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Roy L Vtr

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Pomona, California

Dishonest advertising

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Budget Rent A Car - Dishonest advertising
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I reserved a car rental with Budget, using the Expedia Travel service as an intermediary. The rental was advertised with free cancellation . I cancelled the reservation 2 days in advance of the reservation date. Budget subsequently billed me a $50 no-show fee for not cancelling 24 hours in advance. Since then Budget and Expedia have been pointing fingers at each other.
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User's recommendation: Avoid both Budget and Expedia whenever possible

Tari P Xem

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Dallas, Texas

Complaint

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We made a reservation for budget car rental in Dallas at Loves Field airport months ago, reservation #466****OUSO for a Kia soul or similar.

We have rented from Budget in the past and had minimal issues, however, yesterday, when my flight landed, I stood in line for an hour and 45 minutes before I was helped and another 15 to wait for a car to be available when my reminders for my reservation, said that you stop by the desk and pick up The key.

The customer service representative was working by herself next to the Avis desk, representative, working by himself with lines of people, waiting for the rental car in the airport, and at the Budget rental location, and there was no apology. Just the excuse that they didnt have enough people to clean the cars. I ended up with a Toyota Camary and the worker just said no one is getting the car that they reserved!

This is inexcusable and was quite upsetting, because the stress being behind schedule in Dallas and having to be somewhere when we planned early and we had a reservation and then they told me at the lot that they didnt have enough rental cars is very upsetting; especially when no one even cared About the inconvenience to hundreds of people.

If your rental car company doesnt have enough rental cars for customers, not only have you lost us as a customer, but youre going to lose many more and I wanted to email to let you know of our dissatisfaction and how upset we are with the lack of customer service; lack of cars and lack of respect

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Cons:
  • Horrible customer service and not enough cars rent

Preferred solution: Price reduction

User's recommendation: Use a different rental car company

Anonymous

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Verified Buyer
| map-marker Vancouver, British Columbia

Unsafe car and abandoned

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Budget Rent A Car - Unsafe car and abandoned
Budget Rent A Car - Unsafe car and abandoned - Image 2
Budget Rent A Car - Unsafe car and abandoned - Image 3

Rented vehicle at Kahului Airport in Maui. Car was not clean inside.

First warning of potential problem was tires slipping when driving up a wet hill on popular road to Hana. On way back, had rear tire blowout in middle of nowhere with no cell reception. Unable to get help with satellite SOS feature. We were in an unsafe position on a narrow road and Circe on the side of a mountain.Some kind individuals passing by gave us a ride to nearest town, Hana.

When we finally had cell reception in Hana, Budget offered us an Uber ride back to Kahului. Except Uber does not serve Hana. They had another replacement vehicle waiting for us in Kahului 2 hours from where we were, but no way of getting us there. We finally paid a local resident from Hana to give us a ride into Kahului the next day the tow truck that was to pick up the vehicle the day of the mishap never showed up.

We passed the disabled vehicle on the way down with our ride, stopped, and found very worn tires with inadequate tread. When we arrived at the airport to pick up the replacement vehicle, we were initially told that we could not have the vehicle until the original vehicle was returned. We had to explain that the disabled vehicle was still on the side of the mountain still waiting for a tow truck. We finally received the replacement vehicle and told we would not have to replace gas used.

Another manager had previously told us we would not be charged for the extra day we needed. All in all, this was a frustrating and stressful experience.

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User's recommendation: Check tires of rental vehicle if you are planning to drive the road to Hana in Maui.

Phillip P Zpj

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Portland, Oregon

Terrible experience with Budget Rental Car - Deceptive Billing Practices

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Budget Rent A Car - Terrible experience with Budget Rental Car - Deceptive Billing Practices

I want to warn everyone never to rent a car from Budget Rental Cars. They engage in very sneaky and deceptive billing practices.

I rented a car for two days from Budget Rental Cars in Portland, Oregon in early November 2023. As expected I filled up the car with gas at a gas station less than one mile from the Portland airport and then returned the car.

Imagine my surprise a few days later when I was going over my final bill and I found two nasty surprises: (1) Budget charged me a $15.99 fee for not providing them with a copy of my gas refill receipt. At no point did ANYONE at Budget every tell me that I needed to show them a copy of my gas station receipt from when I filled the car's tank right before returning the car. Plus they could crank the car and see that the gas tank was full (which they obviously did based up the gas amount they printed on my receipt), so there was no need for them to require a copy of my receipt; and (2) Their actual receipt showed that the car had 15.8 gallons in the tank when I drove it off the airport lot and also had 15.8 gallons in the tank when I returned it to the airport lot.

And the receipt showed that I only drove the car a total of 66 miles. I had to put 5.63 gallons of gas in the car to fill it up at the gas station near the airport. I rented a Toyota Camry. Driving 66 miles divided by 5.63 gallons implies an MGP of 11.7 miles per gallon.

