Car hire fuel policies explained

To avoid being caught out by hidden charges when picking up or dropping off your hire vehicle, it is best to understand the fuel policy of the hire company. There are many ways of going about the business of fuel, and Gatwick Car & Van Rental would like to shine a light on the many fuel policies that are used throughout the hire industry.

Free Tank

It’s not a common policy, but some hire companies won’t charge you for the fuel that is in the vehicle when you pick it up. However, this is usually as part of a deal which you will need to look for on the company’s discounts and deals pages. As long as you are happy with the overall hire charge, free tank policies are just a bonus, as they simplify the whole hire process.

Full to Full

With a full to full policy, your hire car will come with a full (or almost full) fuel tank. When you return it, the tank needs to be full or above the amount that the car came with. When you collect the car, you will put down a deposit on the fuel. When paying by card, the deposit is blocked and only taken if you bring the car back with an inadequate amount of fuel.

Pre Purchase (Full Refund)

For pre purchase full refund deals, you will be charged for the petrol already in the tank when you pick up the car. On returning the car you will be refunded for the fuel that you have not used. Some hire firms measure fuel in eighths of a tank, but check with them first so you can avoid paying for fuel that you do not use.

Pre Purchase (Full to Empty)

Like the full refund option above, with a full to empty deal you will receive, and pay for, a full tank of fuel. You then need to return the car with the fuel tank as empty as possible, because you will not be receiving a refund on any fuel that is not used.

Pre Purchase (Partial Refund)

With partial refund, you will again be provided with a full fuel tank and be charged for it. On top of this, you will pay a service charge for refuelling expenses. When returning the car, you will be refunded for the fuel you have not used, but the service charge will not be refunded. The service charge can be anywhere from £8 to £45, depending on the company and location.

Research the fuel policy before booking

If you are particularly interested in the fuel policy that your car hire company will be applying to hire costs, find out before booking to avoid confusion. Look for fuel policies in the ‘vehicle details’ section of the booking process, or in the terms and conditions under ‘fuel policy’. If it is not apparent in these areas of the website or booking process, make sure to give the company a call and they will be happy to clarify their policy.

Gatwick Car & Van Rental offer the best car, van and MPV hire in the area of the Gatwick Airport. With great deals and offers, such as free pickup and drop off at the terminus, we are the premier choice for vehicle hires to compliment your flight. We have a fleet of 300+ vehicles, none of which are over 12 months old, so you know you are getting the latest in comfort, technology and reliability guaranteed. Contact our advisors today and they will be happy to help.