Fill tank before MCO

[goofy4tink]

Some people prepay for gas for convenience. It's all but impossible to save money, even with your example. I doubt the real difference is .50. Assume it is. 2.00 per gallon prepay vs 2.50. 14 gallon tank.

1. $28 to prepay. Add 10% concession fee plus sales tax total cost is 32.80
2. At 2.50 per gallon you'll have to use more then 13.1 gallons to come out ahead.
3. Its possible the agency didn't top off from the previous customer. The car might not even have the full 14 gallons. YOU LOSE.
4. You might not be willing to drive an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar area with the low fuel light on for 30 miles. You add a few gallons so you dont run out of fuel. You return the car with a few gallons. YOU LOSE.
5. You run out of gas a few miles from the airport. YOU LOSE.
6. You run out of gas and coast into the lot. You might save a few dollars. Did you win maybe or maybe not. See 3 above.

Absolutely agree. If I plan on driving a fair amount, close to a full tank, I tend to prepay for gas. That way I don't have to worry about refilling prior to returning to the airport. This time, my dh was with me, and he planned on driving to Daytona Beach. So, he refilled the car when he got back. But, the driving I did between that time and my departure day, left me down about 1/8 a tank. Not much, but I didn't want to return it will less than that. So, topped off, cost about $7.00, then returned it with just a hair below full...they read it as full.

 

[Bullseye]

We usually fill up at the Speedway on World Center Dr, right before you get onto 417. We've never had a problem.

Same here.

Same here...every year.

 

[Lewisc]

The speedway station near boardwalk is about 20 miles from MCO. Thrifty can ask for a receipt showing gas purchase within 10 miles.

Rental agencies seem to accept the full shown on the gauge. There is a risk involved. I'd certainly be more careful if I was stuck using a second tier agency.

 

[NotUrsula]

I haven't seen this tactic used in Florida YET, but BOLO for it: last time I went through DTW, there was a tidy small sign on the checkout booth that said that if the odometer showed you did not drive more than 75 miles, you would be charged a flat rate of $14 to refill the tank, UNLESS you presented a same-day receipt upon vehicle return showing a purchase to fill the tank.

That was a new one on me. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see it pop up at MCO, where so many people only drive back and forth from off-site lodging to the theme parks.

FWIW, we usually top off the tank at the Speedway on Epcot Center Drive just before it runs into 417 (just east of Caribe Royale.) That one is 16.9 miles from MCO

If you really are concerned with being able to show an under-10-mile receipt, one of the best options is to drive THROUGH MCO and out the North Exit, going northbound on Semoran. If you take a left on Lee Vista Blvd, there is a WaWa there that is the closest station to the airport that never gouges on price. (There is a Panera across the side street from it as well, should you want to pick up a good meal to go for the flight.) Distance from that station back to MCO is 3.9 miles.

 

[goofy4tink]

I haven't seen this tactic used in Florida YET, but BOLO for it: last time I went through DTW, there was a tidy small sign on the checkout booth that said that if the odometer showed you did not drive more than 75 miles, you would be charged a flat rate of $14 to refill the tank, UNLESS you presented a same-day receipt upon vehicle return showing a purchase to fill the tank.

That was a new one on me. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see it pop up at MCO, where so many people only drive back and forth from off-site lodging to the theme parks.

FWIW, we usually top off the tank at the Speedway on Epcot Center Drive just before it runs into 417 (just east of Caribe Royale.) That one is 16.9 miles from MCO

If you really are concerned with being able to show an under-10-mile receipt, one of the best options is to drive THROUGH MCO and out the North Exit, going northbound on Semoran. If you take a left on Lee Vista Blvd, there is a WaWa there that is the closest station to the airport that never gouges on price. (There is a Panera across the side street from it as well, should you want to pick up a good meal to go for the flight.) Distance from that station back to MCO is 3.9 miles.

Thanks for the heads up!!! I primarily use Alamo, they're pretty good about how full the tank is, but I don't like to push it. And it's good to know what's available north of the airport. I seldom get up that far.

 

[verleniahall]

We used Budget Car Rental- we filled up the car the night before and they tried to say we left the car on empty (we think they mixed up our car with another car) - we ended up havin* to get our bank involved and send them transactions from the bank, etc... to get them to refund our money

BUT - Like insaid - we think they mixed up our car and someone else’s, and their computer system was down so they didn’t check our car in right then - they had to do i5later

 

[seashoreCM]

If the gas gauge is between the marks when you take it you should insist that they declare the gas tank rounded down to the next eighth of a tankful or whatever. When you bring it back with the needle in the same place they will certainly round it down.

 

[bcuinohio]

I get off at Landstar and fill up at Race Trac. Easy on and off.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I prepay the gas. Its super cheap in FL. May cost me an extra $5 - $10 in the end, but Ill gladly pay for the convenience of not having to find and stop at a gas station and not worry about being charged $10/gallon because there were a few drops missing from my own fill up.

I go for 12 days. MCO to Disney Springs with a stop up the street at Winn Dixie for water and room /pool snacks. 3 days spent in Disney Springs area driving back and forth to SeaWorld parks daily and around the area at night for dinner. The rest of the time in the Disney bubble. Car use for meals at other resorts, a couple of parks and both water parks. Drive back to MCO. I have never used more than 3/4 tank....usually a bit less.... but for $35 not having to deal with gas...so worth it.

I once went to MI and stayed at a friends house for the weekend. Drove about 25 miles the whole trip. Didnt prepay the gas, but filled up ($2.10) 4 miles from the airport. Hertz charged me $11 because it want full. Luckily I had a receipt, which I emailed, showing the address where I filled up (had to be within 7 miles) They gave me back the $11. I would have let it go for such a small amount of money, but I went through the aggravation of finding a gas station, stopping, pumping the gas etc... I was not going to give them more money for it.

 

[goofy4tink]

I get off at Landstar and fill up at Race Trac. Easy on and off.

This is going to be my plan as well.