New possible fee on Budget rentals ...

[NotUrsula]

An article in the Washington Post today warns that Budget (and sometimes Avis) have been adding a new fee to some rentals at return, if you drive less than 75 miles.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021302276.html

It's a gasoline top-off fee. The assumption is that driving that far will not cause the gas gauge to go below full, so renters may return a car a gallon or two short. They are tacking on the fee even if the tank is in fact full, unless you present a dated gas receipt to prove that you did indeed top up the tank just before returning the car.

Something else to check for on your car-return receipt.

 

[safetymom]

Maybe if enough people complain about it they will drop this fee. I know when Hertz tried a nickle and dime fee awhile back enough people complained about it and they stopped charging it.

I always have my receipt but very seldom am I asked for it.

 

[CarolA]

I have been charged this... Walked in and pitched a fit... it was removed... I won't pay it, because I do add a few gallons just to be sure so I did top off. I didn't have a receipt since Orlando seems RIPE with places where the receipts don't print... (I swear it's on purpose so you have to go in)

 

[martinp13]

Frankly, I don't see how they can do this. Do I get a receipt that says "The tank is topped off" when I GET the car? If the gauge says F, it's F.