Budget Rent A Car
Reviews and Complaints

my rental car was dirty inside and outside, had a chip in the windshield, this chip was done back in August from other renter as in picture below, this should of been fixed before renting again,and error codes on the dash board. mail was left in car from last renter.

error on dash board was low pressure in tire, i called road services and was told to go to rental place in the morning in another city and they reset the alarms but they all came back later that day. low pressure in tire was a very concern when driving.

budget car # [protected]

plate PA MFB7600

GREEY CHEVY MALIBU

RENTAL DATES 9-27-23 TO 10-2-23

RENTAL AGREEEMENT NUMBER [protected]

Name is Richard Burich

Rental agreement number is [protected]

car number is [protected]

On September 27th we picked up rental at the Fort Walton/Destin airport that had been previously made and paid in full. We paid for a Kia SUV or similiar (per your terms).

We arrived at counter that morning and agent gave us keys and never told us it was for a different vehicle. She also didn't disclose that there was going to be a $200 security charge put on our credit card (yes, I understand that this was probably in the small print but don't you think she could of mentioned this especially when I asked if she saw that we were paid in full).

When we arrived at the vehicle it was a Dodge Challenger instead of what we paid for. Unfortuately it was raining (its a distance from the airport and no cover) and we needed to get to a meeting so we decided to keep it. That was the worse mistake ever. This vehicle is very unsafe with limited ability to see blind spots, really a rough ride, very difficult to get in and out and overall very cheaply made.

I am 66 years old and use a disabled permit so I ask ... why would your agent give us this type of car without asking permission and why would she give us a vehicle that rents for less than what I paid. Once again she broke contract by giving me a vehicle that was not the Kia or similar vehicle

I have been a long time FASTBREAK customer and have never been treated like this. One other time I was given a different vehicle but the agent expained my options

I would prefer to get this issue addressed and not to bother with any other reviews or correspondence. Very unhappy with what happened and seaking full credit on this rental to be used at future point

I rented a car on 07/24/23 in Ben Gurion Airport. They gave me a paper which shows the front bumper is damaged. While driving on the highway the bumper which was holding the plastic, disconnected. I got charged on my credit card for 1737.35 for the damages. I did not make these damages, they were there when I took the car out, as can be seen on the rental agreement. I am demanding a refund of the 1737.35. on my credit card, which is a fraudulent charge.

Agreement number TLV-4267198

I rented a vehicle for a week and upon return I was hit with a $234 plus taxes miscellaneous fee.

I was told we were going to be charged 150 (not 234) because animal hair (very little) transferred to the seat through my clothing. It was by no means "tons" of hair as the attendant alledged. This charge is unbelievable to me. There were only a few strands and it says to me that your cars are not cleaned in between rentals.

I was not given a newly washed and cleaned vehicle when I picked it up. If this is not resolved I will never use Budget again nor will I ever recommend using you to anyone.

I have rented numerous cars over the years and have NEVER had this issue before.

Picked up a Toyota Prius on August 19th at the San Jose Airport. Soon after getting on the road, the car screen lit up with several warning signs of malfunctions. Contacted Budget and were told to exchange the car and appreciated the service. However, it was inconvenient for us to find another drop off point during our trip so we did keep the car. Just letting you know that this car was released to us with many maintenance issues and concerns! Reported to the rep. when we dropped off the car.

On 8-25-23 arrived to CLT airport. The rep was nice and helpful. The car was located in space H4. When I got to the space, there was no car. There was a rep located just a few steps away. I asked her where H4 space was located. She pointed. No car. She told me I had to return downstairs and stand in a long line. What was so distressing, she was talking on her cell phone, then walked away going into the office area. Not so much as "how can I help you?" Not so much as "thank you for choosing Budget Rental. Let me see if I can get you another car." Instead, "YOU HAVE TO GO BACK DOWN STAIRS." I went back downstairs. The line was long. The rep that helped me was "in the back, you have to wait for him." After five minutes, he showed up. I explained what just happened and how rudely I was treated." He quickly got me another car. He accompanied me upstairs and then he went and got the car. He was the hero of the day. The rep on the third level was rude and would not help me. I was most upset, that she was talking on her cell phone, didn't even ask how she could help. The she turned her back on me and walked away.

The female rep would benefit from additional training on serving all the customers and at least smile. She didn't offer any assistance. So much for using Budget again.

Budget Rental

Re: RA [protected]

I reserved a car many months in advance when I booked my flight to pick up in Raleigh for a meeting in Wilmington and then drive to another meeting in Florida. This was part of the reservation as I rented it in Raleigh with the return location and date being in Orlando, Florida. I needed to be at these events on time on certain dates and obviously mistakenly trusted your corporation to provide me reliable transportation.

