I rented a SUV from Costco membership in budget Phoenix airport car rental center. When we arrive, no line, so i was able to get to the counter to process immediately. The thing surprised me is that they need to charge a 650 dollar deposit, i never experienced such thing. This is my very first time using budget, mostly i use National, never need to pay deposit. So a week later, when i return the car, i asked about my deposit, the lady said yeah, no problem, the 200 dollar deposit will be returned. I got really confused. Now the deposit is no longer 650? Very confusing! read more

Budget Car Rental - Car Rental Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

May 8, 2026 - After waiting in line for 42 minutes and now 7th from the front of the line. Maddening!! We walked directly across to SIXT, rented a SUV, and walked by the Budget line and saw that I'd still be in line. In retrospect, I could've saved over an hour of time by going to SIXT first! read more

If I could rate this rental outfit in the minus digits I would. I have used Budget car rental numerous times and never had a problem. They were reliable and affordable. HOWEVER this location is the worst rental experience I have ever had. We did our due diligence and rented our car weeks in advance. Received a confirmation number and the year and make of the vehicle. We are on a two week vacation and every day has been programmed. And yes plans can sometimes need to adjust, but for just cause. So back to Budget at Phoenix Airport, we arrived after a 5 hour flight and after a long walk picked our bags, and took advantage of the free train to rental outfits. To our surprise the line was out into the hallway (à la amusement park). We asked a gentleman that was fielding questions where do we pick our car. He looked at us with that expression used to deliver really bad news, and said that the wait was over two hours, that we would be better served if we came in "tomorrow". I showed him our paperwork and again that look to say well we do not have enough people or fleet to honor your reservation. And added that there is a big NASCAR event and they are "swamped" Begs the question so Why would you want to reserve a car if at the end of the day is first come first served. Yup! Needless to say we had to cancel our reservation, and work with another car rental whose $$$$ are off the charts but they promptly checked us out with a car. BTW none of the other car rental companies seemed to have an issue. Also seems this was not a one time occurrence. Stay away from Budget Phoenix. read more

Worst experience ever. After a long flight we had a 1 hour 15 min wait in line to rent the car we already set up through Expedia. Then we ended up with the most arrogant clerk, Devry (not sure if the spelling is right). On top of his arrogance and rude behavior, he told me we had to wait another hour for our car. Every other company on the floor had no line. Obviously this company is understaffed and can't find good employees. Unfortunate for Budget, but this experience for me was enough to NEVER use them again. Long wait and belligerent, arrogant people, I'm out. Wish I could rate 0. read more

Terrible experience! Long lines and no cars. Three went to the same car and there was no agents or supervisors to help. Avoid this rental car agency. If I could give this a zero I would. read more

Budget Car Rental - Line at the fast break. - Car Rental Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Right out of the Seinfeld Episode, they can take a reservation, they just can't hold it, got to the counter and they had no cars and wouldn't for 4 hours. I ended going to a local competitor and spending 25% more. read more

Bait & switch. I was offered a car through Expedia for 659 which was more expensive than FOX or some of the other Car Rental agencies that you had to pay at the time of the booking prior to accepting the car. So I use Expedia. They offered a price of 659 and when I went to pick up the car after an hour wait they told me that they didn't have that car and that the next comparable and the only comparable was a Jeep compass at $859. Said they basically did a baiting switch. Expedia says oh we're just a third-party and we have no control over the people that they represent which is budget. I will never use budget again Baden switch screw the Customer out of $200 after they've waited in line for an hour terrible business. read more

Wow, apparently a lot of people have had problems with this Budget rental. The only reason I subtracted a star was because the wait in line was quite awhile, but other than that everything went smoothly. I would definitely like to give an honorable mention to Donna, her first day, who did a magnificent job helping us get prompt service. Thank you and we'll be back. read more

