National gas prices!!!!!!

[fuzzye]

We got back home on Sat (15th). I had Emeral reserve for 8 days. My total was around $180. Well we intended to get gas on the way but, ya big but, we didn't. We did stop at an exit but with construction going on didn't find a gas station and apparently it was the last exit before the airport. I didn't want to be late not knowing how busy the airport would be so we just took it back. Well they charged $6.14 per gallon and charged us for 13 gallons. We had a Torrent and had filled up once before and got around 19 miles to the gallon. It had 1/2 tank so no way was it gonna take 13 gallons to fill it up. I understand this is my fault for not saying something then but with my kids going in 3 different directions, the lady looking the car over, us trying to get it cleaned out and make sure we didnt't leave anything, and the man taking our luggage out of the back it was a zoo. On the walk up I noticed the charge. I was charged $79.95 for what would of cost us $20. Again my fault for not planning better but I know it didn't take 13 gallons. Is there anything I can do or am I s.o.l?

 

[travelin' tigger]

2 weeks ago, we returned our car at MCO with a full tank. They gave me my print-out and I was being charged an additional $35 from my original quote. I questioned it with the car inspector and he told me I'd have to go to the counter in the garage. After 10 minutes of waiting, a $34 "gas allowance" was removed from my bill. This was after decining the pre-paid gas at the exit booth and coming in with a full tank. So always check your receipt IMMEDIATELY!!!

fuzzye, you can try calling National and plead your case, but I think they'll tell you it's their policy and there's nothing they can do.

Good luck!!!

 

[pjlla]

Gee... we had just the opposite type thing happen. We missed the last gas station on the way to drop off a car in New Mexico. My SIL nicely asked the drop off guy if there was anything he could do. He waived the refill policy, even though the tank wasn't full! Guess it was our lucky day!..................P

 

[CarolA]

No, I don't think there is anything you can do. The car was not full as you agreed. The gas rates they charge are outrageous, but it's on the contract you agreed to. Travelin' Tigger's situation is somewhat different in that her car was full.

 

[Brian Noble]

Yep, this is just one of those things---not much they will do for you, because you were informed from the beginning.

This is why I almost always fill up the night before returning to the airport---if I'm pressed for time, I only pay an arm, rather than an arm and a leg, because the tank is still pretty close. Usually, the trip to the airport from a hotel is short enough that the gas guage still reads full on return, so I don't have to stop at all.

 

[Lewisc]

The torrent gas tank holds around 17 gallons. Sounds like the guage read below half so they charged you for 3/4 of a tank.

It's certainly worth a phone call. Tell them the guage read half and ask for credit. I don't think they actually measure the gas that your car takes. I think they just use the guage and the capacity of the tank, rounding it favor of the rental car company of course.

 

[fuzzye]

I may contact National just for a shot in the dark. I knew full well I would pay a ton so I can't blame them. I am a little biffed at the 13 gallons. It had a little over 1/2 tank left. I looked up the capacity and its 16 gallons.