Budget.com Reviews - 313

I rented a car from

I rented a car from Charleston airport, and let me tell you, it wasn't the smoothest ride. After returning the car, I noticed an unexpected $354.13 charge labeled “Non Pkg Items.” Apparently, there was a $7/day upgrade I never asked for. No one mentioned this during pickup, and I definitely didn't agree to it. I've reached out to customer service to sort this mess out, but I’m still waiting for a response. It's frustrating, and I feel a bit misled. If you’re renting, make sure you go over every detail and charge, especially if you're using a third-party service like CarTrawler. I expected Budget to be more upfront about these things.

I rented a car from

I rented a car from this company, thinking I was getting a good deal. Boy, was I wrong. The car wasn’t inspected properly, and I ended up with a flat tire. When I called for roadside assistance, they tried to make me pay for it! After a lot of back and forth, they finally agreed to cover the cost. But I waited hours for help and missed a $400 booking. To top it off, they tried to bribe me with $50 for my troubles. Then, I got a letter charging me for the roadside assistance anyway! Customer service was useless, and they offered me another $50. I had to dispute the charges with my bank. Never again. Avoid this company at all costs.

I went to Brussels Midi

I went to Brussels Midi to pick up a car I booked through Rentalcars.com. Everything was prepaid, and I got a voucher to collect the car. At the counter, the staff suggested an insurance option to reduce the excess to zero for 38 euros. Sounded good, so I agreed. The guy showed me on his screen that the excess was zero and asked me to sign. I didn't get a chance to read everything. After my trip, I was shocked to see a charge of 190 euros instead of 38. When I reached out to customer service, they told me I had signed a new rental agreement. I felt tricked, and they wouldn't discuss it further. Be cautious if you’re renting there!

Totally ridiculous experience with Budget

Totally ridiculous experience with Budget Car Rental. Got a flat tire just minutes after leaving their depot, and their so-called recovery service was useless for over 24 hours. My family and I were stuck on I-95 in Miami, and it felt like they couldn't care less just because it was prepaid. We had to call a local emergency service to get rescued; those guys were lifesavers. When I finally talked to Budget's customer service at Miami Airport, they practically accused me of causing the flat on purpose. Ended up wasting money and time, and had to rent another car. Their customer service was non-existent. Thanks for nothing, Chris!

I flew into Dallas and

I flew into Dallas and had a car reserved with Budget a week in advance. When I got there, the line was ridiculous and, turns out, they were out of cars. I ended up waiting for 4 hours! My "reserved" car should've been ready, right? When I finally got one, there was zero apology or any compensation. Just "sorry about your luck." Tried reaching customer service, but that was a nightmare. Spent 30 minutes on hold, got disconnected, tried again and gave up after another 30 minutes. I regret not checking reviews beforehand. Never renting from Budget again. Next time, I'm sticking with a more reliable company, even if it costs more.

Realy rough time

My partner and I had a rough time at Ciampino airport. We were looking to rent a car, but the guy at the desk was just awful. He was speaking in Italian about us to his coworker, like we couldn't understand a word. And when we tried to get his name, he flat-out refused, shouting at us before storming out. Felt like we were being treated differently for no real reason. It was such a frustrating experience, especially since we had planned everything around renting the car. Just wish they could have been more professional and respectful. It really put a damper on our trip right from the start. Not a good look for customer service!

When I picked up the

When I picked up the car from Mitiline airport in Lesbos, Greece, I expected a decent ride, something like an Opel Astra. What I got instead was a 9-year-old Peugeot that looked like it had been through some rough times. The outside was covered in marks, and the inside showed its age. Then came the real kicker: one evening, parked in a nearby town, the car just wouldn't start. The battery was dead. We ended up taking a taxi back to the hotel. Budget did send someone to fix it the next day, but the hassle was real. And when I mentioned this at the Budget desk, the guy just shrugged it off. Cars should be reliable, not like this.

