Budget Rent A Car
reviews and complaints

Hello,

I returned my car with a missing car emblem and no further damages. Budget waited 90 days to send a bill claiming additional damages without proof! In other words, they waited until my insurance company could no longer interfere in their rip-off since I can no longer submit my claim after 90 days. They also claim that there was a collusion in order for the emblem to fall off; yet, when I returned the car, the Budget team did a full review and couldn't find any additional damages. They are now charging $1200 for a missing emblem which only cost $100 to purchase and $0 to clip back on.

I am so disappointed and upset by Budget's clear extortion!

I rented a Tacoma truck from Budget Rental car in St. George Utah on 05-19-2020 because the flight I had booked to San Jose CA had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I rented the Tacoma truck from 5/20/2020 to 05/27/2020 and got the $6.95 insurance for 7 days as well. I prepaid for my rental on 5/19/20 the total amount paid was $257.20 this included the base rate for 7 days at $151.05, Coverage at $48.65, Surcharges/Fees at $21.92, and taxes at $36.01 which came to $257.63 however I was only charged $ 257.20 left a balance of $0.43.
It showed the pick up location as 58 North 700 East St. George Utah 84770, however when I arrived there at noon to pick up my vehicle there was a sign on the door that said pick ups were at the St. George Airport. So, that was over 30 mins away. I tried to call but never got thru to a human.
Anyhow, I finally arrived at the rental counter and was greeted by a man, the manager, with no PPE protection (for covid) so, I stood back from counter and told him I had a reservation that I prepaid for. He asked me for my drivers license and card that I paid for rental with. Then he said because it was a debit card I had to provide proof of my address for residency and also had to pay for the LDW insurance. Luckily I picked up my mail on the way there so I had my water bill in hand for proof of residency and the LDW insurance he tried to charge me was wrong. He said it would be 40.00 per day and I said NO, online it said it was only 24.99 per day. He said what sight did I make my reservation with and I said BuDGET rental car website and it specifically says 24.99 LDW insurance rate. Then he paused for a moment and said, oh yeah, your right. Then he asked me if I wanted to keep the other insurance I paid for$6.95 per day and I said no. Just credit me for the amount I paid. He went and got a calculator and said that I would receive a credit of $16.00 per day to offset the 40.00 for the LDW insurance because it only costs 24.99 and $48.65 credit for the other insurance. I wrote that down on the receipt, but I guess he never put that piece of paper in my packet. So, then he said no worries we will get it straightened out when you return the truck. He said he would put a hold of $434.00 on my account for a deposit and any remaining charges would be taken out of that. I said that's fine. Then he handed me my keys and said have a nice trip.
I went out to truck and walked around it and took photos of every side and angle because he didn't come and check the condition with me before I left. Got in and it said it needed a oil change so i walked back inside and asked him if it was ok and he assured me it had one but was'nt reset. Ok. My trip goes great and I returned home on Tuesday. Don't ask me why I thought I had the truck until Thursday, but actually it was supposed to be back wed. I didn't realize this until I called to get an extension to keep the truck until Friday the 29th of May. Which was approved via email. I tried contacting the branch at the airport, but could never get through to that location. Frustrating. But, anyhow my extension was approved and because the 2 extra days would only cost me 79.50 it was my understanding that those additional charges would be taken out of the deposit when I returned the truck. At least, that is what I was told by the manager when I picked up the truck.
I returned the truck on Friday the 29th of May at 12:38 and went to counter to return the keys and get final bill. There was a young girl there, but no manager and I wanted to make sure that I was credited for the $16.00 per day for LDW insurance; plus the $48.65 for the other insurance I prepaid for that was $6.95 per day for 7 days. Then another lady came out from the back and helped me because the younger girl was confused. So, the older lady said no problem we will credit your account and I will send the receipt to my email address. I said ok no problem and left. They didn't go out and look at the truck or anything. Kinda bizzare, but because I took photos and there was no damage to truck I was fine with leaving without them checking it.
The next day I was looking over my bank account and noticed a charge from Budget on the 28th of May for $219.00. Now why in the world would they charge me $219.00 extra when the additional fees of $79.50 for truck rental for 2 additional days plus $49.98 for LDW insurance for 2 days came to $129.48 which should have been deducted from the $434.00 that they took for a deposit. So that is where my problem is. They over charged me and took additional money out of my account that was NOT authorized. I want my money back. They did refund $139.52 on 05/29/20 but that is not correct amount . They owe me additional $162.58. This is ridiculous and its impossible to talk to a human being to get any answers. Please help.

