Budget Car Rental Reviews 

False damage claim on scratched bumber, Trieste Italy. We have clear proof from pictures at pickup. No response in 2weeks from customer support. Car very old and worn from start so we took a lot of pictures.

It’s what went wrong THIS time. I gave one star because zero stars wasn’t an option. Rented through Breeze Airlines and prepaid. When I realized that my one day rental was three days I immediately alerted the counter person who told me that he couldn’t help me and that I would have to call customer service. I actually thought that they would help me. But when I called there was nothing that they could do. I erroneously paid for three days and they’re keeping my money so my advice to the world right now is do not pre-pay these highway robbers. I will never do business with budget rental car again.

I recently rented a vehicle in Cleveland, Ohio under ITENERARY #73465178192023. When I picked up the vehicle it had check out mileage of 28723 milles and 5/6 tank of gas.
I returned vehicle with 28903 miles and a full tank of gas, with a receipt
for same left with key fob in center console.(SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS).

Please find additional information regarding my dispute D-245540020726,
I purchased gasoline and returned the vehicle with full tank of gas, I
left GAS RECEIPT IN THE VEHICLE FOR 3.789 GALLONS OF GAS
COSTING $20.23.
See Mileage at Check-out 28723
Mileage return 28903

Gas. 3.789 Gal @ $ 5.39 gal. $ 20.23

Response to
Please find additional information regarding Budget reservation with unlimited Mileage
for $289.77 Charging me an additional $43.68for fuel and %27.99 concession Recovery
FEE is not only DISHONEST, UNETHICAL IT IS FRAUDULENT!!

Absolutely TERRIBLE. Car was fine. However, customer service was disgusting to deal with. I was charged for tolls... I called before I rented specifically asking about toll charges. The woman told me I would not be charged because the car is equipped with sun pass/epass. She lied. Customer service hung up on me multiple times and basically said oh well it's your problem. Never again

I noticed a $60 charge a few days after I returned my rental (clean and filled with gas). I called to inquire, and I had to provide the details of my gas purchase: location, $ amount, gallon amount, time & day. Then they refunded the charge. Took me 30 minutes of time on the phone and researching, but they dropped the charge. The person said it was probably a computer mistake (ha)! There was no notice to me of the charge, so if I hadn't been diligently checking my statement, I would not have noticed until much later.
I won't be renting from them again!
UPDATE: I was just notified of a new charge: $125 for cleaning (dog hair from a passenger who lives with a dog and must have had some on their pants...). This charge they wouldn't budge on. Ridiculous! Other companies regularly clean their cars between users. I guess Budget expects you to clean the car for them, or they'll charge you extra. All this for a premium rental price... Sheesh!

Collected a car at Munich airport. The booked car wasnt available, so had to redo the booking, and as a result they charged me for an insurance twice, once during the online booking, and second time in the airport, which i did not notice right away. Secondly, they billed for some extra services, which were never requested and which was not communicated in any way. Lastly, the new bill they printed out in the airport and showed me did not match the amount they took from card, or the one they eventually sent to email. Customer service never responded to questions about the bill.

I declined all coverages in the reservation and again when the agent asked at the counter. he buried the $33/day coverage in my actual contract that I signed unaware of the deceitful behavioral.

Title: Extremely Poor Pickup Experience and Dirty Replacement Vehicle
I made a car rental reservation through Orbitz with Budget under itinerary number 73520097255266. The scheduled pickup was on Saturday, August 15 at 9:45 a.m. at 1610 West 35th Street, Austin, Texas.
When I arrived at the listed location, the staff could not find my reservation. After I explained the situation and said that I would contact Budget, they offered to give me a car but told me that it was dirty. Instead, Budget directed me to another branch:
Budget Austin Downtown (A2S)
1104 Interstate 35 N, at 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701
I was told that I could collect the same vehicle there. However, when I arrived, the staff said that the reserved vehicle was not available. They offered me either an electric vehicle or a paid upgrade. Since I had no practical alternative, I was forced to accept the electric vehicle.
Unfortunately, the replacement vehicle was in an unacceptable condition. The interior was very dirty and had a disgusting smell. I had also reserved a child seat, but the branch told me that no child seat was available.
This was an extremely stressful and disappointing experience. Budget failed to provide the reserved vehicle, sent me between different locations, offered only an unsuitable replacement or a paid upgrade, and failed to provide the child seat I had booked. The vehicle’s poor cleanliness and terrible odor were especially unacceptable.
I do not recommend Budget based on this experience. I expect Budget and Orbitz to investigate what happened and provide an appropriate refund or compensation. The Austin Downtown branch is officially listed at the address above.

