Budget.com Reviews - 313

Had to rent from Budget

Had to rent from Budget since my car was getting repaired. Everything was fine until I returned the car. They slapped me with a $450 cleaning fee. Apparently, a little bit of trash in the backseat foot space costs that much to clean up. It was just a bit of stuff, not even enough to fill a kitchen garbage bag. No stains, no damage, just some trash I forgot to take out in my rush. It felt like they were just looking for an excuse to charge extra. Really disappointing, definitely won't be using Budget again.

I went to rent a

I went to rent a Kia, but when I got there, someone already took it. They tried giving me a Jeep next, but it was way too high for my mom to get in or drive, seriously felt like it was made for a teenager. Then, they handed us an electric car. My mom has no clue how to use one of those. Really frustrating experience, wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

So I booked a Jeep

So I booked a Jeep Wrangler for 5 days at €217.34 through E-dreams, including insurance, and was supposed to pick it up at LA Airport. When I got to the Budget counter, Rose helped me out. At first, she was super nice, asking about my trip and all that. I made it clear I didn't want any extras because I already had full theft insurance. She gave me the contract and asked for my signature twice in a rush. I knew from E-dreams the fuel policy was "full/full." I even asked Rose if I needed to fill up before returning, and she said no, fuel was included. So I signed and paid a €250 deposit, thinking everything was cool. Once on the highway, the Jeep started shaking badly. I thought it was the road at first, but it kept happening. I tried calling roadside assistance but got no answer. By not going over 60 mph, I managed to control it. After some Googling, I found out this "Death Wobble" is a known issue with these Jeeps. Not feeling safe, I didn't use the car for the rest of my trip. At my relatives' place in the U.S., who are lawyers, they checked the contract. Surprise! Rose had added extra services without telling me: $82.12 for fuel refilling, $9.95/day for personal belongings insurance, $9/day for extended roadside assistance, plus various taxes and fees. Back in Italy, I saw a €197.83 charge on my credit card I never agreed to. It's crazy that in 2024, tourists can still get scammed like this. I plan to take legal action against Budget and especially Rose for her shady behavior. Seriously, avoid this company. They are total frauds.

Renting a car from Budget

Renting a car from Budget was an absolute nightmare. We picked up the car at the airport for a one-day rental and planned to return it at an offsite location before our cruise. Surprisingly, they didn't give us any paperwork, just the keys and vague directions. We found a small paper with a number in the car, which we handed to the guy at the exit. Oddly, another couple had been assigned the same car, but since we loaded our luggage already, they went back for a different one. Returning the car the next day at Texas City, the desk person took the keys but refused to give us a receipt, saying it would be emailed. Days later, I received a bill for over $800, claiming we returned the car late in San Angelo, along with extra charges. Calling from the cruise ship, I spent an hour trying to resolve it, but got nowhere. Back in Texas City, the manager couldn't help either and gave me another number. Hours on the phone later, I was still out $800 and no closer to resolving the issue. Budget's lack of proper paperwork and customer service is infuriating. Never renting from them again.

Over a month-long trip with

Over a month-long trip with Budget in Turkey, I had several bad experiences with their staff at different locations. In Rize, I got a car with dim headlights, no high beams, and no reverse alarm. Driving at night on hilly roads felt really unsafe. They ignored my calls for a replacement, and the only option they gave was too far away to be useful. In Trabzon, they only helped after I insisted multiple times, which added stress. At the Istanbul Airport, it took over an hour to complete the rental process, and the staff was looking at old transactions. The guy at the garage was rude and told me to find the car myself, which was parked far away, causing more delays. The car had an engine oil warning that they didn't fix, telling me to go to a service center instead. Even after days of follow-up, the promised replacement never came, messing up my travel plans. The staff dismissed the warning as a “fake” alert. Overall, the inconsistent service and poor maintenance made for a very disappointing experience. Be cautious if you decide to rent with Budget.

My last experience was a disaster

Man, my last experience with Budget was a disaster. We landed in Orlando on Dec 26, 2024, and had to wait in a crazy long line for 1.5 hours to check in. It was weird because all other rental companies had way shorter lines, and everyone in the queue looked super annoyed. When we finally got to the counter, they told us the car wasn't ready and to come back in 30 minutes. Annoying, right? So, we came back, and another rude attendant said the car still wasn't ready and didn't know when it would be. After waiting another hour, they found another car but said it was at another terminal. It took us 30 minutes to get there, only to find out they had no idea about the car. We ended up getting a car three hours late, with zero apologies or explanations. Then, when I returned the car, they said there'd be no extra charges, but I saw $225.70 more on my receipt for tolls and fuel, which were supposed to be included. It was such a mess. I want my money back and some kind of compensation for all the hassle. Budget, you gotta do better!

