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

[bazzanoid]

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

When you get your Dollar Express membership number (by email or on the screen, you may not get a card posted out as you're in the UK, depends on their mood i think LOL) email it on to Netflights and ask them to tag the number to your booking so the rental counter know straight away you're an express member, that way there's no argument as to why you're in the Express queue as opposed to the half-a-mile-long standard queue

 

[Twilight Terror]

When you get your Dollar Express membership number (by email or on the screen, you may not get a card posted out as you're in the UK, depends on their mood i think LOL) email it on to Netflights and ask them to tag the number to your booking so the rental counter know straight away you're an express member, that way there's no argument as to why you're in the Express queue as opposed to the half-a-mile-long standard queue

Okay! Didn't realise I would need to go through Netflights as well and tag the booking - thanks for that little bit of handy information!

 

[bazzanoid]

no probs - anything to help a holiday to WDW go smoothly!

Sounds like it's your first time driving in the US - check out this site for some handy tips, and don't be afraid to ask here on the boards if anything about the road system troubles you!

http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm

 

[Twilight Terror]

It's not our first time, although it has been 10years since we last drove. If we didn't have a wheelchair, we wouldn't be driving again this year either, but needs must. Will let my mum have a look at that website though.

 

[Lizzybear]

This year we have 2 'sets' of car rental with 2 different companies and i'm not buying the insurance that includes a tank of fuel with either of them. I have done this in the past but feel they overcharge for this service in most cases.
What I plan to do is as bazzanoid mentioned, offer to return the car full (will bring the receipt to show just in case) and hopefully that will mean we won't have to pay them anything.

 

[Trouty]

Recently (and always) I bring the car back full. Recently the petrol was $2.50 a gallon for regular. I filled up next to the Hotel and topped it up on Lake Mary Bl next to Sanford airport. This is by far the cheapest method. Always used AVIS as well, nice and fast from Sanford.

 

[john gwyn]

we found that pre paying was far easier. we booked with budget and im pretty sure that it only cost $45.
have a fab trip.
john

 

[bazzanoid]

This year we have 2 'sets' of car rental with 2 different companies and i'm not buying the insurance that includes a tank of fuel with either of them. I have done this in the past but feel they overcharge for this service in most cases.
What I plan to do is as bazzanoid mentioned, offer to return the car full (will bring the receipt to show just in case) and hopefully that will mean we won't have to pay them anything.

You won't need the receipt - when you return the car and they scan it as you park up it'll flag on their system if the tank is supposed to be full, first thing the attendant will do is turn the ignition on and look at the fuel gauge.....

John Gwyn - it can depend on your car - last trip we had a full-size Chevrolet Suburban SUV that has a HUGE fuel tank on it, so costs around $45 to fill up, if you've got a standard car then it's likely only $25 - £30 for a full tank.

Everyone has their own preferences, whatever makes them most comfortable :

(i still have trouble adjusting to no 'real' handbrake)

 

[Trouty]

Sorry to state the obvious but this site http://www.orlandogasprices.com/ is helpful. Their prices go up and down like yo-yos hehe.

 

[bazzanoid]

Sorry to state the obvious but this site http://www.orlandogasprices.com/ is helpful. Their prices go up and down like yo-yos hehe.

Oh yes - that is a golden rule.... see it cheap, top it up! The prices can literally swing +/- 25% on a weekly basis!

 

[Netty]

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!

how do i find out beforehand what other cars are in the 4x4 intermediate range, so far i know its rav4 and jeep liberty

 

[bazzanoid]

Unfortunately, their stock answer is the fleet changes all the time, so they can't guarantee exactly what they'll have... the best way is to post a new thread here asking what cars people have had in the intermediate 4x4 class with dollar, it'll give you a guideline.

EDIT: They have also been known to use the Jeep Compass or Patriot.

I've noticed Dollar seem to favour GM vehicles, so Dodge, Jeep, Chevy, GMC are the most likely choices.

:

 

[Netty]

Unfortunately, their stock answer is the fleet changes all the time, so they can't guarantee exactly what they'll have... the best way is to post a new thread here asking what cars people have had in the intermediate 4x4 class with dollar, it'll give you a guideline.

EDIT: They have also been known to use the Jeep Compass or Patriot.

I've noticed Dollar seem to favour GM vehicles, so Dodge, Jeep, Chevy, GMC are the most likely choices.

:

ok thanks for that!

 

[DISWolves]

Budget also do a thing called Fast Break (similar to Dollars Express card)
I also requested to return Budget car with a full tank of petrol
Filled up at Hess station outside Magic Kingdom ($2.51 gallon 27/8/9)
If you fill the tank until the pump cuts out, the gauge shows passed the Full mark
Drove from M.K. to Orlando international airport and the gauge was still slightly passed the Full mark. Also confirm with rental person receiveing the car that the tank is full.