Petrol charge

[Slowhand]

Diane I`ve just dug out my paperwork from our recent trip.
Like you I rented a car from Dollar on the basis of taking it back empty of gas on its return.

The tank was full on collection for which I was charged $66.42 which was calculated at a rate of $3.69 per gallon.
This was for a Dodge Charger [apparently 18 gallons tank capacity], so a smaller car is likely to have a smaller tank so the cost will be proportionately less.

[Isafari]

Thanks Terry, that's a great help.

[Tink]

Holy COW!!!! That's an outrageous price per gallon!

[Slowhand]

Holy COW!!!! That's an outrageous price per gallon!

Compared with the regular price at the pumps over there it is Tink, however compared with UK gas prices it`s a bargain!

[Tink]

Oh yes, I know your prices are prohibitive, it's just that a price per gallon like that here, is a total rip off.

What if you refuse to pay it, and say give me the car on "empty?" There are gas stations right near the airport for you to be able to fill up.

I just think that's terrible.

[Slowhand]

What if you refuse to pay it, and say give me the car on "empty?" There are gas stations right near the airport for you to be able to fill up.

Strangely enough, when I booked the car through Virgin, they told me that this would be the case..i.e. the tank would be on empty on collection and that I should also return it empty.
Presumably the car rental companies automatically tank the cars up before they are rented again?

[Tink]

Depending on the contract scenario. If you pick it up empty and return it empty, then no. If you pick it up full, then the car rental place will fill it up. They have tanks on their site (or used to anyway). Maybe that is part of the matter? With all the changes to the laws and the new EPA regulations, maybe rental car sites can't have their own pumps any longer.

That would cause them to have to invest more time (at least) into filling the cars and thereby justify a bit of an increase in charge.

I'd insist on it empty. There is a station directly across the street from the airport.

[uscwest]

Even if you pick the car up with a full tank, which I almost always do, they have to give you the option to refill it yourself before you return it. They are NOT supposed to charge you for that first tank of gas unless you request the no fill on return option.