After a cruise, my partner

After a cruise, my partner and I had to ask a port employee for directions to the rental area since there were no signs. The small coach was packed and it took nearly an hour to get to the hire location near Port Canaveral. The office was chaotic, and despite three staff members, we waited over an hour just to reach the desk. They tried to charge me for fuel that was included in my voucher, but I pointed out the conditions and they reluctantly marked it manually. The Mustang convertible we got was in terrible shape – dings, scrapes, and filthy inside. With no other options, we took it. Driving to Fort Lauderdale, the car started shaking at 60 mph, clearly not roadworthy. Budget was no help over the phone, so we parked it at our hotel. We returned the car on December 6th at Miami Airport, but weeks later, I still haven't been refunded for nearly $100 in fuel charges. My complaint about the car hasn’t been addressed either. Budget and Avis are basically the same, but I wouldn’t recommend renting from this location.

Avoid them at all cost

So, I booked a car with Budget for a 16-day trip, and it was a nightmare from start to finish. I reserved a cabriolet weeks in advance and even checked in online the day before. When I got to Orlando International Airport, they didn't have the car I booked. First, the lady at the desk said my model had a recall, then claimed they were all rented out. Which one is it? No cabriolets in Orlando, none in Tampa either. I had to settle for a lesser car that broke down after two days. Called customer service multiple times and got different answers every time. Had to pay out of pocket to get back to the airport for another car, which also wasn't a cabriolet. Saw a red mustang sitting there though. The car I ended up with was dented and had a chipped windscreen. They clearly don't care about their vehicles or their customers. Couldn't get through to anyone for a complaint either. Never using Budget again. Their 1.2/5 rating is totally deserved. Avoid them if you want a stress-free trip.

I rented a Suburban from

I rented a Suburban from Budget at Miami Airport from February 10 to 20, 2025. My experience was a nightmare. After a long 14-hour journey, I had to wait in line for 45 minutes. When it was finally my turn, I gave my booking.com voucher to Jessica at the front desk. I only added the free toll service for $10 a day, totaling $100, and declined all other extras. The car was filthy, and the tires were nearly bald. Upon returning the car, I didn't receive a final invoice. Later, I was shocked to find my credit card charged $88 for fuel, $20 for an airport fee, and around $80 for roadside assistance. They overcharged me $214! I had filled the car with gas just a mile before the airport and didn't ask for any extra services. This company feels like a scam. You don't get a final invoice, and they seem to overcharge without giving you a chance to dispute it. Jessica seemed more interested in scamming customers than providing good service. Budget, you’ve lost a customer for life.

Renting from Budget was a

Renting from Budget was a disaster from start to finish. We arrived at the Ocala Airport location right when they were supposed to open, but the doors were locked and they didn't open until after 8 AM. When they finally did, there were about six of us waiting, and only one rep who looked like he didn't belong there. Another rep showed up 15 minutes late in a t-shirt and jeans. When it was our turn, they gave us keys for a car that wasn't in the spot they said it was. We wasted 15 minutes looking for it, making us late. The car was junk; the AC barely worked. Returning the car was another headache. They were late opening again and then hit us with an extra $77.29 charge for a second driver, which was supposed to be included. The rep told us to call corporate and walked off. Corporate was no help, insisting it was a "legitimate charge." Save yourself the trouble. Rent from anyone but Budget, even Avis, which is the same company.

I will never rent from Budget or Avis again

So, our box truck was double-booked, and the local guy in Salem, OR kept pushing us to take a smaller cargo van or wait a few days for the truck to return. No other options, he said. I called corporate, and they couldn’t understand why the local guy wouldn’t upgrade us. Eventually, corporate made him give us a bigger truck, but it was a total death trap. The steering pulled hard to the right, the shocks were shot, and the transmission wouldn’t shift out of lower gears after any hill. The engine light kept coming on, and the AC barely worked. I called the Salem office nine times over three days with no response. Corporate promised call-backs from a supervisor, but they never happened. Because I couldn’t report the issues during the trip (no one answered the phone!), there was no compensation. I move a lot for work, and while rentals usually have minor issues, this was beyond scary. I will never rent from Budget or Avis again.

