Has anyone used the "Gas Service Option" ?

[Adora]

Good Day, We're renting a car for a day on our trip next week (hopefully the weather will let us get there haha). We're renting with Avis since it's convenient. My question is has anyone ever chosen the Gas Service Option option? I chose it because I'm nervous enough about driving let alone having to try to find a gas station and that. If you have how much was it for a Intermediate size car or the size you had? If you have a story about this or Avis itself I'd love to hear that. Thanks!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Figure about sixty dollars for the fuel service up front on an intermediate car.

One of two things will happen when you purchase a tankful of gas up front:

1. You will leave several gallons of gas behind in the tank when you return the car, gas you paid for.

2. You will be anxious about running out of gas when you try to run the tank down to empty at the moment of return.

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

 

[Dan Murphy]

Never. That is generally going to be your most costly option, you pay for a full tank of gas, each and every gallon of capacity, regardless how much you return it with. Gas stations are plentiful.

 

[Adora]

If we start at St Pete's and drive to Orlando, then we're going to go to 2 different shopping areas. Is that more than a tank of gas? I'll be honest I'll survive leaving gas int the car haha. Sometimes it's worth it, but just curious if you think this is more than one tank? I know I should fill up myself but I'm lazy and already nervous about driving (I'm 25 from rural Canada haha). We're dropping it off at Doubletree Universal and staying at Best Western. I figured it's a busy area??

 

[Mickey527]

I have always done the refueling myself without a problem.
I fill up on the day I am leaving for the airport at the Hess station on property. I always push in a little extra after the pump stops, maybe about $.50 (now probably wo uld cost about $1.00) I then drive directly to the airport.
I have never been told that the tank is lower than they expect, it doesn't use that much gas to get to the airport from Disney property.
You will probably save around $20-30 if you fill the car yourself. Enjoy your money, go out somewhere nice for dinner.

 

[Lady Lady]

I do not know if Orlando Avis has this. If you drive under 75 miles, for a set price which is very close to regular gas prices, you can return the car without filling up. It is now 10.50. If I am driving more than 75 miles, I do not get any gas options. Too expensive to save about 10 minutes of going to a gas station.


By way, where are you renting from? If in the WDW area or other tourist areas, not the airport, there are plenty of gas stations around.

 

[MrMarv]

I'd never utilize that option; it's just another method for car rental companies to generate more revenue.

 

[kirbsam]

i have used that option for the reason you stated, and i dont think about it or worry about it. i know i am leaving maybe 5 or 6 gallons in the tank. who cares. that is 20 bucks on a trip that costs a couple of thousand.

 

[Adora]

Ok, so would there be any problems finding a gas station around Universal. We're dropping it off at Doubletree Universal. I am willing to try if it's not gonna be difficult for a nervous driver who's in a place they've never been before.

 

[MrMarv]

With most automobiles (compacts and larger), you can theoretically drive 40+ miles without the gas gauge budging anyway, and WDW is absolutely surrounded by gasoline stations, so that should be the least of your worries, even if you've never been to Orlando before.

The only rental car company I know of that really grills their customers regarding where they refilled the tank is Thrifty, and they were royally eviscerated in an article in the Wall Street Journal a couple of months ago.

 

[Lewisc]

Even if you return the car with the low fuel light on you're probably losing money on the deal.

Not everyone is looking for the absolutely lowest price. Some, intelligent people, select the gas option because it's convenient for them.

One poster said they actually paid the prices to use the hotel laundry service. He said his vacation costs over $10,000 and it's worth the extra $100-$200 to come home with clean clothing.

Most of us are on a budget and don't want to waste money but there are travelers that are willing to pay extra for convenience.

 

[JB2K]

My question is has anyone ever chosen the Gas Service Option option? I chose it because I'm nervous enough about driving let alone having to try to find a gas station and that.

The only time the Gas Service Option is workable is if you know for a fact you'll be returning your car with an empty tank.

Given how volatile gas prices are, I would pass on pre-paying for any gas. While the savings would be great if prices went up, it could be the opposite if prices at the pump should drop.

Otherwise, WDW does have 3 gas stations/c-stores on property -- all very strategically-located to the major parks/resorts.

Also, to my surprise, gas prices on WDW are no different than those in Kissimmee/other local communities.