Is Budget Car Rental Good? (Top 5 Issues + Comparisons)
Although Budget is a smaller car rental than its parent brand, Avis, it remains one of the larger rental companies in North America.
Unfortunately, its customer satisfaction levels across multiple review sites range from mediocre to below-average.
Is Budget Car Rental Legit?
One of the Big Three in the North American vehicle rental business, the Avis Budget Group, owns and operates Budget Car Rental.
Budget is a legit car rental company that has been in business since its founding in 1958, with approximately 2,700 locations in over 120 countries.
It has its headquarters in New Jersey, United States.
Is Budget Car Rental Part of Avis, Hertz, or National?
Budget Car Rental is part of the Avis Budget Group, which also operates Payless and Zipcar car-sharing services. Avis Budget Group rivals Enterprise Holdings (owner of Enterprise, Alamo, and National) and Hertz Corporation (owner of Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty).
Is Budget Car Rental Reliable?
Although Avis is Budget’s corporate owner, Budget’s overall customer satisfaction, as polled by JD Power, falls below the industry average, indicating Budget’s poor reliability and trust among car renters.
Still, Budget isn’t the worst, with a few others performing worse in the survey.
See Budget’s comparison with other rental companies later in the post.
Budget Car Rental Problems & Complaints:
#1 Additional Charges After Drop-Off
It’s a common issue among car renters, and several Budget customers had reported higher than expected bills.
Those extra charges cover:
- Change of drop-off location.
- Refueling at return.
- Mileage fees (when it’s unlimited miles).
To protect yourself, you can document cost items and inquire and note your changes to the original reservation that involve extra money on the rental contract.
Otherwise, you leave yourself exposed to risks of overcharge.
#2 The Mystery Car Option Gets the Worst of the Lot
While the Mystery Car option’s price is attractive, customers often end up with a less-than-satisfactory vehicle choice.
Like many other car rental companies, some Budget customers collected the worst car in the fleet, especially when available rental cars were in short supply.
The Mystery Car offer is typically the rental company’s opportunity to make money from some of their most undesirable cars.
Although there were cases where customers got a good deal when choosing this option, leaving your fate to chance will likely attract the least satisfactory outcome.
Customers wanting value-for-money deals with limited mileage could do well to rent a vehicle from Turo or Zipcar, some of the most popular car-sharing apps.
See the Budget vs. Turo car rental comparison later in this post or the comparison of major vehicle rental companies to find the best service for your needs.
#3 Gift Card Promotions
A few customers complained about not receiving the discounted gift card as promised in Budget’s joint promotion with other retail brands.
The customers’ attempts to reach Budget’s customer service either failed or connected but ultimately did not get the deal as advertised.
Although not all promotions are scams, you should take screenshots of the advertisement and take extra care when placing orders with the promotional code.
#4 Costs for Undocumented Car Damages
As a business, it is understandable that Sales try to upsell renters on the company’s insurance coverage, which most renters will decline to lower costs.
However, problems arose when some customers experienced breakdowns and tire punctures during their rentals, leading to charges for damages after returning the vehicle.
While inspecting the car at pickup is crucial, as importantly, renters could ask for another vehicle or accept the allocated car but with clear photographs and a written note on the rental contract for the agent’s acknowledgment.
One customer experienced a slow tire puncture after leaving the rental location. Although Budget promised to reimburse the fix over the phone, the lack of documented details meant the customer ultimately paid for the repair.
#5 Minimal Pricing Details in the Car Selection Stage of Booking
The table comparing major US car rentals assesses each company’s pricing transparency when customers reserve online through their websites.
One customer detailed how Budget did not show the total price with taxes and fees in the car selection list.
While these details are available at the checkout stage, indicating the total price without factoring in the taxes from the outset can be misleading.