Total Rental charges including 2 xtra days is : $230.55
LDW insurance @ 24.99 x 9 days =. $224.91
Energy costs: $ 6.30
11.11APFe $ 66.09
3.75% Reg. $ 21.50
16.25%St. Tx $107.40
Total Bill should be. $656.75
Credit For Insurance Prepaid $6.95x7= ( $ 48.65)
Adjusted Grand Total. $608.10
Prepaid Amount Online ($257.20)
Grand Total Adjusted Amount. $350.90. balanced owed
Less The DEPOSIT Taken on 05/20. ( $434.00)
Refund amount should of been ($ 83.10)
Less The UNAUTHORIZED Charge on 05/28 $219.00 to my account
Total Amount owed to me ($302.10)
Amount Refunded to my account on 5/29 $139.52
Amount BUDGET STILL OWES ME IS. $162.58
It is just plain wrong for them to charge my account without my knowledge or approval. They had no right to do that! Please help...Thank you.
T.mason

I pre-paid for a budget rental car through my online account. I arrived at the kansas city airport budget and gave them the information. I returned the car and flew back home. A few weeks later, I received a charge for $208.71 from budget kci. I contacted budget and explained that I had pre-paid on their sight $191.60 but that kci had charged me again for $208.00. They then went into an excuse mode, letting me know that the budget at kci was a franchise and that they are not on the same system... Let me make one point... I don't care that they are a franchise on another system, that is your problem. I provided all the documents showing the double billing, and they said I would hear something in a few days. I did, and all the perforated letter showed was that I was late one hour, so the charges were valid. I asked, so being one hour late is $208 and some change charge? I again contacted budget customer service on sunday, april 26th and went through everything for the 3rd time, and I was asked to go back through all my documents and send them over in an email... Just a note, this took time because the original charges were in february. I did and sent it over with the case number [protected].

This time I received a response much quicker but with the same formatted email about me being a little late and that the charges were valid. They again did not address the fact that my information showed that I was double billed. I don't give a crap about the one hour late charge, the fact that I was charged over $400 for a three-day rental of a car for work. Budget and the incompetence of your staff to address a mistake that I have fully documented are crazy. You have taken so much of my time and effort to correct something that should be so simple is unbelievable. Let me repeat what I said above that I have been told all 4 times I have contacted your customer service, I don't care that the kansas city airport budget is a franchise not on your system. They carry your budget name and I am making sure that everyone in our company and anyone who will listen knows about the tone-deafness of your organization. You may be a little cheaper, but you have taken so much of my time you are the most expensive rental car company.

Auto Europe uk voucher No.UK4916495-1. Budget DA res No.12345670GB1
We were totally misled by your counter staff at MIA, when we got back home your "excessive charges"
Added almost 50% more to our car hire.
The Toll sensor we were told was free "You just Pay for when it's scanned at the tool booths a few dollars each time" no mention of by the day or month as it has turned out?
We returned the car full to full but were charged $33.67 for fuel.
The $33.67 plus the toll $179.85 totals an extra cost to us of $213.52 almost 50% extra in hidden costs!
Can someone look into this as it is not good for Budget's reputation as a good service provider.
Your Sincerely
Terry williams
[protected]@ gmail.com +[protected]

After many travel delays and cancellations I had to change my rental car and airport to travel to Chicago. I arrived at the Budget Midway counter around 11:30 (pm). The price of a Budget rental car was double what Enterprise cars are. They "convinced" me I needed an upgrade because of road conditions which turned out to be false so additional money paid for NO REASON. I asked for gas to be put in by them for convenience instead they did not put this in the contract and my oversight did not notice as I was exhausted so now they want to charge me $109 for a TANK OF GAS. This company oversells their product and takes advantage of the consumer. I am a military mother trying to get to her sons Naval Graduation and have had to pay exuberant fees to make this happen - can someone help to get some of my money recouped. CS with Budget has no compassion or care and I will NEVER rent a car from them again.

I returned a car to ft myers international airport, on january 31 st, and had to deal with this impossible curmudgeon of a man named al. Rude, ignorant, mean spirited, person, with the worst mentality that you could imagine, in other words, a crappy individual, with a crappy attitude! Sorry, but there is no reason why your customers (! Me), should have to deal with this, period! He yelled at my wife and, this al got in her face. He is lucky that I was not within earshot of what happened, because it could of been worse, for this idiot. Sorry for the harsh words but they are warranted when your employees disrespect customers. That's simply not acceptable. I hope your company deals with this individual. Thank you sincerely.

