Hertz - fuel fines beware! [also Tolling charges...]

[boomy]

Regarding Hertz fuel charge, when returning the car without filling up the petrol tank I recommend everyone to ALWAYS check the receipt. They make a lot of mistakes and always in their favour.

Just this week I returned a car in SYD and was charged a ridiculous amount for driving only 90km. Lucky I had a receipt in my wallet from a previous day returning a car in PER after driving a similar distance. The difference was almost $40!!
They did fix it on the spot but it still should not happen. It was the 2nd time this month I got overcharged for petrol.

 

[aupirate]

Been asked several times for a receipt by hetz. A couple of weeks ago I commented whilst returning a vehicle that it stank of ciggies and certainly wasn't full of fuel. Got an apology and discount that would have covered fuel. Currently have a mining spec Prado bit of a laugh

 

[beardoc]

If I drive away and discover the fuel gauge falling rapidly (suggesting it wasn't fully full) - I usually call customer service then and there and alert them. It usually makes it easier on return when you've been upfront about the car not being full. Most cars can go 50-60km without the gauge falling from full these days. My VW Golf Diesel goes 100km before the gauge leaves the full tank mark.

 

[boomy]

If I drive away and discover the fuel gauge falling rapidly (suggesting it wasn't fully full) - I usually call customer service then and there and alert them. It usually makes it easier on return when you've been upfront about the car not being full.

It doesn't matter anymore, Hertz are now looking at how many kilometres you drove, they are not checking the fuel gauge like they used to in the past.
It's a more fair system IMO and saves you the hassle of calling customer service in cases like the one you described (happened to me as well many times).

 

[AdMEL]

Hi all,

I thought I would share an experience I am currently going through with Hertz at the moment.

I picked up and returned a car to at the Perth Airport domestic terminal over a period of two days.

During that time, I travelled less than 120km with the car.

Now, there is this clause on the rental agreement:

View attachment 20261

Upon returning the vehicle (freshly filled with about $19 worth of fuel at the servo along the Great Eastern Highway before the airport) I was charged a fuel service for not being able to present a receipt (I paid cash at the servo).

Nowhere on the rental agreement does it state that I will be charged this fuel service for not presenting a receipt. I have asked Hertz to clarify this and they keep pointing me to the clause highlighted.

So, whilst I am going round-and-round in circles, I thought I would pre-warn everyone of the very over-zealous Hertz attendant at Perth Domestic who want your receipts.

He got other people at the same time as two guys were still arguing with him when I turned up! The attendant actually acknowledged that the fuel gauge indicated the tank was full when I complained to the desk attendant inside the terminal.

Anyway, Perth Dom is the only place this has happened to me and I have rented at airports across Australia and the US (am Five Star No.1 club).

Just a warning...

Yeah, it says to present a receipt. What it doesn't say is that they will charge me a fuel service if I don't.

I don't really understand the point of your post!

As has been pointed out, this has been in place for a couple of years!

You acknowledge that it's on the rental agreement (and in my opinion, it is quite clear - it is on the main single page agreement, not buried in fine print) and further, you acknowledge you're a frequent renter (5 star, so at least 10 rentals in the last year), so I can't see how you would not be aware of this. Yet you did not obtain a receipt.

Effectively, you have breached the rental agreement. Whilst I acknowledge it does not say you will be charged a fee for not providing a receipt, I read this similarly to others - either you provide the receipt, or you will be charged the fuel service fee.

And just because they haven't enforced it in the past, doesn't mean they can't/won't.

What they started doing a month ago was designating your booking as "SEE OFFICE" so that they could talk to you about the new tolling system and asking you if you wanted to opt in or out. It should only happen once.

Unlike MEL where you usually have to ask for the tolls to be removed each time you don't need them.

I haven't had tolls added to rental agreement at MEL, but I have had numerous other fees - additional driver (not applicable for Gold members, but has also happened at BNE) and a drop fee on a BMW (doesn't apply to BMW's between CBD and airport), not to mention almost every time the estimate is wrong, as they almost always start the agreement time from the time they print the agreement, rather than my booking time! I have pointed this out and they say there is nothing they can do about it, but I have never encountered this anywhere else! They are hopeless at MEL.

If I drive away and discover the fuel gauge falling rapidly (suggesting it wasn't fully full) - I usually call customer service then and there and alert them. It usually makes it easier on return when you've been upfront about the car not being full. Most cars can go 50-60km without the gauge falling from full these days. My VW Golf Diesel goes 100km before the gauge leaves the full tank mark.

I reckon this is much less of a problem with new cars, as in my experience they tend to move off full after only a short distance, especially in the city (20-30km).

