Budget Rent A Car
reviews and complaints

I rented a car for a special trip to Europe in June of this year. We didn’t get the car we ordered and had some added costs at check out but overall we had a decent experience with the rental while there.

Upon our return, I noticed unapproved charges on my credit card statement, which I tried to flag to no avail. Eventually a letter came in the mail stating that I supposedly got a traffic infraction and that supposedly i agreed to pay this AvisBudgetGroup for servicing such fees. I neither got infractions while there, nor did i ever consciously consent for this group to intervene in such a manner, much less charge me unilaterally. And, there is nothing to this effect in the Rental Agreement paper that I was given.

I feel violated and cheated. On one hand, Budget charged more than what was agreed and owes the deposite, on the other there is this "group" charging me for something that is alleged and I am still trying to track down and verify, something that is none of their business anyway.

The policy to fine fines was not overtly specified verbally or in writing...if "available" it would only be if a customer implicitly looked for it. Therefore, it is a sneaky and underhanded way to make money on top of the profits already had.

Added up with other customers, it must be a tremendous amount of money being pulled from unsuspecting pockets. In my case it has added 17-18% to the overall bill to Budget for a 12-day rental! There is no denying the abuse this is. By contrast, at least the gas policy is overt and more reasonably commensurate with reality.

Of course, customer support just repeats the fine print that was never verbally or textually pointed out.

Our car broke down and had to be towed.We went on line and reserved a Kia Soul or similar. I am attaching a copy of the confirmed reservation.

When we arrived we were told all the cars were out even though we saw cars on the lot.

It seemed like the only car available was a huge Chevy Tahoe? which we didn't need to drive almost 200 miles,

Instead of $107.00, we ended up paying 185.00.

As far we are concerned it was a case of bait and switch. I think he wanted to get rid of the car .

We could have saved $80.00 if he had honored the original confirmation.

Anything you can do to get back the extra money we paid that location would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Racharmawan (Warren) Soerachman

We had a reservation for a cargo van for over a month, but when we called the morning of the reservation, they said they didn't have any trucks available and to call customer service. We called customer service, which said the inventory manager would call us back between 15 minutes to 2 hours. The inventory manager did not call us back so we started calling other budget truck offices to see if they had any trucks available - we had a very tight moving schedule and had to move that morning. We finally found a cargo van available that was covered in graffiti and in New Jersey, which was an hour taxi away. We tried to transfer the reservation but Budget Truck was unable to locate the vehicle, so we had to start a new reservation. We ended up spending an extra $100 on the taxi and another $200 for extra time for the movers who sat around while we found another truck. When we asked for a refund, budget said they would only refund $50, despite the fact that we had spent over $300 dealing with their mess up. This company is truly the horrible - the most incompetent and unhelpful I have ever interacted with.

August 4, 2022

Approximatley 1:40pm

We waited in line for 1 1/2 hours, and were happy to get through it all with very courteous Budget employees. When we went up to get a car, a man without saying a word assigned us to a vehicle. My husband asked if there was something that sits higher up. We are senior citizens. In a hostile tone he said “If you don’t like it, get back in line.” We wandered looking for someone else to help us, and a young woman assisted us and suggested another more suitable vehicle. We were grateful for her help. I asked the the man’s name, she said “Jumar”. He was mean spirited and rude and does not belong in a position that serves customers. This took place at Chicago O’hare Airport.

Hi Deanna

Please confirm receipt of this email.

Paul and Mary-Anne Facendi

From: Paul Facendi

Sent: July 20, 2022 11:17 AM

To: Parker, Deanna

Subject: Re: [External] Fw: Budget

HI Deanna

Please see email from last night with boarding passes pics.

Mary-Anne and Paul Facendi

From: Parker, Deanna

Sent: July 8, 2022 12:09 AM

To: Paul Facendi

Subject: Re: [External] Fw: Budget

Good evening,

Thank you for forwarding the pictures of the keys. I didn't see a picture of your boarding passes though and my understanding was that your flight was cancelled on Saturday and you returned on Sunday.

Deanna

From: Paul Facendi

Sent: Tuesday, July 5, 2022 9:39 AM

To: Parker, Deanna

Subject: [External] Fw: Budget

Hi Deanna

Please see attached pics of the car. The later 620 pics (2)were taken after the keys were dropped in . We wanted to show the place where car was parked

and the number .

Car was dropped off at 520. I put the keys there at 620 after checkin with air canada

Thanks

Mary-Anne

From: Paul Facendi

Sent: July 4, 2022 7:26 PM

To: Paul Facendi

Subject: Budget

There is alot more info , so very disappointed in BUDGET / AVIS .