I picked up a rental at this location on 11/19/19 because my own car was having problems. When I went online to search for a rental, Budget turned out to be the cheapest. My quote was for around $85 for a 4 day rental. Come Saturday, 11/23, my car needed more time to be repaired so I called this office to extend. Nobody answered the phone. You just have to leave a voicemail. I feel uncomfortable leaving just a voicemail so I called the 800 number. It was an automated message that took the extension. It didn't give me a price so I went to my account to find out what the new charges will be. I was going to extend for another 3 days and when I went online, the new total charges were going to be around $145. I should have printed that quote. I never knew that they would do a bait and switch on me. My car was fixed so instead of returning the car on Tuesday, I returned on Monday, which was yesterday. The total charge was for $585.78! For a Toyota Yaris! I complained to the clerk on the front desk and he told me to call the manager, Kyhan and he will fix it. I called Kyhan and he didn't pick up. So I called the 800 number again and filed a complaint. In the meantime, they charged my credit card $585.78. I will be taking this company to small claims court if this is not resolved. This is ridiculous

Having sent a reimbursement request through the online customers service link below and not receiving any confirmation that it had gone through, on 27th September I resent the request by e-mail to 'customer.service@avis.co.uk'. Still not receiving any acknowledgement, I again resent the request to the same e-mail on 01st October. To my dismay and disappointment as I do expect better attention to your customers, on 03rd October I sent the same and all complementary documentation to Budget UK by registered mail which I can be certain was delivered, but I still have not had any reply. Below a full explanation of the circustances of the complaint.

On 07/09/2019 I reserved a Budget vehicle online via the Swiss Air site to be collected at Heathrow on 18/09/2019
Reserve Reference: GB441870120
Confirmation n° 15474073BR6

On 14/09/2019 I received am e-mail form Car Trawler & Swiss confirming the reservation and with the option to print out a voucher which was duly printed out confirming the Swiss Air Flight number LX 318 and indicating time and date of availability of the Budget car code E-CFMR and price to be paid of GBP 157.75 (I was surprised to later discover that this value was actually discounted from my account on 09/09/2019)

On arrival at Heathrow on Swiss Air Flight LX 318 as scheduled and presenting the voucher at the Budget counter, the attendant insisted there was no reservation registered under the number on the voucher. She therefore made out another reservation [protected]-GB-1

The car was collected the following day 19/09/2019 under Rental Agreement [protected]. The charge was GBP 152.42 (actually paid on 27/09/2019)

Upon returning the vehicle as agreed at around 04:00 a.m. on 25/09/2019, I requested the attendant to verify the information regarding the original reservation and was informed that although the Reserve Reference number on the voucher was indeed incorrect, by searching under my name he encountered the booking under Reservation Number 15474073BR6. The attendant pointed out that the Budget employee erred and should have verified my reservation by also searching under my name. He kindly supplied me with the printout of the reservation details.

I would therefore be grateful if GBP 157.75 be credited to my debit card account as soon as possible since it is clear that the Budget employee was mistaken about the original reservation not being recorded and I should not have been charged for this.

Priceline Trip # [protected].
The above Budget Car rental for October 16-22, 2019 was cancelled on August 19.
Budget Rent A Car Cancellation #
1429911US4.
When I picked up car at Lamezia Terme airport, the Budget Car Agent rented the car using the Priceline Trip No, when he should had used a prepaid reservation for October 16-23.
I request a full credit of all charges under the Priceline Trip No. [protected]. Request credit of full charge under the cancelled reservation immediately.

Conward E Williams
[protected]@gmail.com

[protected]

Budget,

On October 11, 2019, I learned that my Master Card was fraudulently used by your company in the amount of over $4200.00 on October 10, 2019. I do not understand how your company obtained my new credit card information, but I would like to have this matter resolved and the charge reversed from my credit card immediately.

Please feel free to contact me at 919.884.9777.

Thank you,
Charyce Rushing

September 6, 2019
Rental # [protected]

after contacting Budget three (3) times prior to paying for the rental, we were told my son - who is Active Duty Military - would not have to pay the Under-Age Drive Fee. Once he turned in the car, he was charged the fee anyway. My son and I called, spoke to a manager, who told my son to take a picture of his Military ID, send it to the email address the manager provided and that it would be resolved.

It never got credited and now they claim they aren't going to credit it and that we were never told it would be credited. Budget customer service agents are lying to customers which seems customary with Budget. Deceptive practices and unethical behavior are definitely part of their daily program. I just want my $174.00 back. I'm reporting them to the BBB, sending a copy to my Lawyer and reporting them to whatever government agency oversees rental car companies. They are deceitful liars and they seem to be pretty proud of it when you talk to them on the phone.

