Hertz requiring proof of fuel purchase

[swylie]

Today I returned a vehicle that I'd driven just 20kms (Sydney airport to city and back), and, as usual, the attendant asked "Have you filled it up?" which I had (all 3.7 litres it took).

He then asked me to produce a tax invoice from the petrol station showing when, where, and how much fuel I had purchased.

I was a little puzzled - have never been asked this before (I have had 42 rentals with Hertz this calendar year) - and he told me to look at my contract. Indeed, it now reads "Should I decide to return the vehicle full of fuel, I will present a refuelling receipt if driven less than 120kms".

This is pretty annoying, and rather strange Hertz should be nit-picking about such things when its trying to position itself as a premium brand.

Anyhow, I fortunately had kept my refuelling receipt, and was given the all clear by the attendant after what felt like a presumption of guilt. I'm not sure what they would have done if I had not shown a receipt - could they have charged me a certain percentage of a tank even when the fuel gauge was clearly above the "Full" mark?

Interesting situation - hope this serves as a warning to anyone who uses Hertz - but also interested to hear your thoughts!

cheers,
Steve

 

[markis10]

I think Hertz are in for a fun time, with all the new changes taking effect:

1. 30 min grace period
2. loss of QFF earn
3. increase of amount taken from card at authorisation by $200
4. requiring proof of fueling for sub 120km rentals

Looks like they are trying to be more efficient with their processes, at the expense of the customer, and at the expense of future business growth.

 

[munitalP]

I have company endorsed hire car cards like Avis Preferred and Thrifty Blue Chip - I don't think either company would humiliate me by asking for fuel receipts for a sub 120km hire. I am curious, did you hire your vehicle using Hertz 1 or whatever its called, (you have done a number of rentals this year) or just walk up hire, and, if you didn't, do you think they would treat you the same way if you had of?

I ask due to not hiring a Hertz car in recent memory and thought the rudeness and general lack of customer care was a Europcar thing only!

munitalP

 

[NM]

I have been asked before when its been a short distance travelled. I expect it was with Avis as most of my rentals are with them and I think it was likely in the UK. As the fuel gauge will still be reading full after a short drive, they have no other way to know if you have actually topped it up or not. For a longer drive, its going to be pretty obvious just by looking at the gauge.

I would be upset if I collected a car that is supposed to be full of fuel only to find it had been driven say 80km already and although the gauge read "full" it was really 15% down. We all know that gauges are not accurate, especially at the top end of fullness.

I have no issues with showing the fuel receipt. I would always have retained it anyway for my expense claims. I see no reason why a rental car company should be expected to just accept the driver's word that the vehicle has been refuelled and then pass on the risk to the next customer.

 

[simongr]

I can see the benefit from an internal control perspective and it shouldnt be a major humiliation.

The only downside might be if you fill up the night before fairly close to the returns place (given 24 hour rentals it might cheaper than returning it early and getting a cab to the airport) and then drop it off. You then have a long gap since filling up and can't prove you didnt drive it that far.

Not as bad as the car system in Cyprus where you have to buy a full tank of gas irrespective of how much you actually use...

 

[openseat]

Actually I don't mind that Hertz are now doing this. I have had plenty of cars this year when driving out of the airport (eg in the M5 tunnel at SYD) only to see the fuel gauge go off F because the tank hasn't been filled by the previous renter. It really is annoying since the whole system depends on a sort of honour to fill. Of course if it keeps happening we may end up like Cyprus.
I have complained to the Hertz people every time it has happened - so maybe the word was getting through.

 

[MissBurrill]

When I worked at Hertz we had a rental which was driven under 5km. They needed a van to move an item from one building to another and both buildings were right near our office (Mitchell, ACT). Given the short time they were given a very good price plus they were regular renters.

 

[straitman]

I have actually done this in reverse. Last year in I Seattle I asked Thrifty to top up a car when I picked it up. Funny that they managed to get and extra 2.5 gallons into it :!:

On other occasions I have queried companies and most times they deduct about $10 or so off the price.

 

[odysseus]

When I worked at Hertz we had a rental which was driven under 5km.

But did they refuel?

 

[Maca44]

This does not relate to fuel, but I picked up a Hertz VW Bug from Seattle last Saturday and it wasn't until about 30 minutes later when I stopped for breakfast at North Bend that I smelt something, and found food scraps under the pax seat. Now, I can accept that a little bit of lazyness might have missing that, but the half empty water bottle in the centre consul should not have been missed. I emailed them when I reached Yakima, but doubt anything will be done. I have the car for 18 days, and off topic slightly I am surprised at how well the new VW bugs go. I will see if they ask for proof of fuel purchase and report back.

