Budget

Great service! I was in a bind after terrible experience attempting to rent from Ace Car Rental (near IAH). I shuttled back to airport and approached Budget with no reservation and an immediate need. They were courteous and helpful. Even though I told them I was on company travel and would ultimately not pay for the rental, they found me great price. They could have stuck me for more as I had no other options. Instead, I was treated with respect. As a weekly renter for business travel, you’ve just gained my loyalty.
Great Job!

BEWARE, this company is ready and willing to scam you beyond belief! I came to Houston a few weeks ago to do so apartment shopping due to me relocating to the city. I booked my reservation through
as most smart people do. I prefer to go through Enterprise or Hertz, but the rate given to me through Budget was the best I could find. When I got off the plane, I took the shuttle to the Rent A Car Center and met Petra (I think that was her name) at the counter. She confirmed my reservation dates, which somehow went through for two days instead of the three that I requested. When I asked her if that was a problem to have another day for the same rate, she said it wasn’t an issue. I walked to my DIRTY little Ford Focus which was not only unclean but had a terrible stench in it the whole time. I had a few appointments to view properties, so I simply said I would put up with it for a couple days. I was shocked when I returned the car and my $ 80 rental quote jumped up to $ 192! Frustrated and confused, I went back to the counter to question why my rental came out to more than double the reservation quote. A different lady at the counter told me that Petra only notated the account saying «Customer may keep car longer…» May? MAY? When I confirmed with you Petra that my returning flight wasn’t until the following day? That’s too funny! The new lady gave me a number for customer service and told me any issues would have to go through them. I called the following day and spoke to an incompetent representative who said she could also do nothing for me. I immediately asked to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor looked in to the account and said she saw that Petra DID make mistake and credited me about $ 40. Still not the price I expected to see for one extra day supposedly at the same rate, but definitely better than the first quoted price. As an adult, I will take responsibility for not double checking my rental dates through Priceline, but shame on Petra and the Budget staff for not fully disclosing that the rate for the extra day would be inflated and charged per hour instead of at the daily rate I reserved. Had I known that, I may had just returned the vehicle the next day and did a new reservation for the final day. Needless to say I will not be reserving a car with Budget especially not at the Bush Airport.

Fast checkin and checkout. Car was in good condition and helped me navigate my way around Houston.
I gave 4 instead of 5 stars for 2 reasons
1– The rep that helped when i picked the car up seemed to hate her job. I asked why i was being charged a security deposit, and she acted like i should know
2– I called customer service when i incorrectly thought i was being charged an extra security deposit after returning the car. The rep i talked too there wanted me to call back for updates, rather than contacting me with updates.
Aside from those incidents with the reps, honestly being my first car rental, this is as seamless and good as it gets. I booked online, so maybe that factored into my not having to argue with reps about insurance

I wish I could leave a lower rating. This was the WORST experience renting a car I’ve ever received. I have always used Enterprise in the past without a problem but since they did not have the car I wanted available I thought I would try Budget. Customer Service seemed pleasant and I gave them the specific dates I would be renting the car which was for a week and a half. I also advised that I did not want the insurance.
When I returned the car they added extra charges stating I advised them I would only be using the car 1 day and insurance was added as well. The 2 women at customer service were incredibly rude and stated «I could not prove anything». They did reduce the charges somewhat but they were double what I was quoted. We also were not informed that using their toll pass would be an automatic additional fee of $ 19.95. If I had known that I would have avoided the tollway the one time I used it. Also, a certified letter was waiting for me at my post office advising if the car was not returned charges would be pressed.
I will never use them again and the only thing I’ve learned out of this is to always read the small fine print on the back of the forms and always check reviews online.

It is the Final Four weekend in Houston. Budget is closed so sign says see Avis. One guy working the counter. Over 10 people in line. Really poor planning!

