Regan Brown
When renting a car with Hertz, you will be given the option to prepay for fuel. This means that you can return the car without a full tank, and you won't have to worry about refueling the car before returning it. While this option can save you time, it may not save you money. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of prepaying for fuel on a Hertz rental car and offer some tips to help you make an informed decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Convenience | Prepaying for fuel saves you the hassle of finding a gas station and filling the tank before returning the car. |
| Cost | Prepaying for fuel is usually more expensive than filling the tank yourself as you have to return the car with an empty tank to gain the price benefit. |
| Time | Prepaying for fuel can save time, especially if you are pressed for time before a flight or returning the car to an airport. |
| Safety | If you are worried about safety near the return location, you may prefer to let Hertz refuel the car. |
| Refueling options | Hertz offers different refueling options, including prepaying for fuel, refueling the car yourself, or having Hertz refuel. |
| Fuel level | If you choose to have Hertz refuel the car, you can return it with any level of gas, but you will be charged for the difference if the fuel level is lower than when you rented the car. |
| Pricing | The price of prepaying for fuel with Hertz is usually competitive with pump prices and can sometimes be cheaper. However, you are unlikely to return the car with an empty tank, so you may overpay. |
| Tax | The price of prepaid fuel may not include taxes, which can add to the overall cost. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepaid fuel pricing secrets
When renting a car with Hertz, you may receive a last-minute offer for prepaid fuel, which can be selected up to three hours before the return time. Hertz will send this offer via email, pitching it as a way to save time returning your vehicle. While this offer may seem convenient, there are a few secrets about prepaid fuel pricing that you should be aware of before making a decision.
Firstly, it's important to understand that the prepaid fuel price offered by Hertz does not include taxes, whereas the price you see at a regular gas pump does include all taxes. This means that the final cost of prepaid fuel may be higher than you expect. Additionally, if you don't return the vehicle with a full tank, Hertz will charge you a per-gallon rate, which is often much higher than the market rate for fuel. This can result in you overpaying for fuel that you may not even use.
Another secret to consider is that the prepaid fuel option is usually priced competitively with the market rate, and in some cases, it may even be cheaper. However, this doesn't necessarily mean it's a good deal. The business model behind this pricing strategy is that most people won't return the car with an empty tank, so you end up paying for fuel you don't use. This can be a significant expense, especially if you only use a small amount of fuel during your rental period.
Ultimately, the decision to prepay for fuel comes down to a cost-benefit analysis. If you value convenience and peace of mind, then prepaid fuel may be worth the extra cost. However, if you're looking to save money, it's usually more cost-effective to refuel the tank yourself before returning the car. By doing so, you only pay for the fuel you use and avoid any unexpected fees or charges.
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Hertz's prepaid gas offer
Hertz offers customers the option to prepay for fuel when renting a car. The company sends customers an email with this prepaid gas offer a day before they are due to return the car. Previously, customers had to select the prepaid fuel option at the time of pickup, but now it can be selected up to three hours before the return time. The fuel price offered is often competitive with the prevailing rate in the area, and in some cases, it may even be cheaper. For example, a limited-time offer pitched to a member of the AutoSlash team had a fuel price of $3.94 per gallon, while the average cost in the state was $3.42 per gallon.
While the prepaid gas offer can save customers time and hassle, especially if they are pressed for time before a flight, it rarely saves money. This is because customers have to return the car with an empty tank to gain the price benefit. If the car is not returned with a completely empty tank, customers will have overpaid for gas they did not use. Additionally, the pricier prepaid fuel price often does not include taxes, which can further increase the cost.
Therefore, when deciding whether to accept Hertz's prepaid gas offer, customers should consider their priorities. If they value convenience and want to avoid the hassle of refuelling the car before returning it, the prepaid option may be a good choice. However, if they are looking to save money, they may be better off refuelling the car themselves and ensuring they return it with an empty tank. Ultimately, the decision depends on individual preferences and circumstances.
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Refuelling options
When renting a car with Hertz, you have a few different refuelling options. Firstly, you can choose to prepay for the fuel. This means you can return the car empty, and you won't have to worry about refuelling before returning the car. However, this option usually doesn't save you money. This is because you will have paid for a full tank of gas but will likely not use the entire tank. The price for fuel if you prepay is often similar to the prevailing rate in the area, and sometimes it's even cheaper. However, you will have to return the car with an empty tank to gain this price benefit.
Another option is to refuel the car yourself before returning it. This option allows you to only pay for the fuel you have used, but it can be less convenient as you have to find a gas station and take the time to refuel the car before returning it. It is also important to note that some rental companies require a receipt from a gas station within ten miles of the rental agency, and they may charge extra fees if you don't fill up close enough to the building.
