Any EA members let National fill their tanks recently?

[idontknow]

A few weeks ago I started reading about National filling your tank when you return and only being charged for what you used compared to being charged for the entire tank. ( EA members using the isle) I haven't seen anything about it lately. Can someone tell me how it works? Is it a good thing or bad thing? Have you been happy with it or disappointed with it?

 

[Windjammer]

As an EA member I recently used this in Miami. I returned the tank partially full and they estimated how much gas I used. I then was charged for that gas at the prevailing rate in the area ($1.78) as opposed to the usual rental company's price of $3.50 per gal. I found it was convenient because I didn't have to fill up the car before returning it.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I let National refill the tank for a rental in Las Vegas two weeks ago. It was 1.69/gal plus state taxes. Pump prices were 1.82 at the stations near the airport. The tax situation (at least in NV) is funny, since the usual pump price includes all taxes, of course, while the price on the receipt has a separate line for the state taxes and an asterisk indicating the line items being taxed. Thus the 1.69/gal excludes state taxes while the pump prices at 1.82 include them. The effective National price/gal worked out to about 1.83/gal, so it was competitive with the prevailing prices.

The National agent who uses the scanner/computer/receipt printer estimates the amount of gas needed to fill the tank (in gals) and you get charged for this amount. I had used about 1/4 of a tank and was charged for 4 gals (Toyota Camry). This seemed reasonable to me.

The convenience was great. I would easily pay an extra 0.10/gal for the service. I would never pay the 3.50/gal price in the past and so always had to allow time to find a station close enough to the airport for the gas gauge to still read full when the car was dropped off. I will continue to let National refill the tank until I feel I'm being ill-used with this process.

Ralph

 

[idontknow]

Thank you both for your replies. I was thinking about letting them fill the tank on Monday, but wasn't sure if it would be worth it. Sounds like it is.

How do I go about having them "top off" the tank and not get charged the $3.50 a gallon for the entire tank? Do I need to change something in DH's profile or is it automatic for EA members?

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I believe it is automatic for EC members. It is being featured as one of the virtues of EC membership at the National web site. When I dropped off the car, the agent simply confirmed that I was an EC member; I assumed for purposes of setting the rate for the gas.

Ralph

 

[idontknow]

Thanks!

 

[Windjammer]

Also, they will give you your bill when you drop off the car so you can see how much gas they charged you for and the price.