Dumb ? about gas stations...

[Zoebear]

This will be our first time renting a car, and I'm a little nervous generally.

I am wondering about gas stations - here we pay AFTER we fill. Is it the same around Disney ? (We're staying at W Hills) OR, do you go in and pay, then fill ??

Don't want to look too stupid (there anyway)

Thanks!

 

[mikelan6]

Normally, I use a credit card to pay for gas, so I insert the card into the machine on the pump, and follow the instructions.

If you pay cash, I believe you have to to pay first.

 

[shoney]

We just rented a car in Florida last week and prepaid for the tank of gas (around 40) so we didn't have to fill it up before returning. Yes, it might have been a few dollars more but worth the convenience.

I have been driving in NY for almost 20 years and always had to pay first. I use a credit card and swipe just like the other poster. Usually pumps are labeled "pay first"...If you are using cash, just walk in and say $30 or whatever the amount you want on pump #2 or whatever the pump is labeled.

Please don't worry about looking silly. You are not used the way it is done. Nothing to be ashamed of.


Now I live in a town where they pump gas for you, but previous to that, I have helped numerous people pump gas who didn't know how.

It is your vacation...have fun!

 

[sympatico]

Since you're from Canada I don't think you'll have the option of using your credit card at the pumps. They always ask for a zip code and our postal code won't work. We usually have to pay before you get the gas and either give them cash or your credit card. ( I wouldn't leave my credit card with them while I pumped the gas so usually pay cash.) If you're paying with a credit card I would have my spouse go in and take the card and stay there while I fill the tank (or vise versa). I've already had my credit card number stolen while down there so I don't let it out of my sight now.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Zoebear,
From one Canadian to another here is what to do when getting gas in Orlando. I would say that 99% of gas stations there make you enter a zip code before you start pumping which is something we don't have, so what my family and I usually do is pre-pay inside by telling who ever works there what pump number were at and pay a specific amount of money.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

There is a gas station near WH that we normally use - we normally prepay in cash - they will give you change if you are not sure how much the tank will take.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There is a gas station near WH that we normally use - we normally prepay in cash - they will give you change if you are not sure how much the tank will take.

Any gas station should be able to do that because there have been a few times when we pre-paid and did not need the amount we thought, so we would then get change back for the amount we did not use.

 

[kathiewe]

All of our gas stations in FL are prepay -- at least I don't know of any in the state that allow you to pay afterwards. If you pay inside with a credit card and do not need the entire amount you buy they will automatically credit back the difference. If you pay with cash they will return the amount is in cash.

Also here's a tip: Hess on site at Disney tends to have the best gas prices in the area. We always fill here before going home.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Also here's a tip: Hess on site at Disney tends to have the best gas prices in the area. We always fill here before going home.

I would say that is accurate because the past few trips my family and I had at WDW they were always less expensive then the offisite locations. However the only offsite location which has good prices for gas is usually Race Trac.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Unfortunately, in the Southeast U.S., most all gas stations have moved to the prepay system, even for cash. They converted to this due to years of people driving off.

Now, for rentals, here is the problem. How do you know how much to prepay for? Be sure to ask the counter attendant what their policy is if you prepay too much, say $20, but the car only has enough room for $10. If they will not refund the extra amount, drive on to the next.

The last time I rented a car from Hertz, I prepaid for the full tank of gas, and it worked out cheaper than it would had I filled it out in town. That deal depends on how much gas you use to break even.

 

[Zoebear]

Thanks to everyone.
This is actually very helpful and relieves my stress a little..

This is not the routine where I live so I'll know now when I get there.

Renting from Alamo at the airport and will fill up when leaving the airport too. Maybe we won't have to get much more while we're there given we'll only be back and forth to WDW

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks to everyone.
This is actually very helpful and relieves my stress a little..

You're welcome.