dollar rental car unfair policy

[POLY LOVER]

I just rented a car from dollar rental car and was offered the automatic fill up for $35.00 dollars. When I said I would fill it up on my own I was told it had to be filled up within 10 miles of the airport or I would receive a penalty of $4.00 per gallon. The car has a 12 gallon tank and that would be a $36.00 fee. Now I can buy gas in the Orlando area for about $2.12 a gallon, if I fill it up near the airport it will cost over $4.00 a gallon because of the predatory price gouging that is allowed near the airport. dollar is forcing you into a situation that makes their high gas price look good to sell overpriced gas. They were also nasty to me when I refused the gas deal. Beware folks if you rent from Dollar at the airport. I,ve used Dollar in the past but will not anymore.

 

[Tom]

This is Disney discussion? Sounds more like a BBB topic.

 

[Clamman73]

I go back to the airport on the north side taking Sand Lake. There's a new Race Trac that I stopped at before returning a car to Hertz this past trip. Normal per gallon price.

 

[POLY LOVER]

This is Disney discussion? Sounds more like a BBB topic.

I will do the Bibb report, and I booked through travelocity so I will report it there too.

 

[POLY LOVER]

I go back to the airport on the north side taking Sand Lake. There's a new Race Trac that I stopped at before returning a car to Hertz this past trip. Normal per gallon price.

Thanks I'll do that

 

[POLY LOVER]

This is Disney discussion? Sounds more like a BBB topic.

I just want to make sure folks visiting Disney are aware and Don,t get snagged in an unfair policy.

 

[disney4life2008]

This policy is national with Dollar. And its expected/typical that gas will be much higher near the airport well because it can. Similiar to downtown areas. I agree with you though, with that said Dollar is always cheapest.

 

[Minthorne]

I always use dollar, fill up on the way back to the airport and keep my receipt. Never once have that asked for it to prove I'm within 10 miles for filling. It's a pressure tactic when renting. I have the express club with dollar and avoid that hassle.

 

[Hakunamatata]

It's not an unfair policy. You made a choice, albeit an uneducated one.

 

[mobishop]

EZ Rent A Car is the best value at MCO. Always cheaper than Dollar, no high pressure tactics. Have never been disappointed.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

They can't prove where you filled up...........and as long as the tank registers full ????

 

[MinnieM123]

@POLY LOVER , just wondering, do you usually stay off-site when you visit WDW? I could understand renting a car in that situation.

However, if you stay on-site (either Disney hotels, or the Swan or Dolphin), I've found that a car is not even necessary. I think the airport transportation to/from the parks is very good with either Magic Express (Disney-owned hotels) or a taxi, or towncar (to Swan or Dolphin). Then, once you're on-site, the buses, ferries and monorail to all the parks are usually very good.

Years ago, I rented cars, but found in the past 12 years or so, that I really didn't need to. I visit WDW once a year for about 4-5 days, so I just wanted to share that being car-less has worked out fine for me.

 

[ExMonorailCM]

I just rented a car from dollar rental car and was offered the automatic fill up for $35.00 dollars. When I said I would fill it up on my own I was told it had to be filled up within 10 miles of the airport or I would receive a penalty of $4.00 per gallon. The car has a 12 gallon tank and that would be a $36.00 fee. Now I can buy gas in the Orlando area for about $2.12 a gallon, if I fill it up near the airport it will cost over $4.00 a gallon because of the predatory price gouging that is allowed near the airport. dollar is forcing you into a situation that makes their high gas price look good to sell overpriced gas. They were also nasty to me when I refused the gas deal. Beware folks if you rent from Dollar at the airport. I,ve used Dollar in the past but will not anymore.

I understand your frustration, but realize all car rental companies have this policy. If the car is rented out full, it must be returned full otherwise they will charge you the difference. It is also out of Dollar Car Rental control what local gas stations are charging. If you do not want to be bothered with that, you can go with one of their multiple fueling options.

 

[SAV]

There are only those two gas stations on Semoran Blvd that charges double the price for gas($4.39 & $5.95 today). Just go a little further north and it is regular priced at several stations($2.07 today).

I always have refilled up the road and never been charged anything extra from Dollar or Thrifty or Alamo.

I also was never pressured into buying their gas. They mentioned it, I declined and we moved on.

 

[aw14]

It can't be a PolyL thread without being a negative. Its like the sunrise....always happens

 

[NormC]

This is not a Dollar only policy. All rental companies offer you a fuel plan or a return it full plan. You need to be educated about the area you are renting in and find a cost effective gas station or accept their fueling fee.

 

[EpcoTim]

Fill it up at any station you want and while you're there grab a paper funnel and a gallon of water to top it off with right before you pull into their lot.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Fill it up at any station you want and while you're there grab a paper funnel and a gallon of water to top it off with right before you pull into their lot.

For those who might take this helpful tip seriously, considering this is vandalism I would recommend against it.

 

[JenniferS]

I must be the only rube that takes the automatic fill up option.

I've never returned a car with more than a quarter tank, and I love not having the hassle of filling up on my way to the airport.
That's an extra half hour in the parks on departure day in my books.

 

[alissafalco]

I've never heard of having to fill it up within 10 miles of the airport. I guess if you have to show a receipt they can tell. What if you fill it up and return it with no receipt? You get charged? That is a scam.