Budget "fuel service fee" & EZFuel program

[WSJ Law Blog]

Small Car-Rental Fee Leads to Big Court Fight

For many, those pesky fees at the rental car counter are simply a part of life. But Michael Salling decided to make a federal case out of it.



Salling, of Lakewood, Ohio, rented a Hyundai Elantra from the Budget Rent-A-Car counter at Cleveland’s airport, drove it 64 miles, refilled the gas tank, and returned the car on full. Still, Budget charged him a $13.99 fuel service fee, a relatively small sum that set off a big legal battle that has lasted for well over two years.

Salling sued in federal court, claiming that the $13.99 charge was a breach of contract by Budget under Ohio law, according to an opinion on Wednesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Salling claimed his contract with Budget allowed him to avoid the charge by returning his rental with a full tank. Budget countered that Salling not only needed to return the car with a full tank, but also had to submit a receipt for his fuel purchase to avoid charges under its EZFUEL program.

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