 

[Traveller F]

Happened to me in the UK. Handed back the car after only doing 38 miles.
I informed and showed (fuel receipt) to the check-in lady on returning the car and she said that was fine and would make a note of it. On checking my credit card statement I found that they had charged me an extra £15 for fuel. On contacting Hertz (UK) I was told that any rental under 50 miles was automatically charged for fuel unless a receipt was shown to a member of the office staff (as opposed to the "check-in" staff in the car park!). I explained that I had indeed told the car park "check-in" lady and that as far as I was concerned she was a Hertz representative and at no stage did the office staff ask for a fuel receipt when picking up my rental invoice. I still to this day do not understand how they managed to get £15 worth of fuel into a tank that was already full?......but I expect that’s another story.

To give Hertz their due, they did credit the amount back to my credit card and sent me “two up-grade certificates” for the inconvenience caused.

The moral of the story is if you are in the UK, rent with Hertz and dive less than 50 miles always keep your fuel docket and check your return invoice……. and don’t rely on the car park staff!

Kind regards, Traveller F

 

[serfty]

Not just the UK, and not a recent problem:

This type of thing happens far more than it should. People working for hire companies often get away with it for a couple of reasons. One is a vast number of hirings being for corporate use and the average corporate hirer is not too concerned about a mere $10-$15 addition. Another is that it's often "too hard" to rattle the cage for these small amounts of money. ...

 

[Foreigner]

I think Hertz are in for a fun time, with all the new changes taking effect:

1. 30 min grace period
2. loss of QFF earn
3. increase of amount taken from card at authorisation by $200
4. requiring proof of fueling for sub 120km rentals

Looks like they are trying to be more efficient with their processes, at the expense of the customer, and at the expense of future business growth.

So no QFF points with Hertz...do you know if Avis gives such points?

To other posters...how do Hertz and Avis compare - in Australia?

 

[ric_melb]

Also disappointed to learn that Hertz will not be giving QFF points in future.
No QFF points will be earned from Hertz after 18 November 2010.
It would appear that they have replaced Qantas with Virgin as their Australian point partner. Of course they do have lots of other airline partners still.

Always used to use Avis, until they substituted Hyundai Getz for Toyota Corolla in their Group B, though haven't yet had a Getz in that category.

So I joined Hertz #1 Club and have rented with them a few times.

Really it seems to me that Avis and Hertz are very similar, though I seem to have a slight preference towards Avis still.

Currently you still earn QFF points with Avis, plus an extra point if you use an Amex card.

 

[Flashback]

Also disappointed to learn that Hertz will not be giving QFF points in future.
No QFF points will be earned from Avis after 18 November 2010.
It would appear that they have replaced Qantas with Virgin as their Australian point partner. Of course they do have lots of other airline partners still.

Always used to use Avis, until they substituted Hyundai Getz for Toyota Corolla in their Group B, though haven't yet had a Getz in that category.

So I joined Hertz #1 Club and have rented with them a few times.

Really it seems to me that Avis and Hertz are very similar, though I seem to have a slight preference towards Avis still.

Currently you still earn QFF points with Avis, plus an extra point if you use an Amex card.

I thought it was Hertz and Thrift that were going?

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ood-bye-hertz-thrifty-etc-24951-new-post.html

 

[FuzzyAUS]

This is the first I have heard about Avis hires not getting QFF points, haven't received anything from either of them about it.

Is it just wires crossed and it's Thrifty that is out with Hertz?

Cheers
Fuzz

 

[oz_mark]

The statement from Qantas was:

We are delighted to announce that from 19 November 2010, Avis and Budget will become the Qantas Frequent Flyer program's exclusive car rental partners.

I'm guessing ric_melb made a typo.

 

[cove]

There is clearly a lack of trust both ways when hiring any car these days. Hirers often get cars that were refueled about 50 kms from the depot but say the tank is full.
The add ons that change a $40/day into a hundred dollar note rental is really poor stuff so a lot of hirers want to cheat on fuel.
Proof of fuel purchase is a good idea but will Hertz refuel the cars that are not covered by a receipt?

 

[ric_melb]

Sorry guys to confuse you. oz_mark is indeed correct. I made a typo!
Now corrected. Indeed it's Hertz leaving Qantas, not Avis.
And also Thrifty leaving, as others point out.

Wonder who pushed who?

On the fuel angle have just recently rented twice from Hertz.
Although fuel gauge as showing approximately Full, I estimate one car was 5 litres short of full, and the other 3 litres.

 

[ric_melb]

Sorry all, cannot edit original post.
Confirm it is Hertz leaving QFF, not Avis.