Save yourself the headache

Last September, my wife and I arrived at the Budget office at JFK airport, only to find out they had no cars available, despite our reservation. The staff had no idea when any cars would be available and put us 20th on a waitlist. Exhausted from a transatlantic flight, we had to find a hotel, take a train into the city, and get a bus home the next day. It cost us hundreds of dollars when we were supposed to pay about $90 for the car. Back home, I tried to reach Budget customer service, but it felt nonexistent. Eventually, after some negative social media posts, they sent me a coupon for a free three-day rental. But guess what? The coupon didn’t work in New York State, where I live. After multiple back-and-forths with their social media team, I was given a list of conditions that made the coupon useless. Don’t rent from Budget. They don’t honor reservations and their customer service is a joke. Save yourself the headache.

Totally done with Budget

Man, renting from Budget at Philly Airport was a total disaster. Booked a mid-size SUV through Priceline for $79.10, all taxes and fees included, right? Dropped it off early, tank full, car spotless. I thought I was all clear when the attendant said I was good to go, no forms, no inspection, nothing. Weird, huh? Then bam, I get hit with an email charging me $99.25. Turns out they slapped on a $17.99 fuel charge even though I filled the tank myself. Plus, there were random fees like concession recovery and customer facility charges that weren't in the original deal. Tried sorting it out with customer service, but it was like talking to a brick wall. This sneaky pricing game and the runaround they give you is just wrong. If you're renting here, take pics of everything—your fuel gauge, receipts, the works. Better yet, go with a company that actually cares about their customers. Totally done with Budget.

I had a pretty rough

I had a pretty rough time with Budget Car Rental at LAX. Right from the start, the clerk at the counter was super rude and seemed like they didn't wanna help at all. It felt like I was bothering them just by being there. They rushed me through all the paperwork without explaining anything properly, and I felt really pressured to sign everything quickly. Later on, I noticed they had added extra charges and services that I never agreed to. When I tried to ask about it, they were really dismissive and just wanted to get rid of me. It seemed like they were more interested in finishing the paperwork fast rather than being honest and clear with me. Overall, the experience was really frustrating and I felt cheated. I'm definitely gonna think twice before renting from Budget at LAX again. Be careful if you decide to go with them, and double-check everything to avoid surprise charges.

So, I arrived in Christchurch

So, I arrived in Christchurch and initially had a good interaction with a friendly staff member at Budget. But things took a turn for the worse. They gave us a car that was in terrible condition, way worse than the one we had booked, but still charged us the original price. After eight days, we returned it at the airport. The guy there barely looked at it, just ticked it off on his iPad. Four days later, I got an email claiming we damaged the left rear door. I knew we didn't, so I called the head office in NZ. The person I spoke to was nice and said she'd contact Christchurch. Five days later, they emailed back saying the damage must have been from the previous renter. I had photos proving the door was fine when we picked it up, meaning someone at Budget Christchurch was trying to scam us. I didn’t pursue it further, but I'd love to know who tried to get $6,000 from us.

Ever heard of Budget Customer

Ever heard of Budget Customer Services? Booked my car online, sent all the docs to "speed up" the process. Thought it was smooth until I got a call, supposedly to verify my info, but it turned into a sales pitch for overpriced insurance. When I got there, surprise! Had to re-submit all my papers and wasted half an hour at the desk. Watching the staff convince tourists before me to upgrade their car was like a free drama show. When my turn came, they tried the same with me. My "once in a lifetime" upgrade moment was more like a "take it or leave it" situation because the car I booked was as powerful as a hairdryer. The real kicker? After returning the car, they hit me with a £229 damage claim for a chip I never saw. Asked for proof, got nothing. Tried calling their support—the number might as well be fake. Avoid Budget if you don’t want surprise charges and endless upsells.

Not worth the stress or money

Rented a car in Lanzarote from a company I won't name, but let's just say they're not Budget or Avis. They claimed the car had no damages, but I found at least five issues—scratches, dents, you name it. Called the staff, and they couldn't be bothered to come out. They told me to take pictures and email them. I did, and got a "thanks for the pics" reply. When I returned the car, they invoiced me for one of the damages I had already reported. It’s a scam—they keep charging different customers for the same damages. Also, the booking said car pick-up and return is at the airport, but no, they pick you up instead. If you have an early flight, you’ll need a taxi, which they don’t tell you at booking. They said it’s only 5 euros, but that's a lie. Trying to resolve this with them now, but honestly, avoid this company. Not worth the stress or money.

