Budget Car Rental Info Please!

[maps]

does anyone have any experience renting from budget?

i'm looking for the least expensive full size (which right now is budget) but i also don't want any hassles with lines and such.

i joined the fast break--how well does that work?

how are the cars at budget?

where are they located in the terminal?
thanks

 

[SB in KY]

Budget is not my personal favorite at MCO...we have not used them in probably 3 years so someone else might have more UTD info....we used to use them because it seemed we could always get good minivan rates there. Lately we have done better at Dollar and/or National.

I joined the Fastbreak thing, but they never had the line open when we rented from them. They charge for extra drivers, were very pushy about insurance (which I always decline much to their disgust). The final blow came when, as I am signing contracts after clearly declining added insurance coverage I realized he had printed up the form as having accepted some type of coverage that more than doubled our rental total. When I pointed this out the response was "Well if you don't take the insurance you will have to wait while I redo the contract and that is gonna take a while"...I said "fine, I'll wait" and wait I did....I think he went to dinner (and perhaps out to a movie as well). In the end I got the van and did not have the added insurance, but I stood there forever.

A lot of people rent from them all the time without problem (I rent from them here in KY often without any trouble), so take my experience with a grain of salt.

I would keep checking your dates at Dollar and National. FYI if you join Dollar's Fastlane (or whatever they call it, it is free, just sign up online), when you join they mail you a couple of coupons for a free upgrade (guarenteed), so you could book a midsize with them and get a fullsize. They keep their fastlane open all the time too.

 

[inkkognito]

We have used Budget several times and have never had any problems. Their cars do tend to be a little more beat up and have more miles than some others, but not to the point of being unsatisfactory. And they really got in my good graces when they upgraded us from economy to a Ford Focus SUV once! The line is usually minimal, but we signed up for Fastbreak anyway (haven't used it yet). We got a coupon for a free double upgrade when we received our Fastbreak card.
Barb

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by SB in KY
...I joined the Fastbreak thing, but they never had the line open when we rented from them. ...

OK. I am confused. I have a car booked with Budget for next month. I joined fastbreak (first time renting with Budget). On another thread, it was mentioned that you don't have to go to the counter if you have fastbreak. You go to the kiosk in the parking deck. Am I confusing things?

Ed

 

[maps]

hi
thanks for the info
i did sign up for dollar's fastlane but on my upgrade coupon the fine print said "subject to availability"
i'd hate to get there counting on a full size only to be disappointed.

i figure i'd make reservations to a few of the rental agencies and just keep checking the rates

thanks again

 

[Rpsemont]

ed,

I haven't used them, but if you do use them, please report back how it goes. As I understand it, the fastbreak you go to a kiosk in the garage as far as waiting in line.

i did sign up for dollar's fastlane but on my upgrade coupon the fine print said "subject to availability"

As far as I know ALL upgrade coupons say subject to availability. That's why I really hate to use them. You may want to make a back up reservation of the size car you need. Just make sure it's a cancellable one. I think alot of the ones you make on line say 24 hours to cancel or you'll be charged a day, but I don't have idea if that really occurs.