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Tag: car rentals

  • Sticker Shock: Gas Station Near DFW Airport Charges Over $5 a Gallon

    Sticker Shock: Gas Station Near DFW Airport Charges Over $5 a Gallon

    Traveling can be stressful enough without the added pressure of avoiding exorbitant gas prices near the airport. Unfortunately, if you’re refueling your rental car near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), you might encounter just that. A gas station near the airport is charging upwards of $5 a gallon, and it’s causing quite a stir among unsuspecting travelers.

    It’s no secret that gas stations located near airports tend to charge above-market prices. The principle of supply and demand is at play here, with lots of people needing to refuel their rental cars before returning them. Business travelers, often on their company’s dime, might not pay much attention to the price per gallon, making them an easy target for higher charges.

    The mantra “location, location, location” reigns supreme. Travelers are often in a hurry and prioritize convenience over cost, opting to fill up close to the airport even if it means paying more; after all, missing your flight could be significantly more expensive than overpaying a bit for fuel. Some gas stations take advantage of this urgency to an extreme, and that’s where the problem arises.

    If you need a notorious example, look no further than Suncoast Energys near Orlando International Airport (MCO). This gas station has become infamous for charging unsuspecting travelers upwards of $5.50 a gallon, earning it a one-star rating on Yelp. Such predatory pricing exploits travelers who might not have the time or knowledge to seek out more reasonably priced gas stations.

    The Valley View Shell: A Case of Overcharging at DFW

    Enter the Valley View Shell at 4900 W Airport Fwy (SH-183) in Irving, TX. Situated between the southern entrance to DFW Airport and the President George Bush Turnpike, this gas station has recently come under scrutiny. According to recent Google reviews and social media posts, the station is charging upwards of $5 (and in some cases closer to $5.50) for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel.

    Some reviews suggest that the station management is turning off their electronic signage, so you won’t know the price until you get to the pump. It’s a tactic that preys on hurried travelers who may simply pay the inflated price out of necessity.

    Comparing Prices in Irving

    To put this into perspective, at the time of writing, many stations in Irving are selling gas just below $3.00 a gallon, with the lowest prices ranging between $2.80-$2.90. Remarkably, the “DFW Mart” Shell station on airport property by the Rental Car Center was charging $3.29 a gallon, which while higher than prevailing prices in the local area, is still almost $2.00 per gallon cheaper than this station just outside the airport perimeter.

    While Shell stations are generally known for being slightly more expensive than their competitors, the prices at Valley View Shell are beyond the pale. Although this station is likely an independently-owned franchise, it’s surprising that Shell would allow its brand to be associated with such predatory pricing practices.

    Tips for Avoiding High Gas Prices Near Airports

    As always, be vigilant when refueling your rental car. If possible, use an app like GasBuddy to plan your refueling stop at a gas station away from the airport to avoid inflated prices. The complimentary Walmart+ subscription provided with certain Amex cards can help save money (and avoid having your card skimmed by using Walmart as an intermediary). If you can find a Costco near the airport you’re departing from, even better.

  • No-Show on a Hertz Reservation? That Will Now Cost You… Dearly

    No-Show on a Hertz Reservation? That Will Now Cost You… Dearly

    Rental car giant Hertz has discreetly rolled out a significant change in their policies, introducing the imposition of no-show fees across a wide swath of bookings. In the world of rental cars, it’s been a long-standing tradition that direct bookings seldom entail no-show fees, except for prepaid reservations where cancellation or changes are off the table, and the full amount is non-refundable.

    However, Hertz has very quietly changed the rules in a very big way, now requiring payment for a complete day at the base rate if a customer fails to show up. The recently added language in the fine print at checkout unequivocally states, “Reservations must be cancelled prior to pick-up time or will be subject to a $111.29 USD No-Show Fee. A valid credit card must be presented at the time of rental to complete the reservation.” (Substitute the $111.29 with 1x the daily rate)

    An additional blow comes for those utilizing Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points for their bookings. In the event of a no-show, the points are refunded, but the customer is charged at the prevailing cash base rate—ouch.

    One might argue, “Well, I won’t find myself in that situation. I’m responsible and would never no-show on a rental car reservation.” But consider this scenario: imagine being stuck on a delayed flight without reliable Wi-Fi, unable to cancel your reservation before the no-show fee kicks in. Or maybe your travel day was hectic, and your rental car was the last thing on your mind. It’s a risk not worth taking.

    The prevalence of rental car shortages during the pandemic led many to get in the habit of securing backup reservations with alternative rental companies in case their preferred choice failed to come through for them. However, I’d now advise to end that practice to avoid being charged a potentially significant amount of money.

    Seinfeld was ahead of his time here.

    We normally advise against using an OTA to book most travel. However, an interim solution here could be booking through an OTA like Costco Travel or Autoslash, currently exempt from this policy shift. Yet, a word of caution: this exemption might change without notice, so always check carefully during the booking process.

    Notably, Hertz’s subsidiaries Dollar and Thrifty have yet to implement this policy change. Thrifty’s website explicitly states, “No cancellation fees apply if you choose the ‘Most Flexible’ payment option.” However, it wouldn’t be surprising if this policy change permeates across these entities in the future.

    The implications of this move by Hertz raise questions about the industry as a whole. Will competitors like AvisBudget Group and Enterprise Holdings Mobility follow suit? Again, it’s critical to read carefully while booking, as policies can shift rapidly without warning – and if Hertz is any indication, it’s unlikely these policies will exactly be announced via a flashing neon sign.

    The decline in Hertz’s services has been a topic of discussion, particularly after the company was sold to Apollo Global Management amidst pandemic-induced financial struggles. Instances of renters being wrongfully arrested due to Hertz renting out cars previously reported stolen, as well as difficulties in honoring reservations, have marred the company’s reputation. The recent alteration in points expiration policy from 18 to 12 months, without prior notice, further highlights the tumultuous changes within the company.

    h/t Dave from MilesTalk