After a successful meeting in Wilmington and leaving there for Florida on July 17th at 10am to ensure a timely arrival in Ormond Beach, I was driving on I-95 just inside of S. Carolina and had a flat tire at approximately 2:22pm. I understand “these things happen.” However, when I called Budget, I was pulled into a long discussion with the representative that could not handle basic instructions on how she could manage to get me help, where I was located at (the exit 98 at S. Carolina 6), and even told me to ask Siri, (but I have an Android). Really!

Finally she told me they would send someone out, but it would be an hour and after they changed the tire I would have to go get it fixed on my own. I waited two hours receiving texts with ETAs and when I finally called the service that was supposed to show up, they said they wouldn't be able to make it because they had an emergency tow. So I called Budget again. When I did, the representative called a tire service that showed up within 20 minutes. He said he didn't know why they didn't call him sooner because he could've been there in 15 minutes. This mistake is unacceptable.

While I was on the phone with this representative finding a new solution to me sitting on the side of the road, I told her I would not be able to get the tire fixed because there was no shop in the area that would be open now that it was so close to 5pm and that I should not be expected to do such anyway. I asked if I could just exchange the car. Since it was so late by the time I got back on the road, I had to drive two hours out of my way to the Charlotte, SC airport to pick up another car (a downgrade from my original vehicle) before returning to my route to Florida causing me to miss my original meeting and causing me to reschedule. This doesn't include the additional gas I had to pay for. Again, these charges and inconveniences are unacceptable.

When Isaac changed my tire, he said it was defective. My son, who I sent pictures of the tire to, agreed. You could tell by the way it was shredded unlike a regular flat tire. It was like the tread just came off from the inside section putting me at danger as I was driving down the highway. You could tell there was no way that tire was safe nor repairable. Also, unacceptable practice, especially knowing that I was going to be traveling a fair distance in this vehicle.

So after I had concluded my business in Florida, I called to change my return date and take the car back to the Daytona Airport location on July 24, 2023, and was told there would be no extra charge. Personally, I think I should have received a credit of at least two plus days considering the inconveniences, the gas, the frustration of sitting stranded on the side of the road alone in 101 degree heat, and missing my meeting. I certainly have no intention of paying more than the original price when I was told I would not have any additional fees or charges.

Now, I am sitting in France and received a false charge on my credit card for $181+ from Budget on approximately August 24th.This is impossible because I wasn’t in the US on that date and if anything, Budget owes me $500+ for all these inconveniences and incompetent individuals they have working for them that cannot handle a simple situation like a flat tire. This is an atrocity. To make things worse I have received no response to my previous email and contact to Budget Customer Service. At this point, I am ready to hand this over to my attorney and have him take care of it, including but not limited to disputing all of the original charges in their entirety. This whole matter is intolerable.

Please contact me to address these issues since none of your phone representatives seem to be able to address or resolve customer issues and in many ways are incompetent. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

T. Prindible, M. Ed.

[protected]@gmail.com

A customer support specialist helped me reserve a car rental from Budget a month before my trip to Israel. Within this timeframe, I received 4 email confirmations pertaining to the rental, time of pick up and price. When I arrived in Israel, they claimed that they could not find the reservation in their system. I showed them all of the emails, but the agent stated that they were not part of Budget US and could not honor the price. This being said, he could set up a new reservation for almost twice the price! Being that it was 4am, I had no choice but to proceed. The agent added the details of my original reservation to the new agreement and stated that someone would call me. I submitted a claim and was told that Budget was sending a request to honor the original total of the rental. Please wait up to 15 business days for the international department to conclude their investigation." Today I was charged the new total and when contacting Budget customer service, they said to call Israel. One would assume that Budget customer service would work with its counterparts to resolve issues. I was expecting to pay a certain amount and now am faced with a bill of twice the amount. Additionally, the condition of the car was abysmal - dirty interior, stained back seats, etc. Horrible experience - not what one would expect from this company. I was also advised in an email from Budget Customer Support that the location in Israel is not part of Budget's global system - wow, this information was never provided by the agent who helped make the reservation, and neither it it shown on the Budget car rental site.

Aug 20: 2 reps on duty for 14 in line plus many more waiting for keys.

we waited 90 minutes to be served after which the paperwork was processed & another 20 minutes to get keys. noticed shimmy on Deerfoot, windshield wiper on passenger side did not function properly. forced to change holiday plan.

