Budget Reviews 

My partner and I used Budget Rental at Dublin Aiport back in early August. We will not be using them again. The previous year we had used Alamo car rental but unfortunately this time they didn't have the availability we needed, in future we will be returning to use them. We were charged an additional days rental fee for returning the car an hour later than it should have been returned. However as explained below, there were reasons why this occurred as a direct result of Budget's customer service.

Budget seem to offer flexibility on their terms, but are unwilling to show flexibility the other way around. This creates total inconsistency. Regrettably, we have been let down by individuals working on the check in desk at arrivals, and those in the car park where you return the vehicle.

We picked our car up on the Friday at midday. We arrived just after 11.30 for a 12.00 start with the car, but the car was ready and so we were able to collect early. Nobody told us this meant our return time had changed... this has only been bought to our attention since contacting customer service. The car we had reserved and paid for was a Nissan Duke as there was 4 of us, however the car we collected was a Citroen...... So flexibility is clearly possible!

We asked the lady at the check in desk what the credit card hold would be having taken our their insurance. The hold would be if we didn't return the car with a full fuel tank. We asked what time the car had to be returned on the Monday. Crucially, she told us that "anytime" on the Monday was fine, but to be as early as possible for our flight because Monday's are busy at Dublin. Later it would become apparent our rental ended at midday. We signed the agreement at 11.40am. By the time we got the shuttle to the office, and collected the keys from a busy office, we were away in the car at around 12.00. What we didn't know was that the rental had started at 11.40. Despite being a mile from the car and in the airport...

We returned the car on Monday to the car park at around 12.45. We were processed before 13.00 waiting for a bus to the airport. We'd stopped to get fuel just outside Dublin. This was after dropping the rest our party to departures to save time for them. Our car was checked by one of the support team for any scratches/ issues etc and fuel was checked, before giving us a slip. We were then directed to a cabin and handed our slip to one of 4 customer service agents... this was checked and again, nothing was said to us. At no point did anybody explain that we were being charged another full day's rental despite the opportunity. This is really frustrating as we could have dealt with the issue there and then.

This was only realised when the credit card had the full amount taken. Thinking this was an error, WE had to reach out to find out why we had been charged the full amount. Despite a number of attempts to call into Budget customer service we couldn't get through, so used the email. Nothing came back for nearly two weeks. We then called the front desk at the airport who connected us to customer service, the line then went dead... We called back and were advised of a new email address and that they would pass our number on. No call came back which I'd requested but suddenly Edel from customer service emailed us back.

Various emails went back and forth, with Edel stating we'd broken the agreement and now OWED Budget money... As I pointed out, not sure how Budget would have told us, as we'd only found out 3 weeks later having contacted them!

Most disappointingly, our requests to show some compassion and understanding about the above fell on deaf ears. Edel pointed out the stated written agreement, but failed to answer adequately some of the points above about advice given, and why we weren't told of the extra day's charge by any of the customer service agents on the Monday.

16 days ago I asked for the complaints policy & contact details from Edel. No response as of yet.

All we've wanted to do is speak to someone on the phone, to no avail.

Don't book with Budget.

Przestrzegam przed firmą Budget. Oszukują przy rozliczeniu samochodu, dopisują do końcowego rachunku dodatkowe dni użytkowania samochodu po zakończeniu użytkowania samochodu, a do tego naciagają na dodatkowych usługach typu Unlimited Toll Package (TOL), Personal Accident and Effects (PAE), Extended Roadside Assistance (RSN), których klient nie zamawiał. Oszukali mnie na ponad 500 USD.

It was excellent until we returned the car at 19:00 at pathos airport, we had filled up petrol at our resort as unsure whether petrol station would still be open at airport. The guy told us it wasnt full, he would charge us 20 euros or we could try to fill it up again. It only took 1.25 euros and could hardly fill it in, very disappointing. The station was closed but luckily a guy did help us. When we collected it the receipt did say car was only 95% full when we collected it anyway.

Totally a scam!!

--No reply to emails more than 35days already (still counting up!!!)
--deduct money from credit card without permission
--accuse damage of car

Upon pick up the car, staff just ask you to go to the barrick and find your car, it is so dark and tight, you have no chance to check the car.

When returning the car in Manchester airport branch, the staff said there is a "bubble" in the tyre and accuse it must be made by me. I told her it wasn't me and she just act like a low-grade AI keep repeating it was made by me.

I upload the photo to AI and all feedback to me it is very likely a intrinsic defect which because the unsatisfactory production and very unlikely due to the driver.

