Vehicle & fleet · Travelers + trade
Fuel policy
Also called fuel option, fuel rule
The short answerThe rule for how much fuel the car has at pickup, how much it should have at return, and what you pay if it doesn't.
What it means
The fuel policy sets the fuel level you get at pickup and the level you return the car with, plus what's charged if the levels don't match. The common ones are full to full, full to empty (you pre-buy a tank) and same to same (return at the level you got it). Electric cars have the equivalent for battery charge.
Why it matters
It's one of the most common reasons a final bill differs from the booking price. Two quotes can look the same and handle fuel very differently.
Related terms
- Full to fullFuel policy where you pick up with a full tank and return it full; if it isn't full, the rental company refuels it and charges you.
- Full to emptyFuel policy where you pay for a full tank at pickup and can return the car with any fuel level, usually with no refund for what's left.
- Fuel purchase option (prepaid fuel)An optional extra where you buy a tank of fuel from the rental company at pickup and return the car without refueling.
- Refueling chargeWhat the rental company charges to refill a car returned with less fuel than the policy requires.
Also related EV charging fee / return charge level