Why should you plan the final refuelling stop before returning the car?
The final fuel stop before returning a rental car sounds like a simple task. At least until there are only forty minutes left before your flight, the nearest pump is occupied, your bank card suddenly refuses to work and the navigation app decides to show you one more industrial estate somewhere around Alicante.
Before returning a vehicle near Alicante Airport, it is therefore worth checking in advance:
- which fuel level is required by the rental agreement;
- which type of fuel the vehicle uses;
- where a convenient petrol station is located along your route;
- how much time will remain after refuelling before reaching the return point;
- where exactly the vehicle must be returned;
- how long you will need to reach the terminal afterwards.
A little planning can help avoid unnecessary stress, additional costs and the rather pointless end-of-holiday question: “Does anyone know where the nearest petrol station is?”
Do you always need to refuel before returning a rental car?
This depends on the fuel policy of the specific rental agreement.
Before returning the vehicle, check your documents and confirm which fuel level is required at return.
Depending on the rental conditions, the vehicle may need to be returned:
- with the same fuel level as at collection;
- with a full tank;
- with another fuel level specified by the particular rate or agreement.
Do not automatically rely on the rule that applied with another rental company or during a previous trip.
The main source of information here is fairly boring but impressively reliable: your rental agreement.
What should you check before the final refuelling stop?
Before driving up to the pump, it is useful to check a few things.
- the current fuel level on the dashboard;
- the required fuel level at return;
- the correct fuel type;
- the route to the return location;
- the distance to Alicante Airport;
- the time remaining before the return and your flight.
If the car already has enough fuel, there is little reason to search for a petrol station many kilometres away from your route simply to save a small amount per litre.
Before a flight, convenience is often worth more than saving a few cents on fuel.
Where is it convenient to refuel before returning a car at Alicante Airport?
There are several petrol stations around Alicante Airport, El Altet and Torrellano, so it is normally possible to refuel shortly before returning the car without driving into central Alicante.
Useful reference points near the airport include:
- Repsol in El Altet at Avenida de Cartagena 59;
- FTH on the Carretera Elche-El Altet, around kilometre 10;
- Galp near the A-70 in the Torrellano area.
The best station depends on the direction you are travelling from, current traffic, opening hours and the fuel type you need.
Before setting off, it is sensible to check the current route in your navigation app. Traffic conditions and petrol station opening hours can change.
Where should you refuel if you are coming from Alicante?
If you are travelling towards the airport from Alicante, it is usually more convenient to choose a petrol station along the route towards El Altet and Alicante Airport without making a significant detour.
The purpose of the final refuelling stop is not to find the cheapest pump in the entire province. It is to:
- bring the vehicle to the required fuel level;
- avoid an unnecessary detour;
- keep enough time in reserve;
- continue calmly to the return point afterwards.
If your navigation app offers a saving of a few cents per litre in exchange for an additional twenty-minute journey, that becomes a rather questionable investment before a flight.
Where should you refuel when returning from Benidorm or Calpe?
If you are returning to Alicante Airport from Benidorm, Altea or Calpe, you will generally approach from the northern part of the Costa Blanca.
In this case, it is convenient to choose a petrol station near the final part of the route, for example around Torrellano or El Altet.
There is normally no need to drive into central Alicante just to refuel if a more convenient option is available along your route.
Before the final kilometres, check the navigation again and make sure the selected petrol station is actually in the direction of your return point rather than on the opposite side of the road with a twenty-minute detour. Navigation apps occasionally appear to consider such details part of the sightseeing experience.
Where should you refuel when returning from Torrevieja or Santa Pola?
If you are travelling from Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura or Santa Pola, you will generally approach Alicante Airport from the south.
You can choose a petrol station along your route and complete the final refuelling before entering the airport area.
It is better not to wait for literally the last possible petrol station.
If there is a queue or a payment problem, you will still have the option of using another station without immediately risking a late return or missed flight.
Where should you refuel when coming from Elche?
Elche is located close to Alicante Airport, and there are several refuelling options along the route towards El Altet.
If you are returning from Elche, it can be convenient to select a station on the final part of the journey and then continue directly to the return location.