I had the worst experience

I had the worst experience with this car rental company and want to warn others to stay away. After renting a car, I found an unexpected charge of €880 on my credit card. The agreed total was €483.60, so this was a huge shock. To make things worse, they lied and said I returned the car late, trying to charge me for an extra day. I was only three minutes past the rental end time, and their terms don't support this charge. Any delay in processing the return is on them, not me. What really annoyed me was their terrible customer service. I emailed them three times and called once, but got ignored every single time. They clearly don't care about resolving issues, just about taking as much money as possible. Their actions are unethical and almost feel like a scam. If you're thinking of renting a car, pick another company. This one is just trouble.

Total scammers!

If I could rate them zero stars, I would. Total scammers! I had a prepaid rental at JFK on November 14, 2024, for a VW Jetta or similar. When I arrived, they gave me a tiny car that couldn't fit my luggage. The car guy said I wouldn't be charged for an upgrade since they didn't have my reserved car. But back at the desk, the nightmare began. The lady there was super rude and said I'd have to pay for the upgrade or cancel, which meant losing my money. With two kids, I had no choice. Even worse, they charged me for extra insurances I didn't agree to. My £350 rental turned into nearly £700! I tried sorting it out with their helpline, and a manager promised to fix it. But after returning to England, the charges remained. Now it's December 9, and I'm still fighting for my money. This company is a mess. Please, avoid them at all costs.

After my flight from the

After my flight from the UK was delayed and then cancelled, I was relieved when AutoEurope assured me they’d updated Budget Avis USA about my situation. Arriving at O’Hare Airport, I expected a smooth car rental process since they accepted my AutoEurope voucher without any hassle. But things quickly went downhill when I discovered that I was charged almost three times the original cost for an 11-day rental. AutoEurope had supposedly kept Budget in the loop about my delay, yet my credit card was hit with a $2227.84 charge, on top of my initial prepayment of over $1000. I've reached out for help multiple times, but the customer service claims I owe nothing, which is baffling. This whole ordeal has been frustrating, and I feel let down by the lack of transparency and support. Based on this experience, I can't recommend their services.

I rented a mini van

I rented a mini van from Budget in October 2024, using their Uplift/Flex finance option on the website. I canceled the reservation and didn’t pick up the vehicle. A month later, I noticed a $53 charge and a loan agreement from Uplift/Flex. Called both companies, and Budget said it was Uplift’s issue. Uplift blamed Budget for not informing them of the cancellation. Budget assured they’d handle it, but another month later, I got charged again. Uplift said Budget didn't cancel the agreement. Budget then told me to stop payments through my bank, but that would hurt my credit. Apparently, once approved by Uplift, there's no refund if plans change. $287 might be peanuts to some, but not to me. The small print is tricky, and I didn’t notice the no-refund policy. It’s all about big businesses squeezing every dollar from us consumers.

I visited the Budget location

I visited the Budget location on 66th Street N in Saint Petersburg, Florida, and it was a total disaster. The place looked like it was falling apart, with a door made of plywood. I booked a car for the next day and paid upfront to save some money. When I got there, I had to pay $17 for an Uber, and then they asked for my social security number and ran a soft credit check without even telling me beforehand. They said they had to wait for Equifax before giving me the car. None of this was mentioned in the confirmation or rental agreement. When I asked for a refund, the guy told me to call customer service, but couldn't guarantee when I'd get my $198 back. I ended up going to Enterprise, which was much better. This whole experience was incredibly stressful and the staff at Budget were unhelpful. Would not recommend.

Billing practices and customer service are a mess

I thought renting a car in Naples through my airline's frequent flier program would be smooth, but it turned out to be quite the hassle. I picked up the car from Avis/Budget Italia, expecting the rental cost to be covered by my points. Decided to add a second driver and return the car without refueling, which was supposed to be $144 extra. But when I checked my credit card, there was a whopping $503 charge. The receipt had some mysterious "miscellaneous fees" of $191, with zero explanation. Tried reaching out to Avis/Budget in the US, but they said I had to deal with the Italy office. The contact info didn't work, and the website's all in Italian. It's frustrating that a global company offers no real support. Had to file disputes with my airline and bank. Their billing practices and customer service are a mess.

