Budget vs Dollar Car Rental

[bbwhos]

I have 2 rez for our May 8-15 trip - Budget full sz $167 and Dollar full sz $151 ($158 less 5% back from credit card). Trying to decide if we should go with Budget since add'l driver (DH) is inc free. DH always drives but in case he gets sick or something I am on the contract. For only $16 I am leaning towards Budget.

Any difference in the quality of cars they are both offering? I don't think either lets us choose our car. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[schoen]

I have rented from both, and was happier with Dollar. I think Dollar let us pick our car, which I like, and I do not think that budget did. Also, the budget vehicles that we have gotten have all been older cars with many dings and scratches, as well as many miles, usually around 30k.

Budget also tricked us into paying for a toll pass that cost $8 a day. There was absolutely NO literature or explanation anywhere in the vehicle, and when I returned home they would only refund a small part of the charge.

They also have always given us a car that was not made by one of the big 3, which is something of an issue for us! I am sure it is just the MI connection, but tt just feels like we are misbehaving or something (this is a silly reason to not like them, but for us it is a thing).

With Dollar, we picked out our nice Chrysler and they did not trick us at all!

 

[bbwhos]

Thanks so much for your experiences! We've used Alamo in the past with nice new cars and wasn't sure about Budget or Dollar but their rates are WAAAY below what I can get from Alamo.

 

[dougsmom98]

We have used Budget for the past couple of years and have had a great experience. I love that I can drive without paying the additional driver fee. I think the $16 for that is worth it. We have never been tricked either. My husband signed up for their Fastbreak/RapidRez program and we have never been bothered by the people at the counter to get any add ons. That being said, we have also rented through Dollar and had a great experience too. It's been awhile since we have rented through them though because they have always been higher priced when we want to go.

 

[bbwhos]

We have used Budget for the past couple of years and have had a great experience. I love that I can drive without paying the additional driver fee. I think the $16 for that is worth it. We have never been tricked either. My husband signed up for their Fastbreak/RapidRez program and we have never been bothered by the people at the counter to get any add ons. That being said, we have also rented through Dollar and had a great experience too. It's been awhile since we have rented through them though because they have always been higher priced when we want to go.

Thanks! We've also signed up for the Fastbreak rez so I think we'll try Budget unless a better price comes up. It's the just in case DH gets ill while we're gone I have peace of mind that I am on the contract legally. It's just fun getting an almost new car since ours are a bit older.