I am extremely disappointed with my recent experience with Budget Car Rental and would strongly recommend that customers be very careful about the vehicle they are actually given at pickup.

I specifically requested a normal gasoline-powered vehicle. Instead, Budget gave me an electric vehicle (EV) without clearly informing me that I was being given an EV. I did not request an EV, and I did not knowingly agree to rent one.

This is especially concerning because Budget's own rental terms acknowledge that EVs have completely different requirements, including charging requirements and special roadside-assistance and towing procedures.

What makes the situation even more frustrating is that I am now being billed $152.23 for towing and an administrative fee. Budget's billing letter lists $123.23 for towing and $29.00 as an administrative fee, but it does not explain what actually caused the vehicle to require roadside assistance or why I should be responsible for the charge.

I did not knowingly choose the EV, was not properly informed that my vehicle had been changed to an EV, and certainly did not expect to be held financially responsible for a towing situation involving a vehicle I never requested.

If Budget is going to substitute an EV for a gasoline vehicle, customers should be clearly informed before accepting the vehicle, especially when the EV comes with entirely different charging and roadside requirements.

Instead, I was given a vehicle I did not request and am now being asked to pay an additional $152.23.

I have disputed the charge with Budget and requested that they waive it. I hope they do the right thing, but based on this experience, I would not recommend Budget to anyone who expects transparency and accountability when renting a vehicle.

Very disappointing customer service and a frustrating rental experience.

I prepaid for a vehicle that failed to start, not once but twice. Jumper cables worked the first time, but not the second time. I was at a location 45 minutes from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Ct. When I called Budget, I requested a replacement vehicle be brought to my location. My request was refused and I was told they'd send a tow truck to bring the vehicle back to the airport. However, if I wanted a replacement vehicle, I would have to ride with the tow truck operator back to the airport in order to get a replacement vehicle. When I asked for a partial refund, I was told that they would give me two days back for my inconvenience. However, because I prepaid, they would have to credit it separately to my card. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THAT REFUND. My "replacement vehicle" did start; but the navigation system was not working properly. So I spent a week in CT without it. This is the worst company I have ever dealt with and strongly urge my fellow travelers NEVER to use them. And though I had prepaid, "additional charges" turned up when I picked up my first vehicle. Travelers beware!!

I was rented a van that should not have legally been rented to anyone. It had not been maintained or even inspected by the looks of the pictures that were texted to me after the van blew a tire in Arkansas (halfway to my destination from California to Tennessee). The technician that replaced the tire texted me pictures of the calipers and breaks that absolutely were not working when the van was rented to me, along with a written text stating that the van “was not to be driven or someone would be hurt or killed”. I have been in contact with customer service along with many other persons who responded to my situation with rudeness and complete lack of concern for myself, my cat, and 3 dogs’ lives. I reached out at the end of July as was instructed to do so via email and again was ignored. I was stuck in Arkansas for 2 extra days and lost plants that I had grown for decades along with thousands of dollars worth of wine that is irreplaceable. If you value your life, your pets’ lives, your belongings, do NOT RENT FROM BUDGET

They charged me €1160.66 for a small scratch under the front of the car 4 days after returning car but have not even sent me an email explaining the cost or any paper work so that I can claim against an independent insurance policy I have for rented cars during the year. Pathetic way to rob customers. Avoid them.

I rented a car from Budget in Dubrovik airport via Booking.com. This is a not a reliable business and it amazes me that Avis / Budget think that it is acceptable to lend their name to a scam operation such as this!

