Car Hire Fuerteventura

wilbur61

Hired a car for a week in Fuerteventura.

Booked through Expedia, Hire was with Budget and when I arrived, was directed to Avis. Hire cost stuff from Expedia said all inclusive. I have separate Annual Car Hire Excess Insurance as I hire several cars a year.

It was hired on a full fuel return full basis.

Hire went well for the week.

I returned the car full, the rep asked if it had been filled I said yes, He asked for a receipt ( which would actually tell them nothing), I had it somewhere but before I could look for it he checked the guage and said everything was ok.

When I got home I was charged for Refuelling Service Fee (16.74 euros) and Surcharge (8.81 euros).

I wrote to both Expedia and Avis/Budget but have had the run-around. The answer from Avis is: "About the 16.75 €+ VAT of Express fuel, this amount is mandatory with Budget rate in Canary islands, you can see this condition in paragraph 3 in your Rental Agreement." (para 3 doesn't mention fuel). However it seems it has been added to the contract. It was confusing as I thought this was a charge if not returned full.

I am unhappy about this, not that it is a large figure but the principle of being scammed.

Expedia are useless at dealing with this.

Anyone else have experience with this?

richardw

If it's not in your rental agreement why is it being charged?

PeacefulWaters

Contact your bank for a chargeback.

leylandsunaddict

Budget and Avis are one and the same. It's the Budget Avis Group. It's a pity you didn't book direct with a local company rather than use a global car hire company. Did you join TA a couple of days ago and post on there? Same complaint just the amount was €60?

Had you joined TA and asked before booking you'd have been given the names of some excellent local companies. Regular visitors to the Canaries do not book with global companies. When you choose to throw a middleman into the equation it becomes even more difficult to sort problems out.

The terms for Budget that Expedia link to say

"EZ Fuel Fee:
Where you have driven 120 kilometres or less there will be a flat fuel fee of EUR16.94 (regardless of whether the fuel gauge shows the fuel tank as full) unless you can prove the vehicle has been refuelled by providing a refuelling receipt from a petrol station.

Exceptions / Fuel Policy for the Canary Islands:

Where the "Express Fuel" option is chosen, a non-refundable fee of EUR19.00 will be applicable. If the tank is returned full or partially full, a reimbursement can be made available for the remaining amount of fuel, subject to certain costs.
A Full to Full option is available and is subject to fees and sanctions if the vehicle is not returned with a full fuel tank."