Horrible experience with Budget Rent a car! We booked and prepaid the 7-day rental amounting to $253 after tax. Upon arrival at Budget's office at John Wayne airprort, they asked us to give two credit cards and my return ticket since i am a tourist just for identity validation. I clearly asked their staff if the cards will not be charged and he said YES. We declined all insurance or extras but 2 weeks after i saw my credit card statement and it reflected a $338.25 worth of insurance! We called customer service and even went back to the airport and they all said the same thing, that they can refund/cant do anything about it. I just find it unfair since the guy didnt even take the time to review or explain the whole agreement to us and just made us sign. We specifically asked them not to add any insurance and made sure they wont charge my credit card! Also, their customer service agent hung up on me while we were on the phone! How do we resolve this. I cant pay this $338.25 since i didnt even ask for it, wasnt even made aware of it. BUDGET RENT A CAR!

I have rented from this location (WB2) many times, for some reason. I guess I like the abuse. Typically, they do NOT have a vehicle to rent. This is after I pre-pay in advance. They state, "the airport (another Budget location) did not send us any cars." Of course, I could travel another 20 min. to the airport (AVP) and pay a higher fee with taxes however, that is not as convenient for me at times. Do not even attempt to call the local Budget, NO ONE ever answers the phone. I rented from this location two times this year, same issue. I am writing this to warn anyone so they do not get stuck. And guess what, I am attempting another rental in two days there. I do have a back-up plan this time. I just would like for them to get their act together, get some training, get professional. Get Some CARS!

To Nora Henry and all,
1-800-984-9123
ersbillingteam@avisbudget.com

Rental date: 07/25/2019
Rental#: U255150486
VCR#: VCR2850041
Case#: 2955508

Why should I have to pay $253.70 (total expense for services & repairs) for your mistake in giving a rental car (VW Jetta) that has defective tires and no spare tire.
You all have not reported it to the federal agency as this is a safety issue and could cause injury to other people.
We were given a 2nd car in Orlando airport with same issue until after a 3hr ordeal they gave us a different car. I have all the pics even from the towing company.
It is not my fault and you all need void this bill in full.

Manavi Sallick
[protected]

I recently traveled to the Outerbanks for a family vacation, I rented a car with Budget through AARP with the understanding that additional drivers are free. When I tried to register an additional family member I was told there would be an additional charge of 15$ a day. When I questioned the clerk I was told the policy changed, when I explained the terms of my rental agreement she said there wasn't anything she could do. I asked to speak to the manager and was told no one was there. I pushed the issue and read the rental terms the clerk went into the back room and told me "he" said OK, just this once. I understand terms change but I think it's reasonable to notify someone who already has a reservation, giving them the option to switch rental companies, as I would have.
Thank You, Gail Lannon

I rented a car at the Knoxville airport 7/8/19 -7/11/19. I informed them in advance that I would have a service dog with me. I was told that is no problem.the dog traveled from the airport to my home and back to the airport to fly back to Tampa. I then received a bill for $75 stating mud on the floor mats front and back seat and pet hair front and back seat. The fact that it rained in Knoxville the week I used the car seems unusual that you would bill me for that when you never have in the past. I rent from Budget every trip and have never been billed for mud on the floor mat. Now the back seat of the car was never used by a person or the dog. The dog does not shed and even if the car was vacuumed on the way to the airport the dog still needed to ride in the car. I was told by customer service when I called that Budget does not vacuum cars when they are returned and it's the customers responsibility to do that. So if I had a peanut allergy and assumed Budget vacuumed the cars between rental that would not be correct. The dog is for a disability and not traveling as a pet. I have returned cars before with mud on the floor mats and never been charged. I do believe Budget is showing discrimination to people with service dogs. The rental counter and drop off is clearly seeing there has been a dog in the car and automatically charging a cleaning fee. I will no longer use Budget again and yes I'm sure this is a scam and game all rental companies do. Shame on you!

I want to complain about your employee Antonio. He is rude, irresponsible and totally unprofessional. I had booked a compact car. The rental location did not have compact cars. So he said they only can give me pick up truck which I said I am not comfortable driving it because I had never driven a truck. I told him I don't mind if they give me a nano car, a sedan or a compact sized SUV. I don't need an upgrade necessarily i am fine with downgrade too. Just that I am not comfortable driving the truck. Then that guy's attitude was "what can i do? I have the truck if you want. Nothing else. If you want an SUV you need to pay more". No apologies that the cars are not available and no professionalism when I said I cannot drive a truck. After that he started asking us personal questions like where are we driving and when I told him I have an important appointment and I need the car that I can drive he asked me what appointment I have? Does your employees ask their customers personal questions? Are they always so rude ? And then when I was angry on him for asking personal questions he started talking to us and said if I want a car I need to be very calm because I am the customer otherwise he will simply cancel the reservation and its a warning. The problem does not end here. He finally gave us an 8 seater SUV which I accepted but was not very comfortable yet. I called the person who checks the condition of the car to help me with the big SUV and that's when I informed him that's the reason I am asking for a small car. He said "THEY DO HAVE SMALL CAR". So from what I infer is that guy -Antonio deliberately abused us and harassed us although he had small cars available. Is this how this company values their customers?