WARNING — BAIT and SWITCH!!! When you arrive at the counter and specifically request a compact car, make sure that they SHOW you in writing where it states economy car class. They insisted that I was getting an economy car and when I received my receipt, it was for an intermediate car class. They refuse to make this right. The counter agents get a commission for switching you to a higher car class. Rent from a reliable company that does not cheat you.

Picking up and dropping off the car was Super easy, thanks for running an efficient business.

This place is absolutely miserable. I used my «fast break» after my flight that got in at 12:30am, and what do you know. There is no such thing after 12am. So I have to wait in line like everyone else for one person working behind the desk. I finally get in a car and it stinks like puke like I’ve never experienced in a rental car before. I go back and have the guy give me a different car. I get onto Hardy Toll when I realize the car (Mazda) won’t go over 40mph! Then it progressively starts to break down at 2am in the rain! It would only go 20mph for a quarter of a mile if I stopped the car turned off the engine then restarted it. The only option was to either see if we could get it back or sit and wait for a tow truck to come get us on the side of a highway in the middle of the night in the rain— no thanks!!! We finally got the car back to the entrance when it finally gave out completely! I go back to the rental car counter, and I get a «Sorry about that. I wish I could give you something more but I can’t because I’m not a manager. Here are the keys to a 3^rd car that’s newer.» Oh thanks, $ 150 for a one day rental and this is the treatment I get. Brutal!!! And then when I called to complain, they offered me a $ 50 coupon for my NEXT rental. Oh great, like I wan’t to use your horrible company again!!!

A straightforward experience after I made a reservation on priceline. The airport shuttle connects the terminals to the rental center where all the rental car companies are located — a well designed complex with covered parking. At pickup, the staff expectedly pushed insurance, upgrades, and gas packages on me. After that, it was smooth sailing: driving the car off the lot, and returning it to a courteous staff who promptly gave me a receipt acknowledging the full tank of gas.
Given the sprawling city of Houston and its unending traffic jams, it’s nice to have at least the car rental experience be stress-​free.

They should give you an option for no stars! HORRIBLE customer service!!! The car was heavily dented on the roof and we wanted that written on our contract before we left the lot. The crazy lady with an attitude was humiliating me and yelling at me in front of people just because I wanted her to write that, and she refused!!! We had to call a manager and he wrote tat on our contract when he saw the damage to the car. I have never been treated so horrible!!! It took an hour before the manager got there and he wrote on our contact we could return the car an hour later since we were leaving the lot an hour later than stated on our contract.
When returning the car, you don’t get a print out like most rental car returns. You have to go back inside to return. We waited in line for an hour when returning the vehicle, there were only 2 people working and they weren’t moving at a fast pace, and they charged us for another day, $ 40!!!, for bringing the car «an hour late»!! We told them we had been waiting in line, and they said sorry and gave us a $ 20 voucher. I don’t want a voucher, I want the $ 40 back that is a ridiculous charge. They called the manager, same manager that wrote we can bring the car an hour later, and he wouldn’t honor his own writing and signature on the contact! I asked for his business card and he refused to give it to me because he said he doesn’t want. E to write a complaint about him!!! What?!!
I will NEVER go through budget again!!! ANY budget because of this experience! Ripping off customers for every penny!

First time use that company. Got Ford Fusion brand new. Check in and out very fast. The crew was nice and friendly
I definitely use them again

This review was from last year. I was so happy with my experience at the avisbudget group at IAH. I have special needs due to my health and the lady in the parking lot where I picked up the vehicle went above and beyond helping me find a vehicle that would work for me. Her name was Barbara Bell. She was amazing!!! And then when I returned, again the staff was super, super helpful.

