Check receipt before walking away
Jul 9, 2021, 7:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Southwest A-List; Alaska MVPG; Hilton Diamond; Avis PreferredPlus; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Posts: 920
Check receipt before walking away
Twice in the span of 48 hours I’ve had an automatic fuel-service charge applied to my properly filled rental. One of them was an “under 75 miles flat fee,” and the other was simply labeled “fuel service.”
The agent was able to fix it… but right now the extra scrutiny is worthwhile. I hate taking the time at the counter to review the charges, but I’m not sure I’m aa trusting of the travel industry as I once was.
The agent was able to fix it… but right now the extra scrutiny is worthwhile. I hate taking the time at the counter to review the charges, but I’m not sure I’m aa trusting of the travel industry as I once was.
Jul 19, 2021, 1:04 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Southwest A-List; Alaska MVPG; Hilton Diamond; Avis PreferredPlus; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Posts: 920
I just had another rental where I returned the car full, but a $19.73 fuel service charge was added.
Upon closer investigation, I see that the Connected Car Sensor showed that it was 1.4 gallons shy of a full tank... unlikely, given that I completely filled it within a half-mile of the rental station.
Since I returned it after hours (to a station near my house), I had to call and fix it. Nobody answered the phone (it dumped to central reservations), so I had to drive over there. I had both my receipt and a photograph of the full gas gauge.
This is the 4th time this month that I've had to sort out something related to fuel charges on an AVIS rental.
Upon closer investigation, I see that the Connected Car Sensor showed that it was 1.4 gallons shy of a full tank... unlikely, given that I completely filled it within a half-mile of the rental station.
Since I returned it after hours (to a station near my house), I had to call and fix it. Nobody answered the phone (it dumped to central reservations), so I had to drive over there. I had both my receipt and a photograph of the full gas gauge.
This is the 4th time this month that I've had to sort out something related to fuel charges on an AVIS rental.
Sep 4, 2021, 9:08 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: EWR/JFK
Programs: AA GLD 1.xMM, MAR SLV, HH DMND, IHG PLT
Posts: 839
This sucks. Are they charging your credit card after you supposedly closed the rental?
I have now ended up being give a car with 3/4 gas labeled as full. The 1st time I ate it and didn't realize until I had left LGA and was already on the highway. The 2nd time I went back in and the guy updated the paperwork to 6/8 on the Out. But the agent checking me in didn't label anything on the Return, the receipt just said "/8"
I have now ended up being give a car with 3/4 gas labeled as full. The 1st time I ate it and didn't realize until I had left LGA and was already on the highway. The 2nd time I went back in and the guy updated the paperwork to 6/8 on the Out. But the agent checking me in didn't label anything on the Return, the receipt just said "/8"
Sep 4, 2021, 1:55 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Southwest A-List; Alaska MVPG; Hilton Diamond; Avis PreferredPlus; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Posts: 920
I now make it a practice to NOT leave the rental return area until I’ve seen the receipt and verify that the balance is what I expected. It’s easier to fix it when you’re standing there. It would appear that they fix it by adjusting the “pending” charge… not by issuing a refund… ultimately, the corrected amount is what posts to the statement.
Sep 21, 2021, 8:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD, MKE
Programs: UA, AA, Hilton and regular member of everything else
Posts: 1,332
Same thing happened to me today. They charged me $80 extra for not filling the tank. I returned it full. Now I have to waste my morning on the phone getting it reversed. It's criminal that this is a pattern for them.
Sep 22, 2021, 6:54 am
#6
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,666
We always recommend taking a photo on your phone of the dashboard at return showing the mileage and fuel level as well as your last fuel receipt. That's your best protection against getting overcharged.
Sep 22, 2021, 3:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD, MKE
Programs: UA, AA, Hilton and regular member of everything else
Posts: 1,332
Thanks, AutoSlash - I had to call for another issue and even on the phone, they dealt with the fuel charge very quickly. Still annoying that this seems to be a pattern for them.
Oct 7, 2021, 1:08 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: St Petersburg, FL, USA
Posts: 2,253
Just had a related experience at LAS. Picked it up and noted it was less than full, but no way I was going to get back in the monster line to get another car. Drove less than 50 miles before returning, and stopped refilling when I hit 6 gallons at the gas station.
Upon return, I asked for a refund for the extra gas and they were going to process it....until they saw it was a Priceline rental. I was told that they can only charge your credit card for incidental charges, but can't give incidental credits if it's not booked through Avis. I saved $80 through Priceline, so I guess I still came out somewhat ahead.
Upon return, I asked for a refund for the extra gas and they were going to process it....until they saw it was a Priceline rental. I was told that they can only charge your credit card for incidental charges, but can't give incidental credits if it's not booked through Avis. I saved $80 through Priceline, so I guess I still came out somewhat ahead.
Oct 7, 2021, 1:15 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,593
Just had a related experience at LAS. Picked it up and noted it was less than full, but no way I was going to get back in the monster line to get another car. Drove less than 50 miles before returning, and stopped refilling when I hit 6 gallons at the gas station.
Upon return, I asked for a refund for the extra gas and they were going to process it....until they saw it was a Priceline rental. I was told that they can only charge your credit card for incidental charges, but can't give incidental credits if it's not booked through Avis. I saved $80 through Priceline, so I guess I still came out somewhat ahead.
Upon return, I asked for a refund for the extra gas and they were going to process it....until they saw it was a Priceline rental. I was told that they can only charge your credit card for incidental charges, but can't give incidental credits if it's not booked through Avis. I saved $80 through Priceline, so I guess I still came out somewhat ahead.
Oct 8, 2021, 4:09 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,706
I think that, if you weren't willing to go back to the counter before driving off, I would have taken a picture that showed both the odometer reading and the fuel level in the same photo before you left the lot, and then just purchase enough gas to bring the fuel back to that level. And I would have also snapped a picture showing the odometer reading and fuel level at return. No guarantees, but I suspect that that would have worked.