Fees & surcharges · Travelers
Refueling charge
Also called refuelling charge, fuel service charge, fuel replacement fee
The short answerWhat the rental company charges to refill a car returned with less fuel than the policy requires.
What it means
A refueling charge is billed when the car comes back below the agreed fuel level. It usually combines the cost of the missing fuel, at the rental company's own per-liter or per-gallon rate, and a service fee for doing the refill.
Why it matters
It's avoidable: refuel near the return location and keep the receipt. Some rental companies also charge it if they can't confirm the tank is full.
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.
- Fuel policyThe 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.
- 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.
Also related EV charging fee / return charge level