Aug. 23: returned car, told reps the problem who seemed unconcerned but advised to contact customer service. Vehicle was a Toyoto Carolla with 44,628 km, plate # ABU41384. Our concerns are:

1. service at rental desk

2. condition of rental vehicle

3. exhorbitant cost of$614.03 for 3 days & less than 3 hours of driving

David & Carole Bates

15 ch Journeaux

Chelsea, QC J9B 2A3 d.c.[protected]@hotmail.com

I rented this past weekend in Pittsburgh, PA. I had booked through KAYAK a Toyota Tacoma for $143.00 and left paying close to $600 for a Dodge RAM. The clerk oversold me without my knowledge and told me to hit 'continue' on the screen as he was rushing people through the line. I mistakenly thought that since I had a confirmation number and a booking, that I didn't have to worry about the quick signage. Right then and there I asked about the price to the man who helped me. I was told about the holding charge until I bring the car back which was a $200 hold charge for debit cards and a $300 charge for a credit card. I did opt for the gas plan and insurance, and paid with a credit card so I figured after the holding charge of $300 plus the $143 and extra fees- my price was accurate. I would be getting the $300 back and that was fine. Only later did I come to find out that there is only ever a holding charge of $200 per vehicle. So I'm out $100.00 immediately.

Aside of the price- the truck was difficult to drive and to park leaving me needing to uber to most locations anyway as I felt unsafe driving the thing. Even when I picked up the car the attendant told me I was "brave" cause he "hates driving the big trucks" and I told him right then and there I didn't want it! Not only did they upgrade me without my consent- but when I returned the car with no damage (and barely any mileage) they tried charging my card on file OVER $1000.00? I had already had a pending transaction in my account for the previous charge- why charge me again, and twice as much? Thank GOODNESS my company flagged the charge before I could catch it. The clerk oversold me without my knowledge and told me to hit 'continue' on the screen as he was rushing people through the line. I mistakenly thought that since I had a confirmation number and a booking, that I didn't have to worry about the quick signage.

Even right now I'm on hold with budget to figure this out and I've only gotten a hold of one person who answered the phone but didn't even greet me. This is ridiculous and a complete scam! I wouldn't be surprised if someday I see a lawsuit against budget for all these people they screwed over! Even the woman from my credit card company hates Budget!

I rented a car in Denver CO starting Saturday 8/19/23 and returned it yesterday 8/19/23. The RA # is carelessly written it is either

680955030 or 680755030, see the attached photo.

My contract involved a Toyota Camry. Instead I was a assigned a “LEMON”, a Nissan Rogue which was AWFUL!

1. the cruise control DID NOT WORK

2. Bluetooth DID NOT WORK

3. It consumed an extraordinary amount of fuel

4. The transmission at times, did not shift and a few times stayed in low. I moved the lever into automatic a few times.

5. When I entered it, the display included “maintenance required” (probably 15,000 mile service).

I have rented from Budget for 40 years and never had any problems.

This vehicle that you loaned me was HORRIBLE. I tried to exchange it several times in Laramie, WY but there is no Budget service there and your phone customer service is awful, assuming deliberately awful.

This rental cost me nearly $600 and the car was so bad that the experience has been near FRAUDULENT!

Let us resolve this issue.

Honestly,

Joseph Bayman

[protected]

I had rented a car on 7/11/23, Amazon prime day for 7/25/23 to 8/4/23. I was told I would receive $75.22 on a Amazon gift card upon the return of the car on 8/4/23. Well 1 week later and still nothing. I have communicated with Budget to no avail. So I had also placed a rental on 7/11/23 for another car to be picked up on 9/22/23 and returned on 11/20/23. Well after the first nightmare I called budget to request a full refund of my PREPAID CAR RENTAL which was for $1747.38. I was told that I would receive a FULL REFUND. However, the credit pending on my credit card is for $1451.21. The customer service rep decided to deduct the amount of the Amazon Gift Card $296.17, which I had not even received since I hadn't even picked up my car yet. When I called back to get it fixed, I was told they could not fix it since it had just been entered into the system. So I contacted my credit card company to dispute this as fraud and theft. I have always rented from Budget and never in my 13 years of renting have I ever encountered such a nightmare with this company. If you do not wish to honor Amazon Prime cards then don't offer them. When issuing a refund, make sure your associates are smart enough to know your policies and give the correct amount on the refund not steal your customers money. This had be the worst rental experience I have ever had.

