Dollar Thrifty - advice please

[LongLeaf]

Dear all,

I have a lastminute plane reservation and the travel agency has booked a car for me with Dollar Trifty (Orlando airport).
Agency told me that Dollar charge for the "first tank" when delivering the car... so I can return the car with tank empty.
Is this correct ?

Contract also state that car windows, tires, and a few other internal car stuff are not (never) covered by their insurance.
Can I take extra insurance at Dollar Thrifty desk ?
Is it advisable and is it expensive ?

Thanks for your help

[roger]

The the tank of fuel should be about all you have to pay. Typically this means collecting full and returning empty, and Dollar will charge the tank of fuel on return of the car (usually at an extortionate rate).

The exclusions are normal for all the car rental companies, even on the fully inclusive packages (windows, tires, flat battey, locking keys in the car, the interior). You can pay extra on arrival to have these covered, at approx $7 per day plus fees, meaning around $10 per day total. Like any insurance you most likely wont need it, but if you have a broken window etc you will wish you had! We may be offering this cover on a pre-paid basis soon at a much lower rate, as I know a lot of people like it for total peace of mind but dont want to spend nearly $10 per day for it.

[steph_goodrum]

There is another policy recently shown which covers this for around £104 for an annual policy, which we are considering as it will cover multiple trips. Will find the name for you.

[LongLeaf]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by roger
The the tank of fuel should be about all you have to pay. Typically this means collecting full and returning empty, and Dollar will charge the tank of fuel on return of the car (usually at an extortionate rate).
[/quote]

Thank you Roger,

Would you mean that if I tank the car full before returning, Dollar would not charge anything for gas...?
Is this the solution ... Or will they charge anyway ?

I will remember to call you next time for the car rental (this time it was a combo packet plane + car)

[roger]

Dollar will usually charge you for a full tank even if you bring the car back full.

However, sometimes they agree on collection of the car for you to return it full and not charge for that tank. If they do agree, make sure the paperwork you sign when you collect clearly says that you are returning it full. Don't just agree verbally with the staff member on the desk, else you will end up paying to refuel the car plus the expensive tank of fuel Dollar will charge you for!