At the LAX Gold Booth, got into with a renter

The guy was charged for gas and pleading his case as long as he returned it full, it was ok. He said he drove 25 miles and did not top off the gas. "The agent here last night said as long as it was full, it's ok." As he's leaving, I said Hertz should charge him because if I get his car next, I'm paying for the gas he used. Why should I pay for his gas use? Hertz should charge him. He's the type of customer who tries to get away with stuff and whines when caught. He starts saying he had to wait 30 minutes for a car last night at 130am making another excuse. He goes on and on, I turn to my favorite LAX rep and told her, "sorry," cause the guy went on for another minute. If I got a charge removed, I would have left in a hurry, especially knowing I got one over on Hertz. Anyway, the rep says she hasn't seen me in a while and I tell her my name isn't on the board. She claims she only has convertibles available (and it was a real nice 75 degree day). I said that won't do. "How about a red Camero?" Just something with low miles please? Malibu for me was fine, especially for an economy rate. Just another day in LA.

And the point you're apparently trying to make ... is?

How do you know they don't top it off? At the local HLE, every single care returned gets topped off, if it takes over some amount of gas they charge the renter, if it doesn't it's full for the next guy.

How do you know the person before you doesn't just put gas into the car until the needle hits F without filling it? I know others here disagree, but I believe it's pretty easy to get the needle to F without putting in that last gallon or two if you really wanted to. Unless you fill the car as soon as you leave the facility once you pick it up, you really don't have any way to know if it's full or not.

In Australia you are meant to provide a receipt for petrol if you drive less than 75 miles.....

A number of the US rental companies have the same policy, although the only place I've ever had ask to see it was Avis.

It's always fun "filling up" with $1.92 worth of gas like I did for one rental last week!

First world problem "fun."

Don't some gas stations have minimum charges? If so that $1.92 of gas could cost $5 or even $10.

Some gas stations in Australia state a "minimum delivery of 2 or 5 litres" which is 0.52 or 1.32 gallons respectively.

Never tried it out though to see what happens

Sometimes I'll fill up the tank, on the way to the airport (usually if I'm in an area with lower fuel costs) or perhaps the night before (to speed things up the next day).
Then I might have to drive some more & fill up to full again, but that second filling might cost only a couple more dollars.
When filling up with such low dollar amounts, I always look around for an extra receipt at the gas station, just in case I'm hassled (some agents don't understand the dynamics of cars and how much little fuel can be consumed over a long highway distance).
Usually though, I don't have "fun" filling up the tank. It's often like "another 70 bucks in fuel, sheesh!"

I did a o/w rental from LGB to SNA. Near SNA, I went to top off the tank. It took 3 gallons and it was a small car. I gave them my receipts and asked that 2 gallons of the gasoline purchase be refunded. (note: I put only 27 miles on the car and it was a small car!). The agent cheerfully processed the refund of approx $7. (2 gallons of gas).

On another rental, I did a o/w rental from LGB to LAX. On this one, I put alot of miles on it. (a few hundred). I was charged for fuel even though I had a fuel receipt within 1/2 mile from Hertz LAX. (they charged me for 25 miles of fuel--the approx distance from LGB to LAX). I rarely call corporate Hertz but I did this time & they refunded me the fuel charge.

I don't do o/w rentals to often since both LGB & LAX both add a $10 contract fee on all car rentals. I may do the occasional HLE-(LAX/SNA) dropoff when my in/out airports are different.

the point is people who do not return the car full (filled up within 3 miles of the return location) should be charged for gas, if you get caught by the CSR on return, take your lumps. I tired of putting in 3.6 gallons in the car for a car I drove for 30 miles. I show the return agent the receipt and get credited. It's like you damage the car, return it, not get caught, and the next renter is in a hurry, takes the car, gets blamed for the damage. Don't blame the next guy, take responsibility.