Did she happen to mention whether she was renting from one of the "big"
companies?

Some major credit cards give you theft and collision damage insurance for
car rentals paid for with their card. Here's the description of the plan
on my AMEX card:

http://tinyurl.com/389e82

I think letting the rental company charge you for the gas they put in if
you return with the fuel gage below the "F" mark isn't a bad deal even at
a significant premium price per gallon if it saves you having to look for
a gas station near the return lot in what quite possibly be unfamiliar
territory to you. And especially so if you're worried about making a
flight on time.



even if you think you bring it back completely full, you can be charged
$6.00 for every gallon that they can fit into that tank. They hold a meter
device up to it & it reads the volume. I have done this both ways. It cost
more to try & take the cheaper way out. It is definitely not worth the BS.