She refused to respond to me and said she will deduct cost from my credit card, and email to CS for appeal a or follow up.

I was hurrying for my flight so I left with anger!

I started email this company more than 35days now, and still receive not even one reply!!!

And I can't obtain any documents (rental agreement and damage invoice) so I can't claim the third party insurance too!!

Dear all, never use this company!!

Picked car up from Dubrovnik budget, told them we already had insurance but that didn’t stop them adding it to the total without mentioning anything. Foolishly I didn’t read the contract closely when signing for it not having hired a car before and having already paid for the car. This was a total scam and when raised with budget they just said that it had been signed. I think they must chance their arm regularly. This meant instead of a £600 rental they added an extra £300.

I collected a vehicle and returned the vehicle in the same condition I received it, however when I return to England, I found an extra bill charged on my credit card which had not been discussed with me or authorized by me and I still don’t know why they’ve charged me an extra 200 pounds when there was no damage to the vehicle when it was returned in the same condition I picked it up in with a full tank of fuel

Dzień dobry, nie ma większego złodzieja od Firmy Budget. Nie dość że oszukują przy wypożyczeniu samochodu dając w zamian inny gorszy niż zamawiany. to jeszcze przy zwrocie naliczają dziwne opłaty.Dopłata lokalizacyjna* € 105,02
Opłata za licencję pojazdu* € 16,45
Opłata za późniejszy zwrot* € 15,00
Opłaty różne* € 180,00
Dodatkowe usługi* € 25,20
Opłata za tankowanie 57,41 Eur, samochód był zatankowany przy zwrocie na lotnisku w Pizie. Oddałem samochód o godzinie 6.00 a oni podali Koniec podróży
Miejsce końca podróży PISA APT
Data/godzina końca
podróży
2025-08-24 12:20
Proszę omijajcie oszustów wyłudzili ode mnie na 610EUR

We hired a car from Girona Airport for a week. Our flight left early in the morning so we had to drop it back when the office was closed. We filled the car up until it wouldn't accept any more petrol and then continued to click on the pump to ensure it was right up to the brim so we wouldn't get hit with any further charges. The petrol pump was 800 meters from the car drop off.
A few days later we got hit with a bill for:
Optional Services* 24.80
Refuelling Charge* 32.94
+ VAT at 21% added onto this
I followed their process and logged a claim providing all the information requested, attaching the agreement, sending photo's etc. I got an automated email and case number but absolutely NO reply (over three weeks ago). I have now sent 3 emails and none of them replied to. I tried their Customer Services telephone number and it just cuts off.
What a shameful company. Definitely not using them again. I feel like I have been robbed.

Le site me propose une voiture pour les dates demandées, me facture, puis m'informe que la voiture n'est en fait pas disponible. Mon argent est donc chez Budget.ch sans aucune confirmation écrite que je serai remboursé. Une honte absolue

Aeropuerto de Dublin, con reserva por discover cars de un vehículo con seguro a todo riesgo y conductor adicional. Llego y le pregunto al agente si habla español, porque mi inglés es precario, me dice el tío, porque no se le puede llamar otra cosa :¿No, tú hablas irlandés?
Pues ya empezamos mal,pero eso lo entendí perfectamente. Encima va el tipo y me dice que estuvo de vacaciones en Gran Canaria, vamos, de seguro no tuvo que hablar español para nada porque la gente que trabaja para el turismo lo pone fácil. En fin. El me da la vuelta a todo, me pone un precio del seguro con no se qué y no se que más y punto. Y yo con mi seguro ya concertado y pagado que aunque se lo enseñé se pasó por el forro de...El decía que el seguro de budget era mejor. Y ni sé lo que dijo porque todo era a la prisa, hablando rápido, con condescendencia, me sentí fatal.
Menos mal que no necesité grúa cuando se me reventó el neumático, porque la hubiera pagado y ni la reembolsan.
Claro, todo fue descubierto claramente después cuando devolví el coche y un agente de los que no abundan me explicó que tenía y que no en la póliza. El agente de la calle Drumcondra en Dublín, bendito sea que hablaba español y no sé cuantos idiomas más porque no era irlandés, pero el chico fue muy amable. Y tuvo a bien explicarme todo para futuras reservas, Budget ya le pueden ir subiendo el sueldo al de Drumcondra. Al del aeropuerto lo pueden jubilar.

Very good value. We got an upgrade to a sports car too! Good service from Mohammed at the desk in Eversholt St in Euston. Cool people.

