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Since I’ve been introduced to Autoslash (SEE: Using Autoslash to save a ton on your next rental car), I’ve gotten car rentals down to an algorithm:
- Request quotes through Autoslash
- Book the best rate for an intermediate car or larger (SEE: Why you’re foolish to rent a “standard” car)
- Use the Autoslash results to see if I should shop for other deals (such as prepaying a Hertz rental if I’m sure of my dates)
- If Autoslash sends me an update, check it out (or simply let them re-book me)
Easy peasy. Lately, I’ve gotten some really good deals, including a $100 rental for 5 days in Alberta for our recent trip to Banff (SEE: We’re going to Banff!!). I consider $20 per day pretty much a steal in most markets.
It was a major Autoslash win. Recently, using Autoslash didn’t actually pan out as well for Dan, however (SEE: Autoslash actually let me down).
The one rental card mistake I often make
I’ve probably rented a car 12-15 times over the past 3 years. I would guess 60-70% of the time it has been for work, with the occasional personal rental.
Usually I decline all coverage, trusting my own liability insurance and collision insurance via the Chase Sapphire Preferred to cover me. It keeps the costs down when we don’t have any “extras”.
I also typically decline the fuel purchase option. If I know I am going to drive enough to empty the tank, I’ll take it. Otherwise no. Stopping at the gas station for a few minutes is something I can afford to do.
An oversight that can cost you
Until I forget. I just returned a rental at Orlando airport on a long weekend away for the Family Travel for Real Life conference. On my way back I *completely* forgot to fuel up. This is now the FOURTH time I can recall doing this. Today it cost me a whopping $50. So much for a deal on Autoslash. The fuel charge was more than the rental itself.
A couple times, I’ve been saved by the operations of the rental car lot. Locally, when I forget and the attendant remarks about the gas level, I give him the hard stop while I run it 4 blocks to the gas station and come back. The rental car agents never mind.
At airports locations, I’m not so lucky. Once I get the car in the line of returned cars, I’m pretty much trapped. Today I remembered just as I was handing the key to the attendant. All I got out was “Oh crap, the gas!” He didn’t even respond and just printed me a receipt.
Ways to remedy this issue
I hate pre-paying for fuel, but at this point, it may well be the best option for me. I’ve now eclipsed over $150 in fuel charges over my history in rentals (luckily work covered one bill after I apologized to my manager about it).
The other option is to set a reminder on my phone to tell me to fuel up an hour before I plan on returning. But if I keep forgetting to fuel up, I’ll probably forget about to remind myself as well.
How about you…have you ever made this unfortunate mistake?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
you are an idiot.
Another internet troll. Shame on you. People make mistakes, but calling them an idiot – especially when they share is uncalled for.
I don’t make this mistake. It seems so simple. One reason I like silvercar is they only charge market price for gas.
I didn’t know that. Aren’t they a bit more expensive overall, though?
Many (most?) people wouldn’t make this mistake. I have always had a tendency to forget certain details, though, and this is unfortunately one of them.
Must be a Dan thing :-). I have not made this mistake either personally
MCO stinks also – the 2 closest gas stations (still a few miles away) have jacked up prices too
It’s funny you mention this. That same comment came up 10 minutes ago at the tail end of the Family Travel 4 Real Life conference here in Orlando!
Assuming I have a morning/ early afternoon flight I fill up before I go to sleep the night before my flight. Gas is almost always cheaper by a hotel than the suburbs. Then if I forget it is 1-2 gallons not 20 gallons
Thanks for the info on car rentals, Dan. I didn’t know about Autoslash before, but I used it today to see if I could get a better deal on a reservation I made a few days ago. In less than an hour I got an offer from Autoslash that saved me about 25% off the original quote. Now I know to use Autoslash from the start. So glad I found and subscribed to your blog a few days ago!
Do it the night before or set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself.
I’ve never gotten a better deal on Autoslash since I’ve been using Costco for my rentals. We don’t rent enough to get pointss.
IDK if this can be even cheaper on Autoslash, but since you’ve mentioned Banff, Avis has normal, non-drop-charge rates of ~C$50 a day to pick up a car in Calgary or Edmonton, airport or downtown, & return one-way to Jasper or maybe Banff! In case someone wants to catch a train onward.