Gas Station close to the Airport?

[FreddyBeach]

Hi all,

If I am heading back to the Airport from the Windsor Hills area and want to fill my rental car up so I don't get a refill charge, where would be a good place to stop?

How close to I have to fill up so that the rental agency still considers the tank full?

Thanks,

Mike in the Maritimes.

 

[FreddyBeach]

Link to Post on Gas Stations

Mike in the Maritimes

 

[manning]

This is one time I overfill the tank.

Stop in at Hess at WDW. When the pump clicks off keep filling until the pump will not activate anymore. What you are doing is filling into the filler neck. I do this only when I am returning a car. When You drop off the car you will notice the gauge still reads full. That's what they go by at the rental.

 

[Delaware Mike]

This is one time I overfill the tank.

Stop in at Hess at WDW. When the pump clicks off keep filling until the pump will not activate anymore. What you are doing is filling into the filler neck. I do this only when I am returning a car. When You drop off the car you will notice the gauge still reads full. That's what they go by at the rental.

Agreed. This has become our "rental car return ritual". We fill that puppy to the top of the neck in WDW, and haven't ever experienced a problem upon return. The tank is always on "full" upon entering the return lot.

Besides, the car return employees are typically so busy I can't remember the the last time they actually checked the gauge. I usually tell them (while being as friendly as possible) the odometer reading and say the tank is filled, they then click on their PDA-like tool and print out my receipt, saying "have a nice day". ...off they go to the next car.

 

[bicker]

Unfortunately, some of the rental car companies are now requiring fill-up within 3 or 5 miles of the airport. There is a reasonably priced gas station just 3 miles north of the north exit of the airport. Skip the first gas station on right (overpriced) and use the second gas station -- it is on the left.

 

[shoes99]

We take the 417 greenway back to the airport. When you exit, turn right instead of left. There is a reasonably priced gas station a few miles down the road. When you exit the gas station, go back the way you came, but do not get back on 417, follow the road signs back to the airport.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have rented a car every trip to WDW, (something less than 20 visits) and always have filled at the Hess by the BWI, never a problem.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Our experience has been the same as manning, Delaware Mike and Dan Murphy. Fill it all the way up at WDW and it still reads "full" at the airport.

 

[bg4]

We take the 417 greenway back to the airport. When you exit, turn right instead of left. There is a reasonably priced gas station a few miles down the road. When you exit the gas station, go back the way you came, but do not get back on 417, follow the road signs back to the airport.

A Circle K gas station and convenience store- Citgo gas I believe- all atm cards accepted.

Leaving can get confusing so follow signs to airport and as said stay continue past 417 to airport - turning at south access road to airport.

 

[Detailor]

I usually fill up at the gas station on the corner of International Drive and Rt. 535 (near the entrance to 417).
The needle is still on full when I get to the airport drop off.

Dick Taylor

 

[Delaware Mike]

Unfortunately, some of the rental car companies are now requiring fill-up within 3 or 5 miles of the airport.

I'll stick with refueling the vehicle at WDW as I've checked the terms and conditions of rental agencies I've used over the years. I'm not seeing this requirement for those companies. The following information is currently on these rental agency websites, as of today:

(..in no particular order...)

Dollar Rental Car: Their policy is for the renter to refuel their vehicle "within a 10 mile radius" of their return facility. It makes no mention of driving distance; it specifically says "10 mile radius". While checking a map, the Hess station across from DTD is within an 8 mile radius of the center of MCO. I'd bet the Hess near Boardwalk is still within a 10 mile radius.

Alamo: Return the vehicle with a "full tank of gas". No mention of refueling within an specific radius or driving distance of the return facility.

National: Return the vehicle with a "full tank of gas". No mention of refueling within an specific radius or driving distance of the return facility.

Hertz: Their website is a little non-specific, as they only say to refuel the vehicle "immediately prior to returning the vehicle"... Someone care to please define "immediately prior"? That was a rhetorical question, but to me that means on my way back to the return facility, not the day before (in the context of returning from WDW).

Avis: Their policy states "return the car with the same amount of gas as when rented, and no refueling fee will apply". ...full is full on the gauge.

 

[bicker]

Yup, the websites are directly overruled by the notices they slip into your rental agreement folders. That makes it seem, to me, that more people try to do as you suggest at Orlando, and therefore it is a bigger problem there, which is why they're responding to it with stricter limits.

