Quick Summary
- You can usually pick a fuel policy that avoids costly refuelling surcharges.
- Full to full or same to same give you the most control over what you pay.
- Checking the gauge, photographing the dashboard and keeping the final fuel receipt reduces the risk of arguments at drop off.
How fuel policies work on US rentals
Imagine landing at Orlando International, joining Interstate 4 for the 90 minute run to Tampa and only then noticing you chose a fuel option that punishes you for returning the tank low. Fuel policies decide who fills the tank, when and at what price, so understanding them before you confirm with Hola Car Rentals is time well spent.
Most US offers fall into a few clear categories. Full to full means you receive the vehicle with a full tank and bring it back full, paying normal pump prices. Same to same starts at a specific level, such as three quarters, and expects you to match it on return. Pre purchase options let you pay for a full tank up front and bring the vehicle back close to empty. A more basic rule simply charges a fixed price per missing litre or gallon when you hand over the keys.
Choosing options that avoid premium refuelling
If you want to avoid premium refuelling rates, full to full is usually the safest choice. You decide where to buy fuel, whether that is a supermarket off the highway or a cheaper station ten minutes from the airport. When you book car hire through Hola Car Rentals, the fuel policy is shown on screen so you can pick the option that suits your route rather than accepting the default.
Same to same can also work well, especially for shorter city breaks around theme parks or coastal resorts where you will not cover huge distances. The key is accuracy. Photograph the fuel gauge when you collect the vehicle, then again after your final fill up, so you can show you returned it to the agreed level if there is any dispute at the desk.
Real world examples from popular US drives
On a late evening arrival into Florida, it is tempting to choose whatever gets you to the hotel fastest. Before you leave the desk at your Orlando airport pick up, think about your last day instead. If you plan to leave the parks in good time and pass several stations before the airport, a full to full policy is usually the cheapest and simplest approach.
On the west coast, the run from Los Angeles airport to Palm Springs on Interstate 10 is roughly 220 miles there and back before you add detours around the desert cities. With a full tank at the start and a refill in a cheaper town on the way back, you avoid expensive top ups at the airport. The same logic applies in Nevada. A loop from Las Vegas airport through Red Rock Canyon or the Hoover Dam is perfect for planning one final stop at a convenient station rather than paying a refuelling surcharge after you park.
Miami gives another useful example. A relaxed coastal drive from the airport down to the Upper Florida Keys can include plenty of scenic stops. Building a final fuel stop into your return to the city and planning your Miami airport driving around that simple step keeps your costs close to local pump prices.
How Hola Car Rentals helps you stay in control
Hola Car Rentals works with trusted providers across the United States and clearly displays the fuel rule on each offer. You will see whether the deal is full to full, same to same or prepaid before you pay anything. Combine that with the All Inclusive plus rate, which adds generous liability cover and travel insurance of up to US$150,000, and most of your major trip costs are clear from the start. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up means you can adjust your booking if your plans change or you spot a fuel policy that fits your route better.
FAQs
Is full to full always the cheapest fuel policy? Not in every single case, but it usually offers the best value if you are happy to refuel before returning the vehicle. Prepaid fuel can be convenient on very short trips, yet you will often pay more per litre or gallon than at local stations.
What happens if I return the vehicle slightly under the agreed level? If you bring the vehicle back with less fuel than your policy requires, the provider can charge for the missing amount at its own rate, which is where premium refuelling fees appear. Refuelling in good time and keeping your final receipt minimises the risk of disagreement.
Can I change the fuel policy after booking? Fuel options are tied to each offer, so changes depend on availability. With Hola Car Rentals you can usually cancel and rebook with a different fuel rule up to 48 hours before pick up, provided the new deal is available at that time.
Does fuel ever come included in the rental price? Fuel itself is rarely included, even with maximum coverage. Hola Car Rentals instead focuses on making the policy visible so you can budget for fuel separately and avoid surprise refuelling charges at the end of your journey.
When you are ready to plan your next United States road trip with transparent fuel rules and flexible pricing, book with Hola Car Rentals and enjoy a smoother start and finish to every drive.