I requested a Ford Fusion or similar. I was given a KIA suv which was a free upgrade. But the took my ARRP discount at the KIA rate. It should have been at the rate of the car I requested. I never received any help with my or my wife's luggage when boarding and exiting the shuttle bus. Nice way to treat a disabled person!
I'm very unhappy with Budget! Terrible service and treatment. Will rent from another company next trip. I will make it a point to pass my experience on to friends.

• June 6, 2019 @ DTW Budget Counter

Let me start by saying all the Budget personal were very friendly!
• However it took 20 minutes for the Budget shuttle to arrive at the terminal.
During the time I along with 6 other Budget customers waited; Avis had 3 shuttles and National had 2 shuttles which come through.
• I arrived at the Budget Rental office at approximately midnight. Once at the Budget counter, unfortunately there was a long line of customers waiting for service. I was the eighth customer.
• I inquired as to where Fast Break was, the representative stated "it closed at 11:00 PM".
• The representative was the only one taking care of customers. She was working at the end station and had to constantly run back to the center station where the intercom was to get the number for the next customer's car then run back to her station.
• Each customer took 10 to 15 minutes to process.
• At 1:17 AM I was finally seen. (Totally unacceptable)
• During the time I and the others waited, 8 potential customers came and left. I presume going to another rental car provider.
• When I went out to my car, I was surprised that the ‘Full Tank' of gas was only at a ‘Quarter'.
I walked back to the office and the representative apologized, and directed me to drive over to the pumps to top off.
After driving over, waiting for the ground support staff to top off my gas tank I was finally on the road.
In all my years with Budget Rental car this was the worst service (time wise) I have ever encountered. I can't understand while Budget's Fast Break service was not available after 11 PM or why it could not be extended as other rental car agencies, allowing you to simply pick your envelope, identify your car and be off.
All total there were probably 20 plus customers serviced during the time I was there or still in line after I left. Surly there was enough revenue generated or could have been generated by the potential customers that left that could have paid for another counter service agent?
Bad Scheduling?
Bad Management?
Also from the customer side of the counter the counter is both dirty with old hanging clips etc. attached.

Requesting some Client future car rental credit
Fast break #RL740P also Business account member

Budget overcharged me $830.85 for a one day rental. This was a complete error on their part and I filed a claim #[protected].

I prepaid $67.88 for the rental of a Toyota pickup truck at the Budget agency at the Oakland International Airport for June 7th 2019 and return on June 8th, 2019.

This rental was done online via the Fastbreak system. When I arrived the clerk had knowledge of this rental and asked for my Fastbreak number. She then spent several minutes on the computer and located the transaction. Finally she handed me the contract in an envelope marked for space #M11. When I went out to M11 the was a Toyota Prius in that slot. I thought they had just switched vehicles due to a shortage because I originally asked for a full size car and they told me that only a pickup was available.

I proceeded to the exit gate with the Prius but when they saw my contract they said I had the wrong vehicle and that they would try to located the pickup truck. I was directed to return the Prius to M11 and I did. Short after they directed me to the pickup truck in another slot. I then went to the gate and checked out.

Then next morning when I returned the vehicle they said they couldn't process the return and sent me to the Fastbreak office. The clerk took my contract and spent several minutes on the computer trying to figure out the problem. Later she said she found out what happened and printed out a new contract and handed it to me. I stuck it in my pocket and headed for the airport bus to the terminal.

Afterward I realized I the overcharge and attempted to contact Budget Customer Service. They were closed for the day so I called again on June 9th and filed a claim for the overcharged. Apparently they assigned the mileage from the Prius to my contract and didn't correct it when they gave me the pickup truck.

This resulted in an additional mileage charge for 1382 miles. This was a complete mess by by Budget. The Customer Service Representative took my complaint on the 9th and the $830.88 debit was still pending on my account. Yet on the 10th my account was debited anyway.

So I called again today and wanted to know why you have no problem wrongly taking the money in a day or two but you can't seem to be able to put it back in without a lengthly bureaucratic process. Please return the money now!

John Stiglich
rental #[protected]