Budget vs. Other Car Rental Companies:
Budget vs. Alamo Car Rental
| BUDGET | ALAMO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | 837/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Moderate to Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | $300-$400 for credit and debit cards; debit cards accepted only if accompanied by a ticketed return itinerary. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes; charges apply and vary depending on the location. Higher rental rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Available in all vehicle classes. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $5-$15/day, location dependent. Free for spouse or domestic partner. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | 21-24-year-olds pay approx. $25/day surcharge, location dependent. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $12/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes, crated. Service animals without carrier is OK. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Most US vehicles can travel into Canada. Exotics and vans may not travel outside the US. Most renting locations forbid travel into Mexico w/o additional insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. |
Although Alamo charges higher rental rates, it betters Budget in types of vehicles available for selection and a higher satisfaction rating by JD Power.
Budget vs. Avis Car Rental
| BUDGET | AVIS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 if you prepaid with a debit card. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes; charges and higher rates apply, and they vary depending on the location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes; standard for most vehicle classes and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11/day in Nevada, max. $65/rental. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Qualifying family members drive for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | 21-24-year-olds pay $28-$35/day surcharge, location dependent. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI pay $41-$84/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | Up to $14/day, depending on rental length. Must return the seat to the same location, or pay a $50 fee. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes, but keep the car clean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Can travel into Canada w/ prior arrangement; a Canadian non-resident insurance may be necessary. Can drive into Mexico only when renting from select Avis locations, through a corporate account, and with special Avis insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Avis owns and operates Budget, and both have similar practices.
However, Budget is the obvious choice over Avis if you desire lower rates, although customers’ opinion of Avis is marginally better than Budget’s.
Budget vs. Dollar Car Rental
| BUDGET | DOLLAR | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | 786/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | Available at time of rental. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $13.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $400 de-smoking fee. |
Both offer market-average rental rates, although Budget is the marginally better choice than Dollar, enjoying higher customer satisfaction (according to JD Power) and having more locations to meet one-way rental needs.
Budget vs. Enterprise Car Rental
| BUDGET | ENTERPRISE | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | 861/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | $400-$850, depending on the vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes, but only at participating outlets. A one-way drop charge applies but varies by location. Higher rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes for most car classes. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | $0.10-$0.25 per additional mile, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $5/day in New York. $15/day in other States. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $12/day; max $72/rental. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes, but crated. Cleaning fee may apply if unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Generally, no. But allowed for select pickup trucks in Enterprise truck rental locations. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Yes; anywhere within the US and Canada, except for Exotics and large vans. Can drive into Mexico with Enterprise’s special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. |
Enterprise trumps Budget in renter satisfaction, number of locations, and fleet size.
However, if pricing is crucial, Budget is worth a look.
Budget vs. Fox Car Rental
| BUDGET | FOX | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes, all vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | Nil. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $10.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Restrictions vary by State. Check each State’s policy for details. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. Cleaning fee applies. |
Fox beats Budget with super-lower advertised rates, although Budget car rental’s considerably greater number of locations makes a better choice if you need one-way rentals.
Budget vs. Hertz Car Rental
| BUDGET | HERTZ | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes, for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | $19/day per driver. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $13.99 |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $400 cleaning fee. |
JD Power rated both below-average in its latest satisfaction study.
Still, Hertz is the better car rental than Budget, with more locations, and it earns a marginally higher trust among consumers.
You’re more likely to get a reasonable rental rate at Budget, however.
Budget vs. National Car Rental
| BUDGET | NATIONAL | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | 852/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Pricey to Exorbitant. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $15/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $12-$13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. |
If price isn’t the driving factor and you want an overall better rental experience, National surpasses Budget with evidently better ratings across customer review sites, including JD Power.
Budget vs. Payless Car Rental
| BUDGET | PAYLESS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | $250 for credit cards. $300 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes, depending on the rental location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $13/day. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | $25/day. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes. $250 cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Yes, but must notify the rental location first. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Both brand names seem to represent go-to options for affordable rentals.
However, if you want transparent charges – or as transparent as car rental charges can be – opt for Budget over Payless; the latter has a reputation for deceptive practices that lead to higher final bills.
