Car Hire: Pre-pay fuel or pay at the airport?

Twilight Terror

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
So, we're looking into the car hire situation, and we are trying to work out if it will be cheaper to pay for the tank of fuel when we pick up the car, or buy the platinum package now, which includes the initial tank of fuel.

At the moment, through Netflights, we can get:
Thrifty for £376.00
Dollar for £389.00

Those prices do not include that first tank of fuel. Alternatively, we can get the same car, from the same companies, including the first tank of fuel for:
Thrifty for £485.00 (£109 for fuel)
Dollar for £468.00 (£79 for fuel)

My many question is, if we bought the tank of fuel at the airport, would they really charge the equivalent of £79? We do not have an additional drivers, which I know is what the platinum package also includes. So for us, without extra drivers, would it be better to not buy the platinum, or are we likely to get stung at the airport if we do not?

And on a slightly different note, does it matter that the card I pay with now will not be in the drivers name, and will not match the one we use in America for the security deposit?

Edit: According to Toyota's website, the car has a 16gallon fuel tank!
 
we dont have any additional drivers but I always go with the platinum package as we dont want to pay anything when we pick the car up so its easier for us to pay upfront
 
I'm not bothered by how long it will take us, just how much it will cost us! :lmao: Don't see the point in paying £79 or £109 for a tank of fuel that might cost half of that when we get there. I need more money for World of Disney! :lmao:
 
We always pay for petrol at the airport - it's always a little more expensive but saves me the worry of finding that first petrol station ;)
 


I might have this the wrong way around, but if you dont have the pre paid full tank of fuel then you have to bring the car back with a full tank??
 
Think that's it Netty :)

I always attempt to bring back an empty tank but never quite manage to :hippie:

I know the car company will win both ways but my own peace of mind is my uppermost thought ....
 
I prefer the pre-pay and return empty option. Just find it easier.
 


it cant be £109 for the fuel alone.if it is dont take it, just take the car bak full, i would guess it would be about $30 to fill it up.
 
it cant be £109 for the fuel alone.if it is dont take it, just take the car bak full, i would guess it would be about $30 to fill it up.

On a tank the size you expect I imagine it'll be more than $30 to fill up - seem to remember it being around $35 to fill up the economy car (in the nearest Gas station) we had back in April...then again, don't hold me to that.
My memory is atrocious!!:rolleyes1
 
I've always paid for gas at the airport but never found it to be ridiculously expensive.........
 
Seems to be about $39 for a full tank - depends on whether convenience or cost is the most important for you :)
 
Thanks alisonbestford for your advice. :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

Have shown mum the thread, and she has been looking at Orlando fuel prices, and has said that she wants to pay at the airport. Even if they charge double the going gas station prices, it will still be cheaper than buying the pre-paid option.

I have just finished making all the payments and we have our little SUV booked for the holiday! Woohoo! Will be paying for the fuel at the airport, and allowing convenience to give way to saving money! If it doesn't work out, at least we'll know for next time! :thumbsup2
 
Thanks alisonbestford for your advice. :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

Have shown mum the thread, and she has been looking at Orlando fuel prices, and has said that she wants to pay at the airport. Even if they charge double the going gas station prices, it will still be cheaper than buying the pre-paid option.

I have just finished making all the payments and we have our little SUV booked for the holiday! Woohoo! Will be paying for the fuel at the airport, and allowing convenience to give way to saving money! If it doesn't work out, at least we'll know for next time! :thumbsup2

what car did you get?? :)
 
It is a Four Wheel Drive - a Toyota RAV 4 or similar

Hoping that it will actually be that model because it has the boot that opens out, like a cupboard door, rather than upwards like must standard boots. An open-out-cupboard-type-door will be perfect for us, as it will make getting the wheelchair in and out a whole lot easier!!! What about you? Which have you got?
 