Do not focus only on the physical distance to the airport terminal.
SOLO rent a car operates in the El Altet area, so the vehicle should be returned according to the company’s instructions and the address shown in your rental documents.
How close to the airport should you refuel?
Refuelling a few kilometres from the return point is normally more practical than doing the final fuel stop 50 or 100 kilometres away.
The reason is simple: after a longer drive, the displayed fuel level may change slightly again.
A recent receipt from a petrol station close to the airport can also provide useful additional documentation that the vehicle was returned with the required fuel level.
There is no need, however, to search obsessively for a petrol station exactly one hundred metres from the return point.
The important thing is that the distance after refuelling is reasonable and does not require a long additional journey.
Should you fill the tank right up to the top?
No. There is no need to keep adding fuel after the pump automatically stops.
If a full tank is required, normal refuelling until the automatic shut-off is generally sufficient.
Do not continue forcing additional fuel into the tank simply to make the gauge look slightly more convincing.
Overfilling the tank does not make the return procedure more correct.
How do you identify the correct fuel type?
Before refuelling, always make sure which fuel the vehicle requires.
You can usually check:
- inside the fuel flap;
- on the fuel cap;
- in the vehicle documentation;
- in the information provided when the car was collected.
Petrol and diesel are common in Spain, but you should not guess the fuel type based on the size of the car or the sound of the engine.
A modern SUV may be petrol, diesel, hybrid or something else entirely, because the automotive industry has also chosen to make simple questions more interesting than necessary.
What should you do if you are not sure which fuel to use?
If you are unsure, do not begin refuelling.
Instead:
- check the markings on the vehicle;
- review the rental agreement or documents;
- contact the rental company;
- ask a petrol station employee if the vehicle markings clearly identify the fuel.
A few minutes spent checking are considerably cheaper than dealing with the consequences of filling the car with the wrong fuel.
What should you do if you accidentally use the wrong fuel?
If you notice the mistake during refuelling or immediately afterwards, do not start the engine.
Contact the rental company and follow the instructions provided.
If the engine has already been started, stop as soon as it is safe to do so and inform the rental company.
Using the wrong fuel may require towing, draining and cleaning the fuel system and potentially repairs.
The strategy “I will just keep driving and maybe nothing will happen” belongs to the category of experiments best avoided with a rental car.
Should you keep the receipt from the final refuelling?
Yes, it is useful.
The receipt may provide additional information such as:
- the date;
- the time;
- the location;
- the fuel type;
- the number of litres;
- the amount paid.
It is particularly useful to keep the receipt until the rental has been fully closed.
You do not need to store it for the next twenty years beside your birth certificate. Simply avoid throwing it away thirty seconds after leaving the petrol station.
Should you photograph the fuel level after refuelling?
A dashboard photo after the final refuelling is useful additional documentation of the vehicle’s condition before return.
If possible, the photo should show:
- the fuel level;
- the mileage;
- the time or other dashboard information where visible;
- the absence of unexpected warning lights.
It is useful to take one photo after refuelling and another immediately before leaving the vehicle at the return location.
Photos do not replace the official inspection, but they can help if questions later arise about fuel or mileage.
What if the fuel gauge does not immediately show a full tank?
In some vehicles, the fuel gauge does not update instantly.
After refuelling, you may need to:
- switch on the ignition;
- start the vehicle;
- drive a short distance;
- wait for the reading to update.
If you are sure the vehicle was correctly refuelled, keep the receipt and photograph the dashboard once the reading has updated.
What should you do if there is a long queue at the petrol station?
If time is becoming tight and the selected petrol station is very busy, you do not necessarily need to wait there.
There are several refuelling options around El Altet, Torrellano and Alicante Airport.
Check your navigation app and compare:
- the distance to another station;
- the additional driving time;
- current traffic;
- the time remaining before the return;
- the opening hours of the alternative petrol station.
Sometimes it is faster to drive to the next station than to spend twenty minutes watching someone who has already finished refuelling but has only just started choosing a coffee.
What should you do if your bank card does not work at the pump?
Payment procedures differ between petrol stations.
