Hertz fuel policy

[Straughn]

I am renting a car next week thru Hertz at MCO. I have been reading various reports in the news that many of the car rental companies, including Hertz, are now using some sort of tracking system that tells them exactly how much fuel was in the vehicle when you picked it up and how much when it was returned. They no longer just look to see if the gauge reads Full when you return it. For example, when you picked the car up it had exactly 16 gallons, but when you returned it, it only had 15.7 gallons, they know this and charge you for the cost of the "missing" fuel plus some sort of fee. One story I read said that they don't tell you this when you drop the vehicle off, but that the charge just shows up later on your credit card. I am used to filling my car just before I get on the Greenway and it doesn't use a gallon of gas to get to the airport. In addition, this tracking system can tell them exactly where the car is/has been and the fuel level at all times.

Anyone know more about this and what Hertz is doing at MCO? Thanks.

 

[seashoreCM]

I have heard of something like this but I kind of think it will not stand up to a dispute because there is no way for the renter to measure the amount of gas needed to bring the car back with the correct amount.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Between DH and I we are in a Hertz car rental 4-5 days a week!
(Presidents Circle) Love Hertz!

When you leave MCO after getting the car, all the gate person will ask you is if the fuel level reads Full. They will ask for your license, print up your contract and you will be on your way.

When you return the car, a Hertz person will come over to the car, ask you if the car worked out well for you, they will then get into the car, check the fuel level, note the mileage and hand you the receipt (or email it to you if you prefer)

If the gas level guage reads Full, you will be fine.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . If the gas level guage reads Full, you will be fine.

1) Yep.
2) At least if you want to fill up prior to the airport, you don't get ripped.
3) You can still get ripped, but a new WaWa gas station is hurting the con men.
4) Before this summer's discount WaWa gas station . . .
. . . stations near the airport were charging $5.00/gal to $7.00/gal for regular.
. . . WaWa came in with "real" prices
. . . most of the con men dropped their prices like a rock
. . . but a few still exist
. . . look for the price sign on the street
. . . then look at the pump before you enter your credit/debit card
. . . some of the con men are listing low prices on the street, then high at the pump

 

[DVC California]

We rented from Hertz @ MCO just a few weeks ago and there was nothing different about the fuel reading. Return agent started the car, read the odometer and checked the gas gauge.

I had bought gas the night before at Wawa on Central Florida Pkwy and we were staying at AKL, so it would have registered if the fancy meter was being used.

We had rented a brand new 2014 Chevy Impala with 52 miles on the odo, TN plates. Love Gold Choice!

 

[ncc1701]

We haven't rented in Orlando our last 4 trip but have used Hertz on our last couple of trips to California. They had a prepay for your last tank that was close to the regular price of gas.
Depending on how much driving you do it may be worth it. Even tho it might been a little more expensive we liked the peace of mind that we could pull in with 1/4 a tank and there was no issue.Not to mention not having to look for gas stations near the airport.

 

[Lewisc]

I am used to filling my car just before I get on the Greenway and it doesn't use a gallon of gas to get to the airport. In addition, this tracking system can tell them exactly where the car is/has been and the fuel level at all times.

Anyone know more about this and what Hertz is doing at MCO? Thanks.

At least one rental agency requires filling the car within 10 miles of the drop off location. You're not returning the car with a full tank of gas. You're "stealing" a gallon or so of gas from either the rental agency or from the next renter. The purpose of the new policy, not yet implemented by every agency, is to make sure customers pay for the fuel they actually use. It works both ways. The actual fuel in the car will be measured when I leave the airport. I won't be charged for fuel not in the tank.

I don't think Hertz is currently using this system at MCO. You can buy the fuel plan (bad deal), fill up closer to the airport or take your chances.

I have heard of something like this but I kind of think it will not stand up to a dispute because there is no way for the renter to measure the amount of gas needed to bring the car back with the correct amount.

They need better disclosure. One agency is printing the amount of gas in the tank on a paper given to you when you leave the airport. Nothing wrong with charging you for the actual amount of gas you use. Customers who top off their tank just outside the airport shouldn't have a problem. People who stop pumping gas when the needle reads F will no longer be able to get a couple of gallons of free gas.

 

[ChristmasElf]

The "fuel option" in Orlando is a good deal IF you will be driving all over town while you are here.
If you will just be driving to WDW and maybe a grocery stop or two during your stay, you may end up only using half the tank in a week.

