First Time Renter Fuel Question

[sturner1234]

Renting a car for first time to get to busch gardens for the day and to do howl-o-scream

Have made my booking and got it confirmed. I understand everything except for fuel and what to do about it.

I have booked with Alamo for the disney car center returning to dolphin as will be late at night and easier to get uber back to resort from there I have been told.

I haven't prepaid to have the tank filled. How much fuel will be in the car when I get it? I assume I just drop it off and not worry about what is left in there as they haven't pre filled it?

This is at end of email;

Refueling Service

As a customer, you have a choice as to how you would like to pay for fuel.

Option 1 - Prepay Fuel --This option allows the renter to pay for the full tank of gas at the time of rental and return the tank empty. The price is based on an estimate of current fuel prices and the average tank size for the car received. No refunds will be issued for unused gas.

Option 2 - We Refill. --This option allows the renter to pay Alamo at the end of the rental for gas used but not replaced. Price per gallon will be higher than local fuel prices.

Option 3 - You Refill. --This option allows the renter to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas to avoid extra fuel charges.



Why would I have to refill fuel if I haven't prepaid for it? It has confused me quite a lot.
Any help appreciated.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Renting a car for first time to get to busch gardens for the day and to do howl-o-scream

Have made my booking and got it confirmed. I understand everything except for fuel and what to do about it.

I have booked with Alamo for the disney car center returning to dolphin as will be late at night and easier to get uber back to resort from there I have been told.

I haven't prepaid to have the tank filled. How much fuel will be in the car when I get it? I assume I just drop it off and not worry about what is left in there as they haven't pre filled it?

This is at end of email;

Refueling Service

As a customer, you have a choice as to how you would like to pay for fuel.

Option 1 - Prepay Fuel --This option allows the renter to pay for the full tank of gas at the time of rental and return the tank empty. The price is based on an estimate of current fuel prices and the average tank size for the car received. No refunds will be issued for unused gas.

Option 2 - We Refill. --This option allows the renter to pay Alamo at the end of the rental for gas used but not replaced. Price per gallon will be higher than local fuel prices.

Option 3 - You Refill. --This option allows the renter to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas to avoid extra fuel charges.



Why would I have to refill fuel if I haven't prepaid for it? It has confused me quite a lot.
Any help appreciated.

It will be full (or as near as) when you collect it.
If you use option 3 and return the car with a full tank Alamo won’t charge you anything.
Take a photograph of the fuel gauge when you collect the car and again when you return it and keep your fuel receipts, in case of dispute.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Renting a car for first time to get to busch gardens for the day and to do howl-o-scream

Have made my booking and got it confirmed. I understand everything except for fuel and what to do about it.

I have booked with Alamo for the disney car center returning to dolphin as will be late at night and easier to get uber back to resort from there I have been told.

I haven't prepaid to have the tank filled. How much fuel will be in the car when I get it? I assume I just drop it off and not worry about what is left in there as they haven't pre filled it?

This is at end of email;

Refueling Service

As a customer, you have a choice as to how you would like to pay for fuel.

Option 1 - Prepay Fuel --This option allows the renter to pay for the full tank of gas at the time of rental and return the tank empty. The price is based on an estimate of current fuel prices and the average tank size for the car received. No refunds will be issued for unused gas.

Option 2 - We Refill. --This option allows the renter to pay Alamo at the end of the rental for gas used but not replaced. Price per gallon will be higher than local fuel prices.

Option 3 - You Refill. --This option allows the renter to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas to avoid extra fuel charges.



Why would I have to refill fuel if I haven't prepaid for it? It has confused me quite a lot.
Any help appreciated.

Rental cars come with a full tank of fuel, so the fuel gauge should be at the full mark when you pick up the car. Least expensive will be Option 3. Just stop at the Speedway gas station at the corner of Buena Vista Drive and Epcot Resorts Blvd before you drop off the car at the Dolphin. This station is one stoplight east of the turn off Buena Vista Drive to get to the Dolphin, so the most convenient choice. You will drop the car off with the valet at the Dolphin, the valet will note time, mileage, and fuel level on a receipt, and Alamo will email you a final receipt when the rental desk opens the next morning.

Option 2 would be more expensive, since the price you pay Alamo for the fuel will include a convenience fee that might be as much as $1 per gallon.

