If you’ve ever rented a car, you know it can be a tense conversation at the counter. You want to be a responsible driver, but you also don’t want to overpay for what can already be a pricey convenience.
No matter how many options the counter associate throws at you, never prepay for gas. When you do that, you’re essentially paying up front for the rental company to refill the tank when you return the car. And you pay for an entire tank, even if you don’t drive enough to get the needle down toward the E. There aren’t refunds for prepaying, either, if you only drive a little bit.
On top of that, rental companies often charge higher per-gallon rates for gasoline than the stations located nearby. So even if you choose to pay per gallon for what you need when you return the car, you’re likely to be paying several cents more per gallon than you would if you had done the errand yourself on your way back to the rental facility.
Next time you rent a car, tell them you’ll fill the car up yourself. Then, take a note of nearby gas stations as you depart the rental facility with your temporary ride. You’ll be happy you did when your trip is over. If you’re really nervous about getting credit for your legwork fueling up before you drop off, take a photo of the gas gauge with your phone when you pick up the car, before you fuel up, and as you’re dropping it back off.