Beware of This Car Rental Nightmare

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I’ve been renting cars for over 25 years. I’ve seen many of the tricks, and I know how to avoid them. I signed up for the car rental programs, so I don’t have to go through the pitch for insurance coverage. I always decline the prepaid fuel purchase because that’s for suckers. However, with all my knowledge, I was almost caught in a trap when returning a car to the airport.  How’d they get me? Read on…

My car was in the shop and wouldn’t be done before the weekend. The repair shop didn’t have any loaners, but luckily I was able to find a really cheap rental from the airport using Autoslash. Not to slander any company, but the name rhymed with Mavis.

I rented my car from the airport kiosk. I didn’t have to speak to anyone; I just had to enter my reservation and was directed to the parking lot to get my car. It took a while but I eventually picked a car and left the lot (Have I mentioned I’m not a fan of picking a rental car?). The car only had 1/2 a tank of gas, but I didn’t think anything of it. I’ve rented cars from local spots before that have said: “You have 1/2 a tank now, just return it with 1/2 a tank.” Besides, I was only taking the car for a short weekend rental, so I figured no problem.

Returning The Car

I used the car for a couple of days and returned it when I was done. The check-in agent printed my receipt with a charge for $40 of fuel. I asked why. She told me that the car only had 1/2 a tank so I’d have to pay for the rest of the fuel at $4.50 a gallon. WHAT?!?!?!?! No, I only rented the car with 1/2 a tank.

She assured me that was impossible as all cars go out with a full tank. If I wanted to dispute this, I’d have to go inside the airport and complain at the counter. UGH! Luckily, I was not leaving for a flight. If I was, there was no way I could have waited in line to straighten this out.

The airport counter line is the one thing I try to avoid only slightly more than the plague (picture is not of the actual line I stood in at the airport).

After waiting behind people with every type of rental problem imaginable, I finally spoke to an agent. I calmly explained that when I rented my car, it only had half a tank of gas. When I returned it with the same amount of gas, the garage agent charged me for the difference.

I was again told all their cars leave with a full tank. If my car wasn’t full, I should’ve told them when leaving. I replied that I had rented cars with less than a full tank before and was only responsible for bringing the car back with the amount of fuel I received it with.

I asked to speak with the shift manager at this point since my discussion was getting me nowhere. Obviously, he thought I didn’t want to pay for the fuel—end of story.

The manager showed up, and I explained my situation. He again told me that they fill up all the cars before renting them. I said that they must have missed one. Then, I used the only thing I had left on my side, MATH!

I asked how many miles did I drive the car? “50 miles,” he replied.

How large is the fuel tank? “14 gallons,”

I said, “So 1/2 a tank would be 7 gallons of gas then?” He nodded in agreement.

I then asked, “What’s the average fuel mileage of this car?”

He said he didn’t know, but probably around 20 MPG.

“So 7 gallons at 20 MPG would be how much driving?” I asked.

“140 miles,” he replied.

“And how far did I drive the car?”

“50 miles.”

So if I received the car with a full tank of gas and drove 50 miles, how does it only have 1/2 a tank left?

At this point, he seemed to agree that it was more likely I didn’t get the car with a full tank of gas instead of thinking I siphoned the gas from the tank or sat idling the car for hours on end. He adjusted my rental agreement and removed the $40 fuel charge. I enjoyed the manager explaining to the rental agent why it was impossible for me to use more fuel when I only drove 50 miles.

Final Thoughts

So what’s the moral of the story?

1. If I ever rent a car and it has less than a full tank, I make sure to have that in writing before leaving.
2. If you’re right, be calm but forceful. Don’t get angry. You may eventually be able to convince a manager that you’re correct.
3. MATH RULES!!!!!!!

Have you ever had a situation like this? How did it turn out? Let us know!

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary