Auto Europe's Fuel Guide

We have recently added a new feature to our booking engine, designed to make it even easier for clients to see what fuel policy applies to the cars displayed. This new feature also allows you to use the Filters to display only cars with "Pick up Full & Return Full" or only with "Pre-purchased Fuel & Return Empty". So what do these options mean? Take a look at our explanation below.

Full to Full - The car is provided with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank

With this option, the car is provided with a full tank of fuel for which the client does not have to pay. The client must return the car with a full tank of fuel at the end of the rental period. If the client fails to return the car with a full tank, the supplier will charge them for the missing fuel plus a refueling fee, which can end up being fairly expensive. Before taking the car, the client should ensure the rental agreement has the correct fuel amount written down. If it is not correct, the client should ask the local staff to amend it prior to leaving with the car. This type of fuel policy is what most clients consider to be the "default", as for many years it was the one most commonly used by suppliers.

Full to empty - Pay for the initial tank locally and return as empty as possible

With this option, you will have to pay for the tank of fuel locally and then return the car with the tank as empty as possible, since there will be no refund for unused fuel. This fuel policy is incredibly common in Southern Europe, but also at other destinations. It is ideal for people who will use the car a lot and don't want to be bothered with having to refuel it before returning it to the supplier. Please note, however, that the fuel charge will be higher than what you would pay for fuel at a pump, since the supplier will also charge a "refueling charge" on top of the fuel itself. Some suppliers will issue a refund for unused fuel in rental periods up to 3 days, but not all suppliers do.