I first called the center when I prepaid for my rental online. I asked how much of a hold was going to be placed on my credit card and was told $ 100 because I’d prepaid $ 75. After picking up my rental I was charged a $ 200 hold in addition to my prepay. I called customer service to have them change the hold amount and I was told they could not do it. I was told the the rental location made a mistake and they could either refund the rental amount (but it would take 5 business days) or I needed to go back to where I picked it up and they could re-​ring the transaction the correct way so that I would only have a $ 100 hold on my card. The airport budget location was less than accommodating. The people behind the counter were rude, and despite admitting that this was a mistake on THEIR part and not knowing what happened, They treated me like this was MY MISTAKE. The representative spoke about me to her manger like I was even there, saying things like «I told her that, that was what I was trying to tell her…» I rented with budget DESPITE their terrible reviews because I’d rented there before with no problems. The people at the call center showed a lack of knowledge regarding the airport location’s policy and procedures and the representatives behind the counter showed a complete lack of PROFESSIONALISM, understanding, and customer service. I swear, they really should just shut the place down. I will NEVER rent from budget again.

The rental car hub is large and clearly marked. We always find the Budget people with the car that we reserved ready and waiting. Especially love that when you drop off the rental it is automated and then a quick shuttle to airport terminal.

I recently rented from Budget at George Bush International Airport (IAH) on a rental booked through Priceline by the company I worked for. Check out seemed to go fine, but apparently when I told Shantria behind the counter that I couldn’t add any upgrades, coverage, or options to the rental, that didn’t stop her from slipping a $ 6.99/day roadside assistance to the rental.
Once I got the car, it smelled like someone had bathed in perfume inside the car. All of our rental cars in the group from Budget smelled the same way.
Then, upon returning the car, the wireless handheld computer system for car check in was not working, so I had to go back to the counter to check in the car. At that point, since I had driven under 75 miles, they added a $ 13.99 flat fee for fuel… despite the fact that I had just fueled the car up at one of the gas stations close to the airport.
Watch the rental agreement closely before you sign ANYTHING. And look over the receipt upon returning the car.
If I have to constantly watch my back for extra add on fees, then it’s not worth it to me to rent from Budget. Back to National I go, hi-​ho!

I had a very painless rental experience here.
Got on the shuttle at the airport, was here in 10 minutes. Saw my name on the Fastbreak board so just went right to the area indicated, hopped in a car and then drove out. The guy at the booth on exit was very efficient and I don’t think I was in the rental center for more than five minutes total
Return was just as easy. I pulled the car in, the guy checked the mileage and gave me my receipt. I was on a bus within five minutes of pulling into the garage.
SIgn up for Fastbreak because it makes it very quick to get your car.

Not bad! Exactly one rental and it was FINE on every front!
No reservation, I walked up and was inside a car within 15 minutes. Decent rate.
The agent was helpful and personable. My Chevy SUV was just fine, and check in at 4 am on return was swift and easy.

Don’t rent from this location! Having worked for the number one car rental agency in the U.S. (not these guys) I am aware of all of the tricks, upsells and pitfalls of renting cars. I rented under a government contract (Damage Waiver is included in the Gov rate) and they still went after me for damage on the vehicle from a previous rental even though I had pointed out the damage. Damage waiver is a good thing to take, but since it’s part of the gov contract, I didn’t sign for it. They are trying to charge me despite the fact the coverage is included and that I pointed it out to customer service agent. On top of that, the car wreaked of cigarette smoke, and they tried to hard sell me on upgrades and coverages. Very unprofessional outfit.