The final option is to have Hertz refuel the car for you. This is the most common option across car rental companies. With this option, you can return the car with any level of gas, and Hertz will charge you for the fuel and a refuelling service fee. This option can be more expensive, but it can be a good choice if you are pressed for time or worried about safety in the area near the return location.
Ultimately, the decision of which refuelling option to choose is up to you and depends on your priorities. If you value convenience and don't want to worry about refuelling, then prepaying for fuel or having Hertz refuel the car may be the best choice. However, if you prefer to save money, then refuelling the car yourself is likely the better option.
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Cost-benefit analysis
When renting a car with Hertz, you have a few different options for refueling. You can either refuel the car yourself, have Hertz refuel it for you, or prepay for the fuel. If you choose to prepay, you can select this option up to three hours before your return time. This means you can return the car with any level of fuel in the tank. However, doing a cost-benefit analysis is essential to determine if prepaying for fuel is the best option for you.
Benefits of Prepaying Fuel:
- Convenience: Prepaying for fuel saves you the hassle of having to find a gas station and refuel the car yourself before returning it. This can be especially useful if you are pressed for time or concerned about safety near the return location.
- Competitive Pricing: The prepaid fuel price offered by Hertz is often competitive with the prevailing rates in the area and can sometimes be even cheaper.
- Avoid Extra Fees: Some rental companies charge exorbitant fees for refueling if you don't return the car with a full tank. Prepaying for fuel helps you avoid these unexpected costs.
Drawbacks of Prepaying Fuel:
- Overpaying: The main drawback of prepaying for fuel is the likelihood of overpaying. Since you are paying for a full tank, you are essentially paying for fuel you may not use. Unless you return the car nearly empty, you will likely end up paying more per gallon than the prevailing rate.
- No Refunds: There are usually no refunds for any unused fuel left in the tank. This means you could be paying for fuel that you don't use, resulting in a higher effective cost per gallon.
- Hidden Costs: In some cases, the prepaid fuel price offered by rental companies may not include taxes, resulting in unexpected additional costs.
When deciding whether to prepay for fuel on a Hertz rental car, it is essential to consider your specific circumstances. If you value convenience and peace of mind, prepaying can be a good option, especially if you are short on time or concerned about safety. However, if you are cost-conscious and willing to put in the effort to refuel the car yourself, you may find that opting out of the prepaid fuel option and refueling the car yourself is the most cost-effective choice. Ultimately, the decision depends on your priorities and preferences.
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Prepaid fuel: always a bad deal?
When renting a car with Hertz, you may receive a last-minute offer for prepaid fuel, which can be selected up to three hours before the return time. Hertz will send customers an email with this prepaid gas offer, which was not the case previously, as you had to select the prepaid fuel option at the time of pickup. This offer is for a full tank of gas, so if the vehicle's tank holds 20 gallons, you'd pay $78.80.
The conventional wisdom is that this is a bad deal, if not a scam. The price you see at the pump includes all taxes, but the pricier prepaid fuel price offered by the car rental company usually does not. While the prepaid fuel price might be competitive or even lower than the pump price, it is unlikely that you will return the car with a nearly empty tank, meaning you will have paid for fuel you did not use. For example, if you return a car with 25% of the tank capacity remaining, you will have left $20 as a tip to the rental company.
However, there are circumstances in which prepaying for fuel can be a better deal. If you are pressed for time before a flight, you may want to skip the step of finding a gas station and filling the tank near the airport. Additionally, if you are worried about safety in the area near the return location, you may want to choose to let the rental company fill the tank. Prepaying for fuel can also save you from being charged exorbitant fees by less reputable car rental companies for refilling the tank on a returned car that is not empty.
Ultimately, it is a cost-benefit analysis between saving money and having some convenience.
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Frequently asked questions
Hertz offers customers the option to prepay for fuel when renting a car. This means that you can return the car without having to refuel it yourself.
Hertz will send you an email with a prepaid gas offer a day before you’re due to return the car. You can select this offer up to three hours before the return time. The offer is for a full tank of gas at a set price per gallon.
The general consensus is that prepaying for fuel on a rental car is not a good deal as you are paying for a full tank of gas but are unlikely to use the entire tank. However, some people find that it can be convenient, especially if you are pressed for time before returning the car.
Instead of prepaying for fuel, you can refuel the car yourself before returning it. This option may be more cost-effective, but it requires more time and effort. Another alternative is to let Hertz refuel the car for you, but this option usually includes a refueling service fee and the price per gallon may be higher than the market rate.
To avoid being overcharged, take a picture of the rental car’s gas gauge before driving off and refuel the tank within a 10-mile radius of the rental service. Keep the receipt as proof of refueling, which will also show the address of the gas station.
