FPO and customer service car swap? One more free tank!
Oct 29, 2012, 7:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Premier 1K, DL Platinum Medallion, AF Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 592
FPO and customer service car swap? One more free tank!
I always wondered what happened if you had FPO, used a significant amount of gas and then had to swap the car due to mechanical issue.
I rented a Corvette this past weekend in LAS at a cheap rate that included FPO, aka "first tank of gas included", drove up to Death Valley and back at a slightly more than reasonable speed and used the entire 18 gal tank for 300 miles (18mpg, sheesh, how does Hertz come up with their 25mpg number?). I noticed an issue with one of the wheels with a big oil splash and significant burnt oil smell. Drove back to Hertz and swapped for another car.
I asked "So how does the FPO factor with the fact that I just drank 18 gallons and you're giving me a new car with a full tank?", "No worries, you get another free tank!"
Nice
Total: 2 day Corvette with LDW, LIS, N/L and XM: 270$, including 120$ worth of gas. Nice.
I rented a Corvette this past weekend in LAS at a cheap rate that included FPO, aka "first tank of gas included", drove up to Death Valley and back at a slightly more than reasonable speed and used the entire 18 gal tank for 300 miles (18mpg, sheesh, how does Hertz come up with their 25mpg number?). I noticed an issue with one of the wheels with a big oil splash and significant burnt oil smell. Drove back to Hertz and swapped for another car.
I asked "So how does the FPO factor with the fact that I just drank 18 gallons and you're giving me a new car with a full tank?", "No worries, you get another free tank!"
Nice
Total: 2 day Corvette with LDW, LIS, N/L and XM: 270$, including 120$ worth of gas. Nice.
Oct 29, 2012, 9:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta Diamond 360, AA Platinum for Life, Marriott Platinum Premier for Life, United Platinum, Hertz
Posts: 56
You're lucky. I had a vette rental this weekend too and averaged 12 mpg. And I wasn't even driving the car hard.
On the whole I thought the car was a piece of junk. I'm sure the higher end models are good, but a base vette is awful. I wouldn't rent it again.
On the whole I thought the car was a piece of junk. I'm sure the higher end models are good, but a base vette is awful. I wouldn't rent it again.
Oct 30, 2012, 4:57 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SFO/ATL/MEL/BKK
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Globalist UA 1K MM, Delta Diamond
Posts: 2,678
I would say you got lucky I had an exchange in Europe once where I couldn't find a gas station, and couldn't be bothered.. Nonetheless upon returning the exchanged car there was a fuel charge from the car before.
Nonetheless good on ya! I'm sure hertz makes a killing in their gas racket (FPO's not coming back empty, and inflated charges when non FPO's come back low) I saw a plat come back with an empty tank once and when the girl mentioned it, he laughed and said "hit me up for it" Probably charged his expense acct $200+
Nonetheless good on ya! I'm sure hertz makes a killing in their gas racket (FPO's not coming back empty, and inflated charges when non FPO's come back low) I saw a plat come back with an empty tank once and when the girl mentioned it, he laughed and said "hit me up for it" Probably charged his expense acct $200+
Oct 31, 2012, 9:44 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott Gold
Posts: 349
On the occasions that I have echanged a car with FPO, the phone agent (i generally call before showing up) always instructs me to return it with a full tank of gas. I never do, and have never seen a charge for it.