First and Last Time I'll Use Budget

[Katys Grandad]

I've been renting cars in the US for around 20 years now but have never used Budget before this week. I've had more problems with them than all the other times put together.

I turned up at the Budget desk at Fort Myers on Saturday with my voucher having booked through this site (I have no criticism whatsoever of the service with them). I'd gone for the Silver option on an intermediate car with the free upgrade offer.

I'm well aware that the offer is subject to availability so I politely ask if the agent has a Full Size available. She tells me they have plenty but my voucher doesn't say anything about an upgrade offer. After some discussion I reluctantly accept an intermediate car which turns out to be a somewhat tired looking car with almost 40,000 miles on the clock.

As we were staying close to the depot, about 20 minutes later I checked the copy voucher I had printed (good advice from Roger there) and quickly found the upgrade voucher reference. I called Budget (and sent a quick 'help' e-mail to Roger) and they told me to go back to the depot where I spoke to another agent. She told me that an upgrade from an intermediate was not to a Full Size but to a "Standard'. She didn't have any of those so I would have to stick with the car I'd been given. I asked to see the manager and, after lengthy 'negotiations', was very begrudgingly offered a Full Size car, which I happily accepted.

Yesterday, I collected my son from the airport and went to the Budget desk to add him to the agreement so he could drive the car. I was first told it would be $11 a day but I pointed out that the voucher covered 1 additional driver. At that point my son produced his driving licence but was asked for a credit card in his name, which he didn't have. End result is that he can't drive the car because he doesn't have a credit card. Interestingly (and very annoyingly) he was told that had he paid the $11 a day he would be able to drive the car without producing a credit card.

I know many people on here have been perfectly happy with Budget and it might just be the set up at Fort Myers, but I won't be back.

(Incidentally, I can't praise Roger highly enough for the support and advice he provided in the usual prompt fashion - thanks).

[parthiban]

Unfortunately I had my first (and probably last) experience with budget earlier this year with a rental in LA and I had the same kind of useless service, kept me waiting absolutely ages for the car I had booked (a mustang), then after 45 minutes told me the car wasn't available and that I should take an intermediate.

Obviously to that I said no, if the car isn't available you need to upgrade me and from a Mustang that should be a luxury car. After a while they said I could have a full size to which I still refused and asked for the manager. He came out, spent 2 mins on the phone and then miraculously they had a Mustang and I was on my way 10 mins later.

It does appear to be a bit of a disappointment, and from now on I think I'll be sticking with Alamo who are at least courteous even when something goes wrong.

[another]

We have rented from Budget on several trips and had no problem with them at all (except the queue at Orlando!) Cars have all been good and exactly what we wanted. I guess it is the luck of the draw sometimes.

[sundowner]

i hear all these horror stories about Budget but we have used them 2-3 a year for the last 5 years and had no problems. Usually it is just me and hubby and the price is great as well as the customer service we have received.

On our next trip it is all the family with extra drivers so we will have to see whether Budget is the best deal price wise as I have no qualms in booking with them again.

[Katys Grandad]

I don't suggest that what happened to me is typical but I'm simply not prepared to risk the same thing happening again. I've just booked a rental with Thrifty for my next trip.

[Clare R]

Like Mary I have used Budget many times a year for many years and whatever problems there have been have been rectified. It is such a shame when problems occur with at a car rental collection after the service provided by this site.

Signed off from one happy Budget customer who has just had a 13,000 miles car for the past four plus weeks.

[becbecs]

Have never tried Budget.

Have always used Dollar from Orlando and have never had a problem with them. So I suppose until there is a problem with Dollar we wont change what is not broken as they say.

[allyjack]

My sister used Budget and was pre registered on Satuday. She found everything great and got fantastic car. Also she mentioned that there were only 2 people at the main counter - she looked. She was on BA flight.

Alsion

[parthiban]

I'm glad there are lots of happy customers, I've used Sixt in Europe (who I believe are the same group?) and they are great, hopefully if I ever need to use Budget again I'll have the same experience you've all had

[gail and david roberts]

my Brother used Budget in February and the fast-pass said it was very good
staff was excellent
we have book with Budget for the first time from Orlando , in 9 days
so will report back on how it goes [msnwink][msnwink]