JFK Fuel Scam or Real Technology?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AFKL Platinum, VS Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 147
JFK Fuel Scam or Real Technology?
I topped off the gas at the new JFK Sunoco station before returning the car 5 minutes later. Sure enough, they check me in at 7/8 and charge ~$20 for refueling. When I pointed to the fuel gauge and showed the receipt dated from 5 minutes ago, the attendant claims the car "automatically" transmits the fuel reading at the gate and there is nothing he can do. I went inside and they took off the fuel charge as a "one-time courtesy credit". Mind you I am a President's Club member who rented AVIS cars for 24 out of 26 weeks year to date. The agent also repeated the whole "automatic fuel reading at the gate". Is there any truth to that?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Others have reported remote fuel level sensing technology at rental car returns. I don't know if it's an aftermarket product or a reading they get from the engine/vehicle body control computer.
The language that says the vehicle's fuel gauge is the marker of record still appears in the U.S. Preferred Service T&Cs:
7.3 The fuel level of the Vehicle at the time You rent it and at the time You return it to Avis is determined by visual inspection by Avis of the Vehicle's fuel gauge.
The language that says the vehicle's fuel gauge is the marker of record still appears in the U.S. Preferred Service T&Cs:
7.3 The fuel level of the Vehicle at the time You rent it and at the time You return it to Avis is determined by visual inspection by Avis of the Vehicle's fuel gauge.
#3
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,025
Was it a Ford? Fords and a few others have the electronic fuel gauges and Avis uses those to determine fuel levels (against their T&Cs). With these, I always snap a pic of the fuel/odometer on the way in & out as I have been incorrectly hit for fuel a handgul of times. Also, unless these electronic gauges have been certified by state divisions of weights & means (or whatever your state calls it), I don't think it's legal to use this for charges.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AFKL Platinum, VS Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 147
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
IMHO Avis is begging for a class-action suit on this. Since customers have nothing but the fuel gauge for information it is unreasonable to use other technology, and, of course, the remote-read approach is contradicted by the T&Cs.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AFKL Platinum, VS Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 147
The link to that paragraph is HERE. if you ctrl+F, and search for "fuel", it's the 38th occurrence.
Based on the "visual inspection" I cannot imaging how my fuel gauge reading could be anything but 8/8.... in fact, looks like 9/8 to me.
#9
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,025
Wow, that's absurd! I'd send in a complaint b/c you had to waste your time when the gauge showed that full.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,927
The link to that paragraph is HERE. if you ctrl+F, and search for "fuel", it's the 38th occurrence.
Does this only apply to Preferred (and above)? Can Avis use another method for "walk-ups", those who reserve without joining Preferred, etc?
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AFKL Platinum, VS Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 147
#12
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,025
I'd assume they can (as noted above) as I cannot find anything about fuel determined by the gauge/other for non-preferred members online. However, all CHM & PC members should be Preferred (profile online should say "Preferred Chairman's Club" or "Preferred President's Club") so this applies to the OP, as you noted.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 196
Was it a Ford? Fords and a few others have the electronic fuel gauges and Avis uses those to determine fuel levels (against their T&Cs). With these, I always snap a pic of the fuel/odometer on the way in & out as I have been incorrectly hit for fuel a handgul of times. Also, unless these electronic gauges have been certified by state divisions of weights & means (or whatever your state calls it), I don't think it's legal to use this for charges.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,960
There is also this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis-...-thread-3.html
I have not run into a VR for a while. Maybe they start with places with high gas cost?
I have not run into a VR for a while. Maybe they start with places with high gas cost?
#15
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,025
There is also this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis-...-thread-3.html
I have not run into a VR for a while. Maybe they start with places with high gas cost?
I have not run into a VR for a while. Maybe they start with places with high gas cost?