Budget Rent A Car

I made an online reservation on July 9, 2021. I tried to make the reservation with my VISA, but I kept getting a message that my card number was invalid even though I was entering it correctly. I finally tried my American Express and it took the reservation, but deleted the discount that was offered for 1st time renters, and I noticed that the car did not have unlimited mileage so I decided to call Budget.

I clicked the link to change/cancel reservation and got a number to call. I called the number and a lady answered the phone. English was not her first language so I had a very difficult time understanding her. I asked her to please slow down, and to please spell her name (I always take note of who I spoke to). She refused to do either. I told her that I made the reservation but needed to cancel or change it. She said that if I canceled, it would be $150. I had made the reservation 3 minutes before calling her. I told her that I would change it. She gave me a number to call to change the reservation.

I called the number and spoke with Kevin (or that's the name that he gave me). I asked Kevin what happened to my discount. He stated that the discount was for American Express cards only which is why the system wouldn't take my Visa. I told him that I did pay with an American Express. He said that I paid with an American Express issued by a bank other than American Express and some other information that actually sounded legitimate. He said that I could keep the reservation that I made, or I could pay with an American Express card issued by American Express. He said that if I paid with a different card, he could bring my car rental from $625 to $480 and I would not have to pay $150 cancelation fee because I'm changing the reservation as opposed to canceling altogether.

So far, I'm with him because he told me to check my email for the cancelation. I did that, and I had the email from Budget. He said that if I didn't have an American Express Gold card that I could purchase a prepaid card for the discount. This didn't sound right so I asked why. He said that Budget had a promotion going on with American Express and was offering a discount for those using an American Express Gold card or prepaid American Express card only. This guy had all the information about my rental and all the information that I had entered online. Normally, I would have hung up, but he knew the amount I paid for the first reservation, he canceled the first reservation and again, he sounded legit. Not to mention, I called Budget, and was given this number to change my reservation. So, I really thought that there was a promotion going on in conjunction with American Express.

My husband and I decided that $480 was better than $625 so we would do it. I told Kevin that I had to purchase the card later and call back. He said that I could call back to him directly if I wanted to. He gave me another number that was his direct line. A few hours later, I called back with the card number.

After I gave him the information, I was terrified because he didn't give me a confirmation number. He said that it would come via email. He said that if I did not have an email before picking up my car in Missoula to call him back.

The next day, I didn't have the confirmation, so I called back. He said that it was the same confirmation number as the first confirmation number, but that he forgot to mention that I needed to add $250 to the card for the deposit. He said it needed to be added to the same card. At that point, I knew that Kevin was working with someone at Budget getting the information, but I didn't think he worked for Budget. I told him that I believe he had just scammed me, and he said that he was very hurt. He asked if I wanted my money back, and I said YES! He said that I would get a check. I said, "NO", I want it back on the card that I provided to you. He said okay.

When I got to Missoula, I told Sara everything that had transpired, and she told me that the corporate office has promotions often, but that she had not heard of that one. She said that it sounded like someone was going to be fired over this. She also stated that the cancelation fee was $50, not $150. When I received the cancelation notice, I noticed that it did state that the cancelation fee was $50 and not $150; however, Budget kept $150. Sara also stated that she did see two reservations and two cancelations. I never received anything regarding the 2nd reservation and cancelation.

I paid $625 for the first reservation and received a refund for $475.
I paid $500 for the second reservation and have not received anything.
I paid for the car a 3rd time at the counter in Missoula.

Right now, I'm requesting $650 from Budget (The cancelation fee for the first reservation that I wanted to change, not cancel and the $500 that Kevin and his Budget accomplice took from me).

Friday June 4, 2021 @ 5:30pmCT - While packing our luggage, waiting for the Midway airport Budget to check-in the two rental cars in the lane next to us, suddenly our rental car was driven away.

