gallon at return time. This way, every driver would expect to have a final bill showing at least 1 or 2tenths of a gallon of fuel.

Just had my first Hertz fuel experience. Rented last week at ABQ, returned it around 5am Sun morning for a 6am flight. They had just one counter guy, who was busy and I was in a hurry, so I left the keys and record of mileage/fuel in the overnight box. I had filled up the night prior (actually made a special trip and topped it off with 2 gallons, the guy at Sam's Club thought I was crazy).

Looked online to find my receipt today and it looked unusually high. Turns out they charged me a, "Fuel & Service," of $92.62. I tried to call the ABQ folks when I noticed this charge, but their number just rolls up to corporate; the gal I spoke with gave me the 3rd degree about putting gas in. I told her that I did (several times actually, as I had driven the vehicle over 500 miles), and she said she's forwarding it to her supervisor to approve.

This is rather annoying...do they think I'll just not look at a $92 extra charge?

They normally do. I know that the Hertz @ ORD does this, as occasionally i'll return a car in the covered return area, and it's straight in front of the fuel pump. By the time I've gotten my receipt, gotten my stuff, the car jockey will have moved the car to the pump, and done the "first click" fill up.

I've only had not-so-full cars when renting from independent rental car companies.

JP
QUOTE=expert7700;8142941]I wish that Hertz would top off every single car, and pass the cost on to each driver. EVEN if it says full at return. If you buy gas at the pump you would then only be liable for 1-2 tenths of a gallon at return time. This way, every driver would expect to have a final bill showing at least 1 or 2tenths of a gallon of fuel.[/QUOTE]

Just got an updated T&C from Avis:



For rentals under 75 miles, looks like they will either have you produce a receipt or charge a fee. Hertz might not be far behind.

IIRC, Hertz UK has a similar policy. If you drive less than 50 miles, you have to produce a receipt or they'll assume you've not refilled. I've never driven a rental car less than 50 miles in the UK so I didn't pay close attention to the policy but I think it was on the paperwork.

After getting a car in the UK recently that had obviously done about 30 miles since refilling, I don't have a huge problem with them checking that it's full! I've never had them ask to see the receipt though.

On one occasion at DFW, I drove the rental car about 20 miles and forgot to fill up on the way back to the lot (because it was showing full). I fully expected to get charged and think I even mentioned it but I still didn't get charged. So, if you rented a Taurus or Camry (because that was what I always ended up with) from DFW about 6 years ago and it was a bit short on gas, it was me :D:D

They normally do. I know that the Hertz @ ORD does this, as occasionally i'll return a car in the covered return area, and it's straight in front of the fuel pump. By the time I've gotten my receipt, gotten my stuff, the car jockey will have moved the car to the pump, and done the "first click" fill up.

I've only had not-so-full cars when renting from independent rental car companies.

JP


ORD didn't do that to me, as I indicated before I took the car that I'd fill it myself. There is no charge for this option. I returned the car at ~3AM at ORD before I flew out back home to YYC via YYZ.

Sanosuke!

If you rent the car, drive it 20 or 30 miles and return it without refilling because the gauge is "around the full mark", you are probably not cheating Hertz, but the next driver who gets the car. Its not the big bad company you are rude to; it is your fellow traveller. Happens too frequently for my taste. I wish Hertz would enforce it, although I don't think a receipt matters. Even if I have a receipt, it doesn't mean I filled it all the way and didn't stop short to save a few bucks.

Are car rental companies really trying to put in this policy for this reason? Seems like they are going to have all customers go thru the hassle of producing a receipt just to go after the few cars that register FULL on a guage but not 100% physically full.

The only exposure I see for Hertz is against the customers who pre pay fuel.

One of the return agents at DCA told me that if you drive LESS THAN 100 MILES during your rental, the computer will automatically add a fuel charge! This, in effect, is Hertz saying 'we don't trust you to bring the car back full'. I asked the return guy if he wanted to see my gas receipt, he said that was fine -- he had to go into his handheld return device and remove the fuel charge. A week or so back -- had refilled about 5 miles from airport -- I noticed a fuel charge on way back to terminal. I took to Gold Booth and had charge removed after showing receipt. Sounds like this might be a nationwide thing!

I heard the same thing. I was returning at Richmond airport in October and was told the computer "automatically" adds a refueling fee if the rental is less than 100 miles as well. The person who checked me in said it's up to the Hertz employee "to remember" to take it off.

Seems kind of lame to me. I've gotten 3 cars this month from Hertz where the gas gauge takes an immediate dive within 5 minutes of driving it off of the lot.

Bottom line...before you turn around to head to the terminal check the receipt! My company does not reimburse fueling charges, so if I don't notice it then I am stuck paying it!