BudgetReviews 155

We were on a road trip and hit something in the road causing damage to our vehicle. We were in Grand Island, Nebraska. When it looked like our car was not going to be fixed anytime soon, we went online and reserved a car at the Budget Lincoln, Nebraska Airport location, PAID, and then arranged a very expensive Lyft ride to get there. Hours later, when we were halfway there in the Lyft vehicle, the employee at that location calls me and tells me there are no cars. I was shocked and trying to process what he said and asking him to clarify and he told me "What do you want me to say? I can't give you what I don't have!" and had the nerve to get annoyed at me! Then on top of it he said I myself had to call "corporate" and cancel it if I wanted my money back. That he couldn't do it. Wouldn't do it, is my guess. I called corporate and to her credit, the representative was kind and helpful and did process our cancellation/refund. But the on site representative could not have cared less. We were literally stranded at the airport hundreds of miles from home with a broken down vehicle that was now an hour and a half away from us. So we had to pay for another very expensive Lyft ride back to Grand Island! Because of the mismanagement of this location, we spent $300 in Lyft rides, and 3 hours of travel time, trying to pick up a vehicle that we paid for that was never there. And on top of that had to deal with a surly, rude employee. Avoid Budget at all costs!

I rented a large 7 passenger suv. That I paid for in advanced. When I arrived, Iwas told that I had to take a car that I had rented 6 months befor and told to take it or leave. Someone came over and found out that I did rent an SUV but gave me a 5 passenger SUV which cost half as much as what I paid for. Customer service manager Dolton******* and manager Zena******* do not give a damm and offered me a very small portion of the difference. When I asked to speak to someone higher they said NO! I also can not get a veteren discount or a senior discount. Budget car rentel is a scam

**Budget Car Rental at Columbus Airport—A Nightmare Experience!** I had an absolutely **terrible** experience with Budget Car Rental at the Columbus, Ohio airport. They **charged me $651.90 upfront**, only to **leave me stranded without a vehicle** due to an eligibility issue—AFTER they had already taken my money. Shouldn't they verify eligibility **before** charging customers? Because I was stuck without a rental, I had no choice but to *call an Uber and spend an extra $100, money I didn't have because Budget was still holding onto my $651. I had specifically saved that money for my rental, but since Budget failed to provide the car and still hasn't refunded me, I was forced to cover the cost of another vehicle—**one that I should have already had in the first place**. Budget's booking process is **misleading, inefficient, and financially damaging**. If you're traveling through Columbus airport, **avoid Budget at all costs**—unless you want to risk losing hundreds of dollars and scrambling for last-minute transportation and funds.

Are you planning to rent a car any time soon? Here's a little advice for you. If you have a choice between Budget Car Rental and an escaped convict renting 3 legged mules, pick the mules.
I have been fleeced, scammed, and flimflammed most thoroughly. At least with the escaped convict I might have seen it coming right? I rented a car and prepaid ($359.08), thinking all would be well. Got said car and rolled down the road to later discover that the air conditioner didn't work. Also, it hadn't been thoroughly cleaned. Cupcake wrappers, corndog sticks, tic tacs, notes about homework, etc...
I called to make a complaint. No problem they said. Make the 2.5 hour drive back to Seattle and we'll exchange it! No thanks, says I. We'll make the best of it Vacation ends, we return the car. To the return employee I say "make a note, the car was received dirty and the ac does not work."
"You want me to write that down?" she says.
Yes please. Fast forward 10 days later I get a lovely email informing me that I returned their vehicle dirty and they are charging my card on file and additional $450 for cleaning. I call customer service "What?! Highway robbery! You have the nerve to charge me after I paid up front to ride around in a literal hot mess for a week? I won't pay it!"
I'm telling you I could see this guy through the phone shrugging his shoulders and rolling his eyes. "Wanna bet" (cue phone center coworkers snickering in the background).
I fire off another email. They fire back. I just thought my total rental was $359.08. They found some optional charges to tack on to the final bill, which is now up to $641.51 (plus the $450 cleaning fee). STAY AWAY FROM Avis Car Rental Budget Car Rental.

