Avis is screwing customers on this <75 miles fuel charge
Dec 20, 2009, 6:47 pm
#61
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Avis Chairman
Posts: 1,286
Great post....
The REAL rip-off here is when Avis charges for fuel when driven under 75 miles, but doesn't refill the tank! What kind of BS is that? They're charging customers for absolutely nothing! And then, to add insult to injury, the next person to rent the car will be at a disadvantage because they'll only use, say, 5 gallons of gas but have to put 6 gallons back in. IT'S THEFT.
Oh, and for you guys who put only a little gas back in when it requires more or keep the car running and stop right when the needle hits F, you guys are scum. You're being dishonest, and again, to add insult to injury, you're not even hurting the dreaded multi-national, corporate greedy Avis; you're hurting your fellow FTers. You should rethink your strategies because I know you wouldn't like it if someone did that to you.
The REAL rip-off here is when Avis charges for fuel when driven under 75 miles, but doesn't refill the tank! What kind of BS is that? They're charging customers for absolutely nothing! And then, to add insult to injury, the next person to rent the car will be at a disadvantage because they'll only use, say, 5 gallons of gas but have to put 6 gallons back in. IT'S THEFT.
Oh, and for you guys who put only a little gas back in when it requires more or keep the car running and stop right when the needle hits F, you guys are scum. You're being dishonest, and again, to add insult to injury, you're not even hurting the dreaded multi-national, corporate greedy Avis; you're hurting your fellow FTers. You should rethink your strategies because I know you wouldn't like it if someone did that to you.
Dec 21, 2009, 2:57 am
#62
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: EY-Gold LH-SEN AA-Gold HHonors-Gold National-ES
Posts: 1,520
Great post....
The REAL rip-off here is when Avis charges for fuel when driven under 75 miles, but doesn't refill the tank! What kind of BS is that? They're charging customers for absolutely nothing! And then, to add insult to injury, the next person to rent the car will be at a disadvantage because they'll only use, say, 5 gallons of gas but have to put 6 gallons back in. IT'S THEFT.
Oh, and for you guys who put only a little gas back in when it requires more or keep the car running and stop right when the needle hits F, you guys are scum. You're being dishonest, and again, to add insult to injury, you're not even hurting the dreaded multi-national, corporate greedy Avis; you're hurting your fellow FTers. You should rethink your strategies because I know you wouldn't like it if someone did that to you.
The REAL rip-off here is when Avis charges for fuel when driven under 75 miles, but doesn't refill the tank! What kind of BS is that? They're charging customers for absolutely nothing! And then, to add insult to injury, the next person to rent the car will be at a disadvantage because they'll only use, say, 5 gallons of gas but have to put 6 gallons back in. IT'S THEFT.
Oh, and for you guys who put only a little gas back in when it requires more or keep the car running and stop right when the needle hits F, you guys are scum. You're being dishonest, and again, to add insult to injury, you're not even hurting the dreaded multi-national, corporate greedy Avis; you're hurting your fellow FTers. You should rethink your strategies because I know you wouldn't like it if someone did that to you.
All major rental company locations have their cars vacuumed, washed and top up the gas before they are offered to the next customer.
Dec 21, 2009, 8:09 am
#63
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033
Oh, and for you guys who put only a little gas back in when it requires more or keep the car running and stop right when the needle hits F, you guys are scum. You're being dishonest, and again, to add insult to injury, you're not even hurting the dreaded multi-national, corporate greedy Avis; you're hurting your fellow FTers. You should rethink your strategies because I know you wouldn't like it if someone did that to you.
Dec 21, 2009, 12:05 pm
#66
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Avis Chairman
Posts: 1,286
Dec 22, 2009, 12:39 am
#67
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 123
Me at a recent return in COS:
Me: Just so you know I filled up the car with gas
Agent: Thank you very much <Hands me Receipt>
Me <glancing at receipt>: I noticed you didn't take off the fuel service charge
Agent <with an annoyed tone>: Can I see your gas receipt?
<Prints me off a new receipt with the fuel service removed>
I didn't like the fact that the agent charged me the fee even after informing her that I had filled up the car. I don't always have the time to review the receipt before leaving the car. And I am usually unloading luggage while the agent is finalizing my rental and printing my receipt, so I just verbally tell them I filled up the car. If they want to see the receipt, then fine, but let me know so I can take a break from unloading.
A usual return experience
Me: Just so you know I filled up the car with gas
Agent: Thank you very much
<sometimes agent asks to verify with gas receipt, more often takes my word>
Me: Just so you know I filled up the car with gas
Agent: Thank you very much <Hands me Receipt>
Me <glancing at receipt>: I noticed you didn't take off the fuel service charge
Agent <with an annoyed tone>: Can I see your gas receipt?
<Prints me off a new receipt with the fuel service removed>
I didn't like the fact that the agent charged me the fee even after informing her that I had filled up the car. I don't always have the time to review the receipt before leaving the car. And I am usually unloading luggage while the agent is finalizing my rental and printing my receipt, so I just verbally tell them I filled up the car. If they want to see the receipt, then fine, but let me know so I can take a break from unloading.
A usual return experience
Me: Just so you know I filled up the car with gas
Agent: Thank you very much
<sometimes agent asks to verify with gas receipt, more often takes my word>
Dec 22, 2009, 8:55 am
#68
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: AA EXP+2MM & WN CP
Posts: 197
Great post....
