CAR RENTAL REVIEWS ON BUDGET AT PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT, PHL

The waiting time was too long. I waited for almost an hour. The staff were very slow, and they even gave me a car that already had someone in it. I had to go back and switch to another one.

I've been renting cars abroad since 2008, and have rented about 20-30 vehicles from various companies. Besides a few with really bad reputations, I've rented from most major companies. Budget in Philadelphia had the worst service I've ever experienced. This summer, I rented from them three times, and each time was a hassle with different problems. I chose Budget mainly because of the low prices, but you get what you pay for. The first time, I came out of Philadelphia airport in heavy rain with a long queue of people waiting for cars. Two attendants were slow and impatient, making me wait over an hour. When it was finally my turn, I specifically told them not to add any extra services. In my rush, because of the rain, the late hour, and having my child with me, I didn't carefully check the contract and later found out they added a $60 road assistance service. Previously, other companies I've rented from would pitch additional services and insurance, but would respect a refusal. This was the first time extra charges were added secretly. Calling customer service didn't help; they said it was common practice and advised me to be more careful next time. During my second rental from the airport location, I again had to wait at least half an hour. I reviewed the contract before signing and found a $50 charge without explanation. The attendant claimed it was for arriving 20 minutes early. I argued that I could return the car 20 minutes early instead, and only then was the charge removed. When picking up the car, I discovered another issue — the car given to me was already occupied. The attendant had to issue me a different vehicle. Nearing the end of that rental, I visited a nearby Budget location to inquire about an extension. They said I could simply place a new order online and finalize it at their branch without waiting for the current one to expire. A few days later, with two days left on my current rental, I placed a new order and went to that branch to extend my rental. Upon completing the paperwork, I noticed a $300 fee and questioned it. The attendant explained that since my current order hadn’t expired, he canceled my existing rental and rented a car for two days at their branch rate, which led to the $300 fee. I inquired about my remaining two days on the original contract and was told they were voided. The attendant claimed that, despite initial assurances, I needed to select their branch when making the new order, not the airport location. When I decided to cancel, they informed me it was too late as the system had already processed the cancellation. Without my signature or agreement, the cancellation was non-reversible. The attendant and I had a heated argument; she insisted I pay the $300 or leave without the car; otherwise, I couldn’t drive away. This was the worst service I experienced during my two months in the U.S., feeling like I had encountered a scam. I called customer service, who tried to mediate but ultimately failed. The manager stated the order was processed and couldn’t be changed, so I was left with two choices: leave and rent from another company or pay the $300. Customer service suggested filing a claim post-rental for any additional costs. Needing the car urgently, I had no choice but to pay with the promise to claim later. Eventually, rental customer service helped me recover $100 from Budget. I noticed that Budget is the only company in Philadelphia with bad reviews, and I now understand why. Their service is the worst I've encountered. If you have options, avoid Budget, and if you must rent from them, check every single charge before signing.

Friendly service

They charged me 45.05 USD for tolls, despite I used my own e-pass.

The lady who checked me in upgraded me without my concern and didn’t realized until I got the charge for it.

Great service

Thanks for the great car

Was a great team

The staff was not meticulous. Despite having a completed order with payment, they charged us again for an erroneous order, causing a lot of trouble.

The first vehicle had a puncture in the tire. The replacement vehicle was in good condition, but a little dirty. The usb jack for my cell phone didn’t work so I couldn’t charge my phone in the car.

The whole process went smooth from the time I booked the car to the time I returned the car.

Price drop protector is a wonderful tool. It did save me some money on my car rental. Good job!

i was charged extra $100 for sideroad assistance and insurance which i HAVE NOT requested. At the pick up counter they have not asked me about it and signed me on paperwork that aparently says in small letters i agree to those extra services. it is the first time i am not being notified verbally about this option, i always decline. I feel i have been hijacked into that. It is wrong and un proffessional on the rental company side.

The car was fine but there was surprise charge of $12.97 added to my bill and I'm still trying to find out what it was for

I've requested a car without an e-toll device as I was going to pay all tolls in cash, which I've done. Weeks after returning the car I was charged for two tolls that I've paid in cash. Send the receipt and company did nothing. Very Poor customer service. Will not use this again!

All process very easy.

I've been renting cars abroad since 2008, renting cars around twenty or thirty times. Apart from a few notorious companies, I've rented from most major car rental companies. The Philadelphia Budget location has the worst service of any company I've experienced. This summer, I rented from the Philadelphia Budget location three times, and each time there was an issue. I chose Budget due to its low prices, but you get what you pay for. The first time, I had just arrived at Philadelphia airport. It was raining heavily, and there was a long queue. Two attendants were taking their time and were very impatient. I waited for over an hour. Finally, it was my turn, and I told the staff not to add any extra services. I was alone with a child who was exhausted, it was raining heavily outside, and it was getting dark. Eager to leave, I didn't carefully review the agreement and later found out that the staff had added a $60 roadside assistance service. Usually, other companies try to push extra services and insurance, but they respect your decision when you decline. This was the first time I encountered someone sneakily adding charges. When I called customer service, they said this was common, and since I had signed the agreement, the company wouldn't acknowledge my complaint. The second time, again at the airport location, there was another long queue, and I had to wait at least half an hour. Before signing, I noticed a $50 charge without an explanation. When I asked the staff, they said it was a fee for arriving 20 minutes early. I told them I could return the car 20 minutes early, and they removed the charge. Then, they gave me a car with someone already inside, and I had to go back to get a different car. A few days before my rental period ended, I wanted to extend the rental. I asked a nearby Budget location if I could handle the extension there. They said I could by placing a new order through the rental platform and then handling the extension. I was told I could do this anytime and didn't need to wait for my current order to expire. However, when I went to the nearby office to extend with two days left on my current order, the staff said this was wrong. They had prematurely ended my current order and charged over $300 for the new two-day rental. I asked why the remaining two days from my previous order were voided, and they pointed out that it was because I did not select their location as the pickup point in the new order. When I refused the new charge, they told me I couldn't take the car unless I signed and paid the $300. This was the worst service experience in my two months in the U.S. Feeling like I had no choice, I called customer service. After lengthy discussions, they told me they couldn't change the order, leaving me with two options: leave and rent another car elsewhere or pay the $300 and contest the charge afterward. I ended up paying the $300, and after my rental period ended, I contested the charge and got $100 refunded. All car rental reviews in Philadelphia were generally good, except for Budget, which had two negative reviews. Now I know why. If you have a choice, avoid Budget. If you must rent from Budget, carefully review every charge before signing.

At Philadelphia Airport, Budget feels like a small car rental company. The shuttle buses are small and infrequent. I waited for half an hour, and no bus came. Other companies like AVIS, ALAMO, and Hertz had their shuttles come by three times, but Budget's bus never arrived. I ended up taking the AVIS shuttle and walking to Budget.

Very friendly and quick service for both rental and return.