Reviews for Budget in Philadelphia
- All reviews 100%
6.8/10 Good
Based on 119 reviews
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5.9
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6.2
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5.3
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6.1
Recent reviews
Most recent
2.0 Poor
Economy
21 Jul 2017
Long lines, surly service
Pros: Nothing. A terrible experience.
Cons: Upon arrival we were greeted with a line of eight people in front of us. It took 45 minutes for the extremely slow, unprofessional people to check us in. One employee in particular Kiva, was nasty and told me I needed to show her respect, and overall gave me a really hard time. I will never run a car from them again
4.4 Okay
Standard
15 Jul 2017
Don't expect a clean car
Pros: responsive front desk gave me a nice replacement car - still dirty on outside and not cleaned recently on the inside, but i liked the Ford Fusion hybrid with carplay.
Cons: first car was dirty inside and out. They explained that they do not clean cars but offer a $5 credit if i take the time to go to a car wash.... NOT ACCEPTABLE nor explained in any contract.
The staff did volunteer that they do expect the car interior to be clean. In this case, the car was dirty outside and inside. Ketchup on the back seat was still sticky, so it was probably not too old. Pretty clear that Budget staff never inspected the car.
7.6 Good
Full-size
12 Jul 2017
Location Needs Work
Pros: Great car, great price.
Cons: The location had some stumbles, mostly due to huge demand and understaffing. The line was 30 people long, with only two counter attendants. They were great folls, but definitely needed some help.
2.8 Mediocre
Full-size
28 Jun 2017
Cons: The return in Philadelphia merely gave an address, which turned out to be a hotel that you had to enter down a long alley (after we passed it twice). There was no signage or instructions for Budget or car rental of any kind. On the third try, we went into the hotel valet line and were told to go into the garage and up to the 7th floor. Up there, there was no sign or instruction as to where to drop the keys or what to do and it was deserted and a bit off putting. We ran into a gentleman with no badge or shirt who said to go into the hotel and down to the basement. We dragged our luggage down through the garage and then across the lot into the hotel, and then had to ask a number of people for directions to the car rental return. The whole process was stressful and very long, making us late to our event which happened to be a memorial for my late father. It was incredibly frustrating and upsetting. If the instructions to return are that complicated or out of the ordinary, having that information ahead of time would be helpful, as I would have opted to return to a different location or have left much more time for the process.
2.0 Poor
Intermediate
18 Jun 2017
Poor choice. Poor customer service.
Pros: Walking next door to Avis.
Cons: Searched for a rental from Philadelphia airport on the Kayak website, after taking the shuttle to Budget, was told my rental was at a location over 30 MILES from the airport. The representative was rude, told me I could take my luggage and get on a bus or pay for a taxi to get up there but they had no cars and couldn't help me. She was particularly unpleasant and walked off into the back without a second look.
10.0 Excellent
Compact
17 Jun 2017
Excellent value & fast service
Pros: Very fast service and very easy process. Much cheaper than all the other rental places. The car was easy to drive and very clean.
Cons: The vehicle was parked in between two poles. We thankfully had someone help us navigate to avoid backing up into the pole which was right behind the vehicle when we picked it up.
10.0 Excellent
Compact
16 Jun 2017
great service
Pros: friendly people
10.0 Excellent
Compact
12 Jun 2017
Easy and convenient!
Pros: Great and quick customer service.
2.4 Mediocre
Full-size
22 May 2017
Risky deal
Pros: The manager cut the original rental price in half for my unfortunate experience.
Cons: The car wasn't vacuumed out. Chewed fingernail in door. Chocolate chip cookie in back seat door. Cigarette ash and smell in non-smoking car.
But more frustrating was that I was going to be charged for a two day rental because I arrived 20min early for the pickup of a vehicle I was only using for a 24 hour period. I was not made aware of this upon receiving the contract. Just a rushed, "sign here, here, here, here, and here." Be careful on your window of rental time or that extra 20min could cost you a full day charge of $40-150 depending on rental.