A Toyota Camry gets at least 25 miles per gallon. What this means is that the car didn't really have 15.8 gallons of gas in the tank when I drove it off the airport lot. Budget tried to defraud me by erroneously putting on their paperwork that the gas tank was full when it obviously was not based upon the amount of gas I had to put in the car to fill it back up.

I had to call Budget's customer service line multiple times to try to get both of these issues straightened out. I demanded a full refund of the bogus $15.99 charge for not showing them my gas purchase receipt, and I demanded a refund of the price of 3 gallons of gas that I should not have had to pay if the tank had really been full when I picked up the car.

It took multiple phone calls but I did get these two credits out of Budget.

The purpose of this warning, even though I got the two credits I wanted, is to let all consumers know that Budget is obviously trying to defraud its customers and hoping they won't notice the bogus and extra charges on their receipts. If I hadn't paid careful attention to the number of miles I drove and calculate how much gas I should have had to purchase to refill the tank, they would have gotten away with this fraud attempt.

I shudder to think how many Budget car rental customers have not noticed that they had to purchase too much gas to refill their tank upon return, or how many Budget car rental customers didn't notice a $15.99 charge tacked on to the bill for not showing their gas purchase receipt (when no one at any point in the rental process ever mentioned this requirement or asked to see the receipt, which was in my pocket).

Avoid renting cars from Budget unless you want to be defrauded. I wish I could give them zero stars.

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Cons:
  • Deceptive billing practices

Preferred solution: Apology

Sherry P Itn

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker South Pasadena, California

I have been charged too much and too often for 1 small accident issue.

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Budget Rent A Car - I have been charged too much and too often for 1 small accident issue.
Budget Rent A Car - I have been charged too much and too often for 1 small accident issue. - Image 2

I have rented from Budget for a 3 month period for the last 20 summers.

While driving my husband backed into a concrete barrier because the car's warning signal did not notify him he was close. The damage was $1200 to a bumper.

We received a notification that Budget went to our insurance company with a request. We told Budget we would pay it out of our own pocket. Weeks later, we directly received an invoice from Sedgwick, Budget's insurance arm, and not sent to Safeco for $5,200 for damages and time lost for not being able to rent out this car. There are several reasons why this was unethical and wrong but they are demanding this money and it is not illegal.

I called a Budget customer service rep and he told me that Budget could care less that I am a good customer and don't care at all about customers.

Even though he agreed this was wrong he stated that Budget does not care about me and that he was not able to do anything about it. My husband says we should just ask our insurance company to pay it but I'm not happy about that.

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User's recommendation: Use Enterprise. It is a little more expensive but very fair.

1 comment
Guest

It’s actually not unethical. With how long a repair takes(look at this site and people complaining weeks/months to repair), if someone’s car is used to make money, they have every right to collect lost income.

Just imagine if you used your car to deliver for Walmart and also Lyft in the evenings/weekends. And you went three weeks waiting on parts/repair.

Kristine Z Hpd

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Miami, Florida

They are stealing money from customers by charging cc

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When I returned the car at MIA there was huge line of cars waiting for the Budget return. There was not enough Budget staff to process the returns and it was extremely chaotic situation.

I was told by your employee just to leave the contract on the dash board and that the car is officially returned. He did not provide me with any receipt even when I asked. He said All is good, dont worry, you can go. That was at 5:10 pm.

Exactly at that time my rental contract ended and my credit card on file should have been removed by Budget from The Highway Toll Authority for any charges incurred after that time. Not only were we charged $17.28 for fuel (we filled the car right next to the airport), we were also charged for two tolls we did not go through. The fact that Budget allowed my credit card to be charged by The Highway Toll Authority for charges incurred after the rental contract ended is their fault and they should work on the resolution of this. Even after I contacted The Highway Toll Authority (as Budget suggested) since they did not give me receipt when I returned the car, I cannot prove that the car was not driven by me through the two tolls.

This is a scam.

Budget is willfully and knowingly giving all customers over charges in small amounts, $17.00 here, $8.00 there) in the hopes people won't call them out on these little charges. Beware of this car rental company.

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Loss:
$7
Cons:
  • Charge your cc for items after you return the car
  • Unethical

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Beware, they charge your card after you return the car

Patricia B Eqa

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Verified Reviewer

Workers doesn't clean the cars at the Guess rd location in Durham

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Budget Rent A Car - Workers doesn't clean the cars at the Guess rd location in Durham
The worst place to Rent a car in all of Durham County. These nasty workers don't clean the dirty cars and when I complain about the car Sarcastic one of the worker want to fight me and using racial words towards me. All the cars at this location is infected with cigarettes and they're extremely dirty. Don't even expect to get good customer service here either. They treat customers like trash. I'm going to call the head office, because this place needs cleaning up fast.
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Loss:
$400

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: Go to the airport RDU for better service

Stacey B Wvu

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Portland, Maine

Problems getting rental

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II was going on vacation, so I booked a rental on Priceline. That was easy.