On [protected] my wife and I rented a vehicle from the Charleston International Airport location. Between the car being filthy and needing fluids after we left the lot. These fluids were purchased by us. We returned the vehicle on the 28th of July at the same location. A bag was left in the vehicle and when we had realized it, we went back down to the return area to inquire. After waiting 30 minutes we were told that there was nothing found in the vehicle. While waiting for confirmation of our flight I went back down a second time and asked a second person who after 30 minutes said that there was nothing found in the vehicle. Our flight was delayed which forced us to rent another vehicle and when we went down to pick that vehicle up, we inquired again about the bag. We arrive back in Anchorage on [protected] and my wife received a text that our bag was found in the vehicle. Since that date we had been trying to call and talk with someone out the bag and whether it is worth getting it shipped back up here. To date, I have gotten to listen to a dozen voice mails that are full and can't receive messages, or numbers that just ring and the phone hangs up. This has been truly the worst and most frustrating rental car experience I think my wife and I have ever had.

I requested a SUV and was put into an electrical car, which looked like a regular car. I drove it 100 miles not knowing it was electrical. When I arrive at my destination, there were no electrical charging stations in the area. I am 70 year old woman, I should have been told it was electrical since there area specific knowledge you have to have to navigate an electrical, like downloading apps to find the nearest charging station. It takes 2 or more hours to charge the car, time I did not plan on my trip. It caused me to spend the majority of my time worrying about how to get back to the airport. This took pace July 21, 2023 and I returned it July 24, 2023. # [protected]

All the customer service representatives were not nice. They simply said it was my fault because I should have known. The were flippant, and arrogant, and did not appear to understand the severity of my circumstances. I essentially was stranded, and al they could tell me was it was not my fault and that an electrical car is just like a gas car, which is not true. I can pump in under 5 minutes, and don't have to leave the car sitting for 2-7 hours. The hotel offered an electrical outlet and I used the equipment in the trunk to charge it, but aver 24 hours it had only supplied the car with 40 miles.

I would like my money back, all of it. You couldn't pay me $1000 to repeat that situation. I think it is wrong not to share the kind of car especially if it is electrical. I felt I was a genie pig, a test for budget.

Hello, on the dates of July 14th through July 20th we rented a car in Aguascalientes, MX. The reservation number was [protected] with insurance [protected]. We booked through Expedia and were told that the rental would be around $145.00. When we went to turn in the car tell me why we were charged $383.41. I was very unhappy and wondered why was there such a big difference. Also, they gave us a car with no seat belt and told us that it was no big deal, just to take it. Also, the air was not working correctly. It was just a total mess.

In May of 2023 there was an error regarding the rental car I thought was reserved through Budget at Albuquerque Airport. So the only car they could provide was through Payless - and I was told that was the ONLY car left. Later that day we noticed a distortion on driver side of windshield but did not bring car back since we were told there were no more cars. The distortion made reading signs somewhat difficult - it made a tiny zig zag pattern that distorted straight lines. Upon returning the car I showed the problem to the attendant who saw it. At the desk I requested a credit. The manager came out and wanted to look at the car but even though it was only a few minutes after return, the attendants told him they could not find any such car. (Big surprise)

I was eventually given an acceptable credit. Now I am receiving letters (dated 6/20 and 6/30) from Nora Henry, Emergency Road Specialist, that I am to be billed $694 for causing this distortion.

The distortion is something that a driver could not have caused - I checked the manufacturer.

However, on June 26 my email to the customer service department was responded to by Luz, Customer Care Rep at Payless, which said I would not be charged.

Protect yourselves - DON'T rent from Budget or Payless.

5:00 PM July 7, 2023

Reno, Nevada Airport.

Confirmation number: 326 0926

George McCabe

We have been waiting in line for over an hour to get a car and aren’t even close to being helped yet. There has been one person working the counter until a few minutes ago. There is now two people working the counter. There is over 20 people waiting in line for cars as they continue to take preferred people in front of us. Clearly you don’t have enough employees. This is ridiculous and I’ll never rent a car from you again. I had an important dinner reservation for 6pm that I had to cancel. I would have left and rented from another company but I prepaid for the car. I’m extremely disappointed in your company. Many people here are very upset. Very very disappointed.

This billing statement was for the add-on charges above & beyond the basic rental price, which was promoted and paid along with airfare on the airline website.

I spent over an hour trying to decipher this bill, as it became a personal challenge (I'm an engineer, not an accountant).

Clearly the billing statement presentation is intentionally engineered to make it incomprehensible, such that few will take the time (to even attempt) to understand all the charges and extra BS they layer in.

Absolutely astounding, and effective.

I see this as a hostile business practice.

I did write to Budget saying so... but ha ha on me, this is a calculated tactic.

End result: the insurance + fees upon fees was more than 2x the basic car rental.