I rented a car and paid $350.72 ahead of time online. We had bad weather at the airport and our plane was delayed 4 hours. Upon picking the car up 4 hours late, the transaction seemed to go smooth. They told me which car to take then some other woman told me she would email my rental agreement. Upon returning from my trip, I checked the emailed receipt and realized they charge me $968 instead of $350. There was a $90 fuel fee which I anticipated but otherwise nothing to suggest why the cost was so much higher. After hours of phone calls and many emails, they said it was because I picked the car up later than I had originally planned (due to the 4hr delay) so that voided the original rental agreement. The new rental agreement was for a higher price. I was not told this while getting my car, I was never shown a new rental agreement, and I didn't sign a new agreement. Now they are refusing to refund the $500 extra. Do not go through this company. They have fraudulent practices and will find a way to charge you more.

If you're considering using Budget to rent a vehicle, I highly recommend that you think twice! This was my first time renting from Budget, and it will definitely be my last. I learned a valuable lesson. While Hertz and Enterprise may be slightly more expensive, their quoted prices are accurate, and their employees are honest and forthcoming. I rented a vehicle from Miami airport on April 20th, with plans to return it to Charlotte airport by 12 PM. However, I returned the vehicle at 1:18 PM. Despite being assured by the employee that I wouldn't be charged for the extra hour, I ended up being charged for an entire additional day. I even confirmed this with a representative over the phone, who gave me the same assurance. Yet, I was still billed for two full days! Customer service has been unhelpful, and it seems that Budget is only interested in making extra money at the expense of its customers. Moving forward, I will continue to use Enterprise and Hertz. I've also been trying to find the employee who checked me out to file a formal complaint, but I haven't received any response regarding that, either!

BEWARE! Do not trust Avis/Budget for your rental car needs. They can and will STEAL MONEY FROM YOUR FAMILY! My family reserved a minivan to drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando (a short 3 to 4 hour trip). When we arrived at Budget to pick it up we were told our "reserved" minivan wasn't available and the only vehicle left was a Toyota 4 Runner. We agreed. The 4 Runner needed a wash, vacuum, smelled like smoke, and the oil-change light was on. No big deal, it's a rental and we only needed it for a half day. Trip went very smoothly. The wife and kids slept the entire ride with just a few stops for restroom breaks and fuel. We did not eat or drink in the vehicle. It was turned in to the Orlando Airport Budget on-time the next morning. Just this week I received a letter from Avis/Budget stating we will be charged a $450 cleaning fee for the vehicle. I challenged this and below was the Avis/Budget response: "Charges for vehicle cleaning are assessed when a vehicle is returned in such a condition that makes it not rentable and requires the vehicle to be sent for detailing putting it out of service. Charges are calculated based on the level of cleaning required to return the vehicle into service. This includes, but is not limited to, the removal of food stains on the seats, pet hair that cannot be removed through normal vacuuming, excessive odor, smoke odor, and cigarette burns. After careful review of our records, we find that the location has provided ample documentation of the condition of the vehicle upon return. Based on this information, we find the charges to be valid without exception." I responded that none of the above conditions occurred and that we are non-smokers. I also asked for the "ample documentation" they refer to. There was no response and they have charged our credit card the full $450. I have rented cars dozens of times in my life, some for weeks at a time, and have never been charged for anything like this. After a quick online search, it is clear that this HABIT OF THEFT IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS DISHONEST COMPANY. I wish I would've known this beforehand and strongly recommend avoiding them for your rental needs.

Never again will I consider renting from Budget. The desk agent quoted a price, which I agreed to, but then my receipt showed $55 more than he quoted after I had already returned the car. And when I called to inquire, the customer service rep acknowledged that their desk agents often lie!

Rented a mini-van at MSP for a week. Returned with normal amount of dirt on floors, but was charged $125 for excessive dirt. Pictures are posted below. You decide.

