Beware: Budget car rental SCAM at MCO

Question

We rented a car at MCO on arrival booked via Expedia. The girl started to do the usual upsell on insurance, but then advised that our rental covered everything. She then specifically said don’t fill up the car, return it empty. We questioned this as we have never done this before [ we travel to the USA every year and always rent cars).. and again she said, no return it empty.

When we hot into the car there was a big sticker on the steering wheel that said “return the car empty”.

We dropped the car off with about 1/4 of a tank.

We then got hit with a $80 charge… for fuel.

I have raised this as a complaint … and have been informed that “ when you are told fuel is included you are being told you will be charged for fuel”.

Answer

Unfortunately, what you experienced at MCO with Budget through Expedia is a known issue with certain rental car fuel policies, especially “prepaid fuel” or “full-to-empty” plans. These plans can be confusing and sometimes feel misleading if the staff is not clear about what the charges actually cover.

Here’s how these situations typically work:

Full-to-empty fuel policy: Some rental companies offer a prepay fuel option where you pay upfront for a full tank and are instructed to return the car empty. This means you are essentially paying for the fuel in advance and are expected to return the car with no fuel. Returning the car with even a partial tank may result in additional charges if the company claims the prepaid fuel doesn’t cover that fraction.
Staff communication issues: Sometimes rental agents tell customers that “fuel is included” or “you don’t need to fill it up,” but the details of how the fuel plan works are buried in the contract or on stickers. It’s critical to read the fine print on the rental agreement and any signage in the car. Phrases like “return empty” usually indicate you purchased the full-to-empty plan, which is more expensive than standard full-to-full.
Disputing charges: If you feel the staff’s explanation contradicted the written policy, you can escalate by submitting a formal complaint to Budget and/or Expedia. Include photos, receipts, and any notes from your interaction with staff. However, companies often side with the contract terms if there is clear signage or documentation in the vehicle.

Tips to avoid this situation in the future:

Always clarify the fuel policy before leaving the counter. Ask specifically: “If I return the car with a quarter tank, will there be a charge?”
Take photos of all stickers or documents in the car regarding fuel instructions.
Consider sticking to full-to-full fuel policies where you pick up the car full and return it full. This is usually simpler and less prone to unexpected charges.
Check reviews for the specific rental location, as some locations have reputations for confusing or aggressive upselling of fuel products.
When booking through third-party sites like Expedia, read the fine print carefully regarding fuel options and fees. Some third-party bookings automatically include prepaid fuel plans unless you opt out.

In conclusion, while it feels like a scam, the $80 charge was likely applied according to the full-to-empty fuel policy that was indicated in writing in the vehicle and/or contract. The key lesson is to always verify fuel instructions and document them, especially when staff advice conflicts with standard practices.

Beware: Budget car rental SCAM at MCO

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