5.6 Okay
SUV
15 May 2017
Cons: The car smelled like smoke which you could really get after being in the car for a while.
4.4 Okay
Intermediate
13 May 2017
Long lines to get car
Pros: Good car. Clean
Cons: I waited over an hour and a half to get my car at pickup. There were only 3 people who worked the desk and one disappeared for 20 mins while there was a line 20 people deep. It is insane to have to wait this long - checking in to pick up a car should take 15 minutes per person. The desk attendant is always so busy trying to sell up grades it takes away time from the customer waiting to get there car and go. This has to be improved. This is the second time I've had this happen with budget in Philadelphia. I will not rent with them again for this reason.
6.8 Good
Intermediate
4 May 2017
Easy dropoff
Pros: Easy to find and get into. Fast and courteous service. They pointed me toward nearest restaurant (across street at Marriot) and how to get to shuttle to my hotel (across bridge in Marriot and down stairs to curb side). Easy.
Cons: No issues in Philly.
10.0 Excellent
Economy
2 May 2017
Pros: The employee was friendly and multi tasked well
3.2 Mediocre
Intermediate
24 Apr 2017
Not the usual Budget service
Pros: Not much
Cons: Long line despite reservation, old and tired waiting area, very dirty car both inside and out, trash left in trunk from previous user, little assistance from employees
10.0 Excellent
Intermediate
17 Apr 2017
Great choice
Pros: Very easy to pickup and return
Cons: Tried to extend my rental and they could make any deal for us.
8.0 Good
Economy
15 Apr 2017
Pros: Nice newish car
Cons: Car needed an oil change. The repair light was on and oils kife was at 10%
3.2 Mediocre
Standard
12 Apr 2017
Cons: No van picked me up at airport....Waited 45 mins, called and no answer. Finally walked in the rain to pickup car. Bad experience.
8.8 Excellent
Full-size
10 Apr 2017
Pros: Budget staff at PHL airport was extremely helpful. Helped us load our luggage onto shuttle
10.0 Excellent
Compact
10 Apr 2017
Great service
Pros: Fast friendly pick up and drop off.
9.6 Excellent
Compact
5 Apr 2017
Pros: Very good quality vehicle for the price. Quick service in and out.
Cons: Was told the vehicle has an EZ-pass but did not have and so had to stop at toll booths to pay.
2.8 Mediocre
Intermediate
2 Apr 2017
Horrible experience!!
Pros: Nothing!!!!
Cons: Customer services was horrible. Rude and disrespectful.
10.0 Excellent
Full-size
16 Mar 2017
Pros: easy pick up, convenient location
2.0 Poor
Economy
19 Feb 2017
I didn't even get to rent.
Cons: They rejected my debit card eventhough my credit was the same as last month when I rented with them before. Maybe they put my ss # in wrong.
2.0 Poor
Standard
1 Feb 2017
Terrible location and service
Pros: The car was ok
Cons: The service, the rude staff, the confused clerk and then they overcharged us for bringing back 45 mins late when we originally ask the clerk to extend to that time. Go anywhere else even in the PHL Airport.
2.8 Mediocre
Full-size
9 Jan 2017
Disappointing experience
Pros: Returnng the vehicle.
Cons: I waited for the Budget shuttle bus at the airline terminal for a very long time. I called Budget two different times to let them know I was waiting at the designated post with several other customers. Eventually, the shuttle arrived 50 minutes later. The Avis shuttle passed by four times while I was waiting.
The key for the car was not where the clerk told me it would be. I had to return to the kiosk and find someone to look for the key. 15 minutes later the key was found hidden under the passenger seat. The car assigned to me was filthy inside and outside. I drove to a car wash the next day and paid to have a Budget rental car washed. That was the first time I ever washed a rental car!