Budget is no better or worse than other rental car companies for everyday ICE rentals... BUT for Electric Rental Cars they are HORRENDOUS!... because:
1. Your rental car will likely come with NO instructions as to how or where to charge.
2. The scarce printed "Owners Supplemental Instructions" (if provided) may or may not offer ANY information regarding the recharging process. Our MachE had NO written information regarding the charging process. And NO information regarding accessing the "Owners Manual" embedded in the car's electronic display.
3. NO equipment is provided that would allow overnight charging at your destination.
4. You will need to download a separate phone App for EACH pay charging Service (EVgo, CargePoint, Electrify America, etc.). Each will have specific (arguably ludicrous) charging procedure quirks.
So... Unless your are a seasoned owner of the specific EV Brand/Model you are renting, You can expect to spend many frustrating hours downloading Apps, finding a suitable charger, and struggling to actually charge Your EV.
I will say that the Mustang MachE is a very nice car. If I could charge it, it would be very Enjoyable indeed

We rented a car from Budget to get home from the Syracuse Airport. BIG MISTAKE! I always rent from National, but they don't have a drop off location near my home. The car I rented smelled of cigarette smoke, had bald tires, had a dirty interior and the check engine light came on shortly after I left the airport. I'm addition to these problems they charged me for gas even though I filled it a 1/2 block from the drop off spot. I had to call 3 times to get a discount on the already overpriced rental. It took 8 days to get the discount and it was very small! NEVER RENT FROM BUDGET.

After the rental I had broke down (brand new SUV) Budget refused to do anything but tow it - 90 plus miles to nearest location. They told me and text me I had a replacement available immediately. After getting a ride back to Salt Lake International Airport the employees refused to provide me with the replacement until the broken vehicle was in their possession. They had no concern for the fact that I, their customer, had been inconvenienced all day due to their broken vehicle, and now wanted me to wait unknown hours until it was towed back. The employees were all rude and had no concern for the fact I was paying for a working vehicle that whole day and did not have one.

This is a poor company and would not recommend to anyone, they have changed my card which has a different name to my husbands and I don't even have a driving licence, I have been meet with no support just endless emails, they then charged my husbands card 2 time which means they have 3 payment, I would recommend unless you want to be ripped off

Returned car one day early and did not receive refund despite being verbally told by agent that it would be, just contact Customer Service. Arbitrary, non-transparent and disingenuous rules for why refund could not be completed. Pass the buck mentality and hope that you give up.

So we reserve a Chevy Suburban during Christmas 2023 from Chicago as we are flying in. Reserved well over a month in advance. We get there and guess what. No Suburban. They only have a smaller vehicle. Being its late we get into that vehicle and put luggage on our laps. While Im making the 1.5 hour drive to our destination the drivers window will not go back up. So im now driving in the rain/snow with the window down. I go to adjust the mirrors and they wont move. Very, very unsafe vehicle. We had to borrow a family members vehicle once we got to our location to fit us all. What kind of vehicle was that? A Suburban! We take the vehicle back a week later. All the same issues and now it wont accept any gas. Paid over $1200.00 for this POS vehicle. Now I work in service for a very big dealership. This vehicle should have never been rented out. I send them a message and they want to reimburse me $90.00. Tell me "Thanks for messaging us. It helps us keep our high standard of service" Blows my mind. I would be fired giving this kind of service,

We rented a 12 passenger van for a family trip from NC to Quebec, CN. Upon pick up, we noticed the gas tank was only 1/4 full when the contract stated "Full". It was a nightmare trying to get that corrected. When we got as far as NJ, the oil light came on. We called Budget, and they informed us to take the vehicle to EWR, but they didn't have any comparable vehicles, and advised us to pay out-of-pocket, to have oil changed ourselves. We lost 1/2 day of our vacation getting the oil changed before we could continue on with the trip. The process to try to get reimbursed for the $111.48 paid to get the oil changed was complex, and we still haven't received any reimbursement yet. Would not recommend.

RE: 119th Street location in Overland Park, KS. The rental car was dirty but otherwise okay. However, the catalytic converter was stolen from the car I left in the parking lot.

Long lines to get car. After we completed paperwork, we waited an additional 40 minutes to have car brought to us. Saw numerous customers who came after us get their vehicles. Got overcharged and waiting 8 weeks and still no refund.