Car hire fuel policy should be stopped!

nico26

thetaxwoman wrote: »

We've just returned from Mallorca. Booked a ford Focus (or equivalent) from Centauro via Holiday Autos, because we got a great deal on the hire cost. Having read the small print, we expected to pay for a full-empty fuel policy and to be pressured to take out extra insurance (we'd already bought a cheap "extras" policy for £22 from WorldWideInsure instead of the £58 that the equivalent Holiday Autos policy would have cost). We'd also read some iffy reviews of Centauro, mostly to do with them being off-site, so were prepared for the worst.
However, the whole experience actually exceeded our expectations. The Centauro shuttle bus was waiting for us, the paperwork was dealt with quickly, additional insurance wasn't even mentioned, and they explained that they operate a full-full policy and even gave us directions to a petrol station close by. The car, an Astra, was in excellent condition and low-mileage, and returning it was equally straightforward. We had no problems at all before, during and after the hire. We were very pleased, and wouldn't it be great if we could say that of every company!

Oh, and although they swiped the credit card in case of an accident, nothing has been taken off it.

Im just back from Alicante and had car booked with centuro and had the same good experience. We were also given the choice return empty or full.

Bonjour13

Another vote for Centauro. Best car hire experience we've ever had in Spain.

Fuel policy (full/empty) - Yes, you pay more for the fuel but I don't see that this is any more a "rip-off" than the mark-up on bottles of wine in restaurants.

It would indeed be better if the fuel charge were included in the hire charge so that you knew upfront what you would be paying, but then that would put the hire company at a disadvantage on the comparison websites that everyone uses to convince themselves they are getting a good deal....:cool:

leewart

I booked a vehicle through carhire3000 after reading all the terms and conditions.

It does state in the terms that fuel is payable upon pick up. But no where does it state that you will be charged an excessive amount for a whole tank of fuel.

I assumed at I would have to pay for the fuel I wanted. Just to clarify I them emailed asking to be sure there were not any hidden costs in addition to the quoted amount. They then replied saying that I would be charged an extra 80 euros plus tax upon arrival.

I wrote back saying that I did not agree to this and that I want to cancel. I then booked a car through AVIS which was a little more expensive from the outset but there were no hidden fuel costs. I ended up filling the car with only 8 euros worth of fuel.

Carhire 3000 are refusing to give my money back. I did not use their vehicle and they are still keeping my money.

Avoid this dishonest company at all costs. The initial low quote is too good to be true. You will end up paying allot more than one of the reputable companies.

MarkyMarkD

I don't expect that carhire3000's terms allowed you to cancel. That is quite reasonable.

And your interpretation of the wording is not logical. No car hire firm allows you to specify up front "I'll have it with exactly 8 Euros worth of fuel please". Either it is supplied full or it is supplied empty - or, in a few cases, supplied with a random amount and you are expected to return with the same random amount.

steve.lisa_t

couple of car hire rip offs ive encountered first one was in malta i had booked and paid online for a europcar hire which was affordable got to the airport and was then told about total excess cover which cost me £98 there and then, (tip) i now go online and pay around £38 for a full excess policy for a year not just for the trip thats a full year, second rip off came in spain booked car hire as usual online got to goldcar desk at almeria airport to be told they had upgraded me to a better car (con) was then told i had to pay £116 for a full tank of fuel, now i had read the fuel policy but after 32 years as a vehicle technician would like to know how you get £116 worth of fuel into a renault megane, suffice to say our next trip to spain in the new year will be without a hire car i am going to get there and check out locally whats on offer

wedwardes

Just been checking this fuel policy. I have only found Hertz, europcar and malagacarhire.com (not malagacar.com ) with Full > Full

malagacar.com

Fuel policy: The car is delivered with half tank of fuel, which you will pay for. You can return the car empty.

malagacarhire.com

Fuel:

Vehicles are supplied with a full tank for which a deposit is charged. This will be approx. 50 to 120 euros, depending on size of vehicle provided. This is refunded in full if the vehicle is returned with a full tank. If, during your hire, you put the incorrect fuel into the car; ie petrol into a diesel car (or vice versa) then you will be liable for any associated costs (which may be substantial).

carhire.centauro.net

Conditions relating to petrol

Centauro Rent a Car always endeavours to hand over the vehicle with the
tank full and it should be returned with the tank empty, as there are no
refunds.