You may pay:
- directly at the pump terminal;
- inside before refuelling;
- inside after refuelling;
- through a pre-authorisation for a certain amount.
If your card is not accepted at the pump, there is no need to panic.
Check whether you can pay at the counter or use another card.
When travelling towards the airport, it is useful to have at least one alternative payment method available.
Why can a temporary card hold appear after refuelling?
Some automatic petrol stations use a pre-authorisation on the bank card.
This means that before refuelling begins, the bank may temporarily reserve a particular amount.
After the transaction is completed, the actual fuel purchase is processed, while the temporary hold is handled by the bank according to its procedures.
If your banking app shows an amount larger than the actual fuel purchase immediately after refuelling, this does not necessarily mean the larger amount has been permanently charged.
Should you search for the cheapest petrol station near Alicante Airport?
Fuel price matters, but before returning a rental car, time matters as well.
A difference of a few cents per litre may save a small amount of money.
But if achieving that saving requires you to:
- leave your route;
- drive additional kilometres;
- lose twenty minutes;
- enter busy traffic again;
- risk being late for the vehicle return or your flight,
the saving quickly becomes less meaningful.
Near an airport, time can occasionally be the most expensive fuel of all.
How much time should you leave between refuelling and returning the vehicle?
There is no universal number of minutes that works for every journey.
However, you should consider:
- the distance from the petrol station to the return location;
- traffic;
- possible roadworks;
- finding the correct entrance;
- parking;
- unloading luggage;
- vehicle inspection;
- returning the keys;
- travelling to the terminal afterwards.
It is better to finish refuelling a little earlier than to still be standing at a petrol pump while the airline app starts enthusiastically reminding you that boarding has begun.
How can you avoid confusing the airport terminal with the car return point?
One common mistake before departure is entering “Alicante Airport” into the navigation app automatically, even though the rental vehicle must be returned to a different address.
The rental company may have a separate office, car park or designated return location close to the airport.
Before the final fuel stop, open your booking instructions and check the exact return point.
For SOLO rent a car customers in Alicante, the vehicle is returned in the El Altet area according to the address provided in the rental instructions.
First the vehicle is returned, and then the traveller goes to the terminal. Reversing that order can occasionally produce an interesting but entirely unnecessary tour around the airport.
Can you return the vehicle in Alicante at night?
For SOLO rent a car customers, vehicle return in Alicante may be available around the clock, but if the return takes place outside normal office hours, the company should be informed in advance and the provided instructions must be followed.
Before a night return, pay particular attention to:
- the opening hours of the selected petrol station;
- the exact return address;
- parking instructions;
- the key return procedure;
- how you will continue to the airport afterwards.
Do not assume that everything works exactly the same way at night as it does during the day.
What should you do if you are already late for the return?
If it becomes clear during the final refuelling stop that you will not return the vehicle on time, contact the rental company.
Do not try to make up the delay through:
- speeding;
- unsafe manoeuvres;
- skipping required return procedures;
- leaving the vehicle in a random location.
Provide your estimated arrival time and follow the instructions you receive.
A few minutes of delay that the rental company knows about in advance are usually much easier to deal with than the mysterious disappearance of both customer and car after the agreement has ended.
What should you do if the fuel level is slightly below the required level?
If you notice before the return that the fuel level does not meet the rental conditions, it is better to resolve the issue before handing the vehicle back.
If it is possible to refuel safely, do so.
Do not assume that a small difference will definitely go unnoticed or be considered irrelevant.
The fuel conditions form part of the rental agreement and may be checked when the rental is closed.
What if the car has more fuel than it had at collection?
If you accidentally add more fuel than required by the rental conditions, this does not necessarily mean that the difference will be automatically reimbursed.
The rules depend on the specific agreement.
It is therefore better to aim for the required fuel level rather than intentionally exceeding it significantly.
Should you take the return photos immediately after the final refuelling?
This is a convenient sequence.
After the final fuel stop, you can:
- keep the receipt;
- photograph the dashboard;
- drive to the return location;
- take final photos of the vehicle;
- document the fuel level and mileage once more.
This leaves you with a clear sequence of documentation showing the vehicle’s condition immediately before return.
