Just returned a rental to Avis in Providence, RI, filling the tank not 2 blocks from the rental facility.

I noticed on my receipt a $3+ fuel service charge, and further down the receipt a "17.3 gal out/16.9 gal in" notation. Now I clearly filled the tank at the gas station (the pump clicked off), and assumed that the car was effectively full. So either the Avis service crew topped that tank off the last time it was filled, or, as I am aware, pumps are not 100% equal when it comes to shutoffs.

Regardless, I never had any intention of paying $9 a gallon for Avis to fill the car, which is why I (as most I would suspect) fill the tank prior to returning a rental.

I realize that technology is now allowing Avis to know exactly how much fuel is in a vehicle, but renters do not have that capability, and I have to wonder how much money this is generating for Avis (and any other rental company) off of the backs of unsuspecting renters.

Avis did refund my overcharge (whoo hoo!) after I called to complain. Anybody else seen this happening out there??