2.0 Poor
SUV
6 Dec 2016
Cons: Saw 6 Hertz shuttles and about 5 Avis shuttles before the budget shuttle came. Then tried to add a day and the price went up 6x. Six times!!!
6.4 Good
Economy
1 Nov 2016
Pros: price, drop off location
Cons: Long wait picking car up. pressure to purchase damage coverage.
2.0 Poor
Economy
28 Oct 2016
Budget Rental CLosed at 8:00pm. I arrived at 8:15p
Cons: Budget rental at 30th street station closed at 8:00pm. I had no idea that would happen. My train was late so I arrived at 8:15pm. No one there. No cars. Ended up taking a train.
7.6 Good
Full-size
23 Oct 2016
Pros: Clean, dependable vehicle
Cons: Long wait at pickup
Exorbitant fuel prices from rental company.
4.0 Mediocre
Full-size
17 Oct 2016
Mediocre
Pros: Nothing...
Cons: Slow service, cars not readily available, service lights on dashboard, dispute with representative about gas level when returning car. This was my 2nd poor experience with Budget in past 4 months. Budget will be my last choice of rental car companies going forward.
6.8 Good
Full-size
6 Oct 2016
Pros: The cars were clean and a good value. Drop-off was quick and easy.
Cons: Having to wait in line for sooooo long in line to rent the cars.
2.0 Poor
Full-size
1 Oct 2016
Pros: Reservation has been canceled due to the price change than $ 208 to $ 500
Cons: Calling him
4.4 Okay
Compact
26 Sep 2016
Pros: Car was a better model than requested.
Cons: Car stank. Funny dirty smell. And the worst part was the lack of shuttle service. Waited over 30 mins for a shuttle that never came. Then when I called about it they said "Just take the Avis bus and walk over". Really? Also I had to wait in a long line to get the car. Not sure how the people got there without the shuttle. Mostly they waisted my time and that's the reason For low score.
2.0 Poor
Van
19 Sep 2016
Don't rent from budget
Pros: Nothing
Cons: Everything there rude a they lied took hours to get my car
7.2 Good
Economy
14 Sep 2016
Cons: Would have been useful to know that the place closed at 3pm
9.6 Excellent
Economy
7 Sep 2016
Pros: Overall an excellent experience!! Will definitely be doing this again!
Cons: More detailed instructions for how to return car to 30th street station. A bit difficult to find the rental garage and navigate where to drop off the keys. Other than that everything was great!!
9.6 Excellent
Economy
5 Sep 2016
Cons: mirrors were water spotted. made it hard to see at night when I picked up.
7.6 Good
Full-size
30 Aug 2016
Pros: Great car for a full size although the engine was lacking in power.
Cons: When arriving from the terminal there were 10 people waiting in line and only two people there to process the rentals. One renter had a problem so everyone had to wait entirely too long.
At return, there were cars everywhere and it wasn't clear where to drop the car. Finally someone came over to help but it was very confusing.
Change engine oil light was on.
4.8 Okay
Compact
16 Aug 2016
Took forever on pick up and drop off
Pros: Price
Cons: How long it took !
4.0 Mediocre
Economy
12 Aug 2016
Ok in a pinch, not the best.
Pros: Price was competitive compared to other companies.
Cons: Car had scratches and dings. Also the car's interior didn't seem to have been cleaned
2.0 Poor
Compact
3 Aug 2016
Terrible experience
Pros: The fine print in contract
Cons: On return I was charged $13.99 more than the Kayak price. When questioned, the customer representative was very rude, Apart from rudeness I saw two issues. One, the fine print in the contract and reasoning behind such an unfair practice. The contract stated a "mileage" surcharge will be added if the car is not return with full tank if the miles driven in less than 75 miles. I have made sure the tank is filled up a few miles before drop off. The terms were not clear and did not appear in the terms when I signed up through Kayak. Two, the mistrust of Budget. Three rudeness has no place in dealing with customers even if the customer is upset.