Terrible being ignored ... we have sent everyrthing and more then was requested . Time to go public.

Rented a car from Budget in Florida for vacation. July 12 while driving on the freeway in Miami we encountered a flat. we pulled over and found there was no spare tire. So we called the road side assistance and was charged $220 for the towing an to fix the flat.

We were told our replacement car if we drove less than 75 miles we would be charged only $15. But we were charged an additional $90. Called customer service a few times getting transferred around an hung up on. Waste of time DO NOT RENT from BUDGET unless you are ok with extra charges

First time renter. The car was received at the Daytona Beach airport. Unbeknownst to me the previous renter was a heavy smoker. A sticker on the door states that if you smoke in this vehicle you will receive a $450 fine. This was disregarded, apparently and the car was rented without proper cleaning. Shortage of vehicles did not allow for an exchange. Both my wife and I are hypersensitive to cigarette smoke. We rented the car on July 25, 2022 through Aug. 1, 2022 and returned the vehicle 2 days early. We drove the car less than 50 miles but the receptionist wrote down 108 miles. When we rented the car we were not told where to bring it back or what info was going to be needed upon return. We felt like we should have been reimbursed for at least one day's payment for the rental. Then we were told that the rates were based on a weekly rental, not daily but that information was not given to us at the time of the rental. Because of the pandemic, we have stayed home almost all of the past 2 1/2 years and now are planning to take a few trips, but we will be reluctant to use or recommend Budget.

The original agreed upon amount was $71.06 including truck rental and mileage. Upon returning the box truck, the Budget Truck customer service representative refused to complete a walk-through/inspection of the truck. I was told things were "All set" and was sent away. Budget Truck Rental then proceeded to charge my account twice for two amounts that were not agreed upon. When I contacted the corporate office the CSR stated it would be best to handle matters at the physical location. Once I arrived at the location I was made to deal with two different representatives. One requested I bring back a copy of the gas receipt. When I returned with the requested receipt, another CSR was there and took over. The new CSR stated he "took a photo" that would prove otherwise. The photo did not provide the actual truck nor any detail connecting the truck I had rented to the said "photo". I requested a copy of the inspection report. Once I viewed the inspection report it was not signed, dated nor completed for the return of the truck. The CSR at the location stated it would just need to be a "trust" system. As I do not work for Budget Rental nor do I know any of the employees personally, I find it highly unprofessional and unsafe to "trust" people who should be conducting a business. My account has been charged twice for two different amounts and neither charge is accurate nor agreed upon.

I have had a rental car for now 8 weeks this coming Saturday. I had to have a new car 3 weeks ago due to license were expired and I needed a new contract. Ok when I set up this contract I have right now they used the wrong card when it was inputted due to I paid the other one with the debit card but I told the guy that I wanted the credit card on the new contract which did not happen. So I have had money held on my credit card that is not for the car rental but that's not the worst problem that can be dealt with, its the fact that you have take WAY more money then was suppose to take. I have never been late calling in to extend and if you look on my last contract for June I never missed a calling not once and I have NEVER missed calling on Saturday, One Saturday I had to call 7 times due to no one could seem to find my contract another issue was they had someone else's phone number on the contract that I don't know. So I'm told that I'm being charged late fee which should of never happened, YOU have tried to repo the car for no reason at all and the driver accused me of smoking in the car which I DO NOT smoke and that someone else was driving it, well the car was parked no one was driving it when they pulled up. If my friend hadn't been outside they would of taken my car. I went in that day to the office and was told that I owed for two weeks which should not of been the case I only owed for one week and I was in there to rectify the problem which wasn't my fault. This second contract has been a nightmare. On Monday when I went to office it was to make payment and change the card on file but it wouldn't work and the man in that runs the office at 8008 Hosbrook Rd Cincinnati, Ohio tried to help me and he called and they told him to run it and change it the next business day, so I left and he called me the next day, but before this could be resolved you all took $1003.00 from my account or put it on hold, That is my RENT and it needs paid by the first of August or I will get an eviction three days later and I have never been late making my payments and if this happens I will be getting an attorney. Hopefully the car will be back by Saturday I'm in process of buying a new car but these funds need to be release ASAP and the late fee charges removed as I have never been late on any of it, the late fees were your representatives error for not doing their jobs and extending my contracts when I call. I AM FURIOUS with your company and I will be consulting an attorney if this is not corrected asap. I work for the federal government I pay my bills and I make good money I have no reason not to pay for something that I received usage for. I have tried to call everyday all day long since Monday and no one will answer the phone in your prevention department so I'm writing this and I expect get a response or it will be my attorney contacting you. Call me at [protected] which is what I prefer.