What else can you check during the final fuel stop?
The final petrol station stop is also a convenient moment for a quick vehicle check before return.
Look for:
- any new visible damage;
- whether the tyres appear normal;
- warning lights on the dashboard;
- personal belongings left in the doors or cabin;
- anything still left in the boot;
- all documents and keys.
This takes only a couple of minutes and is considerably more pleasant than remembering at the terminal that your passport is still sitting in the door pocket.
Refuelling before returning a SOLO rent a car vehicle in Alicante
If you are returning a SOLO rent a car vehicle in Alicante, check the fuel conditions in your agreement and your return instructions in advance.
The office and return point are located in the El Altet area close to Alicante Airport. There are several petrol stations in El Altet and Torrellano, so the final refuelling can conveniently be completed shortly before return without driving into central Alicante.
After refuelling, it is recommended to:
- keep the receipt;
- photograph the fuel level;
- document the mileage;
- check the vehicle for any new damage;
- follow the exact return address shown in the rental documents;
- inform the company in advance if returning outside normal office hours.
If you are travelling to Alicante Airport from Benidorm, Calpe, Altea, Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Elche or Alicante itself, it is usually convenient to choose a petrol station along your route around El Altet or Torrellano and leave enough time in reserve.
The final twenty minutes of a rental really do not need to become the most eventful twenty minutes of the entire holiday.
Common mistakes when refuelling before returning a car at Alicante Airport
Common mistakes include:
- not checking the fuel policy in the agreement;
- leaving refuelling until the final few minutes;
- driving far off the route for a minimal difference in fuel price;
- not checking the correct fuel type;
- throwing away the receipt immediately;
- not photographing the fuel level;
- confusing the airport terminal with the vehicle return point;
- not checking petrol station opening hours before a night return;
- not allowing for traffic;
- continuing to add fuel after the pump automatically stops;
- not informing the rental company about a delay.
The best final fuel stop before the airport is usually the one you no longer need to think about ten minutes later.
Frequently asked questions about refuelling before returning a car at Alicante Airport
Do I need to return the car with a full tank?
This depends on the fuel policy of your rental agreement. Check which fuel level is required when the vehicle is returned.
Where can I refuel near Alicante Airport?
There are several petrol stations around El Altet and Torrellano close to Alicante Airport. The most convenient choice depends on your route, fuel type, petrol station opening hours and current traffic conditions.
Should I keep the fuel receipt?
Yes. It is useful to keep the receipt from the final refuelling until the rental has been fully closed.
Should I photograph the fuel level?
This is recommended as additional documentation. Take a photo of the dashboard after the final refuelling and before leaving the vehicle.
What should I do if I am not sure which fuel the car uses?
Do not begin refuelling. Check the markings on the vehicle or contact the rental company.
What should I do if I put the wrong fuel in the car?
If you notice the mistake immediately, do not start the engine. Contact the rental company and follow the instructions provided.
Can I refuel far away from the airport?
Yes, provided the fuel level at return meets the rental conditions. However, a final fuel stop relatively close to the return location is normally more convenient.
What should I do if the nearest petrol station is closed?
Check your navigation app for another station along your route. For a night return, it is better to check opening hours in advance.
What should I do if I am late after refuelling?
Contact the rental company and provide your estimated arrival time. Do not try to make up the delay by driving dangerously.
Where should I return a SOLO rent a car vehicle in Alicante?
Follow the address and instructions shown in your booking documents. SOLO rent a car vehicle return in Alicante takes place in the El Altet area close to Alicante Airport.
Why is Alicante Airport a convenient starting and finishing point for a Costa Blanca road trip?
Alicante Airport is conveniently located for road trips around the Costa Blanca.
From here, travellers can easily reach Alicante, Elche, Santa Pola, Torrevieja, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe and many other destinations by car.
When planning the return journey, the final fuel stop can easily be included in the route towards the airport.
This allows the trip to end in a simple sequence:
- drive towards Alicante Airport;
- complete the final refuelling;
- return the vehicle;
- hand back the keys;
- continue to the terminal;
- and finally enjoy the moment when responsibility for transportation becomes the airline’s problem again.
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