So to be safe, I called Budget and asked if I was all set and if I could use my debit card. In which the woman told me, yes, that they may run a credit report. So then I also went on and purchased the insurance for $78. So I live about an hour or so from the airport where I was picking up my rental.

I was told after i got there that I had to go to Boston to get a car because I had a debit card. And that is another 2 1/2 hours away. So now I'm out of $78 and my vacation as well as gas I paid for someone to drive me to pick up my renal that Inow don't have. And not to mention when I told the gentleman behind the counter that the lady on the phone said I was all set.

He stated "YA, SOMETIMES THEY GET CONFUSED". Well, then maybe they should have some retraining.

I'm so upset that I've now lost my vacation and took a week off from work and this is what happens. With them taking NO responsibility for their unknowledgeable customer service representatives.

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Loss:
$80
Cons:
  • All

Preferred solution: I would like my insurance money back and a rental on them for the inconvenience.

User's recommendation: Do not plan anything unless you physically have your car they don't seem to care about your time and money.

1 comment
Guest

You’re always going to have issues traveling and not having a credit card.

Sherry P Itn

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Braintree Town, Massachusetts

Been Ignored by Budget and Sedgwick

Budget Rent A Car - Been Ignored by Budget and Sedgwick
Budget Rent A Car - Been Ignored by Budget and Sedgwick - Image 2

We have rented for 3 months every summer since 2003. This summer, 2023, we rented and had backed into a small concrete barrier causing $1230 of damage.

The warning back up light failed to warn us.

We received a letter (see below) which was sent to our insurance company and we decided to pay it. However, following that letter we received a direct letter not sent to our insurance company for $5,000+ from Sedgwick who is the insurance company for Budget for the damages and the cost of not being able to rent the car. We called Budget saying will pay the 1st letter but not the second.

I spoke to 3 different reps and the final one said, "listen" it doesnt matter who you are or who you speak with, Budget doesn't care about you.

We don't know what to do from here but my husband says just send it to our insurance company because they Budget and Sedgwick legally have the right to do this even if it is unethica! !

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Loss:
$5
Pros:
  • Location and its manager is wonderful
Cons:
  • Would not even speak to me about this to plead my case

Preferred solution: Pay the $1,250

User's recommendation: don't use Budget or Avis ever again!

3 comments
Guest

Blaming a backup sensor for your own incompetence is laughable at best. Yea they should get loss of revenue for you damaging the vehicle. What kind of moron are you?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-2466760

If you weren’t such a moron you would have realized that my point was that we received a reasonable bill that we were willing to pay and later a 2nd ridiculous bill that was obviously unreasonable and unethical. But of course you are probably a Budget employee

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-2466839

Actually the second bill was reasonable. I bet if you checked their car is going to sit for 2-3 weeks waiting for parts.

Hence the first estimate was based on parts plus a day’s/or less labor.

Waiting for parts took the car out of commission for probably much longer and affected earning potential. It’s not unreasonable and unethical just because you don’t like it.

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Anonymous
map-marker Byron Center, Michigan

Unsatisfied

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To start out the truck was not clean inside and two days into the trip we had to have the place we stayed at jump start the truck because the battery was dead. So, Sunday comes around about to leave and the key fab won't even unlock the doors.

So, we used the key to get into the truck and no power what so ever, completely dead. Call Budget and waited 30 minutes to talk to someone. Told her what happened and she said would you like a tow truck to come jump you. I said this has happened two times I would like a different truck please because I don't want to get standard somewhere.

She goes I understand. So, she said I will set up a new rental and a tow truck to come get it. So, I asked if you guys would bring me a car. She goes no you will have to ride with the tow truck driver or take a uber to Jacksonville airport.

Which I think is a bunch of crap. I shouldn't have to ride with anyone, It should be delivered to me. Wasn't my doing the truck died. So, this whole ordeal took 4 to 5 hours from start to end with phone call to waiting for the tow truck which change 2 times on me and going to the airport and drive back to the place where we stayed at.

Ruined our whole day. Glad I wasn't standard on the side of the road waiting who knows what would have happened.

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1 comment
Guest

They should take 1/2 day off for loss of what you had planned plus another 1/2 day for time lost for one day credit.

