Hertz fuel policy

[sparkypete]

We are coming to the end of our Cypus holiday and would like sme advice relating to the amount of fuel to return the car with.
At the airport when we arrived we made our way to the Hertz desk and went through the formalities. However we were charged an additional 60Euro for a full tank of petrol which considering the car is a 1.2L Fiesta seems a bit of a rip off.
We!enquired if we returned the car full is the charged removed to which he just waved his hand and nodded.
So trawling about on the web seems to bring up some conflicting results, it appears they will not refund any remaining petrol, so we should take it back empty, but this means they keep the rip off fuel charge.

So have any of you dealt with Hertz and come across the fuel charge and if so did you get a refund for returning a full tank

[Heartworm]

I've not used in Hertz in years, but at the time there was an option to return it full or empty - you paid the £60 (ot whatever it was at the time) if you decided to return it empty, don't remember having to pay before taking the car though, that's different.

[johnfm]

Yes, this is the latest car rental revenue generator.

[Codswallop]

Not dealt with Hertz, but with most of the other companies I have dealt with that charge you for fuel, they did not refund you for any remaining fuel.

It's a nice little earner for them, as they charge everyone for a full tank (at vastly inflated prices), but rarely have to actually brim the car from completely empty.

Worst offender however was a Portugese rental place that tried to fob me off saying that a 1.0 Kia Picanto had cost 70 Euro to fill because it had a 50 litre tank, when it only held 35 litres I showed the desk monkey the official capacity, told him where he could stick the extra charge and that he was a crook, and he just nodded and agreed

[Hackney]

New policy intended to rip you off.
People have got used to topping up the tank before returning the car, so they charge you for a tank full before you go, yet you probably don't run the tank dry (particularly for a short rent) and they gain €60 less whatever it costs them to fill up.

Or you don't realise and fill up anyway, so they get €60 for nothing.

Check the policy, but I always refuse this option (and excess insurance) and fill the car up before dropping it back. Take a picture of the fuel guage in clear sit of the rental drop-off especially if you're just leaving the keys in a drop box.

[blugnu]

Dunno about Hertz, but last time I hired from Enterprise they asked me if I wanted to pre-pay for my fuel at (I think) slightly below average pump price.

It only makes sense if you will use exactly one tank or multiple therof - if you return the car with any fuel in it at all you are losing money, so I declined. In the event I used 3/4 of a tank.

It only makes sense if you end up pushing the car the last 10o feet.

At least Enterprise gave me the choice to be ripped off or not, although they don't quite sell it that way

[sparkypete]

We were not given any other options, and they were not very clear when I questioned it. I think I will take it back empty.

[jshell]

Returned an Avis car to Aberdeen airport recently with a full tank. Come postal receipt time they'd charged me for filling the car! Needless to say it was sorted quick!

[jazzybee]

I usually only rent directly through Hertz - and have only had to return the car full. However, last time I booked in Europe, I booked through Easyjet, I think, and had an extra charge when I picked up the car, and told to return the car empty - this was mandatory. I booked the wife a car directly through Hertz last week, and she was told to return the car full. So, it may be if you book though an intermediary they have this surcharge.

[sparkypete]

Well I dont want to fill it up on the return just to be told that thanks for the full tank but we do not pay back the initial fuel cost so they keep the inflated 1st tank costs and my returned full tank.

[Mykap]

Read your agreement; fuel policy will be in the small print.

I frequently rent cars in Spain. Looking at my last Hertz Spanish agreement..

[i] Fuel Policy: Clients must pay for a full tank of fuel on collection and return the vehicle empty. It is only possible to get a refund when returning with a full tank of fuel when the rental duration is 3 days or less. The charge for a full tank of fuel varies depending
upon the vehicle type. Please note: Due to refueling logistics you will be charged at a higher rate per litre compared to the normal pump
price.[/i]

If you have paid for it return it with the minimum amount you are comfortable with.

In these cases I often ignore fifth gear for the return to the airport

Edited by Mykap on Sunday 8th July 12:17

Edited by Mykap on Sunday 8th July 12:25

[jammy_basturd]

I rented a car from Barcelona recently through Budget car hire, same thing. No option to fill it up myself before returning, and got charged 94 Euros for the fuel, for a 1.6 diesel Audi A3 5dr.

[matt3001]

Will be able to give you an update on Hertz in the UK this Friday. I collect a car from Gatwick to take on a long trip to the Scottish Highlands.

If its not optional (which it was in the two cars I hired last year off them in the US), then they will be getting it back with a misfire.

[steveo3002]

i messaged hertz via their facebook page

said theres 3 options

pre pay and return empty
return empty and let them fill it at thier prices
fill up yourself and keep the recipt

got one booked for france next ..hope not to get stiffed

http://www.hertz.co.uk/rentacar/productservice/ind...

[matt3001]

steveo3002 said:

i messaged hertz via their facebook page

said theres 3 options

pre pay and return empty
return empty and let them fill it at thier prices
fill up yourself and keep the recipt

got one booked for france next ..hope not to get stiffed

http://www.hertz.co.uk/rentacar/productservice/ind...

Why do you need to keep the receipt if you are giving the car back brimmed?

[steveo3002]

dunno