8.8 Excellent
Compact
1 Aug 2016
Pros: Great customer service at the station at pick up and drop off
8.0 Good
Full-size
28 Jul 2016
Cons: Car had some garbage on the floor of the back seat.
7.6 Good
SUV
21 Jul 2016
Nice service, cheap car
Pros: Great pick-up from airport, friendly informative service. Even told me of a discount that was available.
Cons: The car felt cheap and low-quality. The drivers seat adjustment lever was broken so had to sit totally upright. The car drove with a feeling of knocking in the wheels that you could feel in the steering wheel. The gas door didn't close. The interior was super basic. For a traveler, a USB point is important.
8.0 Good
Economy
19 Jul 2016
Pros: I accidentally booked a car for the Philadelphia Airport instead of Pittsburgh Airport. The gentleman at the desk started off with I have some bad news and some good news. He made everything right and then apologized there was a very small difference in price. That was great service as far as I'm concerned.
6.8 Good
Premium
18 Jul 2016
Fine car and a fine price - but there are a few th
Pros: Car
Value
Friendly people
Cons: Windows (particularly the inside of the front windshield) was very dirty. Had to stop and buy window cleaner it was so bad (and unsafe - had a hard time seeing when driving into the sun).
The computer check system is barbaric and slow. It is 2016 - get with it.
10.0 Excellent
Full-size
18 Jul 2016
One of the best service providers of our trip!
Pros: I've rented with other companies and I must say that I've never experienced a vehicle with the 'bells and whistles' that this one had. I feel that the other companies provided base models, whereas this vehicle had leather seats, power seats, power windows, back up camera, hatch release inside as well as hatch lowering on the hatch itself, separate air temperature controls for the driver and passenger sides, air vents in the back seats, multiple USB ports, mirror light indicator for identifying vehicles in the blind spot. As with any unfamiliar vehicle, we took several minutes in the parking lot to familiarize ourselves with the various features and where things were located. It was a nice vehicle, rode smoothly, no problems at all.
Cons: If I must pick one thing to say I didn't like, I would have to say I didn't like having to wait in line to pick up the vehicle. However, I'm sure that was mostly due to our flight taking twice as long as it was scheduled to and us being thoroughly exhausted.
We did also find locating the exit a little challenging and not well marked.
8.8 Excellent
Full-size
16 Jun 2016
Pros: Shuttle was fast, little wait. Clean bathrooms. Polite agents.
6.0 Okay
Intermediate
14 Jun 2016
Disapponted
Pros: Easy process
Cons: The 1st car transmition was slipping. It took 50 miles to replace athe vehicle. No manager to talk to.
4.0 Mediocre
Economy
31 May 2016
Had to wait for 1 hour 20 min
Cons: Had to wait in line for 1 hr 20 min even though reservation was made online. Car was not clean. Lot of dirt unside the car.
5.6 Okay
Economy
30 May 2016
No grace period
Cons: I had to pay an extra haour plus taxes just for arriving 20min late, when added it was like if i had rebted the car for 2 days!!! They do not have a grace period soo they will charge you even if you arrive 5 min late, also when i arrived to return the car i was 15 min waiting in line until attended that also added to my late time. Ridiculous
8.8 Excellent
Standard
26 May 2016
Cons: Car smelled of smoke
5.6 Okay
Economy
18 Apr 2016
Cons: The drop-off entry point at the Philadelphia Airport is confusing
2.0 Poor
SUV
6 Apr 2016
N/A
Pros: N/A
Cons: N/A
10.0 Excellent
Economy
30 Mar 2016
Pros: Every thing went very well. Thank you. I'll be back
10.0 Excellent
Minivan
26 Mar 2016
Very satisfied
Pros: Brand new car. Fast pick up and fast return.
2.0 Poor
Full-size
24 Mar 2016
Worst car rental experience ever
Pros: Car was ok.