Only with hires of 3 days or under is the difference refunded. If the car is
returned with less petrol than it had at the start, there will be a refuelling
charge, and the difference minus this amount will be refunded.
Customers are always asked to pay the fuel costs at the beginning of the
hire period.

The cost of fuel varies depending on the model of vehicle, and that can be
from 60 to 140 euros per tank



car3000.com = rentalcars.com

Fuel Policy
Fuel should be paid for on arrival and it is not necessary to refill the tank before returning.

Refunds are given for unused fuel for rentals of 1 to 3 days

The charge for a full tank of fuel varies depending upon the vehicle type. Please note: Due to refueling logistics the price charged will be at a higher rate per litre than the pump price available locally.

easycar.com

Fuel Customers will be required to purchase a tank of fuel in advance from the supplier. Please return the vehicle empty as no refunds will be made for unused fuel.

economycarhire.com

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 refuelling logistics you will be charged at a higher rate per litre compared to the normal pump price.


hertz.co.uk

Hertz rates do not include fuel.

All vehicles are rented with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank or a local refuelling charge will apply.

Fuel Purchase Option (FPO). For convenience, you may purchase a tank of fuel from Hertz at the time of rental at a price that is competitive with local fuel stations. This method eliminates the need for you to refill the tank before returning. Please be aware that we are unable to give a refund for unused fuel.

europcar.com

The Vehicle will be provided to you with a full fuel tank. You must only refuel the Vehicle with the correct type of fuel. Costs of fuel and for the refuelling service will be at your expense if the Vehicle is not returned with a full tank

budgetinternational.com

Fuel charges

Spain (except Canary Islands)
When you pick up your rental car it comes with a full tank.

If you keep the car for 3 days or less please bring it back full. If we need to refuel the car we'll charge you for the fuel plus 19.82 euros (including taxes) to cover our costs.

If you keep the car for 4 days or more just bring it back to us empty. We charge you 75 euros (including taxes) for the fuel - and there are no refunds, so make sure you use it all up.

automotivecars.net

Combustible: El cliente abonar! el importe de combustible que haya en el tanque en el momento de la recogida, y al devolver el tanque al mismo nivel se le devolver! el importe total abonado en el momento de la recogida del veh!culo. En el caso de devoluciones con menos cantidad de combustible, se descontar! la diferencia en litros m!s un cargo de repostaje de 15€; en el caso de que se devuelva el tanque con m!s combustible, no se devolver! ning!n importe por la diferencia restante.

Basically you pay for what is in the tank - half full or full or whatever. If you return it with more fuel. Tough. No refund. If you return it will less, in their opinion, they will charge you €15 plus the top up they seek at their rates. So to be safe you will make sure you leave more in the tanl and that will be a gift to them. I count this as a scam.

greyteam1959

Be aware that these a their fuel terms at this moment in time.
They change their fuel terms as often as some people change their socks !!!
So always double check .

photome

wedwardes wrote: »

Just been checking this fuel policy. I have only found Hertz, europcar and malagacarhire.com (not malagacar.com ) with Full > Full

car3000.com = rentalcars.com

Fuel Policy
Fuel should be paid for on arrival and it is not necessary to refill the tank before returning.

Refunds are given for unused fuel for rentals of 1 to 3 days

The charge for a full tank of fuel varies depending upon the vehicle type. Please note: Due to refueling logistics the price charged will be at a higher rate per litre than the pump price available locally.

Not strictly true for CH3000

You can prepay for a tank of fuel on a hire in the USA (poss other countries to) which is paid for at the time of booking (not on arrival) and then you can return the car empty

wedwardes

photome wrote: »

Not strictly true for CH3000

You can prepay for a tank of fuel on a hire in the USA (poss other countries to) which is paid for at the time of booking (not on arrival) and then you can return the car empty

You have to pay for fuel up front - on booking or on arrival. If you return with any fuel in the car that is a gift to the rental company.

photome

wedwardes wrote: »

You have to pay for fuel up front - on booking or on arrival. If you return with any fuel in the car that is a gift to the rental company.

You dont have to, it is an option, one that I always take up buy paying when booking, it isnt much more than not including it, and it includes additional drivers