jackal

I, for one, am glad they are now enforcing this policy. I'm tired of getting cars that were clearly not filled up within 10 miles of return and having the needle drop from just-barely-on-F to 3/4 within 30 miles of leaving the lot.

You'll want to avoid Avis and Budget, too, as they have similar corporate policies (though enforcement is spotty, and sure enough, I've gotten less-than-full tanks from them). And Thrifty, since they're under the same ownership as Dollar. And probably Hertz, too, since Hertz now owns Dollar and Thrifty. That leaves you with Enterprise, National, Alamo, and the smattering of junk discount agencies...

VegasGambler

I don't see how this prevents anything. Just because you have a receipt does not mean that you filled the car up all the way.

jackal

Old system:
Percentage of people who actively game the system and fill up as far away as possible while still having the needle remain on F: 3%
Percentage of people who just fill it up 40 miles away without thinking about it and then return the car without filling again because the needle is still on F and they don't think about it: 30%
---
Total percentage of people who return the car 2-3 gallons short: 33%
Total odds of me getting a car that has less than a full tank: 1 in 3

New system:
Percentage of people who would actively game the system and fill up less than 10 miles away but intentionally and maliciously stop the pump short: 1%
Percentage of people who do not fill it within 10 miles and are thus unable to provide a receipt, are charged the fueling fee, and the rental company fills it up the last 2-3 gallons: 20%
People who happen to put gas in the car less than 10 miles away from the airport but don't actually completely fill it, just out of ignorance (prepaying $50 but the car needs $55 in gas) or stupidity: 4%
---
Total percentage of people who return the car 2-3 gallons short: 25%
Total odds of me getting a car that has less than a full tank: 1 in 20

Auto Enthusiast

My problem with the policy is when I hand the return agent the contract jacket, with the receipt on top, and he charges me the $10 anyway. Then he tells me to have it removed by waiting in a long line at the Bluechip / Dollar Express booth, when I have a flight to catch. Would Dollar/Thrifty/Hertz lose business from people like me if I even think there's a chance of needing to rush for the flight? Absolutely. Is it significant? Probably less than the extra revenue from the fee.

CMK10

Couldn't agree more. After spending $24 to fill up an Altima I drove only 75 miles a few months ago, I don't want to lose money because the customer before me wanted to save a buck. I know my Focus's needle will stay on Full for at least 50 miles before dropping to 7/8's. I shouldn't be able to take advantage of that and pass the expense on to the next customer.

emrdoc

How do you know they don't just charge the fee and never put in any additional fuel, still leaving you with a less than full tank.