Avis class action overview:
- Who: Plaintiffs Tyler Livingston and Donald Veach filed a class action lawsuit against Avis Budget Group.
- Why: Livngsont and Welch claim Avis and Budget improperly charged customers a fuel service charge, despite them choosing the self service option that should have negated such a charge.
- Where: The Avis fuel charge lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Jersey.
A new Avis class action lawsuit claims that Avis and Budget improperly charged customers a fuel service charge even when they choose the self-serve option of refueling a rental vehicle.
Consumers have the option of self service, paying for a full tank of gas or paying an EZFuel charge for driving fewer than 75 miles. But those who choose self service are still charged the Avis fuel charge, the class action says.
“Consumers who utilize the self-service option are ultimately forced to pay for fuel twice,” the Avis class action says. “First, they pay to fill the rental vehicle with fuel before dropping it off, as required by the self-service fuel option. Second, they are required to pay the fuel service charge after they return the vehicle.”
Customers filled tanks, received Avis fuel charge anyway
Plaintiffs Tyler Livingston and Donald Veach were both verbally told that they filled their rental vehicles’ tanks before returning it but later received receipts that included a fuel charge, according to the Avis class action.
Livingston says on two occasions, he filled up one mile from his rental car drop-off location at Albuquerque International Airport, and an Avis customer service worker verbally confirmed his rental car’s tank was full. However, Livingston’s receipts for the rentals showed he had not fully filled up; he was charged $12.16 and $3.12 for fuel service on the two occasions, the Avis class action says.
Veach returned a vehicle to Budget with a full tank, which was acknowledged as full on the receipt, but was still charged $15.99 for fuel service, according to the Avis fuel charge lawsuit.
Avis Budget Group agreed to pay $45 million to resolve claims in a now-closed settlement that it charged renters hidden fees for electronic toll payment services.
Have you received an Avis fuel charge for taking the self-serve option? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Joseph G. Sauder, Matthew D. Schelkopf, Joseph B. Kenney and Juliette T. Mogenson of Sauder Schelkopf LLC.
The Avis class action lawsuit is Livingston, et al. v. Avis Budget Group Inc., et al., Case No. 2:24-cv-05203, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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21 thoughts onAvis class action claims company imposes unfair fuel charge for self-service option
This exact scenario has just happened to me and happened twice to my husband in recent months at LAX. We opt to fuel up before returning the car, the car is returned full, then I get an extra 18.99 charge after. The receipt in the Avis APP states it’s for Local Tax. But the detailed receipt I send to my employer states Fuel Service. Today I called Avis to ask about it and was told that it’s an error and they will remove it, and when I asked why this error keeps happening, I was told I need to show the gas receipt to the attendant when I return the car to make sure it doesn’t happen. At LAX quite often there is no attendant standing by when we return the vehicle. I’ve been renting from Avis for almost 20 years and have never had to show my gas receipt before. If you want us to be part of your class action suit, we’re all in.
I have routinely been charged a “fuel Service”: fee in spite of filling up the car prior to returning. This seems particularly problematic out of BNA. Usually I am refunded after providing receipts but the process is both irritating and time consuming.
I was hit with a .12 fuel charge…
On an EV rental
Yes I was charged 18 months ago and now recently another $177 refuel charge and countless emails to resolve
Avis has overcharged me on every single rental. Please make sure you check your receipt’s thoroughly, especially the section “Your Taxable Fees” located on the left side towards the bottom. I was charged a Misc. Charge $60.00, Fuel Service $92.40, Vehicle
License Recoup $2.00/DY $88, Extension Fee $48.00, Late Fee $330.00/DY $330, and a loss damage waiver I never requested for $25.00. This company is exploiting customers with hidden fees.
This is an ongoing problem with this company that happens repeatedly when I rent. I’m a President’s Club member. Not just during short distance rentals. Just a couple of days ago, I returned a car. I got the standard “go to the terminal, we’ll email you the receipt later”. I knew better and waited for a return agent to check in the car. I specifically told her that I had filled up the car (I drove about 500 miles). She didn’t ask for a receipt, which I was prepared to show. I received the email, and could tell right away that I was charged for fuel. I went to the Preferred counter and was told they can’t fix it because their computers are down. Called Customer Service, and was told I have to wait for a couple of days for the contract to close out. They used to fix it right away. I am so fed up with this company! Unfortunately I’m stuck with them because they have a neighborhood location close to where I live, unlike their competition. I often rent there for business, and return to the airport later to fly out. Their business model seems to be based on fraud.
I rented from Budget at the Sacramento California airport and filled the tank at the airport service sation, approx .4 miles from turn-in (on Nov 25, 2024). I asked the receiving agent to confirm that I was not being charged for fuel and he did. Then I received a bill with a $15 charge for 1.3 gal. Supposedly the system measured the number of gallons put in and used. When I filled up at the airport, I filled until the pump clicked. It appears that there is no way for a renter to know whether Budget considers the tank “full” until after receiving the bill.
Avis/Budget also overcharged me last month, one of those false charges was for $77. When I returned the car with a full tank. When I returned the car, I asked the agent to come outside and do an inspection, and she told me she could not leave the desk because she was the only one there… And to just leave the car where she could press the alarm button and hear that it was there! I received a bill for $2400 that should have been closer to $1600. I am currently writing a letter to Avis budget headquarters, since this has not yet been resolved.
This happened to me today, 11/12/24 in PNS after dropping my car off and the last time i rented a car earlier this year. They are srill doing it!!
This is happening to me today as well. They over charged me by $97 I went out of my way to fill up tank.