Returning rental car with full tank still smart idea

Returning one’s rental car with a full tank of petrol is still a wise and economical idea, as many major car rental firms will charge clients up to twice the amount for a re-fill as they would pay at any gas station. In most cases, fuel stands at $4 per gallon in the US, but the majority of large rental firms charge in the ballpark of around $8, including both Budget and Hertz. A study which appeared in the USA Today found that eight car rental companies at 10 airports charged nearly $8 per gallon of petrol. For example, Hertz levied a fee of $7.99 at 10 of its busiest airport outlets, while Budget charged $8 at three airport locations. Avis is also known to charge clients $8 at four separate airport counters. Some of the airports with the highest refuelling fees include Chicago’s O’Hare, Boston’s Logan, Denver, Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Francisco, New York-JFK and Miami International. In general, refuelling fees are often somewhat lower when it comes to suburban rental locations.

Clients who fail to return their rental car with a full tank of petrol usually have no other choice but to purchase the firm’s refuelling service at the end of their car hire period. In fact, even if the car’s tank is halfway of two thirds full, the renter will still be required to pay this refuelling fee. As such, it is well worth filling up at the petrol station nearest to the car hire location before returning a vehicle.

www.budget.com