Terrible. December 27th, 2025. After a 1.5 hr flight, we spent 2 hours in line, then another 40 minutes at least at the desk awaiting a car. We missed our check-in, and meeting family for dinner at our destination. Wee were not allowed to cancel our reservation while in line. We arrived rurally after dark, on dirt roads in an unfamiliar area and had to make alternate plans for the night including meeting our host after hours just to let us in. Nobody was happy, and it ruined the start of our holiday trip. We had reserved a car in advance, mind you. We told them we'd take ANYTHING once we got to the desk, other than electric, as we were traveling extensively rurally. We spent upwards of $900. for our car. After our trip, I received a survey and told them my experience. They offered a $300. refund (not enough) to show up in our account in 5-7 days. 11 days later, I sent another note-- No response at all. It's now been nearly 20 days since the offered discount, still no word, no response to emails, and no discount. They can't get it right at any touchpoint-- why are they still in business? I see so many other people having the same experience. Unforgivable for a brand of this size and scale. Vote with your dollars, and go elsewhere. UPDATE: wrote to corporate today and received a prompt response-- that the refund I was told I got was... ready for this... posted to my credit card company BEFORE i complained. Not possible, of course. My Credit Card company still has no record of it, and told me to simply dispute the charge. So, another hour down the drain chasing Budget's incompetence. But hey, they did actually respond to my email, so there is that... (Heavy eye roll). read more

After waiting for an hour in line, I had to wait for another 45 minutes before my car with reservation is ready read more

Budget Car Rental - 90minutes with nothing to do - Car Rental Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Workers are nice-but a 2 hour wait standing on line is crazy. Please utilize a ticket or call back system and provide seating.

This is the most poorly run Budget location in the USA! The Management should be ashamed and fired immediately. Consistently has hours long lines. They know exactly how many reservations, exact times they arrive and what cars are needed. If there was a negative rating I would give it. Totally disgraceful. read more

We were quoted a price and when we arrived they said there were no cars in that range available and they were booked solid so we had to pay an extra $199. What a scam. Very disappointed. Won't use Budget again or recommend it to anyone. The guy that helped us was like a used car salesman. read more

Holy hell I should have red the reviews before renting. I reserved a Tahoe (or comparable) online because I was meeting family. I got a "like" vehicle. I got the Tahoe because it seats 7 and carries up to 3 ish bags. I got a "like" suv that fits 7 OR carries bags. But if I wanted to pay an extra 1200.00 I could have a Tahoe... Wtf. The guy at counter was nice but clearly never road Ina atajoe because what I got fit 4 and bags. Totally changed my plans and cost me way more than I needed to pay for a rental. So many hidden fees and BS with these folks. Do not recommend. read more

Yikes! We're done, just done. Confusing line up to secure a cat. There are three spots. The standard issue. The fairly hidden and confusing signage to the Costco kiosk is only seen after waiting in the painfully LONG line. It wasn't just me. There were a stream of folks who bailed out of the line. The worst part was the Costco line was worse! One agent was helpful, while the other was on the phone making lunch plans. I get maybe a quick call, but this was well over 20 minutes with no acknowledgment the customer standing right at the desk just a couple feet away. They had no more cars so we got an "upgrade". The car looked decent enough. About a half hour down the road the low tire pressure sensor triggered. It was a full 12psi below optimal. This was missed on what should have been a routine inspection. We pulled into our hotel and took a ride share to dinner. We called the after hours emergency line and there was no answer. Only a recording suggesting we could calm 911. The next morning we made contact and were asked to bring the car to a local outlet. We were told they had a car for us. When we got there they said it would be at least an hour wait. We went to grab some coffee and asked them to call us when the car was ready. An hour later we called them. We were told it would be ready soon. You get the idea. Just don't do it read more

Brutally long lines every time in PHX. Highly recommend any other alternative, including walking, hitchhiking, etc.

