Hertz Fuel Purchase Option

[tigger137]

Just a word of warning - if you choose to accept the Hertz Fuel Purchase Option, check the price very carefully, and don't necessarily believe what the Hertz staff tell you.

We have been happy to accept the Hertz FPO several times previously, having found the price fairly competitive with local gas stations - we generally check prices online before travelling.

However, on a recent trip to Denver we forgot to check. The paperwork wasn't in the car as it usually is, there appeared to be some problem and everyone was having their paperwork printed at the exit. The lady at the exit asked if we wanted FPO and seemed surprised when we asked the per gallon price, but she said it was $3.77. That sounded okay and we agreed.

Within minutes we realised it wasn't a good price when we saw the gas station nearest the airport was a few cents cheaper, and we knew it would be cheaper elsewhere (in fact, in Denver we paid less than $3.50/gallon). When I looked at the paperwork it was actually charging us over $152.00 in total - on a 26-gallon tank, that was nearly $6.00 a gallon!

The gas itself was $120.93, so actually $4.65/gallon - considerably more than the $3.77 quoted. Then a concession fee was added, and tax. We know that tax is included in the price at the pump at gas stations, one of the few purchases in the US where tax is included. We don't recall being charged the concession fee on FPO before but perhaps we have been, but because the cost was more reasonable maybe we didn't notice.

Fortunately, what we also spotted on the paperwork (and confirmed online) was that despite agreeing to FPO, we could still take the vehicle back full and the FPO would be refunded. This is what we did - we kept it full and topped up at the gas station closest to the airport ($3.74/gallon), making sure we had a receipt. When we returned the car we waited for an agent to check the car and print a receipt, which showed it was returned full and that there was nothing to pay.

I thought perhaps the FPO would already have been taken from the credit card and I might have to fight for a refund but, so far, it seems as if no transaction was made at all.

Although we have found it a convenient option before, we won't be agreeing to the Hertz FPO in future. We always head back to the airport in plenty of time so our routine will now include popping in to the nearest gas station to top the tank up.

 

[igk]

Thanks - I always decline it but am sometimes tempted - inevitable we're running late on the way back to the airport then can never seem to find a gas station when we need one, so it adds to the stress, but I don't like being ripped off like that...

 

[Tony Bush]

I can remember the car hire desk at MCO stating quite clearly that we had to take the tank of fuel at their price and that there was no option to bring it back full and not pay their charges.

Tony

 

[wayneg]

I can remember the car hire desk at MCO stating quite clearly that we had to take the tank of fuel at their price and that there was no option to bring it back full and not pay their charges.

Tony

All depends who you rent thru and the contract T&C's. Although I have never heard anyone being tied with Hertz in this way.
I know renting with Alamo via Expedia used to have it in the T&C's you have to buy a tank at the desk but the rate was very reasonable (a few cents less than you could but at the cheapest garages)

I rented last year with Hertz and took the prepaid option and paid $95 for a 7 seater SUV, locally it was costing about $75 to fill so I did pay a premium, rented again later in the year and didn't take the option, took it back full.