I attempted to flag it down, then immediately approached the Budget garage attendant to report that we had not been checked-in; he informed us not to worry, a receipt would be emailed. Still unsure, we immediately walked into the Budget glass office inside that garage just a few feet away and explained the situation again to the Budget employee sitting at the desk; she also informed us not to be concerned and that we'd receive an emailed receipt.

No email was ever received.

Monday June 7, 2021 - Called Budget to report our experience. Rep said they could "tell when the car was moved" to confirm return-time. I was put on hold, then the rep said our account looked "unusual", something about rental agreement numbers not matching, he needed to forward our case to another department, and to wait for an email. Received email shortly thereafter with final invoice showing an overcharge as an additional rental day had been added; return time 11:51pmCT.

Proof:
Our baggage claim tickets show a check-in time of 5:53pmCT.
Our flight to California departed Midway @ 6:50pmCT.
We landed in California at 8:51pmPT, which is 10:51pmCT.
I have documents to prove all of the above, however Budget refused my request. We also have credit card charges showing gas station and a restaurant inside the terminal, as well as Google report showing time of Googlemaps used to airport and time of Southwest App used at Midway airport.

The staff at the Memphis Airport Budget rental car were very nice and efficient. The HUGE problem is their vehicles' cleanliness. This was the second time I used this office and the vehicle was dirty again. So this time, I'm writing a complaint.
For this recent trip, I picked up the car late at night, and we were in a hurry to travel to our destination hotel. After a short drive away from the pick-up, we had noticed problems. There were adhesive residue on the front and back windshields approximately 6" x 6" in size. The front windshield inside and out were so filthy, I had to stop at a convenience store to buy paper towels and windex to clean them and safely be able to continue driving at night. The smell was something of a mixture of cigarettes and soda, which never went away after the 3 days I had the vehicle. The seats were dirty with some kind of candy residue. Even the rear view mirror had some kind of liquid spill on it, as if someone had thrown a soda at it.
The standards really need to be increased here.

The flight came in at ten oclock at night. I had reserved an economy car res no. 39545822us1. But when I arrived at the desk they told me that all they had left was an SUV chevy equinox. But she would speak to the supervisor tomorrow because it was late. The condition of the truck was extremely dirty inside and out. I could smell cigarettes in the interior and upon further inspection I found that there was cigarette ashes all over the back seat. While I was driving to my hotel I saw a crack in the windsheild as well.

Once a month I rent a car from budget: I am a faithful customer, and have never had a problem — until now.

I rented a car on 5/14 at stl. I was to return it on 5/17. I returned it early, at the same airport location at stl, at 6:00 pm on 5/16.
There was a long line of cars waiting to check in their car, so I left the car in the line, with the keys in the car.

Today, may 20, I received a voicemail from 866 476 2444/budget saying that the car was never returned. This is certainly not the case. The message said to call. I called at 6:30 pm, and I have now been on hold for over two hours — listening to the same recording with the english lady telling me that "all of our executives are currently busy..."

Seriously, I should wait for over two hours to correct a mistake made by one of your locations, and I still can not get through.
Please rectify immediately.

Gary silversmith, esq. (fyi, I work with consumer complaints with the federal government)
[protected]
Rapid-break: rp263t

Yes, I reserve a car using MasterCard lifestyle benefits which is a Apple Card but your systems are so old fashioned my card didn't work.
Very embarrassing and inconvenience to me.
Just upgrade your systems and keep up to 2021 not 1991.

On May 9 I called your customer service center to cancel this reservation due to a 3 hour wait to pick up the car at the Miami Airport. We were traveling with a two year old child and could not wait for two to three hours in a line, we were concerned about safety. I asked the representative if we could cancel and let him know that the car was paid for. He said there would be a 150.00 dollar cancellation fee and he will document my concerns. I just received an email saying I will lose the entire 604.58 It is unfair and unethical to charge me for the entire 6 day rental plus the car seat, due to the fact that we cancelled due to your company's inadequate staffing.

The reason again for the cancellation was the inadequate and lack of staff your company had at the Miami Airport. I am disappointed that your company thinks that making people stand in line for hours, with reservations, is okay. People travel with children and the elderly! Just to let you know, your company was the only one that was so backed up.

