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Business Profile

Auto Rentals and Leasing

Budget Rent a Car

Headquarters

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Auto Rentals and Leasing.

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Budget Rent a Car's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Budget Rent a Car has 532 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 3,117 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 1,182 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/23/2025

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I booked reservation #*********** on 3/12/25 for April 14-18, 2025, which was 3 hr 22 min at a rate of approx $52/day before taxes and fees (total $300.74). On 4/23/25, I was notified that I would be charged $250 extra for excessive interior sand. I replied that the minimal sand present would normally fall under typical use and asked for time stamped photos before the cleaning, direction to the rental agreement for who makes the "excessive" determination, documentation that the car was indeed taken out of service, and receipt of services for the cleaning. I was already partially refunded $125 (for no explained reason), but do not believe I owe anything past what I already paid for the rental. I reminded Budget that the burden of proof does not fall upon the customer to prove what I didn't do to to avoid unauthorized charges. They say they have "ample documentation", but have provided nothing except an identical generic response multiple times. Upon a quick Google search, Budget seems to have a reputation for charging excessive and unfounded cleaning fees.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/23/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I initiated a complaint with Budget asking for confirmation that a car was returned after I was mistakenly called by their agents. I also detailed a negative experience at their rental location. Because of the urgent nature of their error, I requested a response. However, they have not replied or provided confirmation of return for over 30 days. This is unprofessional, concerning, and only compounds my previous negative experience.

      Budget Case: ********
      Reservation: ***********
      Rental Agreement: **********

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/22/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On May 5th, 2025, I picked up a rental car from Budget at the Fort lauderdale, FL airport. My rental agreement number is *********. On May 8th, 2025, between the hours of 2-4:00 PM eastern time, I returned to vehicle back to the Fort Lauderdale, FL airport budget car rental return location per the terms of my agreement. Upon arriving at the rental return area I asked an employee if there was anything else needed to complete the reservation in which they stated no. The vehicle was picked up and returned as per the rental contract terms, actually being returned prior to the scheduled return time. I was never provided a receipt or a notification from budget stating the car was never marked as returned. I contacted customer service on 5/11 after my credit card company notified me of continued transactions from budget. I spoke with a customer service representative named Jason who advised me the company would continue to charge my credit card until they completed their investigation. This is unsatisfactory and terrible customer service. As the consumer, I should not be subject to additional charges because of the neglect of the company in ensuring the vehicle was properly documented as returned. I kindly request a refund of all additional charges incurred due to the companies error(s). My return can be verified via video surveillance at the rental car return facility of Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood airport during the above mentioned time. If refund is refused the consumer will seek the advice of legal counsel and pursue legal action. A case has been filed with budget, the case number is ********.

      Business Response

      Date: 06/30/2025

      BBB #: ********
      Case: 72514791

      Dear ******* ********, 

      In regards to the aforementioned BBB complaint case# ********, thank you for giving us the opportunity to address your concerns.

      Budget values the relationship that we have with our travelers and always strives to do the right thing. We apologize for the inconvenience this matter has caused.

      Our records show that this issue has already been resolve and the billing corrected. 

      Thank you for allowing us to assist you. 

      Sincerely,

      Avis Budget Group
      Client Relations Team

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/22/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I rented a car at Budget STL from May 6-10, with a return time of 9am, because I had a FLIGHT out. First of all, I stood in line for OVER an hour because only one person was getting vehicles for a LINE of customers! when I finally got my turn, they had a car that was SMOKED in, which makes me sick, so I asked for another vehicle. They gave me a dodge charger which also smelled smoked in, but I took it because I was late to Nashville for a graduation ceremony. The car was in SUCH BAD SHAPE!!! Over 45 miles per hour on the highway and it shook SO BADLY!!! i got a head and neck ache and got sick! i called budget and they said they would credit me a day for the inconvenience and I could change it out in Nashville. Nashville gave me a nice minivan to drive. On Saturday I drove back to STL to turn in the vehicle before my morning flight. I arrived at 8:50, BUT BUDGET CHARGED ME AN EXTRA DAY AND CHECKED IT IN AT 9:10!!!! I WAS EARLY turning it in!!!!  is wrong with budget!!! I was early and they charged me extra? This is bull!!!

    Budget Rent a Car is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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