I prefer to give them a -100 rating awful, dishonest experience. Spend your money elsewhere. I rented a windshield damaged Hyundai on Tues, April 29th. I took 4 photos of this Hyundai, one from each side, before leaving the Phoenix Sky Harbor parking garage. The front photo showed the windshield damage is a hole approximately the size of a quarter coin. Upon exiting their parking garage, I informed the female attendant about the windshield damage. When I returned this Hyundai on Thurs, May 1st, I informed their male check in attendant also known as "Your vehicle was checked in by 52593" about the windshield and asked for his manager on duty. I approached a male and female managers during their conversation, the male manager addressed my concern, I showed him my April 29th parking garage photos, he walked over to this Hyundai with me, he told "Your vehicle was checked in by 52593" who had white marked the windshield + noted on the driver's side window the damage, to close out my 2 day rental agreement then locate the previous renter and charge them for the windshield damage. I asked this manager "why would you rent out a windshield damaged auto?" He said "it should not have been available for the reason I experienced due to the Arizona heat causing the hole to expand into a large crack." Imagine my shock when I received an email then 7 days later a charge on my card for $599 for a windshield I already did my due diligence of clearing I am not responsible for? I have reported this airport location to the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, Budget's on line survey, Yelp and Google to forewarn you so you're not a future victim while I fight to get reimbursed. read more

The wait was over an hour for a car that was pre paid. Once we received the lot# to pick up the car, it was double booked and someone else was driving off in it. Then had to wait in another line, the attendant in that line was rude and frustrated. She did perk up and help us once I told her I would be reviewing budget. The vehicle was dirty and not as nice as the original one we were assigned. The vehicle had issues with the dashboard lights going out for no reason. The amount of $$$ people pay for this service, you would think overall customer service would be better. The reason for 1 star was the original counter attendant Abraham was very friendly and apologetic. I don't blame the individual workers. I blame the company not caring about customer service over all. read more

4 hours To rent a car. 3 people working and 100 in line. All other car rental places have no wait. Whoever runs this business should be fired. Choose any rental company other than budget, read more

I had a reservation for a sports car. They were out and put me in a boat of an SUV. The reservation system seems to be lacking. All the options they offered were just more SUV's. read more

NEVER AGAIN!!!! Waited almost 2 hours for a car! Two people were working while there was so many people in line! Horrible service I would not recommend this READ THE REVIEWS ! I want a refund. read more

Budget Car Rental - Car Rental Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

horrible experience waited over an hour for a car rental ruined a portion of my vacation.

Horrible. Waited in line for over an hour,for a "reserve" car, waited behind the same people downstairs to actually get a car, and after the return, got nicked for $200+ "additional fee" because they didn't "accept" my own car insurance, WILL NEVER RENT WITH BUDGET AGAIN!!! read more

2/15/25 4:30pm. Every other rental counter was maybe 5 people waiting budget 6 people working the counter & about 75 people waiting. Really sad sight for people using them. read more

See all

Worst car rental experience I've ever had!!! To start they didn't have the car I made the reservation for. Then I returned the car with a full tank and got a $181 fuel fee, and $150 miles fee. Miles were supposed to be unlimited. When I called customer service he basically told me to bad! Never rent from them! read more

Poorly managed at Sky Harbor airport, Phoenix. Employees were polite and pleasant. Not enough staff. Very long lines including Fastbreak. Budget knows the volume of reservations. Will avoid Budget in future. read more

2 hour wait. Only 3 reps working and over 60 people in line. In no rush as they sit there and talk to each other as the line grows more impatient. I regret not booking with someone else read more

They ask you to check in online 24 hours in advance and make you wait in line for over an hour to check in again. I will never use them again. read more

Totally dissatisfied from the time I booked the Rental through checking in at the desk and then waiting for the car to be available in the garage... I will never use Budget again and strongly advise against utilizing this vendor. They quote a price for Rental at the time of booking, then when you get to the Desk, they don't have the car that you booked, you are then sent to the garage to wait for an available car. The charges were erroneous at the time of billing. We were quoted $361 for a four day rental and the final charge was $509... I get taxes and surcharges, but that shouldn't be a surprise at the time of invoicing that should be disclosed at the time of booking. read more

Terrible!! Waited in line 1.5 hours, car was filthy on outside. Had to clean windows as dirt was caked on. Key fob needed a new battery that we had to buy. We had reserved on line and needed to cut it short a day agent said he took care of it but did not. Agent rude. read more

Still waiting after an hour for a reserved car. This is the worst service. Still won't allow us to cancel so we can go to a different company. Basically held prisoner unless we want to lose our money. This is the worst!!!! read more