Important re-fuelling policy with Budget

[roger]

This is an important note regarding re-filling the fuel tank when on the Silver option with Budget.

When you return the car, it is essential that the car is re-fuelled fully, and as close to the airport as you can get. Filling up the tank 20 - 30 miles from the return depot will show as a full tank on the fuel gauge but doing this will result in a re-fuelling charge from Budget. Budget will top-up every car that is returned even when showing full. If they can get more than around a gallon of fuel in to the tank then you will be charged for the fuel at very high rate (usually around $8 per gallon).

Up until recently customers have got away with refilling e.g. in Kissimmee and returning to Orlando and the tank showing full. Now this will not go unnoticed.

We've had a few customers recently after returning home receiving small bills of around $15 from Budget on their credit cards, and the charge almost always relates to this top-up charge.

The down side is that it means re-filling at the slightly more expensive gas stations at the airport, but that will still be cheaper than having to pay Budget at their rate for the extra gas.

[dsv77]

Thanks for the info Roger

[KarenScott]

with the gold option is this not a problem?

[roger]

No, because with the Gold option you should return with the tank as empty as possible since you have already paid for the tank of fuel.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by KarenScott
with the gold option is this not a problem?

[/quote]

[janny]

The charge for fuel is $7.44 a gallon we noticed the on the paperwork for the car we collected yesterday.

[Clare R]

Thank you for that information Roger as I am currently down in Rotonda with a Budget car on Silver Option. I always fill up at exit 26B on 275 heading north to Tampa; the car registers full when I reach the airport, I have never been charged for fuel.

However 26B to TPA is about 20 miles and in view of your comments I would appreciate anyone who travels up from the south to let me know where a gas station near TPA is situated that isn't going to get me off the straight and narrow!!

[Katys Grandad]

Can I just clarify this? If the tank isn't full in Budget's view, do they charge for the amount required to top up or for a full tank? I think I could live with having to pay a few dollars more for the odd gallon.

[ShirleyD]

I guess the plus side of this is that when you get a car from them, the tank really is full. I have hired cars where the gauge has dropped very quickly after I have driven away

[roger]

It will only ever be a charge for the actual fuel they have to put in (at their high rate per gallon). So if they manage to get 1.5 gallons in you would end up with a charge of around $12.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
Can I just clarify this? If the tank isn't full in Budget's view, do they charge for the amount required to top up or for a full tank? I think I could live with having to pay a few dollars more for the odd gallon.
[/quote]

[roger]

Yes, that will be why they have become so strict on this (as well as a bit of extra income for them). We get several complaints per week from customers that collect and within a few miles the gauge has started to drop. Once they re-fill later in their stay they realise the tank wasn't really as full as it could have been, so they feel they have lost out. On return they complain to us and we pass on to the rental company who more often than not can't don't compensate since the tank was reading full.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ShirleyD
I guess the plus side of this is that when you get a car from them, the tank really is full. I have hired cars where the gauge has dropped very quickly after I have driven away
[/quote]