A National fan rents from Budget?

[cigar95]

Hi all - I'm a long-time National renter and Emerald Club member. But I just found a rate a lot lower on Budget for our February trip. I've never rented from Budget before, and they don't seem to get a lot of mention here.

(I guess this is better than Alamo, which gets a lot of mention, and frequently for the wrong reason.)

I'll have to give up my Emerald Aisle service, but for a flight arriving at 6am, my experience is that the rental counters are almost always really quiet. Also, one has to jump through a lot of hoops to get frequent flier miles on a Budget rental.

So - any general thoughts on Budget? Good service? Good cars? Polite desk agents?

Thanks for any input here.

 

[mcnuss]

I've never had a bit of difficulty at any Budget counter. We rented from them at MCO in October, got a brand new Ford Taurus with power everything and a CD player, maybe I was at the counter 45 seconds. They did not push insurance at all. Join the Fast Break or whatever they call it now program and it speeds things up considerably.

I despise National and I am always so amused that so many here on the DIS like them so much. I've never gotten anything but the most stripped down, basic GM cars from them, while with Hertz and Budget (I use Hertz for business, Budget for pleasure trips), you will almost always get a fully loaded vehicle.

 

[stacy6552]

budget is way friendlier than National at MCO, imho.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mcnuss
I've never had a bit of difficulty at any Budget counter. We rented from them at MCO in October, got a brand new Ford Taurus with power everything and a CD player, maybe I was at the counter 45 seconds. They did not push insurance at all. Join the Fast Break or whatever they call it now program and it speeds things up considerably.

I despise National and I am always so amused that so many here on the DIS like them so much. I've never gotten anything but the most stripped down, basic GM cars from them, while with Hertz and Budget (I use Hertz for business, Budget for pleasure trips), you will almost always get a fully loaded vehicle.

wow, you have had bad luck with National. I have always received loaded cars, cd, power windows, doorlocks, leather interiors, really nice cars. I have rented from Budget 2x's and have found them to be VERY pushy with insurance,but, that was years ago and they may have changed. They had nice cars also.

 

[madthemouse]

Here is another vote of confidence in Budget. I used National this year,( thay had the best rate) and had no problems with them. I have rented from Budget in 01 & 02 at MCO, again with no problems, and a staff that was very friendly! As of right now, I'm renting from Budget in May, got a great deal on a mid-size...$135.00 including all taxes and surcharges.

 

[kingofnothing]

I have a ressie w/Budget for a March trip: Mid-Size SUV for $169. Has anyone ever rented a midsize SUV from Budget @ MCO? What kind was it? (Ford Escape, etc.) Was it in good condition?

 

[momof2inPA]

My husband just signed up for the Budget rental club and got a two class upgrade.

 

[Disneyhappy]

We used Budget 8/02 because they were advertising those extended cab truck/suv vehicles. I can't think of the name but my husband thought it was cool so we rented it at the special price. When we got there, they were out of them and gave us an extended cab bus yellow Toyota truck. The back seat was very tight and it was so bright. We still laugh about it. It definitely was not what we were expecting and was not easy to get in and out of the back but everywhere we went, the valets were complimenting the truck and they loved the color. If I had been with DH when he rented it, I would have spoken up and asked for an upgrade if they did not have the auto we reserved. But in retrospect, that bus yellow truck is a prominent memory of that trip and I wouldn't trade it now for the world. As far as the counter service, DH had the truck rented and we were still waiting for our luggage. It was quick and the return was as fast.

 

[threeboysmom]

Hey madthemouse - how did you get such a great rate for a weekly rental in May? I haven't had much success........

 

[mrsstats]

On Budget, do you have to give them your credit car information on reserving?

 

[madthemouse]

Mrsstats - you will need a credit card when you make your reservation on Budget.

Threeboysmom sent you a pm on the info.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by madthemouse
Mrsstats - you will need a credit card when you make your reservation on Budget.

Threeboysmom sent you a pm on the info.

I would also be interested in how you got such a good mid-size rate.

Thanks, T&B

 

[madthemouse]

The rate I have my reservation was booked on 12/21/03. This was just two days after my original reservation. I used the Ent. code and got a base rate of $99.99, with tax and surcharges it comes to $135.86.

Now, perhaps I got lucky, but I do check rental car companies from time to time ( about every 2 days), to check on rates, promo's and discounts. I also belong to BJ's and they have good discounts and coupons that you can combine. I used that last year and had a full size from National for $142.

If you get the time, do check on rates. There is no penalty if you cancel your reservation. Always remember to book you new rate befor you cancel an excisting reservation.

 

[airhead]

I reserved a car from Budget and did NOT have to give my CC#.
I called Budget to make sure I didn't screw up because I got a rate that I could live with and didn't want to get to the counter and find out it wasn't going to happen. The reservationist said i just need to bring my printout with the confirmation# and a copy of my insurance.