Check your bill now for a "Fuel Service Charge"
At Feldman, Fox & Morgado we are investigating the billing practices of Budget Rent A Car. Our client opted out of the pre-paid Fuel Service Option, filled the gas tank but was charged a Fuel Service Charge.
An automatic Fuel Service Charge of $13.99 is added to all bills.
- The Fuel Service Charge is a standard charge for all rentals where:
- The customer has opted out of the pre-paid Fuel Service Option
- The customer has driven less than 75 miles
- The fee can be removed if the customer presents a gas purchase receipt to Customer Service.
The fact that the charges can be removed if the customer notices the overcharge and presents a gas purchase receipt demonstrates that this overcharge may be widespread and improper. This Fuel Service Charge may in fact be a breach of the contractual provisions.
Our investigation has determined that the Fuel Service Charge is automatically added to a customer's bill despite the fact that the customer has agreed to fill up prior to returning the vehicle. This billing practice may be in violation of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA), as well as federal regulations under The Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA).
- Budget Rent A Car may be overcharging their clients.
- Scrutinized your bill.
- Read your rental agreement.
At Feldman, Fox & Morgado we are now investigating this apparently unfair billing practice without notification. This action may be contrary to the rental agreement signed by the consumer and is under investigation. Below are the policy statements for fuel on the Budget website.
Does the cost of the rental include the fuel?
Answer: Budget's rates do not include the cost of fuel. You have three options:
- Pay in advance for a full tank of fuel and bring the car back empty. Our rates for this Fuel Service Option are comparable to the current local retail pump price. If you select this option, you should bring the car back as close to empty as possible, because no credit will be given for unused fuel; or
- If you aren't sure how far you'll be driving, but plan to stop for gas, don't accept the Fuel Service Option. Simply bring the car back full, provide a receipt for your gas purchase, and you'll avoid any refueling service charge; or
- If you don't choose the Fuel Service Option and you bring the car back less than full, you'll pay a fuel service charge. If you drive 75 miles or more, depending on whether or not you bought fuel during your rental, this charge will be a per-mile or per-gallon rate and will be stated on your rental agreement. At most locations, if you drive less than 75 miles, an automatic USD $13.99 (USD $10.50 effective February 26, 2009) after fuel service charge will be applied, which can be avoided if you've purchased fuel and provide us with a receipt.
Read all of the Budget Rent A Car common questions here.
Read a copy of the Rental Terms and Conditions.
If you have rented from Budget in the past four years for business or pleasure and opted out of the pre-paid Fuel Service Option, please review your receipt closely. You may have been overcharged the Fuel Service Charge, despite the fact that you filled the car's fuel tank prior to return. Look at your receipts closely to determine if you may in fact be eligible for a reimbursement.
At Feldman, Fox & Morgado we are seeking information and witnesses for our investigation. We will review your bills and receipts in order to determine if your information may be valuable to our Budget Overcharge Class Action.
Contact Feldman, Fox & Morgado today. Se Habla Español