Ich hatte mich beim Anmieten eines Mietwagens bei Budget von einer Dame beschwatzen lassen, bei Abgabe im Falle eines leergefahrenen Fahrzeugs das Fahrzeug für 86,92 Euro voltanken zu lassen. Als ich das Fahrzeug halb leer zurückgeben wollte, habe ich den zuständigen Mitarbeiter gefragt, ob es für mich nicht günstiger wäre, das Auto noch vollzutanken als diese 86.92 Euro zu bezahlen. Er sagte mir, natürlich ist das günstiger. So habe ich das Fahrzeug schnell vollgetankt und abgegeben. Die 86,92 Euro wurden trotzdem abgebucht. Ich habe die Tankquittung an Argus Car Hire (anscheinend Besitzer von Budget) geschickt und um Erstattung der zu Unrecht abgezogenen Pauschale gebeten. Dies wurde abgelehnt mit dem Verweis darauf, dass ich das unterschrieben habe. Kulanz gibt es nicht. Es hätte eine Tankreinigung und anschließende Betankung stattgefunden.
Dies war natürlich Betrug. Ich kann nur davon abraten so eine Pauschale zu unterschreiben.
Finger weg von Budget und Argus Car Hire

Never rent a car with Budget/Avis.

Rented via Booking a car for Georgia, that when delivered was very old, below the selected category and with both bumpers with tape holding parts. Car with more than 177K km and we had some issues going downhill with the brakes.

We complained to the company and after almost one month and more than 20 emails, they send you from one side to another, every time a different person reply to you and is the second time they request (15-30 days to investigate).

Purpose: that you desist in your complain.
Also after more than 3 weeks since we returned the car the deposit is blocked.

Had to cancel booking 3 days before as I did not have my physical license on me. Couldn't reach Budget by phone so had to walk to the office in Catania where I cancelled and did not recieve a refund. Now on my 4th attempt at calling to chase a refund, over 30 mins on hold. If anyone from Budget is readiung this, please can I have my money back? I cancelled within your specified window. Booking ref - 22810678GB2

Booked car hire with Budget at Stansted with a 6pm pick-up. Turns out the car rental 'office' (aka the conference room of Holiday Inn) closes at 6pm (like all good airport car rental facilities). Nobody was there when we arrived. They'd handed in their hotel key card for the day and left. We had no way of picking up the car. No refund yet either!

I was speaking to a member of staff on Monday 4th August, this staff member was called shea/shay he was amazing soo helpful and friendly whilst being professional. Customer service was outstanding

BUDGET IS A COMPLETE DISGRACE. They defrauded me out of €711…
Ticket ID: 17333897 On June 20, 2025, I rented a car from Budget Car Rental through Booking.com, for a rental from Karakow Airport, Poland.

When I picked up the car, the company representative simply stated that there was a defect on the rear rim and asked me to collect it from the parking lot after obtaining my signature. He never showed up to return the car.

I arrived at the parking lot and retrieved the car in the dark. Upon first inspecting the car in daylight, I noticed pre-existing damage to various areas. I documented the vehicle's current condition by taking videos and photos, which I then forwarded to the company.

However, the company refused to acknowledge this obvious and documented condition. They held me responsible for these pre-existing damages and unfairly charged me. Despite all my objections and the evidence I provided, no response was received, and my grievances were ignored.

Scammers they are stealing your money

📢 [WARNING – BUDGET CAR RENTAL AT PODGORICA AIRPORT]
I want to share a very disturbing experience with Budget Rent a Car at Podgorica Airport (Montenegro).
➡️ I explicitly refused any additional insurance when picking up the car.
➡️ Despite this, €440.32 was charged to my credit card without my consent, under the misleading pretext of “refunding the deposit.”
➡️ Upon returning the car, the staff used physical intimidation to pressure me into leaving the counter quickly, knowing I had a flight to catch.
➡️ Budget is now refusing to refund the charge, claiming I signed the rental contract – but I never signed any document agreeing to the extra insurance (I have evidence to prove this).
🔍 A quick look at the Google reviews for this Budget location shows that I am not alone – many other customers report similar deceptive practices at this same counter.
🛑 I consider this to be a clear case of dishonest, coercive and abusive behavior. I am taking the matter to my bank, to consumer protection authorities, and to European mediation services.
📣 If you’ve had a similar experience, I encourage you to speak up and share it. Together, we can hold these companies accountable.

I rented from Budget at Heathrow. They were fantastic on collection. Jazz was super helpful! Would give him 5 stars. Unfortunately the experience on return was terrible with them charging me for damage I did not cause. The guy on the returns is a crook! Don’t use!