I was given a car from a smaller size class than I had booked and paid for in Booking.com and they did not tell me until after I had signed the contract and paid for extra insurance at which point they said it was not refundable and lied that the car I got was in the right size class. Also, although no deposit was taken as advertised by the desk when I picked up the car, they instead charged my credit card after the car was returned for about 50 higher than the advertised price.

Avoid Budget – disputed damage claim and extremely frustrating customer service

I rented a car from Budget and returned it without causing any damage. After the rental, Budget claimed that one of the wheels had scratches/damage. I strongly dispute this claim because I did not hit anything or cause any damage to the vehicle.

The way the situation was handled has been extremely frustrating.

Budget charged/reserved €1,593 on my credit card, while my insurance is covering €1,320, leaving €273 that I believe should also be addressed, as this difference relates to the amount held/charged in connection with the rental.

I asked Budget to review the situation and provide evidence that the damage occurred during my rental and was caused by me. However, based on the documentation I received, I do not believe there is sufficient evidence to establish this.

What concerns me most is that a customer can return a car without knowingly causing any damage and subsequently receive a damage claim, leaving them to prove that they were not responsible.

The entire experience has been stressful, time-consuming and financially inconvenient.

If you rent from Budget, take extensive photos and videos of the vehicle before and after the rental, including close-ups of all four wheels. Keep every document and photograph.

I would not recommend Budget based on my experience and would personally choose another rental company in the future.

Budget should review its damage assessment process and provide much greater transparency when customers dispute alleged damage.

One bad low life car rental company. you booked and shows confirm booking but when you call to make sure before flight time, you don't have a reservation. put you on hold forever. supervisors are unprofessional.
The best car rental is Enterprise. rent a car online and when you get there go straight garage and get in a car.No need to get in line. Takes 5 mins.

Budget rented me a car with two front tires that were not safe. Customer service then asked me to drive 30 miles on the bad tires to exchange the car. I chose a tow instead of endangering my self or others. I was charged for the car rental and the tow. Customer service continuously wrote of their desire to help; however, my account was even blocked so that my only access was by calling and the frontline person sending me an email to see only a bill. The account was then wiped away again after the open to see my account. This was a terrible experience. Please do not let any loved one get into a car rented from Budget without thoroughly inspecting the car to make sure it is safe.

They charged me for stuff I didn't agree to and they also charged me twice what the fuel should have even though if had a support ticket because it only had a quarter tank when I received the car and I realized a mile down the road.

The biggest thieves I rented a car on booking I payed 400€ when we arrived to get the car they told me they won’t give me my car because I reserved it on boooking they didn’t even give me my money back or try to help resolve the issue .

Spent 50 mins to connect and the person who answered did not feel the need to acknowledge the wait time. Kept saying can I have your car rental agreement. I said, happy to provide but wanted to highlight (which I did in a polite manner) I had been waiting over 50 mins to connect. Still they would not acknowledge the wait time and asked again for the car car rental agreement number. Said I am happy to provide but could they please acknowledge the wait time. They still refused AND then terminated the call!!! Shocking. I was not rude, didn't raise my voice or use inappropriate language. I then phoned back to make a complaint and was given the number 0114 392066. Phoned...its the same automation process as before (on telephone number: 0330 551 0962. How bonkers is that. Talking about being fobbed off so they can deal with the next call waiting. Needless to say I am on hold and expect another long wait!! Yes I did wait over 30 mins and then a message said our offices are now closed and the phone went dead. Who closes at 16:00, given the nature of the industry you're in. So all-round it's a shocker. First call, where I had the unpleasant experience: I phoned approx at 12:50 on telephone number 07786851515. Can you accept this message as formal complaint.

If I could give Budget no stars, I would. We prepaid a reservation and when my husband went to the counter to pick up the car, they made a new reservation IN MY NAME! But, of course, at a higher rate! By their "policy" he should not have been able to pick up a car not reserved in his name, but they made about $150 more for a 4-day rental. Also, they charged us for a gallon of gas when we had filled up 3 miles before returning the car. What a racket! To top it off, we were charged for both rentals. They said the "prepaid rental was never picked up". No...because the agent at the counter made a whole new, more expensive reservation. We will never use Budget again and if anyone else does, good luck with customer service. That is 3 hours of my life I will never get back.