It doesn't matter anymore, Hertz are now looking at how many kilometres you drove, they are not checking the fuel gauge like they used to in the past.
It's a more fair system IMO and saves you the hassle of calling customer service in cases like the one you described (happened to me as well many times).

Agree, it's a much fairer system.

 

[QF WP]

I rent from Hertz and for a rental in MEL in June, I forgot to ring up and pay for the tolls. Totally forgot about it - for about 2 weeks, so b then it was too late to ring up and pay it. Was expecting Hertz to send me the charge plus a hefty admin fee (as I recall happened once previously). Then in July, I got an email "Your Roam Express Rental e-PASS Statement". I don't even remember signing up for this, but grateful as the fee was only $4.95 opening fee and an additional admin fee of $0.75 (above the $1.28 toll) and it plus the tolls were charged to my CC. Saved my bacon...

 

[chooms]

I don't really understand the point of your post!

As has been pointed out, this has been in place for a couple of years!

Ummmm... it was the first post of the thread. I wasn't responding to anyone.

Whilst I acknowledge it does not say you will be charged a fee for not providing a receipt, I read this similarly to others - either you provide the receipt, or you will be charged the fuel service fee.

You are contradicting yourself with that statement. First you say it does not say I will be charged a fee, and then you say you read it as it does.... which one is it?

And just because they haven't enforced it in the past, doesn't mean they can't/won't.

Thanks captain obvious. Not disputing this, in fact, I intended my post to be a warning to others to make sure they have a receipt, hence:

...I thought I would pre-warn everyone of the very over-zealous Hertz attendant at Perth Domestic who want your receipts.

and

Just a warning...

 

[daveozsydney]

Hi all,

I thought I would share an experience I am currently going through with Hertz at the moment.

I picked up and returned a car to at the Perth Airport domestic terminal over a period of two days.

During that time, I travelled less than 120km with the car.

Now, there is this clause on the rental agreement:

View attachment 20261

Upon returning the vehicle (freshly filled with about $19 worth of fuel at the servo along the Great Eastern Highway before the airport) I was charged a fuel service for not being able to present a receipt (I paid cash at the servo).

Nowhere on the rental agreement does it state that I will be charged this fuel service for not presenting a receipt. I have asked Hertz to clarify this and they keep pointing me to the clause highlighted.

So, whilst I am going round-and-round in circles, I thought I would pre-warn everyone of the very over-zealous Hertz attendant at Perth Domestic who want your receipts.

He got other people at the same time as two guys were still arguing with him when I turned up! The attendant actually acknowledged that the fuel gauge indicated the tank was full when I complained to the desk attendant inside the terminal.

Anyway, Perth Dom is the only place this has happened to me and I have rented at airports across Australia and the US (am Five Star No.1 club).

Just a warning...

I just saw this. Hired at Brisbane recently and luckily I had taken a photo of the fuel gauge (always take a photo of any damage at rental and fuel gauge on returning on my phone). I mailed this to customer services and they refunded the charges. Worked out ok in the end.
I saw today on today's rental that it does say that on the receipt.
I agree it is a cash grab and caveat emptor as usual. I guess it does stop people dodging the refill for short trips so probably benefits customers as the line showing full doesn't always mean it is totally full!

Thanks for sharing though.

Cheers

 

[coles525]

Cant ever say it too many times, but even if your refuel is paid by cash or even less then $10.00, always get a receipt!

If they dont offer you a receipt, request the receipt..

Remember, that is your proof of purchase!

Always also take a photo of the fuel sign that says full as even more proof!

 

[docjames]

I always kep the fuel receipt for this.

 

[Barks]

Ok, so I'm hiring a BMW 320i from Hertz MEL airport next weekend for 2 days to do the great ocean road.


So what I'm reading from this is make sure I get a receipt from refuelling the car. Should I take my etag? Are there any other fees I should beware of since I'm hiring a "prestige car"?


I've always used Avis/Budget in the past but I'm never using them again after my last experience.

 

[markis10]

Ok, so I'm hiring a BMW 320i from Hertz MEL airport next weekend for 2 days to do the great ocean road.


So what I'm reading from this is make sure I get a receipt from refuelling the car. Should I take my etag? Are there any other fees I should beware of since I'm hiring a "prestige car"?


I've always used Avis/Budget in the past but I'm never using them again after my last experience.

Unless your planning on doing less than 100km somehow you wont need a fuel receipt. Not sure you will need tolls if heading to the great ocean road, providing you use the western ring road which will be quicker than the Tulla anyway.

