Charge for Tank Of Fuel

[pastylad]

hi im torn between silver or gold option on a standard size SUV there is currently £70 difference between them.

does anybody have any experience of what rental companies may charge for a tank of fuel im thinking of booking through Alamo.

thanks brett

[Katys Grandad]

The key factor is whether you need more than 2 drivers. If you don't, then the Silver option is currently much better value because the cost of refilling the tank yourself doesn't come to anything like the price difference of the Gold option. I'll bet you could fill the tank about 3 times for £70.

I'm sure somebody else will clarify the slightly different approaches of each rental company but, generally speaking, your best bet is to go for the Silver and ensure that you return it with a FULL (not nearly full) tank.

If you have more than 2 drivers then you have to pay extra for each one with Silver so it might be better to go for Gold in that case.

[lafifille]

I believe (but might be I misunderstand the whole thing) that bringing back the car with a full tank on Silver to avoid being charged is a possibility solely with Budget.

On Silver with Alamo and Dollar you get charged for a full tank, no matter how full or empty you bring the car back. What you really need to find out is how much does the company you're interested in charges for a gallon... can be double or triple retail price. I'm planning on renting from Alamo in Kansas City in July, and I'm still trying to figure out how much they charge for a gallon, and I've probably talked to every agent in the Midwest [msnscared]... obviously an information they don't want to give. I think I'll take the chance, as the difference is about £80.

Beware when (booking Silver) they (Alamo and Dollar) will tell you at the counter to bring it back full to avoid charges, they might very well charge you anyway, as stated in your contract. Two years ago I was charged 40 euros, and it came as a surprise as I had been told I was fine when I drove the car back full... but they were only words of course. [msnwink]

[roger]

Dollar usually (if not always) allow you to return full to avoid re-filling charges. I would always recommend if you do this (also with Budget) that you keep the receipt you have from re-fuelling. Then if you are charged for fuel you can prove the tank was refilled.

Budget in particular are clamping down on re-fuelling. If you fill up say in Kissimmee and drive to Orlando, the needle will still show full. In the past this has been fine. Now, Budget are filling the tank of each car that shows full, and will pass on the charge at around $8 per gallon (and will probably manage get a couple of gallons in the tank).

Alamo you must always return empty and you will be charged for a full tank of fuel but only marginally over the current pump price.

[lafifille]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by roger



Alamo you must always return empty and you will be charged for a full tank of fuel but only marginally over the current pump price.
[/quote]

Roger, to your knowledge is this true out of Florida too, in my case Missouri (MCI)?

[roger]

As far as I know - we have often taken up the case with Alamo for them to allow cars to be returned full, but they declined saying they are very fair with their fuel charges (unlike others).

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lafifille
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by roger



Alamo you must always return empty and you will be charged for a full tank of fuel but only marginally over the current pump price.
[/quote]

Roger, to your knowledge is this true out of Florida too, in my case Missouri (MCI)?
[/quote]

[lafifille]

Thanks!! DH wanted Alamo anyway as he likes their choice of cars better. At least now I feel like I have a sensible reason to choose them :D:D:D

[sammibabe]

So what is acceptable for a full tank? We filled up on the way to the airport but cannot remeber where but obviously you will fill up and use some to get you to the airport. I prefer to return full otherwise DH wants to get to the airport on fumes which I find worrying[msnscared]

[IanW]

Dollar usually (if not always) allow you to return full to avoid re-filling charges.

Having discussed this on the forum prior to my journey, I argued the case for returning my car full on the Silver Option. This was refused and I was told 'the company who sold you the tickets knows that you can't ask for that!'
My wife travelling separately had similar problems but they gave in with her.
Ian

[wilfy]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by IanW
ollar usually (if not always) allow you to return full to avoid re-filling charges.

Having discussed this on the forum prior to my journey, I argued the case for returning my car full on the Silver Option. This was refused and I was told 'the company who sold you the tickets knows that you can't ask for that!'
My wife travelling separately had similar problems but they gave in with her.
Ian[/quote]I've used Dollar twice outside of florida and booked the silver option and asked if i can return full, with no problem. I think it may come down to how busy and who you get at the counter.

[pubmaster2k]

Just picked up my car last sunday with Budget MCO paid $46 and told to bring car back as empty as possible, on the silver option.

[steelo]

Hi Errol, Ok now im really confused, im also picking my 7 seat mimivan up from budget at MCO, Like you ive also opted for silver insurance,i thought that meant i had to bring the vehicle back with a full tank of fuel? Did they say why you had to bring it back empty??

Why did you pay $46, ??

Becky

[sammibabe]

Alamo you must always return empty and you will be charged for a full tank of fuel but only marginally over the current pump price.
[/quote]
Roger, is this a standard charge regardless of how much is in the tank or do they fill it and charge the cost? If it is the former then I don't like that as DH wants to then get to the airport on fumes[msneek]

[pubmaster2k]

Hi Becky, the $46 is for the fuel, so you take it back empty otherwise the $46 is wasted.

[roger]

It's based on the actual cost per gallon * manufacturers quoted tank capacity in gallons, with a fairly senesible mark-up.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sammibabe
Roger, is this a standard charge regardless of how much is in the tank or do they fill it and charge the cost? If it is the former then I don't like that as DH wants to then get to the airport on fumes[msneek][/quote]

[sammibabe]

Thanks

[lafifille]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by pubmaster2k
Just picked up my car last sunday with Budget MCO paid $46 and told to bring car back as empty as possible, on the silver option.[/quote]Well, I've booked Silver with Budget on this site, and it states quite clearly that you pick your car full, and you bring it back full, so I don't understand why you paid those $46... not that it's a huge amount but still not what you're supposed to do.