While renting a car in Boston on July 21,2022 the service light came on that said tire pressure was low. Air was put in the tire, the light came back on about 20 minutes later. Had a blow out at 11 that night . ( driver side rear tire) Tire replaced with the spare one. The next day I did a Roadside Assistance tire damage report .( claim #[protected])

The service light also came on that said Oil change needed soon. I called the Roadsidee Assistance Department and was given a choice, take the car to Pep Boys and get an oil change and I would be reimbursed for what was paid for the oil change, or take the car to a Budget near by and get another car. I decided to get another car. Roxie called a Budget in advance to see if they had a car available and was told they had some, but when I get to the location given, there were no cars available. ( dispatch ID # [protected]) I then took the car to Pep Boys. They checked the oil level to see if it was safe enough to drive. I was told that the tire was damaged badly because the tire pressure gauge was set too high. I got a new tire because I did not feel safe driving on the spare one.

The tire blowout in the middle of nowhere was very dangerous and frightening. ( 11 at night)

This whole ordeal took 1&1/2 day and 1/2 night from my vacation time.

I rented a van from Reagan National Airport on Saturday, July 17 and returned it on July 18th (Rental agreement [protected]). Unbeknown to me until July 19 that I had left my EZ Pass transformer in the vehicle. Could not reach anyone at the local number location all day to make them aware of it. I do believe the phone was taken off the hook. I was going to go back to the airport on Wednesday, however, I got an email stating that my EZ pass balance was negative which meant, whomever, cleaned out that van did not turn my transformer into lost and found but took it and used it.

Needless to say, your employees are not trustworthy. I have since had the transformer deactivated, however, I had to pay the negative balance created by your employee. Not sure I will be using your company again for my rental needs.

Shelia Clayton-Poindexter

We rented 3 trucks from budget and didn’t take insurance, but was charged with the third truck and also rented a car that never received the discount given for being USAA members. We contacted budget, because when I went to pick up the truck, I have my husband to be credit card and they told me that I needed to put a card with my name on it, and it would not be charged and when we closed it out, they would contact us to know how we wanted to pay it, his card or cash, but we turned the truck in at the mall as they close but said leave the keys, but it was automatically charged and I would have never given them my card because, but because they said it wouldn’t be charged, I did. Otherwise I would have left and come back with my husband. We have a legal shield department that tried several times contacting them, but they wouldn’t respond. We open a case with USAA with the information and it took over 3 months to receive information from budget and they didn’t even send all the information and paperwork needed. The employee did verify that we didn’t want insurance and was the one told me and I was there when they told out her people that putting a card on the account does not charge it. And again we were not contacted, just immediately process. We made many phone calls, but no customer service at all. Also when we were over charged and contacted them they also didn’t give the discount for the truck, but did refund that to USAA, but did not refund the charge on the truck insurance or other discount that was suppose to be given. Very poor customer service, tried calling many times being patient and trying to resolve this issue. Ask for paperwork needed because the paperwork they did send only a few could not hardly be read. Continued contacting them and again being very patient, hoping to resolve these unauthorized charges and not reserving the discounts that we was suppose to get. I do need help. The over amount was over 2,000 dollars. I appreciate your help. This happened in West Ashley, Charleston, S.C. But most of all reply was from their customer service. The young lady that helped in Charleston was good and knew we didn’t authorize insurance, and tried helping correct this issue. But after speaking to the manager she wouldn’t as well as the customer service department not in Charleston, thanks for your help.

This is my rental agreement [protected] I rented a hyndia elantra or similar and was given a nissan sentra and was told it was an intermediate car, When I returned the card I was charged for an upgraded car. This is the 2md time in a row this has happened with Budget at the same location with the same guy. I want a refund immediately. I feel like the agent is scamming me for more momey which is a reflection of budget. I love renting with Budget but do not feel that I can trust renting anymore.

We rented a car from Budget last month: picked it up at Boston Logan airport on June 17 and drove 90 miles to our destination in NH. It was only after we reached our destination that we realized the car (a Prius) was nearly out of gas and the windshield fluid reservoir was empty. When we returned the car on June 20, we went to the customer service desk to tell them about the gas and windshield fluid problems. The agent we spoke to told us we would receive a credit for 9 gallons of gas plus $25 for our inconvenience ($72.13 total) and that this credit would be applied to our credit card within 5 business days. We waited 10 days, but no credit appeared on our Visa, so we called Budget Customer Service. The customer service agent ("Carlos") who answered our call looked up our record and initially told us that because the agent at Logan Airport had entered the amount we were to be refunded as a "Non-refundable Prepay" instead of a credit, we wouldn't be receiving any reimbursement from Budget. After arguing with him for 15 minutes, Carlos finally agreed to give us a $45 credit, which at least covered what we paid for gas. We did receive the $45.