Honestly, renting a car at

Honestly, renting a car at Bari airport turned into a real mess for me. I dropped the car off after hours, thinking everything was fine, only to get slammed with a 1400 euro charge for damages I didn't even cause. It was frustrating because the deductible was supposed to be 1000 euros, so I can't understand how they can charge me more than that by their own rules. Makes no sense, right? I feel kind of helpless since I wasn't there to argue my case. This experience left a sour taste, and I definitely wouldn't go near this company again, at least not in Italy. The whole thing was a nightmare, and it’s hard to trust them anymore.

Renting from Budget was a

Renting from Budget was a nightmare. Returned the car with a full tank, just like I got it, but still ended up with fuel charges. Didn't ask for roadside assistance or any extras, yet they slapped on extra fees. Tried reaching out with emails and a formal complaint, but got total silence. No reply, no explanation, just unexpected charges on my card. This isn’t how a professional company should act. It feels dishonest and like they're taking advantage of customers. If you're thinking about using Budget, seriously, think twice. I’m definitely not going back to them. Super frustrating experience, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

You won't believe the chaos

You won't believe the chaos at Tivat Airport's car rental. I arrived expecting a smooth pickup, but Budget and Avis share a single desk, and it was a nightmare. Two people behind the counter, yet the line didn't budge for two whole hours. Imagine standing there, watching the clock tick, and nothing happening. It's like they were stuck in slow motion. Frustrated, I eventually bailed on the whole thing. Now, I'm in the middle of trying to claw back my 300 euros, but honestly, I'm not holding my breath. Such a letdown for a service that's supposed to be convenient. If you're headed that way, maybe think twice about renting there.

Rented a 2025 Chevy in

Rented a 2025 Chevy in red from Budget for a short trip, and everything seemed smooth at first. Returned the car on July 20th, 2025, in mint condition, even made sure the gas tank was full. The lady at the return counter checked it over and said it was all good. Fast forward to August 8th, and I get an email from Budget claiming there’s some glass damage and they're charging me $56.65. No details on what glass or what kind of damage. Seriously? Planning to dispute it once it hits my card. I've heard others have had similar issues, so definitely steering clear of Budget and their affiliated companies from now on. Unbelievable.

Let me tell you about

Let me tell you about the nightmare we had with this car rental place. Rented a car for my kid, and he ended up stuck in line for a ridiculous 4 hours. And guess what? After all that waiting, they refused service because their card reader was acting up. Can you believe the agent wouldn't even try to input the card manually? Talk about laziness. It feels like they hire the rudest people on purpose. Seriously, they should lose their license. It's like they don't care about their customers at all. Completely unprofessional and downright terrible. If you're thinking about renting from here, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

Awful!

I walked into the branch, and honestly, everything seemed fine. The staff there were helpful and polite. But dealing with their customer service on the phone? That's a whole different story. I had an issue and the person I spoke to was incredibly rude, which was frustrating. I also sent an email about some charges over a week ago, but still no reply. It feels like you're just shouting into a void. They make you talk to some central team for any problem, and after being spoken to so poorly last time, I'm not eager to try again. It's just disappointing when the in-person service is great, but everything else is such a struggle.

Absolutely terrible experience

Absolutely terrible experience with this car rental company. They totally doubled the cost of my three-week rental without any warning. They added extras to my prepaid rental that I clearly said no to. When I reached out to customer service, they only offered a measly 30% discount. I had to dispute the charges with my credit card company because the agent straight up lied, saying the $1238 charge was just a deposit. This company is only out to meet their targets, not help customers. I can't believe a business would operate like this. I would give zero stars if I could. Definitely never going back to them. Avoid at all costs!

You won't believe what happened

You won't believe what happened with Budget Car Rental. I booked a car online through a site like booking.com thinking I got a sweet deal. But when I got there, they hit me with extra insurance fees, saying what I paid wasn't enough. It felt like they were just trying to squeeze more money out of me. It's super frustrating, especially when you're trying to stick to a budget. Honestly, I felt a bit cheated and it's made me cautious about renting from them again. If you're considering Budget, just be careful and maybe look elsewhere unless you want unexpected surprises. It left a bad taste, and I’m gonna think twice next time.