[pubmaster2k]

This is what is on my receipt
<span style="color:red">I accept the fuel purchase option and agree to pay $39.98 (plus appl tax) equivelant to 17.7 Gallons @ $2.259,(sorry total was $42.50). No refund for unused fuel at car return</span id="red">

Fuel at the moment is @ $2.60 per gallon in the stations and the weather is GREAT!!

[lafifille]

Okay, makes sense now, and it sounds like a good deal too, if you can manage to bring the car back as empty as humanly possible, which with my husband could mean running on fumes [msnwink].
Keep the weather this way, we're there next week [clap] [clap] [clap].

[Pudders]

@ Roger

Maybe there should be a sticky thread so people can post their fuel charges with having "Silver Option".

[steelo]

Sounds good to me Errol, If available i will definately pre pay for my fuel.

[bushbaby]

picked up mid size suv a few days ago from alamo pay for tank of gas which is much cheaper than filling up yourself take back empty.
looked in car park for mid suv couldnt find any went back to kiosk they said they didnt have any so could take a suv of my choice.
took a very nice nissan murano.
the funny thing is they offered at counter to make me upgrade to full size suv.i said no thanks to any upgrades.
also they try to push toll passes and sat navs.
you can buy one for $99 any way.
they had me as a past customer and said welcome back a nice touch.
be carefull just take what you have booked.

bushbaby

[ShirleyD]

The same often happens when you book an economy or sub compact with them as they only seem to have 3 or 4 spaces for these cars. Have a great holiday :D

[dsv77]

HI does anyone know how much Dollar charge for a full tank of fuel when you pick up the car

[Frosty]

I got charged $37.06 for a PT cruiser, last Friday, from Alamo.

[GiZZeRR]

Sorry for continuing with this topic as I'm sure folk must be getting fed up.

Just 1 question...promise [msnwink]

I have booked Gold with Alamo and I'm sure I read last year (when I booked) that you get a full tank of fuel on the gold option....now, do I get charged to fill it up if I take it back empty or is that already covered on the gold option? I was under the impresssion it was covered but I'm not sure now.

Thanks

[sammibabe]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by GiZZeRR
Sorry for continuing with this topic as I'm sure folk must be getting fed up.

Just 1 question...promise [msnwink]

I have booked Gold with Alamo and I'm sure I read last year (when I booked) that you get a full tank of fuel on the gold option....now, do I get charged to fill it up if I take it back empty or is that already covered on the gold option? I was under the impresssion it was covered but I'm not sure now.

Thanks[/quote]Might be wrong and I am sure someone will be along to confirm either way but I think you pick up full and return empty on the gold option. We chose the silver option with Budget so that we took it back full and I think this was the only reason we chose this option.

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by GiZZeRR
Sorry for continuing with this topic as I'm sure folk must be getting fed up.

Just 1 question...promise [msnwink]

I have booked Gold with Alamo and I'm sure I read last year (when I booked) that you get a full tank of fuel on the gold option....now, do I get charged to fill it up if I take it back empty or is that already covered on the gold option? I was under the impresssion it was covered but I'm not sure now.

Thanks[/quote]If you've paid for the Gold option you don't have any more to pay however little there's left in the tank. Obviously you get the most value out of Gold by having as little left in as possible[msnwink].

[delboybrown]

I have used Budget quite a few times at MCO, and never have had a problem, we used them in May this year and had Roger obtain the Fast Track option with about two days to spare, and it worked a charm. As for finding the kiosk at MCO, its easy, go across from the main car hire desk area on the ground floor to the car park, you're see signs for Budget on the 1st Floor, go up in the lift and look for the signs / arrows, the Kiosk is there, and I would hardly call it a one window box, there's at least two windows and one door !! Ha Ha....

We got a good car (Dodge Caravan Stow & Go) and filled up in Kissimmee and still no extra charge for fuel (Gold Option)...returned with no hassle at all....

Enjoy your stay in the Sunshine state...

Delboy

[gpullan]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:As for finding the kiosk at MCO, its easy, go across from the main car hire desk area on the ground floor to the car park, you're see signs for Budget on the 1st Floor, go up in the lift and look for the signs / arrows, the Kiosk is there, and I would hardly call it a one window box, there's at least two windows and one door !! Ha Ha....[/quote]Is that where the Budget kiosk is? Not straight out of the terminal doors, across the road and immediately on the right behind the plants? That's where it was earlier in the year. The smallest kiosk ever!!!

[becbecs]

Will be hitting Florida in October and having read this thread I don't know whether Gold or Silver option is best with Dollar. In the past we have always gone with Dollar on Gold as its hassle free, full tank on collection and bring back empty on return and no charge. Never been asked for payment of fuel anytine on Gold Option.

Have looked at the silver option but it seems that where you save on your initial rental price you pay for at the end when you refuel and return.

Have never had problems with Dollar so not really looking to change companies but don't fancy taking the car back full if I go for the Silver Option then possibly being charged again too ?

[Robert5988]

Bear in mind those directions above are for Terminal B(where the majority of UK passengers arrive).

However for those who fly indirect you arrive at Terminal A with some airlines(American for example)