| That statement in one form or another has been | | | | beware. If the tank is not totally empty when you |
| part of car rentals since the beginning. In the early | | | | return it, you do not get a refund on the gas you |
| days, it was a straight out principle issue. You used it, | | | | use. You have effectively paid for a full tank of gas |
| you replace it. At some point between then, and | | | | and if your not "empty" on return, you've just given |
| now, someone realized that "there's a lot of money | | | | the car rental agency free gas to use. |
| to be made with the gas tank on rentals. | | | | So to recap, when should you use FSO (fuel service |
| For those who don't know, lets explain your refuelling | | | | option)? |
| options in car rentals. When you rent a car, the car | | | | - Only when you have no other choice |
| usually comes with a full tank of gas. In some | | | | - Only when your company discount provides you a |
| circumstances, it comes with a partially full tank. In | | | | special rate for the gas refuel |
| either case, the rental company will give you three | | | | - For those who have more money than time |
| options. Bring it back at the same level you got it at, | | | | And when should you Fuel up with the GSO option? |
| (full) prepay for a full tank of gas (GSO) and bring it | | | | - Trips where you know you will have the car for |
| back empty, or bring it back empty and pay a | | | | over a week |
| refuelling charge (FSO) of a more expensive per | | | | - Trips where you know you will be driving more than |
| gallon rate. | | | | 400 miles |
| Fuel Service Option (FSO) is almost always the | | | | - When you know your going to be strapped for |
| costliest option. Up and down the California Coast, | | | | time at return |
| most cities have FSO charges around $5.99 a gallon | | | | A few final tips. When your leaving the rental area, |
| (and with recent prices, even higher). Around the | | | | take note of the closest gas station. If you have |
| country, its not much better. While your mileage may | | | | time, its often good to drive right in and gas up the |
| vary on the actual price per gallon, the FSO charges | | | | car to ensure it was totally full when you got the car. |
| are almost always a good Dollar per gallon more | | | | Many of todays tanks allow for as much as 50-100 |
| expensive than the prevailing GSO (prepaid) rate or | | | | miles before the needle drops below full. If the |
| the rate of the local gas stations. It may seem that | | | | agency stated the tank is full, the nozzle should click |
| there is no really good reason to use the FSO, but | | | | practically immediately (3/10 of a gallon). But to be |
| there is. While most FSO users are people with more | | | | fare, you really need not worry if its less than 3/4 of |
| money than time or people who forgot to fill up the | | | | a gallon unless 85 cents is enough for you to argue |
| gas tank, there is one segment where it is cheaper | | | | and waste 20 minutes. If you put more than that in, |
| to use this service than any other. | | | | take the receipt to the counter when you return the |
| If you have a discount code, it may be because of | | | | car and get the amount of the gas deducted from |
| your employer. Some employers, such as Microsoft | | | | the bill. |
| and Government Contracts like Lockheed Martin have | | | | If you have a GPS unit, lock in the location of the car |
| negotiated rates where the same dollar amount for | | | | rental area and the closest gas station to save you |
| fuel refueling is charged nationwide. Depending on the | | | | time on return. Some of the best made plans are |
| market, it may not be that bad. In one circumstance, | | | | ruined by getting lost trying to get back to the |
| a friend of mine who worked for one of the above | | | | airport. If traveling in a group, assign one person to |
| mentioned companies went on a trip to Kona, Hawaii. | | | | look for the car rental return signs, the exit off ramp, |
| On that trip, the fuel service option refueling price | | | | nearest restaurant among other things that you may |
| was less than the per gallon prices of all the local gas | | | | need on your way back to the airport. |
| stations within 5 miles of the airport. In that case, its | | | | Under no circumstances are you to buy the most |
| always best to just bring the car back as it is. | | | | expensive grade of gasoline! Let me repeat that in |
| On the other end of the spectrum, the GSO option is | | | | clearer terms. by the cheap gas. The car rental |
| a prepaid full tank of gas at a specific rate. In most | | | | agencies all buy the cheapest gas the law will allow. |
| car rental agencies, the GSO price is the average of | | | | Do not feel guilty topping of that car with a more |
| the three closest gas stations. With this average, the | | | | expensive grade of gas. The car will break down and |
| multiply the tank capacity by that number and offer | | | | be sold from abuse long before the gas causes |
| it as a flat rate to fill up the tank. But let the buyer | | | | issues for the car. |