Watch the hidden speed cameras on the Geelong road, its something of a cash generator.



http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/c...-than-100-motorists-a-day-20140123-31bt2.html

 

[Barks]

Unless your planning on doing less than 100km somehow you wont need a fuel receipt. Not sure you will need tolls if heading to the great ocean road, providing you use the western ring road which will be quicker than the Tulla anyway.

Watch the hidden speed cameras on the Geelong road, its something of a cash generator.

View attachment 24875

Cameras on Princes Freeway bridge nab more than 100 motorists a day

Yeah, I didn't think there was any tolls since I'm not going into Melbourne. Thanks for the info mate

 

[AdMEL]

Ok, so I'm hiring a BMW 320i from Hertz MEL airport next weekend for 2 days to do the great ocean road.


So what I'm reading from this is make sure I get a receipt from refuelling the car. Should I take my etag? Are there any other fees I should beware of since I'm hiring a "prestige car"?


I've always used Avis/Budget in the past but I'm never using them again after my last experience.

One thing to be aware of with Hertz BMW's - many do not support bluetooth audio, nor ipod/iphone music support, as many were purchased before it became standard.

What happened with Avis/Budget?

Unless your planning on doing less than 100km somehow you wont need a fuel receipt. Not sure you will need tolls if heading to the great ocean road, providing you use the western ring road which will be quicker than the Tulla anyway.

Watch the hidden speed cameras on the Geelong road, its something of a cash generator.

View attachment 24875

Cameras on Princes Freeway bridge nab more than 100 motorists a day

Also, beware of mobile speed cameras on the Great Ocean Rd, particularly coming into towns. Also they do have a booze bus on occasion.

 

[Barks]

One thing to be aware of with Hertz BMW's - many do not support bluetooth audio, nor ipod/iphone music support, as many were purchased before it became standard.

What happened with Avis/Budget?




Also, beware of mobile speed cameras on the Great Ocean Rd, particularly coming into towns. Also they do have a booze bus on occasion.

Thanks for the info, it's very appreciated. I'll be taking my Garmin GPS that has alerts for the fixed speed cameras.

What happened with Avis/Budget is, basically, they tried to charge me for damage to a car I didn't do up in Townsville. After denying I had caused the damage and arguing back and forth for a few days, they still charged my CC for the amount of the repair (about $550). I accepted defeat and was organising to make a claim with my travel insurance so asked them to send me pictures of the repaired damage and an itemized receipt of the repair, including labour etc. Two days after this request, they suddenly changed their mind and refunded all the $$$ for the repair. In other words, it never happened. So a good result in the end for me but I don't trust them anymore.

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the info, it's very appreciated. I'll be taking my Garmin GPS that has alerts for the fixed speed cameras.

What happened with Avis/Budget is, basically, they tried to charge me for damage to a car I didn't do up in Townsville. After denying I had caused the damage and arguing back and forth for a few days, they still charged my CC for the amount of the repair (about $550). I accepted defeat and was organising to make a claim with my travel insurance so asked them to send me pictures of the repaired damage and an itemized receipt of the repair, including labour etc. Two days after this request, they suddenly changed their mind and refunded all the $$$ for the repair. In other words, it never happened. So a good result in the end for me but I don't trust them anymore.

Having photos of the car on pickup and drop off has saved me lots of money on two occasions, once with Europcar and once with Hertz, take pictures no matter who is providing the car.

 

[Barks]

Having photos of the car on pickup and drop off has saved me lots of money on two occasions, once with Europcar and once with Hertz, take pictures no matter who is providing the car.

Sound advice. I will definitely be doing this from now on, starting from next week.

 

[albatross710]

Having photos of the car on pickup and drop off has saved me lots of money on two occasions, once with Europcar and once with Hertz, take pictures no matter who is providing the car.

I've been doing this my last few rentals. Pictures of the vehicle at pickup, with extra pic of any area that might be suspicious for pointing out as damage. Same pictures upon return. I also take a picture of the odometer and fuel gauge.

I've had to use the fuel picture in a dispute with Avis Manchester, which was resolved in my favour but annoying to be charged for fuel when i filled up at the airport roundabout.

I think they try it on first and hope that most people don't keep records.

Poor business practice really.

 

[docjames]

+ 1 pics of all panels. I also take pics of the existing damage (even if small).

Beware low font spoilers and scrapes - common on cement blocks in car parks - I've heard of issues with scrapes under the front side of them on eg. Falcon xr6.

 

[markis10]

+ 1 pics of all panels. I also take pics of the existing damage (even if small).

Beware low font spoilers and scrapes - common on cement blocks in car parks - I've heard of issues with scrapes under the front side of them on eg. Falcon xr6.

Good advice, especially on the Sv6/XR6 and Golf