Originally Posted by
Mike Rivers
I've rented from Thrifty in some locations where they want to see a receipt for a gas purchase if the car was driven less than 50 miles. I suppose it's defense against people who don't drive far enough to move the gas gauge off Full, so they don't replace the gas they used. There was a story going around that Hertz, as part of the return process, was interrogating the car's computer to see when gas was last put in the tank.
It's not just Thrifty. Most of the major companies have policies similar to this these days, and the threshold is typically 75 miles.
Example from Hertz:
b. For rentals other than Replacement Rentals, if You drive the Car 75 miles or less and return it with less than a full tank of fuel, You will receive credit for the amount previously charged for the purchase of fuel from Hertz and will be charged for the fuel used at the per-mile rate shown on the Rental Record, but only if this will reduce the amount You pay for fuel.
And Avis here:
EZFuelTM and Fuel Service Charge
If you don't choose the Fuel Service Option and you bring the car back less than full, you'll pay a fuel service charge. If you drive 75 miles or more, depending on whether you bought fuel during your rental, this charge will be a per-mile or per-gallon rate and will be stated on your rental agreement.