Budget Rent A Car

After one too many "Sorry, you're being charged for a hosts' cancelation" texts from Turo, I officially devoted my loyalty to Budget on Indian School--and let me tell you, it's like going from a toxic ex who stands you up all the time, to being the bell of the ball...

This location gets it. They understand that life happens (usually at the worst time--like being stranded in downtown Phoenix, or extending a last minute rental because you cannot find the keys), they managed to accommodate my whirlwind life without breaking a sweat.

Need a car last-minute? They've got it. Need flexibility? Consider it done. Honestly, I half-expect them to hand me a spa gift certificate to the Phoenician it has been that pleasant.

In summary, If you're tired of playing roulette with your ride (looking at you, Turo), switch to Budget. The staff is super sweet and extremely attentive! 5 ***** and them some.

Have people who work here help
Customers that have prepaid. Why am I in a 5 hour line? I'm exhausted. I'm going to charge for every hour I'm in line! I hate this place pace! I will get a free llama refund! This trash company screwed me over and lied! I will make sure this place is out of business! Less
Than 1
Star

Rent from here for 4 years now and all of a sudden i get charged 450$ for vaccuming this

The people at the front counter are the nicest and are really good at their job but the company will try to take advantage

Much cheaper than renting at the airport! Care selection is limited but it worked for me as I just needed something to get me around for the day. Great customer service - super friendly folks! ANDDDD the best part is you can return it to airport- so convenient.

I think Budget would agree they deserve this low ranking. You see, they proudly note on their website (after my searching for a jeep-type rental for some off road driving: note in Arizona, many state and county roads, or those leading up to parks, are dirt):

"Jeep Wrangler: Perfect for exploring mountains, canyons, and all sorts of trails, the Jeep Wrangler is the perfect vehicle for an outdoor adventure."

https://www.budget.com/en/cars/vehicles/us/xl

Well just to be sure, I entered into a chat with a Budget representative and asked if this means I can rent and take off road the vehice?

His reply: (see image) "unfortunnately we do not allow off pavement driving."

Hmmmm??? Guess we just have to make sure those "trails" are concrete.

1 person working the counter. 45 mins to get to the front, only to stand in another line to get the car for 2 hours. HORRIBLY BAD.

The Budget counter at the airport must have had 75 people in line. I was in line for an hour before I even got to the zig zag rope line. I signed up for their Fastbreak program while waiting in line and went downstairs to see if I could get a car that way. There were another 50 people in line there and ZERO cars available. The people in line were waiting for a car to be returned!

I estimated I would be waiting 4 to 6 hours for a car and gave up. Went to another rent a car company and drove off in about 20 minutes total.

I will never, ever reserve or rent a car from Budget again.

This place is wonderful, each time we went in or called they did everything to accommodate us. The staff is truly magic!
I'm so greatful for these guys. We have been in a bind getting our own truck repaired and they reall stepped up to make our life just a little less stressful and easier.

Very bad service 20 minutes later happen this in the middle the freeway 10 exit 154 between 60 east !!!! Pay $550 for this !!!! Phoenix Arizona ... 97

Run, don't walk from this Budget/Avis office. I rented a car while on vacation this spring. The Fastbreak program worked well enough, allowing me to skip the line and pick up my car in the garage.

On the way to our VRBO rental 45 minutes away, I noticed an unsettling feeling in the front suspension/steering, and a tire vibration. When I got to our rental property, I walked around and inspected the tires (a difficult task in the dimly lit garage at Sky Harbor, and not something I'd expect to be my responsibility). Three tires were worn moderately, but the driver's front was worn into the wear indicator bars, and the outer shoulder was completely scrubbed off, worn to the belts.

A tire in this condition requires IMMEDIATE replacement, and carries a high risk of failure- something Budget's staff should have seen if they were maintaining these vehicles at all.

I called the customer service number (useless, it only connects you to someone in India) and then the emergency service number. I explained to the agent this was NOT an accident, not a flat, but that I was given an unsafe, defective vehicle- I would have had NO reason to call were it not for their negligence.

I refused their suggestions that I put on the spare and drive on that (an incredibly stupid suggestion, since those are low-speed, limited use tires), the suggestion that I install the spare or have a tow truck driver do that so that I could waste a 1 1/2 hours driving (and God knows how long to get a replacement) to return to the airport for a replacement, or "to make it easier" (for whom?) that I take it to a tire shop (on a Sunday evening!) and buy a replacement that they promised they would reimburse me for. Riiiiiight.

I insisted they bring a replacement vehicle to me, and they finally agreed. A tow truck arrived 3 hours later to tow this one, but had no replacement- the driver said when he was dispatched from the airport, he was told their would be another driver to carry that. He confided that this was the 3rd vehicle tow this week he'd seen from budget with a severely worn tire. Away went this 1st car, and then I waited...and waited...and waited...until nearly 2 am for the replacement vehicle.

Vehicle 2 was fine, other than reeking of smoke. (Another rental last year from this outlet had the same issue, reeking of weed).

All was well...until I got a letter several weeks later to inform me I was being charged for emergency towing since I did not opt for this extra cost coverage. I had been told this "might" happen when I called to demand a replacement vehicle, even though the need for the tow was ENTIRELY their fault. Despite disputing it, Budget charged my credit card,a nd I am now disputing this as fraudulent with my bank.

I would suspect this is a pattern at this outlet; I was also charged for "fuel service" because they claimed I returned it with less than a full tank- despite a receipt for a fill up from a station 1/4 mile away and their own receipt showing it was returned full. This charge is also disputed with my CC.

Other Budget/Avis outlets may be just fine- but this location at Sky Harbor is at best incompetent, and more likely, systemically dishonest.

Avoid at all costs.