Car rental pre-pay ahead for the gas question?

[dis2cruise]

When we rent a car at MCO airport the people at the desk always ask if we would like to pre-pay for the gas upton renting the car and bring the car to almost empty...we always say no. However, the last few times we kind of shook our heads since the price the rental car place was about the same or a little cheaper. What’s your thoughts on the current prices in the MCO area??

 

[erionm]

Gas at the Wawa just north of MCO on Semoran Blvd (SR-436) is currently $2.809 per gallon.

 

[starry_solo]

Depends on the cost to pre-pay and the time it takes to fill gas

 

[Meglen]

I just booked and they quoted the gas price at 3.40 I knew the gas was not that much so I declined.

 

[Krandor]

I don't like the prepay because to make it close to worth it you have to bring it back as close to empty as possible and the driving you plan to do may or may not hit that perfectly. I always prefer to stop and fill it up at a regular gas station before turning it in.

 

[Lewisc]

The price at the pump is the price you pay. The per gallon price displayed by the rental agencies is before taxes and surcharges.My memory is You'll pay about an extra 33%.

I used to think the only way to come out ahead is to run out of gas as you're waiting to check in your car. Now I know that just means your loss will be minimized.

 

[ricosuave]

Apparently there is a gas shortage in Florida and people are freaking out to fill up their tanks. I may need to consider the pre pay option. We leave next week

 

[seashoreCM]

The prepaid tankful of gas is a moneymaker for the rental company and therefore it is a bad deal, moneywise, for you.

No matter how many additional tankfuls of gas you bought and how many miles you drove, it is very difficult to bring the car back at the end of your rental with less than two gallons remaining in the tank. You paid for those leftover gallons and there is no refund for them. (It still requires a lot of thinking and planning to bring the car back with less than four gallons remaining.)

When you do not prepay for gas, try to fill up the day before you return the car. This way, if you run late and cannot go to a gas station, you will only have to pay the rental company for a small number of gallons at their super high after the fact price.

I just booked and they quoted the gas price at 3.40 ...

That is approximately the price the rental agent or his/her supervisor thinks the price will be on the day you return the car. The agent might still quote you a lower price in order to entice you to prepay.

 

[gharter]

We never do that as we don't drive enough to empty the tank. Its much cheaper for us to add a few gallons on the way back to the airport.

When you do not prepay for gas, try to fill up the day before you return the car. This way, if you run late and cannot go to a gas station, you will only have to pay the rental company for a small number of gallons at their super high after the fact price.

This is what we always try to do.

 

[dis2cruise]

Thanks everyone for all your answers still a little nervous about the gas issues on the east coast as well but hoping by may 22 that would be resolved!!

 

[EACarlson]

I rented two weeks ago in Dallas and the price listed if I pre-paid for a full tank was $1.98/gal, prices at stations around town were $2.59. I never pay because I'm not running the tank nearly low enough to make it even close to being worthwhile.

 

[erionm]

Apparently there is a gas shortage in Florida and people are freaking out to fill up their tanks. I may need to consider the pre pay option. We leave next week

The gas supply for Central FL comes in by ship from Texas & Louisiana, so the pipeline hack shouldn't affect the supply.

 

[Lewisc]

I rented two weeks ago in Dallas and the price listed if I pre-paid for a full tank was $1.98/gal, prices at stations around town were $2.59. I never pay because I'm not running the tank nearly low enough to make it even close to being worthwhile.

The $1.98 gas price is subject to sales tax, airport surcharges, soak tourist to pay for stadiums...At 30% the gas would cost $2.54

 

[Krandor]

Thanks everyone for all your answers still a little nervous about the gas issues on the east coast as well but hoping by may 22 that would be resolved!!

I think the gas run is as much psycological as real. I expect this weekend or early next week to be back to normal

 

[spiders]

You're never really going to save with the prepaid gas option. That's all a gimmick. The real advantage to prepaid gas is that you don't have to worry about it. Now, as others have mentioned, the more close to empty that you return it then the better off you'll be but you also then have to (ideally) drive around on a near empty tank. Some people don't mind that and others do (I'm definitely one looking to fill as soon as it hits 1/3).

If you go into it realizing that you're paying for the convenience of not having to find a gas station when you return then it's worth it. However, even if you return it on 1/4 then you're probably still giving them 3-4 gallons of gas back.

 

[ain0004]

I have recently started prepay option out of connivence. Never had in the past. Usually it has been within .10 cents. Nothing to get worried about. Now with gas shortages. I may change my mind, in 2 weeks and say yes no matter what.

 

[Lewisc]

Last time I did the math paying the "penalty" gas price for returning your car below F was the better deal if your car had at least 1/4 tank. Different agencies price gas prices differently.

 

[MI_firefighter]

Ok so I'm confused. I've always declined and just filled up near the airport (high but not as high as the rental place). If I took the price they offer at the little booth when checking out, am I locking in that rate for what they put in the tank or for an entire tank? If I only use 1/4 tank, is that all I pay for?

 

[Lewisc]

You can pre-pay for a full tank of gas. You get no credit for any gas in the tank when you return the car. The price per gallon is less then the average pump price. The difference shrinks when you add in fees and taxes.

Customers who don't prepay and don't fill the tank pay a high per gallon fee.

Many renters fill the car at one of the Speedway stations by WDW. The gauge still reads F. Posters haven't had issues. Previous renter probably did the same thing.