I rented a car from this Houston George Bush airport location from 24^th thru 26^th May memorial day weekend. I reached after midnight and took the shuttle to the rental location. The gentleman behind the desk, Scott, handled my reservation. He tried to sell me collision insurance which I declined. I told him I already have auto insurance and that covers rentals as well. Then he told me that I would still have to pay the deductible even if my auto insurance covers the collision. I told him that my Visa card will cover the deductible that I would otherwise have to bear. He kept arguing with me asking whether I was sure and I told him that I was sure. Then he went on to complete the paperwork and asked me to sign at various places. I tried to spend some time reading what I was signing and he appeared to be exasperated that I was not quickly signing. He told me «Sir it is all standard stuff». I said «Yes I know most of it is standard but I still like to glance through it before I sign, I am not reading every line». Mind you it was not as if I was holding up a line, the last flight had arrived already and there was not s single person behind me in the line. Anyway after all the signatures were completed he asked me to choose between Kia Soul and a Mazda3. I opted for Mazda3. No other conversation happened. After taking the keys and walking to the parking lot, I saw it was a Ford Focus. I didn’t have the energy or inclination to go back to Scott and deal with him again about the Mazda3. I just did a quick walk around to check for damages and drove out the Ford Focus.
Now, I am from Michigan where I don’t pay any tolls and I am not aware of how the toll system works when you are in a rental car. I drove from the airport to Katy and paid tolls using cash on the way. At Katy, my cousins told me later that there must be a toll transponder in the car that I could have used to pay tolls. I thought that would a good idea on the way back to the airport.
On 26^th I turned the transponder on (there was an on-​off switch and a note clearly saying that tolls will be recorded on switching the transponder on). I drove back to the airport, zipped through all the toll lanes, filled gas and returned the car.
After a few days I saw credit card charges of very high amounts for toll. I called the Budget toll number which was on my rental agreement and asked them for the breakup of the toll charges. On receiving the breakup, I was told that there was convenience charge of $ 3.95 per day for all 3 days for using the transponder. I told them that first of all why are they charging me $ 3.95 for all 3 days when I used the transponder only on the way back to the airport (the last day). They said that is how it was, the charge would be for the entire duration of the rental. Next I asked them why this convenience charge was imposed when this toll convenience charge was not mentioned in the rental agreement that I signed. Heck, Scott did not even mention anything about tolls in Houston or transponder in the car, leave alone anything about any convenience charge for using a transponder. At this point the woman on the phone started getting exceedingly exasperated and started raising her voice telling me that everything in the agreement cannot be explicitly explained. So I told her that I agree that everything cannot be explained but at least should that information not be on the rental agreement that I signed? I mean the agreement I signed mentions that I declined loss & collision insurance, I declined the offer for paying upfront for a full tank of gas and the other terms and conditions of rental. Where was the convenience charge mentioned? How can you hold me liable for something that I did not sign? Anyway she said she could not help me further and hung up after a while. At this point I decided to dispute this convenience fee with my credit card company (my credit card company has assured me that I was not liable for anything that I did not sign) and have currently filled up all the paperwork for this dispute with a copy of the rental agreement that I had signed.
Folks, learn from my experience. When you rent a car, take your time to go through the rental agreement. Do not just start signing everything in haste. Ask about insurance, ask about any toll charges and how those are recorded, ask about every conceivable thing you can think of that these people don’t care to explain to you but which come and bite you later after your credit card is already charged. Yes I understand that you are tired getting off a plane but 10 minutes of your alertness will save you days of trouble and heartache later on. And try not to rent from these rude condescending Budget people who really don’t know anything about customer service and will nickel and dime you in every humiliating way. Now I know why they are Budget and how you pretty much get what you pay for.

BUDGET IS THE BEST!!! A special thank you to Derrick K. at the Houston Airport for helping us with an upgrade from the blue Escape SUV into the white Dodge Caravan. Hire more employees like him!
Situation: We were just told by Alamo that our «reservation» made weeks earlier was no longer valid. Sorry sir cant help you. Go away. Doesn’t matter that you were coming from your moms funeral or that you have been traveling with 2 energetic kids under 4 with you or that you are lugging around a cart with 6 checked bags a diaper bag and a laptop bag. Nope. Had Alamo made this clear we would NEVER have rented from Alamo in the first place. NEVER RENT FROM ALAMO AGAIN!
This review is a reward for Budget coming through at a difficult time, and then going the extra mile to make someones day. THANKS BUDGET! THANKS DERRICK K!!!