But, if you plan on hitting IOA, or Sea World, maybe shopping all the various outlets, driving to and fro from the resort to the different parks, you would definately benefit from taking the fuel option at the start of the rental.

(If you decide you will just refill the tank on your way to MCO at the end of your trip, the HESS station at the 417 and 536 is usually a good price and the car will still read FULL when you return the rental. Don't mess with the stations on Semoran Rd aka 436 as they are all too high)

 

[seashoreCM]

The "fuel option" in Orlando (or anywhere else) offers a lot of convenience but you will almost never benefit cost wise no matter how many tankfuls of gas you use. Even one gallon left behind in the tank blows the savings per gallon that the rental agency offers as a discount over outside gas station prices, if the rental company indeed offers such a discount for buying the tankful up front.

Oh, by the way, if you try to return the car on fumes, there is a high probability that the fumes too will run out before you get back to the rental station.

 

[Lewisc]

The "fuel option" in Orlando is a good deal IF you will be driving all over town while you are here.
If you will just be driving to WDW and maybe a grocery stop or two during your stay, you may end up only using half the tank in a week.

But, if you plan on hitting IOA, or Sea World, maybe shopping all the various outlets, driving to and fro from the resort to the different parks, you would definately benefit from taking the fuel option at the start of the rental.

(If you decide you will just refill the tank on your way to MCO at the end of your trip, the HESS station at the 417 and 536 is usually a good price and the car will still read FULL when you return the rental. Don't mess with the stations on Semoran Rd aka 436 as they are all too high)

The per gallon price displayed at the pump is inclusive of all taxes. The per gallon price displayed by the rental agencies is subject to the same taxes applied to your rental rate. That means you'll probably lose money, even if you literally run out of gas while you're returning your car.

You're missing the point of this thread. Rental agencies don't like losing a gallon or so from most customers. Some agencies are requiring a receipt showing a fill up within 10 miles of the airport. Some agencies are experimenting with using the cars computer to get accurate information on the amount of gas in the tank when you rent and when you return. Gassing up at the Hess station by DTD won't work under either policy.

 

[ChristmasElf]

The per gallon price displayed at the pump is inclusive of all taxes. The per gallon price displayed by the rental agencies is subject to the same taxes applied to your rental rate. That means you'll probably lose money, even if you literally run out of gas while you're returning your car.

You're missing the point of this thread. Rental agencies don't like losing a gallon or so from most customers. Some agencies are requiring a receipt showing a fill up within 10 miles of the airport. Some agencies are experimenting with using the cars computer to get accurate information on the amount of gas in the tank when you rent and when you return. Gassing up at the Hess station by DTD won't work under either policy.

I most certainly am not "missing the point of this thread" thankyouverymuch. I have never been asked by Hertz to actually see the reciept for putting gas in the car-they just ask me if we replaced the fuel. They note the mileage, tell me to have a great flight and email me the car rental reciept.

(and the HESS station on 536 and the entrance to the 417 is nowhere even close to Downown Disney) and if you DO choose to refill up the gas at this station, it will most definately be fine by the time you get back to MCO to return the car.


If anyone is interested, I have noticed that Hertz is pretty stable on their procedures at every airport, whether its Nashville, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Charleston, wherever. Never have been asked to actually show the gas reciept.
(they are kind of picky in LA however, lol, but it was for something else!)

 

[Lewisc]

I

(and the HESS station on 536 and the entrance to the 417 is nowhere even close to Downown Disney) and if you DO choose to refill up the gas at this station, it will most definately be fine by the time you get back to MCO to return the car.

If anyone is interested, I have noticed that Hertz is pretty stable on their procedures at every airport, whether its Nashville, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Charleston, wherever. Never have been asked to actually show the gas reciept.
(they are kind of picky in LA however, lol, but it was for something else!)

According to Google your Hess station is 18 miles from the airport. Exactly the behavior rental agencies want to stop.

I agree, under current procedure you can get away with it but that might not continue
Edited to add a link. Hertz is rolling out the new system over the next few months
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-12/lifestyle/42004936_1_fuel-charge-fuel-use-much-fuel

The OP is asking about in the next week or so. I have no reason to think the system will be operational in MCO that fast, but someone will get to be the first to experience it.