Thrifty tried to do that with me. They said my car size would be available in maybe 15 min and that was after I stood in line for one hour. Their representative was also very rude, “Give me you credit card. Sign here…No, you either pay for the upgrade or wait.”
I threw such a fit that they called their manager. It turned out that Thrifty was owned by Hertz, which I had status. They quickly took me over to the Hertz counter, gave me a different contract and told me to pick out a car in the lot.
It was laughable when they asked me to fill out a Thrifty survey. My message was, “Never again.”
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I got a survey from Budget also. I happily filled it out. When they asked about the experience and would I recommend them…I gave them a zero. The explanation box has 2000 characters and I used them all. They asked if I wanted to do a Yelp review🤣. I really wanted a text box for that one so I could write “I doubt you want me to do a review”.
This morning I received a third receipt from Budget…and each on has said it’s the only one I will receive. I’ll be calling my CC company later to make sure they only billed me ONE time and that the amount is correct.
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It’s been years since I rented cars regularly for work, but back then I used Hertz Gold maybe 2x per month. It was super easy. I just find my name and slot on the board on arrival, hop in the car and go. On return I wouldn’t even wait to check my car in - I’d just pull into the returns line, grab my suitcase and head to the terminal; I’d have my return receipt in my email before I reached the gate.
I understand Hertz isn’t the cheapest, and sometimes every dollar counts. But when renting now for my personal use I still use Hertz because it’s just so efficient and painless.
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I wouldn’t do that no matter the company or the status with the rental company. I’d make sure they acknowledge the return of the car. Although a slightly different set of facts, but Hertz had some issues with claiming people have “stolen” their vehicles.
Re: Budget. Not so long ago, while waiting for the shuttle to get back to the airport after returning the car, we observed half a dozen Budget agents decorating the front of the rental office with spiders, cats, and other Halloween paraphernalia. All while there was a line of 20-plus folks waiting to pick up their keys… and only 2 agents working. There is nothing like seasonal decor that calms the nerves of those unfortunate souls waiting more than an hour in line! 
I always want a receipt that says NO DAMAGE. As someone who had to pay $700 for a replacement windshield…I would have waited hours for that no damage receipt yesterday.
Oh…and funny. I guess someone reads the surveys. I got a response today saying they understood my frustration this time and hoped I would give them a chance to show their good quality. I politely responded that this is the second time this year I’ve had the same horrible experience. Do they want to have three strikes!
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Budget is awful. We joined fastbreak to avoid the lines that are so slow. It worked well a couple of times. But - At both Denver and Newark this year, there was no fastbreak. No counter, no board, no QR code. 50 people in line in Newark. In Denver the shuttle never came so we had to uber to the rental car office. Absolutely the WORST. We used Hertz for parents weekend and it was seamless. Never again with Budget.
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So you had issues in Denver and NEwark. Mine were in Phoenix and Cleveland.
Just poor service at Budget.
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I have a reservation this weekend with Budget at the San Jose airport. After reading all these negative experiences with them, I’m crossing my fingers it will go smoothly. I will keep you posted.
Good luck!!
SJC Budget has been great (my husband swears by them… he traveled for work several times a month). 
I love that airport. Friendly TSA, short lines on weekends, rental garage just across the street so no shuttle needed.
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We had budget at SFO in Sept/Oct. Their computers are down when you are picking up your car so you get a contract with no pricing, just the license of the car and places where you can opt in or out of extra charges. When we returned the car they couldn’t give me receipt, said I had to go in to desk to get it. I went in and got a printed receipt because I didn’t want any expensive surprises. Fortunately we were early so didn’t have any time pressure. I STRONGLY DISLIKE picking up a car when there is NO pricing anywhere on it!
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During his recent trip to CA, Mr. B was pleasantly surprised to receive a text from Budget that a Camry was waiting for him in the parking spot number so and so at SFO. Return at SJC was smooth as well. Fingers crossed.
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I try to rent from either Enterprise or Avis. I make it a point not to rent from any company with a financial-sounding name, like Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, Econo-anything. Hertz seems to have gone downhill, too.
You might want to reconsider Avis… Avis and Budget are run by the same company.
Additionally:
- Hertz owns Dollar and Thrifty.
- Enterprise owns National and Alamo.
- Some brands may have franchised locations as well as company owned locations.
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Never had problems with Avis, and I rent from them more than any other company. I have had problems with Budget.
We used Sixt in Germany in September. Gave us an upgrade to a VW Passat convertible. Lots of fun!
We have had good experiences with Enterprise of late. I always take pics of the car before we drive off the lot, but do that with any rental company.
Blew out a tire in Ireland on the same trip and they had someone there to replace it within 30 min. We bought the better collision damage insurance, but not the tire replacement coverage. $300. Oh well.
Just got an Enterprise rental for our anniversary trip through Costco with pickup in SJC, return to SFO. Haven’t tried Costco Travel before. Was $80 less on the rental fee that our original reservation.
Original reservation was SJC pickup and return with Avis and USAA discount. We’d then need a Lyft to SFO because the shuttle ($25 each from SJC to SFO) got terrible reviews. So, we’re saving another $60 by not needing the Lyft.
Now we can stop off at Millbrae Pancake House before our flight! 
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In our city, all Avis locations are the same as Budget. I get the same service person, and same car choices whether reserved through Avis or Budget. Not sure if there’s any differences if you need to voice a concern to the parent company, however.
In both of my Budget rental car goof ups this year, Avis was where the issues got solved.