lordretsudo

The last couple of times we've rented cars abroad, we've been charged a ridiculous amount at the airport for the full tank of fuel provided. This seems to be a new practise as we never experienced it before 2004; obviously it makes a nice bit of extra money for the rental companies.

Does anyone know of any companies that do not indulge in this practise?

MattW

Used Europcar in the summer and they don't, just asked to bring it back full.

davegtt

Thought aslong as you bring it back with what was in it there is no charge? Ive not experienced this before.

lordretsudo

That's what we used to find, but the last couple of years we've found they pre-charge you for a full tank (way over what it would actually cost to fill up) and ask you to return it empty. All the websites I've looked at now mention this in their terms & conditions.

Of course, not many people are going to run the car right down to empty before returning it as you're not going to want to run out on foreign turf. So, they not only make more money from overcharging for the fuel in the first place, they probably get a lot of cars returned with at least 1/4 of a tank left I bet. I wouldn't object so much if they charged a fair price for the fuel - last time we had a Ford Ka in Mallorca and they charged more for the fuel than it costs me over here to fill up the Scooby on Optimax!

CupraT

You can rent with Dollar and choose to either pay for fuel at pick up or not (though the pricing makes it more attractive to take the fuel).

Note. I have just done this for a USA rental so may not be appilacbe worldwide.

That said, worth shopping around. Holiday auto and Airline Network are pretty good.

princessyin

Europcar charged us in Cyprus

davegtt

Europcar didnt charge us when we took it on a 2000 mile road trip over a week to Germany.

Zeus Car hire in Rhodes ( ) didnt charge us either, saying that though the car was only £30 for 3 days...lol

idf101

Depends on the country to some extent try AVIS you just have to ensure you leave it back with a full tank which they always check when you return i have never been charged for fuel as it balances out.

Nick100

Worth looking at www.carjet.co.uk if you are looking to rent in Europe. They are excellent in Spain - about half the price of the majors !