Be wary of sneaky extra charges

During my trip, I rented a car from Budget at Edinburgh Airport and ended up in a bit of a pickle. After returning the car, they claimed I caused some damage, which I knew wasn’t true. Thankfully, I had snapped a bunch of photos when I picked up the car. It took a few days and a lot of back-and-forth, but I eventually got a portion of my deposit back. They also charged extra for a second driver, which was unexpected. If you're using them, document everything and make sure to return your car when staff are around to sort out any issues right away. Be wary of sneaky extra charges, especially if you’re catching a flight home!

I booked a car through

I booked a car through a deal with my airline, thinking I got a sweet discount by bundling my ticket and rental. Everything seemed fine until I got home and checked my statement. They had charged me twice! I had already prepaid, but then they slapped on a bunch of extra fees that made no sense, essentially doubling the cost. And no, it wasn’t for tolls or gas; I filled up the tank before returning it. I’ve rented cars many times before, and this was a first. The whole thing felt like a scam. Honestly, I've had way better experiences with smaller companies. Avoid Budget if you don’t want a surprise on your credit card bill.

Just avoid this place

Rented a car from Budget in Homestead, Florida, and it was a mess. I'd prepaid for a specific car through CHECK24, but when I arrived, they said they had no cars available and wouldn't accept my voucher. After a long wait, they gave me a Tesla, which I never asked for and didn’t know how to drive. Nobody bothered to explain anything. Then, I got charged twice—once through CHECK24 and again by the rental company. Two weeks later, there was an extra $18 charge with no explanation. The staff was rude and unhelpful. I ended up paying $130 for a one-day rental of a car I didn't want, and the whole experience was terrible.

I had a real mess

I had a real mess of a time with Budget in Hungary. First off, they practically twisted my arm to take out insurance at 83 euros a day, which was way too much. The agency's nowhere near the airport — about 5 kilometers away — and they don’t even mention that before or after you pay. Can you imagine lugging your bags that far? The staff were far from friendly, even suggesting I shouldn't return to Hungary just because I pointed out their ridiculous 2500 euros deposit. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth. If you’re thinking about renting from them, I’d seriously think twice. Better options out there for sure!

Our flight to Tenerife South

Our flight to Tenerife South was delayed, and passport control took ages. By the time we got out, we were 2 hours late, and the car rental office was closed. The contact number they gave us was invalid, and no one answered the emergency line. We ended up taking a taxi to our hotel. The next morning, we found out our reservation had been canceled at 7am, and we were charged 100 Euros for it. They had no car for us and wanted 1,000 Euros for a new booking, instead of the 340 Euros we'd already paid. We ended up booking with AutoReisen. The staff at Avis/Budget were rude and completely unhelpful. Avoid Budget at all costs.

Booked a "Mystery Car" at

Booked a "Mystery Car" at Pearson Airport with Budget, thinking I'd snag a deal. Turns out, the 'mystery' was a pick-up truck! Seriously? How's that supposed to work for a family trip? The counter guy just shrugged when I pointed it out, suggesting a car upgrade for an extra $15 daily. No thanks! Felt like a bait-and-switch. Ended up renting from another company right next door. Budget, if you're reading this, maybe call it "Mystery Vehicle" instead, so folks know what they're getting into. Lesson learned, though: I'm steering clear of Budget from now on. Wouldn't want anyone else to get caught in this kind of surprise.

When I returned my rental

When I returned my rental car at Charleston airport, I was shocked to find a charge of $354.13 listed under "Non Pkg Items." Turns out, this included a $7/day upgrade I never agreed to. Nothing was explained to me when I picked up the car, so I felt pretty blindsided. I reached out to customer service to dispute the charges, but I'm still waiting for them to sort it out. This whole thing's been really frustrating and feels pretty shady. So, heads up: always double-check all charges before you sign anything, especially when booking through third-party services like CarTrawler. I really expected more honesty from Budget.

Renting a car at JFK

Renting a car at JFK turned into a real headache. Imagine picking up your rental, and then it starts pouring only to discover there's no left windshield wiper. I spent three days on the phone and driving around trying to fix this mess. Seriously, it felt like nobody at Budget was picking up their phones. I had to drive from location to location just hoping for a solution. And after all that, they didn't even give me the discount they promised. Now I'm stuck dealing with customer service, trying to sort it out. Honestly, I've had good experiences with Budget at LAX before, but in NY? Not so much. Wouldn't recommend it.