We have received good service when we have rented cars from Budget in the past, but after this most recent experience, we will probably be renting from a different company when we travel somewhere in the future.

on 6/28, I rented an SUV from JFK airport location; one hour into vacation, I received a ticket for expired reg and officer was going to tow the vehicle but gave me a break with the understanding, I'd resolve and not drive the vehicle.

For two hrs, I was on the phone unable to reach a rep or was transferred till call was dropped so next day, had to return to JFK airport wasting valuable vacation time and different direction than family and I were scheduled.

They switched the vehicle and I was on my way tickets unresolved.

Once home, I tried once again to reach customer service only to waste another 2 hrs and just frustration.

How does a major rental company not audit and maintain compliance on vehicles and then rent to customers?

Aggravation and frustration-

Back on Friday night/Saturday morning (June24th/25th), my son and I had a late flight from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio. My flight information was provided with my rental car reservation. Our flight was delayed by 30 minutes, planned arrival was 12:50 am and we arrive around 1:20 am. Terminals normal hours are 1 am or when last flights arrived, from what we were told by the agent the next morning. We took the rental car shuttle bus to the terminal for which no one was there to let you our of the garage. There were at least eight groups of people in the same situation as I was in and they were from different flights. Needless to say we all had to find hotel rooms at 1:30 am and change our itinerary for the weekend. I had to pay a higher rate for the hotel near the airport. I would like a refund on my rental car reservation 10761649US3 to cover the additional expenses that I incurred due to the Budget employee(s) leaving working early and leaving 15 plus people stranded and having to make alternate plans. What is funny, the rental car shuttle bus was still running at this time but the terminal was closed! We spoke to the bus driver and an airport cop and they have said that this isn't the first time this terminal has had employees leave early and left people stranded.

Jeff Richardson

[protected]@gmail.com

I rented a car through priceline from Budget and the drop off location was incorrect. Priceline advised that I needed to contact budget once I called budget they told me that they changed the drop off location. When I went to pick up the vehicle I found out the drop off location had not been changed and the clerk advised me to go ahead and take the vehicle and then call your 1800 number and they would change the drop off location no problem. When I called I was advised by the cust ser. rep he had taken care of it. I called bak to verify and was told it had not been taken care of and there would be a 300.00 fee and then I spoke to a supervisor named Amanda and she advised me that she would give me a 60% discount on the return fee because I was dropping it off at a different location. I advised her I did not want the charge going to my corporate card which you had on file and she advised no problem I could pay when I dropped it off. When I went to drop of the vehicle in TN they had no record of the vehicle supposed to being dropped off there and also advised I could not change the payment method and would have to call your customer service and they charged me over 400 to my corporate card. I called billing and was told no problem we can change the payment method I gave them the card I wanted it charged to and today I get a message from my employer that you have charged my corporate card which I specifically said I did not want it charged to. I need to speak to someone asap

The car smells like a carload of weed travelled from Fl to Ca. They said swap cars by going back to the airport.

So stop me vacay…….

We rented a car at phx airport on June 17 2022 reservation number 07882798USO I waited in line for about an hour got paperwork went to get van

Saw it had scratches and dents took pictures filled out form letting them know

As I left the garage I noticed a huge crack in passenger side windshield

Had to take van back, dents and scratches one thing but this was a unsafe van and never should of have been rented

What kind of safety checks are done on your cars

We then had to wait another hour to get another car

Customer service associate was wonderful he did a great job

TRUCK#: 616322

REF [protected]

[T28702109]

On 05/28/22 I rented a Budget Truck for a one-day rental to move household goods. The truck broke down a few hours later due to a missing timing belt. Roadside assistance on site stated lack of maintenance. I stayed in a hotel for three days with no replacement or repair with my household goods towed away at a random tow lot. I had to return to residence on 05/30/22 due to military duty. Budget towed the broken vehicle to my residence on 05/31/22 and then towed it away on 06/01/22. Budget charged me 452.07 for mileage and 5 days of rental use even though the vehicle has been broken since day 1. I was then told that they will not pay for the entirety of hotel expenses, nor food expenses. They also stated they will not reimburse my trip back to Jacksonville, the clothes I had to buy, nor the deposit I lost for the movers waiting for me to return. We never got to use the intended move time and services were not rendered yet they over-charged me and are not reimbursing expenses. Communication barely exists and they're ignoring me despite repeated e-mail attempts.