The REAL rip-off here is when Avis charges for fuel when driven under 75 miles, but doesn't refill the tank! What kind of BS is that? They're charging customers for absolutely nothing! And then, to add insult to injury, the next person to rent the car will be at a disadvantage because they'll only use, say, 5 gallons of gas but have to put 6 gallons back in. IT'S THEFT.
Oh, and for you guys who put only a little gas back in when it requires more or keep the car running and stop right when the needle hits F, you guys are scum. You're being dishonest, and again, to add insult to injury, you're not even hurting the dreaded multi-national, corporate greedy Avis; you're hurting your fellow FTers. You should rethink your strategies because I know you wouldn't like it if someone did that to you.
The REAL rip-off here is when Avis charges for fuel when driven under 75 miles, but doesn't refill the tank! What kind of BS is that? They're charging customers for absolutely nothing! And then, to add insult to injury, the next person to rent the car will be at a disadvantage because they'll only use, say, 5 gallons of gas but have to put 6 gallons back in. IT'S THEFT.
Oh, and for you guys who put only a little gas back in when it requires more or keep the car running and stop right when the needle hits F, you guys are scum. You're being dishonest, and again, to add insult to injury, you're not even hurting the dreaded multi-national, corporate greedy Avis; you're hurting your fellow FTers. You should rethink your strategies because I know you wouldn't like it if someone did that to you.
Dec 22, 2009, 9:00 am
#69
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYR
Programs: US/AA-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, AVIS-Presidents Club, National-Executive Elite
Posts: 2,755
I didn't like the fact that the agent charged me the fee even after informing her that I had filled up the car. I don't always have the time to review the receipt before leaving the car. And I am usually unloading luggage while the agent is finalizing my rental and printing my receipt, so I just verbally tell them I filled up the car. If they want to see the receipt, then fine, but let me know so I can take a break from unloading.
So lesson learned, always check your receipt. Whether its AVIS, or Hilton, TGI Fridays, or your local grocery store. Its a good practice for life.
Dec 27, 2009, 10:52 pm
#70
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ann arbor, mi
Programs: Delta Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 90
I've run into this:
my first few email complaints resulted in 4 x $25 vouchers, so that worked for me.
the next time i was charged even more than the stated $10.50 (now $14). that email provided a response that said, essentially:
"your company policy is to return it full. since you didn't, we (avis) are deciding to charge you for fuel at the non pre-paid rate". so that meant a charge of around $18
a subsequent email to avis went unanswered..
now i just fill it up. my colleague allows more travel time and gets it changed
at the avis office every time..
my first few email complaints resulted in 4 x $25 vouchers, so that worked for me.
the next time i was charged even more than the stated $10.50 (now $14). that email provided a response that said, essentially:
"your company policy is to return it full. since you didn't, we (avis) are deciding to charge you for fuel at the non pre-paid rate". so that meant a charge of around $18
a subsequent email to avis went unanswered..
now i just fill it up. my colleague allows more travel time and gets it changed
at the avis office every time..
Dec 28, 2009, 8:34 pm
#71
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, DL Silver Medallion, Hilton Gold
Posts: 255
I've run into this:
my first few email complaints resulted in 4 x $25 vouchers, so that worked for me.
the next time i was charged even more than the stated $10.50 (now $14). that email provided a response that said, essentially:
"your company policy is to return it full. since you didn't, we (avis) are deciding to charge you for fuel at the non pre-paid rate". so that meant a charge of around $18
a subsequent email to avis went unanswered..
now i just fill it up. my colleague allows more travel time and gets it changed
at the avis office every time..
my first few email complaints resulted in 4 x $25 vouchers, so that worked for me.
the next time i was charged even more than the stated $10.50 (now $14). that email provided a response that said, essentially:
"your company policy is to return it full. since you didn't, we (avis) are deciding to charge you for fuel at the non pre-paid rate". so that meant a charge of around $18
a subsequent email to avis went unanswered..
now i just fill it up. my colleague allows more travel time and gets it changed
at the avis office every time..
Dec 30, 2009, 9:19 pm
#72
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Between EWR & PHL
Programs: UA MileagePlus dirt (former hard-way Silver); AS Mileage Plan MVP; Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 1,586
Safest bet is to keep your gas receipt handy when you pull into the car return area. I'll usually point it out to the return agent right after the customary greetings, but if if they miss it (or print the receipt too quickly), I'll point out that I declined fuel service AND returned the vehicle with a full tank, and they're able to remove the fuel service charge from the PDA and generate a new receipt. Never had an issue with this.
Jan 7, 2010, 3:40 pm
#73
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Programs: 1MM BIS. Former 18-year segment 1K, 1997-2014...now just a distant memory.
Posts: 1,200
??? I...don't...think...so! I can't count the number of times, over many years and with a number of companies, that I've had to ask that the gas tank be filled for me prior to leaving a rental lot. Have watched as up to three gallons are pumped into what most customers would assume is a "topped off" tank. So, no, all major rental companies do not "top up the gas".
Jan 9, 2010, 8:19 pm
#74
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Avis Chairman
Posts: 1,286
??? I...don't...think...so! I can't count the number of times, over many years and with a number of companies, that I've had to ask that the gas tank be filled for me prior to leaving a rental lot. Have watched as up to three gallons are pumped into what most customers would assume is a "topped off" tank. So, no, all major rental companies do not "top up the gas".
Jan 10, 2010, 3:44 pm
#75
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ann arbor, mi
Programs: Delta Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 90
What I am saying is that b/c of my company policy AVIS took the liberty to charge me at the per gallon non-pre paid rate, which is quite a bit more than the flat rate advertised in each and every rental car