Budget Car Rental

They literally will take from you, take double deposits, not pay them back.

Use them at your peril.

What incredible customer service with more than a smile - these gentlemen had me laughing and brought me out of the stress of travel with their friendly attitudes!

Thank you to both the people I dealt with for brightening my day!

I'll always choose Budget now!

Sincerely,

Beware dishonest additional charges. I was told when I picked up a car at the Bologna airport that I had to pay an extra 6-7 euros a day to rent snow chains or to rent a car with all-season tires (as per Italian law), even though I now realize that my voucher stated that chains were included for free. Very impolite and dishonest. To be avoided. I am still in the process of attempting to resolve this issue. I have rented many cars in Italy over the past year with other companies, and this is the first time I have had any problems. Never Budget again.

The online confirmed booking was HALF the price we ended up having to pay when we arrived at the Phoenix airport rental place, and not just because of extra "airport taxes". I dont know if it was because they gave away the car we originally booked but the man we dealt with had no emotion on his face when we found out about the shocking price difference to what was promised online. He just said all the other rental companies would have the same price. NEVER USE AIRPORT CAR RENTALS EVERYONE! At least not in Phoenix AZ! Take a train/bus/cab far away from these people and rent from a local company.

Initial 2 week rental was reasonable but I needed to add a driver for 3 days of my rental and was told I would be charged for the first 10 days(!) days of my rental. How is this acceptable?

I was told I'd get ZERO refund for returning the car early. How is this acceptable?

The price for additional drivers online is less than the rate at East Midlands Airport. Why would they misrepresent this?

Phone line operator told us the wrong manned opening times for East Midlands Airport resulting in 2 wasted trips. Abysmal.

Never again. Budget by name and nature.

I rented a Mercedes at the Munich train station. A very nice car, but when I turned it back in, and was told everything was okay, I received a letter after I returned to America that they now wanted to charge me a for a scratch on the rim for $300. I have wrote many letters and pleaded with Budget and Avis to check into this insurance situation, but no one will do it. The service attendants were very rude in Munich, and are getting away with this charge. I wrote to the American office, but they also would not help me look into the matter. Do not trust this company in Germany, and they have also lost my American business. No one helped me check the car out to cover any previous scratches. 

Rented a car FROM BUDGET for 2 weeks - noticed there was a flashing light on dash. The rep. had no idea what it was. Took the car home (6 miles) and looked the warning up - had something to do with tires. Called Budget to return car but they were closed. Took car back the next morning for them to fix warning but they didn't. Returned defective car - BUT BUDGET STILL CHARGED ME FOR THE 2 WEEK RENTAL (OVER $350.00).

STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE LIKE THIS!!

I came in to pick up my rental and was told by the agent that their insurance was required and that my personal insurance could not be used. It being my first time renting a car and feeling overwhelmed with the paperwork, I took their word for it, although I declined other options they tried to add to my reservation including pushing me to upgrade to a larger vehicle. My cost ended up being double what I originally thought when booking through Hotwire. The agent was not very helpful with questions I had regarding the extra fees. Could not give me a straight answer to what they were for. Within the hour I spoke to a friend who told me they were inaccurate regarding insurance, which I also confirmed through my personal insurance company. When I respectfully and calmly drove back to the rental location, the agent was rude and said he would have to return the vehicle and re-rent it. This would have charged me double what I had already paid. The customer service line wasn't much help either. After they tried to blame HotWire first, which has nothing to do with the insurance option, they said they'd give me a full refund of the insurance but did not follow through, only giving me 25% back of what was paid for insurance. When I asked, again calmly, if they felt this was fair treatment, the phone agent just stayed quiet before continuing on. It seems stories are what this company is about more than respecting customers. This was my first and last time renting with Budget.

I want to share the worst car hire experience I’ve ever had. I was travelling from Saudi Arabia to Birmingham Airport, UK, on emergency leave on Oct 14, having booked flights and car hire as soon as I heard my nephew was in ICU. Before boarding my flight that evening, I heard my young nephew had passed away. On arrival at Birmingham Airport the following morning, I approached Budget Car Hire kiosk and gave my booking number, UK driving license and passport. The clerk refused to accept the driving license as, on her system, I was not registered at the address shown on my driving license. I explained I’ve been at that address for 40 years. She asked for printed copies of utility bills which I wasn't carrying but I showed her an online Sandwell Council Tax bill paid on October 1, 2018. The Clerk refused to accept the on-line/paid invoice even though it verified the same name and address shown on my UK driving license. I spoke to several other Budget employees to verify what proof was needed to pick-up a prepaid vehicle. I then accessed the Sandwell Council website to obtain my online bill which, again, matched the name and address on my UK license but was told Budget do not accept on-line billing. I was also carrying an International driver’s license and Saudi Driving License and was able to show my on-line banking but again this was not accepted as proof. During my discussions with the desk clerks, I explained that I was on bereavement leave following the loss of a young lad but the clerk's approach was ‘everyone has issues’. I then had to make arrangements to get to the morgue and waited an additional hour. About 2 hours after landing, and while I was standing near the Budget Kiosk, the female desk clerk finally shouted at me “well, do you want the car or not?”? A few days later my brother flew in from Canada for the funeral and the same Desk Clerk offered a car as long as he had his driver’s license and a credit card. I am shocked at the lack of empathy shown to me. If I didn't have my drivers license, proof of address or payment card, I could understand why I couldn't collect the vehicle but in this case I had all the pertinent documents, albeit some were on-line. I later spoke to Budget Customer Services who confirmed on-line was acceptable, however, despite several calls and emails to Budget, I am still waiting for their response. At the very least, all Budget front desk clerks should be educated in good customer service and empathy.

Thank you

MAY 2018.

Voucher with Auto Europe for Volvo car.

Car not available but after 30 minutes came up with Alfa car which turned out to be hundreds of pounds extra.persuaded into having this car. Only extra I agreed to was taking their excess insurance.

I signed a electronic pad .

The agreement was in such small type it is impossible to read.

Inspecting the paper work the next day I tried to contact both auto Europe and budget MRS....but no Rome answered.

On return complained in detail to auto Europe....they said deal direct with Budget.

I took 4 emails for Budget to respond. They rejected my complaints. With standard stock replies.

They couldn't give a monkey!!!!

All in all a terrible company. AVOID