Thanks, Mr. Charles!

So, I swung by to pick up my rental car, and let me tell you, the guy at the counter wasn't exactly winning any awards for hospitality. He barely looked up and seemed like he couldn't wait for me to leave. But then, I hopped on the shuttle bus driven by Mr. Charles, and it was like night and day. This guy was truly something else. He went out of his way to make sure I got to the airport on time, chatting all the way, making the ride a pleasure. Mr. Charles genuinely cared and made a stressful day much easier. It's rare to find such dedicated folks, and when you do, you just gotta spread the word. Thanks, Mr. Charles!

Alamo's got my business from now on.

I recently had a rough time with Budget Car Rental after booking through eDreams. When I went to pick up the car, they wouldn't give it to me because of some issue with my license. The agent was super rude and didn't explain anything clearly. Just kept saying I needed to contact eDreams, who were no help either. It was a total mess and really frustrating. Luckily, I managed to book a car with Alamo right there. Their staff was friendly and actually helpful. Everything went smoothly with them. After this experience, I'm definitely steering clear of Budget and eDreams in the future. Alamo's got my business from now on.

This was a disaster

Man, this was a disaster. We booked a car through booking.com for a 19-day stay in Barcelona, thinking everything would go smoothly. But then, an emergency with my nephew popped up, and we had to cut the trip short. So, we returned the car, still with a full tank and in perfect condition. But guess what? We got slapped with a £700 overcharge! We were stunned, couldn't believe it. Trying to sort this out with customer service was a nightmare too. They just wouldn't budge or even explain why we were charged so much. It felt like we were being scammed. Not what we expected at all, and it really put a damper on our trip.

I wish I’d known better

I wish I’d known better before choosing Budget. Let me tell you, it's been nothing but trouble both times I rented from them. The first time, my rental was hit by another driver, and guess what? Budget didn’t lift a finger to help. They told me I needed to hire a lawyer and sort it out myself. Then, they pushed me to use their insurance instead of mine. I did, thinking it’d be easier, but they didn’t bother to mention that the insurance cost more than the car rental itself. When I questioned them about it, their response was basically, “You signed the paper.” It’s been a real eye-opener to their lack of integrity.

I rented a car from

I rented a car from Budget through Qeeq, fully prepaid from Feb 15 to Mar 1, 2025. When I picked it up, the Budget guy said I had to put down a $345.97 deposit for gas, tolls, and other stuff. He didn't give me a rental agreement or any receipt, which felt kinda sketchy but I went with it. Returned the car on Mar 1, right on time, and asked about my deposit. The employee said I'd get a settlement email within 24 hours. Instead, on Mar 3, I got a bank alert that the whole deposit was charged to my card. No settlement, no evidence, nothing. I feel totally scammed and am thinking of contacting the LAPD for help.

I've used Budget a few

I've used Budget a few times and it was fine, but this last trip was a nightmare. When I dropped off the car, the receptionist showed me a tiny scratch on the bottom of the bumper and said it’s no big deal. Later, I got hit with a £119.14 charge for it. That’s crazy! I didn't get any paperwork about existing damage when I picked up the car, just an email I missed until days later. It listed 12 small damages that weren't even fixed. Seems like Budget is just charging people for tiny issues and keeping the money instead of fixing anything. You can't even argue since they take the money first. I'm done with Budget!

Wouldn't recommend

So, our flight was delayed by two hours, which meant we missed our car pick-up at Innsbruck airport. Only Budget was closed when we got there around 4:30 pm. Had to grab a taxi to the hotel and went back the next day to get the rental. But because we didn't get the car the day before, Budget charged us more than double the original price. They wouldn't even consider adjusting it. I feel like they totally took advantage of our situation, especially since the delay wasn't our fault. Their extra charges were just plain unfair. Honestly, it felt like a scam. Wouldn't recommend Budget to anyone after this experience.