Fake agreement

I rented a car from Budget through Auto Europe, thinking it would be simple since everything was paid upfront. Pick up was smooth at Rome Fiumicino; I just checked the board, found my name, and the car keys were waiting for me. Didn’t even need to talk to anyone at the Budget desk. After a week, I returned the car, signed some papers, and thought everything was settled. But then, I noticed a £255 charge on my card. Turns out, Budget Italia claimed I added a bunch of extras to my rental—snow chains in Rome during March, seriously? They showed me a signed agreement, but I never signed anything like that. The unsigned copy I found in the car proves it. Budget forged my signature and refuses to refund me. Auto Europe backs them up with this fake agreement. Feeling completely ripped off by these companies.

We rented a car from

We rented a car from Malpensa airport for a short 3-day trip. Check-in was a breeze and we got the keys quickly. But when we got to the parking lot, the car wasn’t in the assigned bay. Had to trek back to the terminal where they rudely suggested we should have searched harder for the car. Midway through our journey, the car wouldn’t lock using the remote or the key. Took us five tries to get someone on the phone who told us to return it to the nearest branch. When we got there, they had no clue about our situation, and we had to wait two hours for another car. Missed an important meeting because of this. On top of that, they charged us extra for fuel and taxes, and their customer service was downright rude when we complained. They only offered a measly 20 euro voucher. Never using them again!

It was a total hassle!

We were vacationing in Florida, and our rental car's tire pressure alert popped up. Tried the 24-hour assist but they said there'd be a charge, without knowing how much. So, we got AAA to add air and check for leaks. Decided to swap the car and called customer service for nearby options. They told us a minivan was reserved at the closest Budget, but when we arrived, the staff at the Doubletree office had no clue about it—only a pickup was available. The guy wouldn’t even call to check; said we had to do it ourselves. Called customer service again, but they sent us in circles. Finally spoke to a manager named Kay K, but she was not in the USA and didn’t verify car availability. Frustrated, we ended up driving the original car while keeping an eye on the tire pressure. Overall, a total hassle!

Can't recommend at all

So, you know those travel nightmares you hear about? I kinda lived one recently with Budget Rental at Heathrow. First, the shuttle service was a mess—totally packed and super slow. Took forever just to get to the counter. When I finally got there, I asked if they could speed up the paperwork since I was already running late. Instead, the agent tried to upsell me on a pricier car, and when I said no, she switched my car to a tiny hatchback without even asking. Had to go back in line to fix it and finally got an SUV like I originally booked. And then, the bill. I was quoted £345.84, but ended up with a £412 charge. They blamed it on fuel, but the tank was practically full when I returned it. This whole ordeal, from start to finish, was a headache, and I just can't recommend Budget after this.

So, I thought I'd share

So, I thought I'd share my experience with this car rental company – just a heads up for anyone thinking about booking with them. I ended up losing over €600. My flight got delayed by two hours, which meant I arrived late to pick up my rental. My pickup time was set for 11:00 p.m., and the office closed at 11:45 p.m. I tried calling their emergency contacts and even emailed them about my delay, but there was no response. When I reached the office at midnight, it was already closed. Went back at 8:00 a.m. the next day, hoping to sort things out, but no luck. They refused to give me the car, saying the grace period didn't apply since my pickup time was too close to closing. It felt really unfair, and it messed up our family trip. Check the terms carefully – could save you from a huge headache!

I’m done with Budget

Arriving in Miami, I was pumped for my trip, but my Budget car rental experience quickly turned sour. I had prepaid $211 for a car using a credit card linked to Apple Wallet. At the counter, the agent said they needed a physical card, even though the rules never mentioned this. No rental, no refund, just a $66 Uber bill to where I was staying. The next day, I tried my luck at the Coral Springs office, hoping to sort things out. Instead of helping me with my existing reservation, they couldn’t find it and made me start over, charging me a whopping $1,008 for a car initially reserved for $211. What a rip-off! And when I saw the car listed online for just $120 a week, I felt totally taken advantage of. Despite my complaints, Budget's responses were dismissive. I’m done with Budget, for good.

If I could give zero stars, I would

I don't usually write reviews, but my experience with Budget was too frustrating to stay silent. I reserved a 26’ box truck two weeks in advance for a job, and everything seemed fine. They even called me two days before to confirm. On pickup day, I got there early, but the manager didn't show up until 8:15 AM, which was already annoying. Then, instead of helping me first, he spent 40 minutes with another customer. Finally, he tells me all the trucks are "broken." I asked why no one told me this earlier, but he had no answers. There were six trucks in the lot, yet he claimed none were usable. I lost a client and had to pay my workers for doing nothing. No apologies, no compensation, just poor service. Save yourself the headache and avoid Budget. If I could give zero stars, I would.