Option 1 requires that you pay for a full tank of gas, at a price per gallon that will be fairly close to the retail cost. However, you will have paid for the full tank even if you drop off the car with a substantial amount of fuel left in the tank. No refund for unused fuel.

The cost difference between option 1 and option 2 is hard to estimate. They could be close if you only use half or two-thirds of a tank of fuel. Option 3 is always cheaper, since you will pay retail for only the fuel you use, at the price of a 5-minute stop to refill the tank before dropping off the car.

 

[JimMIA]

It will be full (or as near as) when you collect it.
If you use option 3 and return the car with a full tank Alamo won’t charge you anything.
Take a photograph of the fuel gauge when you collect the car and again when you return it and keep your fuel receipts, in case of dispute.

Correct. I ALWAYS select Option 3, because the rates they charge for 1 and 2 are WAY more than the local gas stations charge.

 

[clippers6]

You’ll see good fuel prices for option 1, but keep in mind that unless you return the car on empty, you lose out.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would not do the prepaid. If the car has a 17 gallon tank and you return it with 10 gallons left they will still charge you for the 17 gallons of gas. Busch Gardens is 140 miles round trip from Disney according to Google Maps. My 17 gallon SUV when the gas tank is full says I can drive 406 miles before refueling it. there is a gas station right by the Dolphin just refuel it before turning it in.

the verbatim on the rental is telling you what your option is. If you return it and they then have to refuel the car for the next person they will charge you for the fuel even after you returned the car. Even though you returned the car there could be other charges they can charge you for such as the fuel or tolls that you forgot to stop and pay. They will send you a bill afterward if any of those things apply to you so they are just letting you know in advance.

 

[seashoreCM]

It is almost impossible to get all the way back and leave fewer than two gallons behind when you return the car having chosen option 1 (prepay for fuel). This is true no matter how many miles you drive and how many extra tankfuls of gas you buy and use in the middle of the rental.

So option 1 is a cash cow for the rental company which means ergo it is not a good deal for you (except for the convenience).

Once in awhile the tank is not full when you collect (get) the car. When reporting the amount of fuel on the pre-flight check list, er, before driving off, drawing a picture or diagram is best. But if you need to use words or numbers then round any ambiguity down to the previous eighth of a tankful, for example if the needle is a tad lower than full then you report it as 7/8'ths. The check in agent will certainly round down when you return the car.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Can I ask a question about something that always causes a problem when I visit? Filling up with fuel with a foreign credit card/ no local postcode. I think I remember reading that rather than prepaying and trying to guess how much a strange car will cost to fill up, I can just put 9999 at the postcode prompt and then my credit card will be accepted as normal. Is that correct? Flying out tomorrow. Silly old lady can’t sleep for excitement.

 

[Capt_BJ]

pay inside! they may ask for an ID but I doubt it .....

some US folks always pay inside .... 'skimmers' stealing credit card numbers happen TOO often at gas pumps in the US.

 

[jimmyc0000]

Hi,
I have a gas question ? When leaving Disney and going to MCO to drop off rental car, where is the closet gas station to the airport without tolls ? Thanks

 

[Lewisc]

You’ll see good fuel prices for option 1, but keep in mind that unless you return the car on empty, you lose out.

I used to think that. The local price for gas is inclusive of taxes. If the pump say 2.49 per gallon you'll pay 24.90 for 10 gallons.

The per gallon price the rental agency shows for option 1 doesn't include sales tax and airport fees. Add just over 17% to the per gallon price offered. Those fees are added at the bottom.

A renter who literally runs out of gas while the car is being checked in will still almost always save money with fuel option 3.

 

[Mikey15]

Hi,
I have a gas question ? When leaving Disney and going to MCO to drop off rental car, where is the closet gas station to the airport without tolls ? Thanks

You probably don’t want to fill up at the closest to the airport. The stations nearby have much higher fuel prices specifically because they know people are returning cars.

My first trip, I got off 528 a few exits before the airport, and even there the price was $0.50/gal more than stations I had passed on the way. Since then, I’ve filled up no closer than a gas station near SeaWorld (normal prices) and as far away as the Disney Springs Speedway or a gas station at 192 West and Old Lake Wilson Rd. Fill it a touch more after the pump clicks off, and it’ll still be Full by the time you get to the airport.

On the non toll way to the airport, there must be something near Florida Mall on Sand Lake Rd though.