 

[salmoneous]

While checking a map, the Hess station across from DTD is within an 8 mile radius of the center of MCO.

Thanks for the info Mike. I do want to disagree a bit with this one bit - not because it is necessarily important, but mostly because I'm a map geek.

But I show it as 12 miles to the edge of MCO, and a little over 13 to the center of the terminal. See

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=857130

 

[Delaware Mike]

Thanks for the info Mike. I do want to disagree a bit with this one bit - not because it is necessarily important, but mostly because I'm a map geek.

But I show it as 12 miles to the edge of MCO, and a little over 13 to the center of the terminal. See

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=857130

Cool link! Thanks! This is so much better than using a map, divider and a scale.

I stand corrected about the radius, so I guess I'll use another rental agency instead. That will keep me "out of the weeds" when it comes to their rental contract. Speaking of contracts, if the mileage requirement for refueling isn't within the agreement or referenced to it somehow, it isn't enforcable.

Thanks again, salmoneous! That's pretty cool!

 

[Hawk]

Cool link! Thanks! This is so much better than using a map, divider and a scale.

I stand corrected about the radius, so I guess I'll use another rental agency instead. That will keep me "out of the weeds" when it comes to their rental contract. Speaking of contracts, if the mileage requirement for refueling isn't within the agreement or referenced to it somehow, it isn't enforcable.

Thanks again, salmoneous! That's pretty cool!

Delaware Mike; Dollar is requiring a signed acknowledgment at the counter that you will fill the car within 10 miles before return. This amends or is an extension of the contract and is therefore enforceable, unless you refuse to sign and therefore end up with no car to rent.

Tim/Hawk

 

[manning]

The next question is how do they know where you filled it up at. If asked for a receipt my response would be there is none, I paid cash.

If presented later with a charge for gas I would present them with the receipt given me at check-in showing a full tank. If their argument is they didn't have time to check the gauge at check-in my response would be tough, by issuing the receipt you aknowledged the tank was full.

I think that statement saying to fill up within a radius is letting you know that the tank may not register full at turn in.

Of course I may be in a position to do the above. My rentals are under a corporate contract and they know if they start pulling things like this we will be inclined to go else where for our rentals. The company has contracts with more than one rental company. All it takes is a letter to all employees to not use xxx rental company until further notice.

A good idea is to check with your company to see if they have contracts with rental companies. Often times in return for favorable rates the rental companies will let employees rent under the contract for personal use. What they give up in discounts are made up in volume rentals.

 

[bicker]

They "know" ostensibly by how much gas is missing from the tank. I recommend always keeping the fill-up receipt. It shows where and when you filled-up. If they come at you with a late charge, you can contest it with that evidence.

 

[seashoreCM]

Every merchant must give a receipt on request.

Leaving Disney take I-4 east to 528 (Beach line; Bee line) east. Get off 528 at its exit 9 Tradeport. Left and cross under. Nice cheap gas station is right there.

Leaving gas station, get into middle lane with tollway cross-under behind you. Required right onto McCoy, less than 2 miles later is 436 (Semoran) and airport north entrance. Total toll: 75 cents.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr.disney.htm

 

[manning]

They "know" ostensibly by how much gas is missing from the tank. I recommend always keeping the fill-up receipt. It shows where and when you filled-up. If they come at you with a late charge, you can contest it with that evidence.

I'll go with the here is my checkin receipt showing a full tank of gas. Chances are if the gauge is showing full they won't bother filling it up, unless they are desperate for money. If they did that to me they lose any chance at any future money from me. Of course as I said before I am willing to take the chance because I carry a little more clout by renting under corporate contract.

We all have to go with what we are most comfortable with.

 

[Hawk]

I'll go with the here is my checkin receipt showing a full tank of gas. Chances are if the gauge is showing full they won't bother filling it up, unless they are desperate for money. If they did that to me they lose any chance at any future money from me. Of course as I said before I am willing to take the chance because I carry a little more clout by renting under corporate contract.

We all have to go with what we are most comfortable with.

Manning:

First:

I can't speak for other companies other than Dollar, but this past February the form I signed required a paid receipt from a service station within 10 miles of MCO.

Second:

I don't think Dollar is worried about future business from your "corporate contract" unless your Disney! Sorry for the bad news.

Tim/Hawk