It is a Four Wheel Drive - a Toyota RAV 4 or similar

Hoping that it will actually be that model because it has the boot that opens out, like a cupboard door, rather than upwards like must standard boots. An open-out-cupboard-type-door will be perfect for us, as it will make getting the wheelchair in and out a whole lot easier!!! What about you? Which have you got?

Same as us!! Toyota rav4 or similar-as long as its not the jeep liberty-we had that one last october and is was so uncomfortable
 
Same as us!! Toyota rav4 or similar-as long as its not the jeep liberty-we had that one last october and is was so uncomfortable

When you get to the rental counter ask them which models they have available in your class, don't just let them give you one as they'll just randomly pluck a set of keys from the rack in your class (as you would expect) - if they do say they only have a car you know you don't want ask again and point out why - i.e. are you sure you don't have anything, maybe something 'over the other side' that could be brought over, you won't mind waiting 15 minutes for your car if it means two weeks of more comfort!
 
We always pay for petrol at the airport - it's always a little more expensive but saves me the worry of finding that first petrol station ;)

Alison - the car will ALWAYS have a full tank when you pick it up, all you need to do is tell the rental folks you'll take it and bring it back full, that way you just need to fill up within a few miles of the airport on your return journey - works out far cheaper.

I made the mistake of filling up in Kissimmee and going the back route to the airport, so didn't see a single gas station before dropping the car back - it dropped an 1/8th of a tank (it was a somewhat large SUV) and Dollar were kind enough to charge me $25 for the 'missing' 1/8th of a tank............. won't be doing that again lol
 
So if you bring the tank back full, you don't pay that initial fee at the airport, is that correct? Do all car renters offer that service? I've been through all the T&Cs and Help and FAQs on Netflights (who we booked with), and they only mention either paying for the full fuel tank at the airport, or purchasing the platinum cover, which includes the price of the fuel. We are getting the car from Dollar via Netflights though, so will that make a difference? We are also hoping to join Dollar Express to speed up the process.
 
Dollar definitely do offer it, but you may need to mention it as they won't automatically tell you about it, instead just tagging the tank on to your rental agreement.

If you join Dollar Express, they (at the desk) may well assume you'll be bringing it back full if you haven't paid as part of the booking, and just casually mention it "i take it that you'll be....." rather than outright ask.

Can't stress this enough though - bring the car back FULL - anything less and they will charge you for it. It will be less than a full tank charge providing there's more than half a tank in there, but it's blinking expensive. Find out where the nearest gas station to the rental return entry is and top off the tank (fill up in kissimmee as it's cheaper, just top up by the airport) before dropping the car off.

If you're hiring / taking a satnav store the nearest gas station (it'll be on the Points of Interest under Fuel or Gas) as a favourite when you pick the car up so you know where you're going on the way back!

As far as I'm aware (feel free to correct me if i'm wrong anyone), all rental companies will do this, but many prefer not to as they don't make any extra cash - Alamo are well known for being pushy, so they may give problems on this depending on the CS agent.

That said, with Dollar, if you're needing an extra driver, then it's always better to go for the Platinum package at time of booking, since it includes extra drivers, so coupled with a tank of fuel it saves you a lot of $$ at the other end, and you can just bring it back empty at the end of your stay.

:goodvibes:
 
Dollar definitely do offer it, but you may need to mention it as they won't automatically tell you about it, instead just tagging the tank on to your rental agreement.

If you join Dollar Express, they (at the desk) may well assume you'll be bringing it back full if you haven't paid as part of the booking, and just casually mention it "i take it that you'll be....." rather than outright ask.

Brilliant! Sounds good to me! Will get onto Dollar Express asap then!

That said, with Dollar, if you're needing an extra driver, then it's always better to go for the Platinum package at time of booking, since it includes extra drivers, so coupled with a tank of fuel it saves you a lot of $$ at the other end, and you can just bring it back empty at the end of your stay.

We only have one driver, which is why we are NOT opting for the pay in advance option - no point paying a fortune for a service we're not going to use! Will definitely fill up in Kissimmee and then top up at the airport. Thanks for all that info!
 

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