Budget vs. Sixt Car Rental
| BUDGET | SIXT | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | Minimum $200. $2,500 or more for the priciest vehicle group. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes. $0 between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes for most vehicles, except for some sports and premium models. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | $0.55/mile or higher, vehicle-dependent. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $15/day. Free for renter’s spouse and immediate family members. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $15/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes. Cleaning fee applies if returned unclean; no cleaning fee for rental w/ service animal. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Yes. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. |
The Budget against Sixt car rental contest is too close to call as both do not enjoy much consumer trust.
Still, Sixt’s advertised rates are typically lower than what Budget offers, making it the better option for budget-conscious renters, provided they pay attention to what they sign.
Budget vs. Thrifty Car Rental
| BUDGET | THRIFTY | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 807/1000 | 768/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. | Yes, at select locations. One-way drop fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. | Yes, standard. |
| Mileage Fee | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $14/day. | $13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. | Yes. But $50-$250 cleaning fee if returned with damage or unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. | Yes. Can cross into Mexico only with Mexico Insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. | No. $400 smoke cleaning fee will apply if evidence of smoking found. |
Renters should opt for Budget over Thrifty as it has provided great consumer satisfaction, as JD Power’s annual survey indicates.
Otherwise, they are neck and neck in rental rates and vehicle types.
Budget vs. Turo Car Rental
Unlike most car rentals, Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform.
Turo trumps Budget as the better choice for most car renters, except for those who need intercity one-way rentals and unlimited mileage.
Budget Car Rental FAQs:
Does Budget Car Rental Have Unlimited Miles?
Budget offers unlimited miles for the following vehicle classes as standard:
- Small to full-size sedans, mainstream or luxury.
- SUVs, mainstream or luxury.
- Trucks.
- Minivans.
How Much Does Budget Car Rental Charge per Mile?
Exotics and large passenger vans typically have up to a 300-mile limit for a two-day (48-hr) rental; longer rental durations may come with unlimited mileage.
Budget typically charges $0.25 per additional mile over the limit.
Does Budget Car Rental Allow Pets?
Budget allows pets to ride in the rental cars, as long as the cabin doesn’t have animal hair or stains requiring cleaning upon returning the vehicle.
Failing to return the rental car in a reasonably clean condition will incur a cleaning fee, which Budget claims to be “reasonable.”
It’s still best to return the vehicle in as clean a condition as possible to avoid nasty surprises.
Does Budget Car Rental Allow Towing?
Budget does not allow towing with their rental vehicles.
Breaking this rule risks voiding any insurance coverage and incurring charges for damages.
Does Budget Car Rental Allow Out-Of-State Travel?
Most Budget rental cars can travel anywhere within the US, subject to mileage limitations if any.
Travels into Canada are usually allowable with advance arrangements and a Canadian non-resident insurance card available at the Budget rental location.
Budget typically prohibits driving into Mexico, except when renting through a corporate account and after purchasing Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance.
This insurance is available only at certain rental locations in Arizona, California, and Texas.
Does Budget Charge for Additional Drivers (incl. Spouse)?
These additional drivers drive for free:
- Renter’s parent, sibling, or child (only in California).
- Renter’s spouse or domestic partner.
- Renter’s employer or co-workers via a corporate account.
- Companion for a renter with disability.
Other additional drivers not listed above need to pay a fee:
- $3 per day per driver in New York.
- $11-$13.75 per day per driver in Nevada.
- $13 per day per driver, subject to a $65 per rental max., in other States.
All additional drivers must be at least 25 years old.
What Is Budget’s Cancellation Policy?
Budget’s policy on canceled pre-paid reservations is pretty much in line with most other rental companies:
- Cancel at least 24 hours before pick-up: refund the pre-paid amount, minus a $50 cancellation fee.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before pick-up: refund the pre-paid amount, minus a $150 cancellation fee.
- No cancellation and no-show: No refund.
References:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/budget.html
