Fuel your car hire with 3 simple options!
Choose a refuelling option that works for you
Whether you’re hiring an SUV, ute or EV, we have 3 options to fuel or charge your rental car:
1. Pre-Paid
Worried you’ll forget to refuel your rental car before returning? Pre-pay for a full tank, and you’ll drive off fully prepared for your next trip away. There are no refunds for unused fuel, but you’ll get a discounted rate compared with post-paying for fuel.
2. Refuel Yourself
Just like with a friend’s car, returning it with a full tank of fuel is a great thing to do. All of our car rentals are full-to-full as standard, unless you opt for a fuel service.
3. Post-Pay
If you choose not to pre-pay or refuel the car, we will charge you for the fuel used through our refuelling station. It’s a more expensive option but heaps more convenient for you.
Fuelling Options for Petrol and Diesel Cars
| Pre-Paid | Refuel Yourself | Post-Pay | |
| What is it | You can opt to pre-pay for a full tank of fuel at the start of your rental at a discounted rate to avoid the hassle of having to refuel the vehicle before returning it | As standard, all of our car rentals are full-to-full, meaning you pick it up with a full tank and return it with a full tank. | Pay to have your rental car’s empty tank refuelled by us upon returning. It’s a flexible option for when you run out of time on the road. |
| When to book | When booking or picking up your vehicle. | N/A this option is our default. | N/A, if you return empty, we will automatically add a post-pay option to your invoice. |
| Pricing | Varies depending on vehicle size and city + standard fees and charges. | No extra fee. | Refuelling cost + standard fees and charges, generally a lot higher than pump price and charged if the vehicle is not returned full of fuel. |
| Tank at Pick up | Full | Full | Full |
| Tank on return | Empty | Full | Anywhere between empty and 90%. We will only charge you for the fuel we top up. |
| Invoiced | Provided during initial hire or on pick-up. An updated version will be sent if any tolls or other supplemental charges are incurred. | No extra fee on your invoice. | Provided after the car is returned and refuelling is completed. |
| Extra Terms | No refunds for unused fuel, so return close to empty for the most benefit. | N/A. | Refuelling charge varies, and we only charge you for the fuel we top up. |
| Who this suits | Business travellers, families and DIYers. People short on time who don’t want the hassle of refuelling before returning. | Long road trippers and travellers. Those who are able to plan and refuel close to their rental car drop-off point. | Business travellers or day trippers. Convenient for those who run out of time to refuel near their drop-off point. |
| Convenience vs price | Very convenient as you won’t have to refuel on returning your car. Cheaper than post-pay, though more costly than self-refuelling. | Requires planning to refuel close to your drop-off point, though often the most cost-effective option. | Convenient if you’re short on time, but more expensive than other options. |
Fueling Options for EVs and Plug-In Hybrids
| Pre-Paid | Refuel Yourself | Post-Pay | |
| What is it | Pay ahead of time to have your car recharged by us. | Refuel and recharge your rental car yourself before returning. | Drop the car back empty and the recharge/refuel cost will be added to your post rental invoice. |
| When to book | When booking or at pick-up. | N/A, this is our default option. | N/A, if you return empty, we will automatically add a post-pay option to your invoice. |
| Pricing | Varies depending on vehicle size and city + standard fees and charges. | No extra fee applied. | Refuelling cost + standard fees and charges, generally a lot higher than a charging station price and charged if the vehicle is not returned full of fuel. |
| Battery at pick up | Full | Full | Full |
| Battery on return | Empty | Full | Anywhere between empty and 90%. We will only fee for the charge we top up. |
| Invoice | Provided during initial hire. An updated version will be sent if any tolls or other supplemental charges are incurred. | Supplied after car is returned and full battery recharge is verified | Provided after car is returned and recharging is completed. |
| Extra Terms | No refunds for unused fuel, so return close to empty for the most benefit. | Your rental car must be refuelled and charged in full upon returning. | Charging costs vary, and we only charge you for what we top up. |
| Who this suits | Business travellers or EV users unable to recharge and refuel before dropping off their rental. | Pre-planners who can organise to recharge and refuel their EV before returning. | People who are time-constrained and able to pay higher refuelling and recharging costs. |
| Convenience vs price | Convenient if you want to spend as little time charging or refuelling as possible, though more costly than returning your vehicle fully charged. Cheaper than post-pay, though more costly than self-charging. | The least expensive option among both petrol and hybrid cars, though it requires planning to refuel and recharge close to your drop-off point. | Convenient if you’re short on time to refuel and recharge, but more expensive than other options. |
Refuelling Options for Business Car Rentals
Each of our business car rental plans can be tailored to your convenience. With our business accounts, you’ll be able to choose whether to have pre-paid fuel or refill the tank yourself.
A Spot On Refuelling Checklist
What to check before pick-up
Petrol/Diesel cars
- Confirm the policy: Make sure you have confirmed which fuel option you wish to use, and are across mandatory charge rates.
- Take a picture of the gauge before driving away: To keep track of fuel levels at the start of your trip, simply take a photograph with your phone or other camera.