Patricia B Eqa

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Verified Reviewer

I was disrespected by nasty workers

Budget Rent A Car - I was disrespected by nasty workers
I was treat with great disrespect, just because I refuse a dirty care that has cigarettes smoke etc. I always complain about this location and the cars they're renting. They don't clean the cars, and they hv no customer service experience what's. I hv a right to say something if the car is not clean, but apparently they didn't like that I was called a monkey erc. And I'm very upset
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Loss:
$400

Preferred solution: Apology

Jeff H Lyl

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Verified Reviewer

Charged more money than what was written in contract for rental car

Budget Rent A Car - Charged more money than what was written in contract for rental car
Rented a car from budget rental for $247 and bill on my credit card was $367! Not happy with Budget for giving you one price and billing you for another
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Loss:
$120

Preferred solution: Price reduction

Anonymous
map-marker Sacramento, California

Subject: Urgent Complaint - Violation of Contract and Unacceptable Customer Service

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To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to file a formal complaint against Budget regarding a recent reservation experience that has left me profoundly dissatisfied and concerned about the company's commitment to customer service.

In September, I made a reservation with your company, pre-paying for the service due to traveling with children. Upon our arrival, we were shocked to find an unmanned counter and a closed fast break hut, with no access to our prepaid vehicle.

Despite updating our flight information in your system, we were left stranded.

Contacting the 800 number on the door, the customer service representative acknowledged our reservation and prepayment but shockingly informed us that, despite being Fast Break members and pre-paying for the vehicle while providing our flight details, we were required to wait in the parking lot until 6 AM with our children. This response was not only confusing but also placed our family in an unsafe and unacceptable situation.

Our request for assistance from another company on-site rental personnel to retrieve our keys was denied, leaving us with no choice but to seek alternative transportation.

This resulted in additional expenses and significant delays, none of which were our fault.

I am formally requesting a full refund of the reservation and an additional $500 to cover the costs incurred from renting a vehicle from another company due to the breach of contract by budget. The lack of confirmation regarding the refund and additional costs further compounds the already frustrating nature of this situation.

If a fair and reasonable resolution is not provided promptly, I am prepared to escalate this matter.

I trust that budget will take this complaint seriously and promptly address the issues raised herein.

Sincerely,

Patricia

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User's recommendation: Use Enterprise/National or Almo the Sacramento Airport location

1 comment
Guest

They are open 6am to midnight. Was it after midnight?

Amiram G

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Austin, Texas

Car rental issue - Mr. AMIRAM GADY

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Hey

My name is Amiram Gady.

Need your assistance with the following issue.

I made a reservation online of a car rental that I was supposed to pick up today from austin downtown at 1pm.

I called them in order to make sure the address is correct and let them know that I'll be there at 1:15pm.

Unfortunately an employee named Alex told us that the office will be closed at 1pm sharp and they could not transfer me the car after 1:00 pm.

when asked to wait a few minutes for our pickup she refused to help me.

I found myself with no car at the moment and no support from the office employees at all, and I still need to pay for today's rental.

I request to recive a full refund for today's rental, and compensation for the the lack of support and rudeness I encountered.

My confirmation number for the order: B8312****

My Email address: amiramgady@***.com

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Loss:
$200

Preferred solution: Price reduction

MengHarn L

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Verified Reviewer

The final charging fee is not coherent with the on site rental

hi, I rent a car in Philadelphia airport site in Oct under the name Meng Harn Liu. After we returned the car, I do not receive the detail of the rental and was charged more than the priced showed in the on site rental. I call the customer service in Dec to request for further detail of the receipt, the staffer said will be sent within 4 hours. However, I do not receive any receipt until now. Please kindly provide me the receipt to let me see where the 100 bucks more come from.
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Loss:
$100
Pros:
  • Staffers on site are nice
Cons:
  • After service is not efficient

Preferred solution: Price reduction

Anonymous
map-marker Baltimore, Maryland

Asking for your help

I throw myself on your mercy and ask for help.I had made a reservation confirmation #4612****US3 for Ken Rice for3/13 at MCO Orlando Fl at 1:00pm and to return the rental to FT Meyers on 3/21 at 2 pm when I printed out the budget itemerary I was mortified to see that the reservations were for the wrong dates my bad. The price at that time was 386.49.

I talked to someone this morning and made a new reservation at over a thousand. I have had to delay this trip two previous times once for Covid and another time for medical reasons. I am a disabled vet and was a 911 responder.

Please if you can do anything to reduce the cost I would be very grateful. Thank you Ken Rice (914)419-**** e mail krice605@***.com

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Gail H Tio

This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ

Verified Buyer
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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Cascade, Michigan

Negligent behavior by Rental Company

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Attached - Budget letter Got dangerous balled, gashed and holes down to the thread - 2 front tires on rental car for a short vacation. Lived through the first 2hr freeway ride at 75mph. Had no vacation and bought new tires to get back to airport safely. :(
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Loss:
$2700
Pros:
  • Nice car body

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: For your own safety. Use another rental company.

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