I will accept the 150.00 cancellation fee, but cannot accept the 604.58 cancellation. I will be disputing this with both your company and my credit card company.

Sincerely,
Mary Rock

On april 23rd I rented a car from sky harbor (phoenix). The customer service was horrible (rude, badgering to sign up for services, etc.). Rental car was dirty and parked in wrong slot. Car was returned early on april 26th. On may 10th I received a letter falsely alleging that there was a smoke smell in my car and telling me that budget was going to charge me $450 cleaning fee. I do not smoke, my brother does not smoke, and my sister in law does not smoke. This is nothing more that a false charge with no avenue to dispute.

Overcharging customers after rental over an trying to get away with it. Scam at counter on refuel courteousy charge then adding additional 63 dollars to the 45 dollar fee an trying to get customers to overlook it. Also renting junk suv with oil lite on. Past maint service an I added oil so it wont damage car. Lines 2 hours long with lack of help. Total horrible experience. I am so unhappy with this company an will never never never do business with budget or avis again.

rented car from san rafael cal
no walk round when rented
false accusations ref scrtach on return

collected car from san rafael marin caa
san francisco boulevard
NO WALK AROUND BEFORE I STARTED RENTAL
CONTrACT ILLEGIBLE
very old printer
on return the staff said had scratched the car
NOT TRUE
i will not accept ANY UPCHARGE

my name is mervyn d fogel
date was april 27 maybe 28

I was put on a do not rent list for no apparent reason.. I was stuck at the rental without a car, prior to renting, I already prepaid the rental 3 weeks ahead.. Now they gave me back my prepaid but then they scammed again by not fully refunding the prepaid amount for the services I did not receive! Budget rental is a scam! The number they gave me to call is non existent.. Hours and hours of wasted time calling but forever on call wait! I will look for other car rental with good customer support and cares for their customers well being not getting stuck on an airport!

My wife and I took a trip to Fort Myers Fl for my nephews wedding. Looked at all the car rental agencies at the air port, then was told it was cheaper to rent from off site rental agency. Checked out Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget and found that Budget had a Dodge Challenger R/T available. Thought with the money I saved by not renting from the air port I would rent the Dodge.
Paid for the rental in advance on line, confirmation code 37827452US5
received an my confirmation email with a picture of the vehicle as well as where and when to pick up the vehicle. My pick up was Fort Myers RS-7.
Not sure what or where this location was, I called on Monday April 12th.
The women who answered the phone was polite confirmed my rental for Thursday April 15th for a Dodge Challenger as well as the physical address of Budget.
I made arrangements for my wife and I to be picked up at the air port and taken to Budget were I was excited to pick up my rental. I arrived stood in line behind six other patrons. There was only 1 person at the counter, the phone was ringing almost non stop but no one was answering.
I waited my turn gave the clerk my confirmation number and eagerly awaited my Dodge Challenger. She then told my that there was no Specialty Vehicles at this time. I told her I called ahead and was guaranteed a car that was reserved on line. There was no car and I was offered a mid sized suv, Mazda5, for the Same price.
Talk about bait and switch, for the money I wasted for a SUV I could have just rented a car from the air port and not put people out to drive e to and from your facility...
I tried calling you help number several times but never got to talk to a human. So I have to result to writing my complaint down and hopes that someone actually takes time out to read it...

Still very upset with the way I've been treated and I will guarantee you this I and My family Will NEVER rent from Any of your Budget Rental Agency.

The guy on counter at detroit budget said i was on a do not rent list which is I'm not aware off.. stuck at the rental pick up for 2 hours calling the number they gave me to call and no answer! Just a pre recorder message..never got an email or a call from budget prior to my rental date..have to call some friend to pick me at the detroit airport budget office with only frustration! They took my pre paid money then never contacted me that i wont be getting my already paid rental on site! Will be vigilant in filing for a formal complaint..