- Check the fuel type: Confirm whether your car takes unleaded, diesel, or any other type of fuel before you drive off. This way, you’ll prevent having to pay a fee for refuelling with the wrong fuel type.
- Balance convenience and price when choosing your fuel option: Choose which option suits your planning style, while also considering how much you’ll be paying out of pocket. Different fuel options give you different levels of control over your final price, which is worth considering.
EV and Hybrid
- Confirm the charge policy: Make sure you’re aware of whether you can return the car with a full or partial charge.
- Take a picture of the battery level: Just like with a standard petrol car, a simple photo is a surefire way to record the battery level of your electric car rental before driving away.
- Check the charging cable connector type: Confirming your charging cable connector type means planning recharging is that bit easier. Whether it’s a fast charge or standard connector, you’ll be aware of the options available to you.
- Plan charging stops in advance: By planning your charging stops ahead of time, you’ll prevent having to rely on your plug-in hybrid’s fuel reserves, saving you money.
- Charge earlier than you think: Earlier charging means less chance of needing to switch to fuel if your battery runs low.
- Book hotels with free charging stations: Hotels with free charging stations give you the convenience of charging your plug-in hybrid car while you rest.
- Balance convenience and price when choosing your fuel option: Ultimately, you want your trip to run smoothly. Take the hassle out by choosing the right option that suits your convenience and pricing needs.
What to do before you return the vehicle
Petrol/Diesel cars:
- For pre-pay, use as much fuel as possible: To get the most out of your pre-paid fuel plan, we recommend using your rental car as much as possible. Enjoy the open road, and drive wherever you desire.
- For post-pay, use as little fuel as possible: Leave as much fuel in the tank as you can to lessen your post-pay refuel charges.
- Refuel yourself, choose a petrol station close to the drop-off location: Refuelling close to your drop-off point means you’ll have a full tank on returning your car. You’ll avoid being hit with extra refuelling fees for a half-full or empty tank.
- Take a picture of the fuel gauge: Keep a record of the fuel gauge before you leave with a quick picture on your phone. That way, you’ll be able to refer back to it if refuelling, or in the unlikely event of a dispute.
EV and Hybrid
- For pre-pay, use as much battery as possible: If you’ve pre-paid for your car’s battery to be recharged by us, make the most of it! Make the most of your hybrid and the fuel savings it offers.
- For post-pay, use as little battery as possible: Returning your plug-in hybrid car with as much battery charge as possible means you’ll pay less in recharging fees.
- Refuel yourself, choose a charging station close to the drop-off location: Refuelling and recharging your hybrid rental car nearby means you’ll avoid post-pay refuel and recharge fees.
- Ensure cables are in the car: Before returning your hybrid or EV, make sure all cables are left inside the car. If cables are missing, you may be charged an additional damage fee.
- Take a picture of the battery level: As with a standard petrol car, take a photo of your EV’s battery level before hitting the road. This is proof of your car’s battery level before use, as you are generally expected to return your car with the same level of charge as when you first received it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the car come with a full tank or charge?
Yes! Every Redspot car comes with a full tank of fuel or a fully charged battery, so you won’t have to stress about charging or refuelling before you hit the open road!
Does Redspot have a full-to-full policy?
Yes, we do. When renting a car with Redspot, you’ll receive it with a full tank of fuel. Upon returning your car with a full tank, you won’t have to worry about refuelling fees.
What is a fuel service charge on a rental car?
If you return your rental car with a partially or fully empty tank of petrol, you will pay a fuel service charge to have your car refuelled by us.
What happens if I do not refuel before returning the car?
If you don’t refuel your rented car before returning it, you will incur a refuelling fee. This refuelling fee is charged at a higher rate than the pre-paid fuel option we offer.
What happens if I return the EV with less charge?
If you return an electric vehicle with less charge than when you picked it up, you will have to pay a recharging fee. This is a similar policy to our petrol cars, which are returned with less fuel in the tank than when they were picked up.
Do EV rental cars come with a charging cable?
In general, yes. All of our plug-in EVs come with an applicable charging cable. If you do not find a charging cable with your car, notify a Redspot staff member as soon as possible.
What happens if the car only has 80% fuel in the tank at pick-up?
Before leaving your car pick-up spot, you should take a photo showing the fuel level and inform Redspot staff of the fuel level. However we go out of our way to ensure all cars are full at pickup.
Is it cheaper to pre-pay for fuel or refuel myself?
Generally speaking, it will be cheaper for you to refuel your rental car yourself before returning, instead of pre-paying for your fuel. This is because pre-payments have you paying for a full tank of fuel, regardless of how much you actually use.
Is prepaid fuel refundable?
Unfortunately, pre-paid fuel is not refundable. Regardless of how much fuel is left in the tank when you return your car, you will pay the same amount.
How do I know what fuel my rental car takes?
You can find out which type of fuel your rental car takes by checking inside your fuel cap. Additionally, the fuel type is listed on your car rental form, and may also be indicated on your car’s key tag.
What is the most fuel-efficient rental car you have?
Our most fuel-efficient rental cars tend to be our hybrid cars. The Toyota Yaris Cross and the Kia Niro Plus are both excellent hybrid cars to rent.