Cons: I Chose the location of Philadelphia airport for my reservation. I got to the Budget location at the airport and after the service person worked on my rental nearly 45 minutes he said I was in the wrong place and that my rental location was a 45 minute drive away. Then he said he could process me as a walk up and after another 30 minutes came up with a price 3 times the amount on my confirmation. I said that was unacceptable and he spent about another 30 minutes voiding it out. This went on and on. They finally gave me a price that was about double what I had reserved. I will never use Kayak or Budget again. If one rents a car at an airport, how are they supposed to go to a location 45 minutes away?? This was totally misleading, inconvenient and cost me twice price I had reserved it for.
9.6 Excellent
Economy
23 Mar 2016
Philly airport - easy return
Pros: Great price - Ford Focus was perfect for overnight rental for 1 person
Convenient to pick up at one Philadelphia airport and drop at the other. Very easy return process - state mileage and get a portable printed receipt.
Cons: Car had a few big dings on the driver door - made sure to take photo in case I'm charged. Brakes made scratchy sounds occasionally and mentioned it at checking in.
6.0 Okay
Full-size
31 Jan 2016
Mixed review
Pros: Easy to get in and out of the lot. Clean office and friendly attendant in the lot.
Cons: Didn't have a full-size vehicle available despite my reservation. They provided me with a sporty mini-van instead. The printers in the office were not working which caused a considerable delay. My biggest complaint however stems around the need to change a reservation due to unforeseen circumstances...such as the giant winter storm. All I'll say is the entire process could have been SO much better.
2.0 Poor
Compact
23 Dec 2015
Needed a credit card
Pros: Nothing
Cons: They wouldn't take my debit card, only a credit card. However, I do not use nor have credit cards.
Therefore, I was not able to rent a car and had to wait to take a train. It ended up costing me more money, and I didnt arrive to my destination until 5pm at night, instead of 11:30am as I was expecting.
7.2 Good
Intermediate
21 Dec 2015
Filthy car
Pros: Price was truly a bargain!
Expected a clean car. Windows were dirty inside and out. Mirrors dirty and had some gooey substance on them- hard at night to use! Since rental area was understaffed perhaps service is too?
Location at airport confusing and difficult to return car to.
2.0 Poor
Full-size
25 Nov 2015
Terrible - avoid at all cost
Cons: Took 40 minutes to pick us up. Car was dirty and had tire problems, not helpful and the heat didn't work. 30 degrees for a Florida boy. Never again
2.8 Mediocre
Intermediate
14 Nov 2015
Buyer beware!
Pros: The price offered was excellant.
Cons: Budget places a hold of $200 on a card even though my rental was for $34.
If using a debit card Budget runs a credit check using Equifax. This agency is the most subjective and unfair of the lot! I have $8000 in my checking and a credit rating of over 700 by all the other agencies but Equifax. Budget was unable to rent me a car as I no longer use credit cards, only debit. I was stranded at the PHL airport for 4 hours trying to get another rental car for under $250 for my one way oneday rental. I ended up renting from Enterprise for 3 times the rate but Great service with no problem with my cards or credit rating. Enterprise will gett my business from now on! Budget, not so much.
4.4 Okay
Standard
6 Nov 2015
Cons: It took over 30 minutes to return the car at the Philadelphia International Airport. That is simply unacceptable.
4.8 Okay
Full-size
2 Nov 2015
Budget airport shuttle
Cons: Upon arriving at Philadelphia International airport I waited outside bag claim for 40 minutes and no budget shuttle came around tp pick us up to take us to the rental car center. Finally one budget car renter like myself asked the Avis bus driver if he could give us a ride. He did and dropped us off close to budget where we had to walk over to finally get our car. Upon entering Budget to sign the paperwork, I found long lines. Was not a pleasant experience!
6.4 Good
Full-size
26 Oct 2015
Pros: JEEP
Cons: HALF TANK OF GAS WITH NO $$$$$$ ADJUSTMENT
UNRECORDABLE SCRATCHES ON CAR