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Budget Rent A Car System

1.3 (313 reviews)
Closed 6:00 am - 11:00 pm
Updated 2 weeks ago

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Dirty car

If I could give negative stars, I would. I've never had such a spectacularly bad experience renting a car -- and I've rented from some questionable places before. I don't even know where to start. After waiting all night for the Budget counter to open at 6 a.m., like their website promised, I discovered... they just don't. Instead, there was a little sign off to the side that said to visit the Avis counter. No bridge troll, no riddle, just a scavenger hunt before sunrise. When I finally found the right counter, the poor Avis agent clearly wanted to go home. (I get it, I work in customer service too.) He tried to help, went out back to "ask someone something," came back around with his personal belongings, and told me "good luck" -- and left. Just like that. I had to step away, collect myself, and come back to try again. Eventually, we figured out my reservation issue. I'd booked a compact car through Costco, but apparently Budget's version of "compact" means "we ran out, here's a full-size car that costs more, but we'll call it a free upgrade." Plot twist: it also required premium gas, which I hadn't budgeted for. By the time the keys were finally in my hand, it was after 7:15 a.m. My 6-hour drive was already off to a thrilling start. The car itself? A treasure hunt of horrors. The touchscreen was sticky, the back seat was stained, the dashboard screamed for an oil change and a new key fob battery, and there was actual trash under the passenger seat. I couldn't even get the trunk to open -- I gave up and tossed my luggage in the back. Returning the car was the final test of patience: juggling my disabled parent, multiple suitcases, a wheelchair, and what remained of my sanity. In the chaos, I accidentally left my headphones in the glovebox. I realized almost immediately (at TSA), filed a lost item report within minutes -- only to be told, faster than humanly possible, that "no items were found." Shocking. I take responsibility for leaving them behind, but honestly, that was the cherry on top of an already miserable sundae. Between the broken promises, the filthy car, the "upgrade" scam, and the customer service equivalent of tumbleweeds, I can confidently say I will never rent from Budget again. And I'll make it my life's mission to warn everyone else that saving $20 isn't worth it.

How did I let this happen twice, by booking Budget BWI and getting totally screwed? Trust me spend the extra 10-20% and go with literally any other company besides Budget/Avis (at least at BWI). The first time I booked, a year or two ago, you have 1-2 people to take care of 20-30 reservations at the same time. The first time I waited, not exaggerating, an hour and a half! Barely got a car (actually they put me in a huge truck, which was difficult to drive, because they ran out of cars), the people in line behind me were not so lucky and did not get a car. The next time I flew in to BWI I remembered the terrible experience and decided to go with a different company, which was fine. This second time I used Budget (I figured I'd give them a second chance because: maybe it was a one off before), it was closed, with a sign stating go to Avis. You go to Avis and wait an hour to find out... oops... no cars. Why the heck would you not have cars if people book a reservation? And why would you only have 1-2 people to service everyone? So no car. Of course customer service phone is closed. And... no other rental car place has cars at this hour if you have not pre-booked. Looks like an expensive Uber ride out of here. I look forward to a refund on my $200 prepay and look forward to never, ever, again giving my money and time to Budget/Avis. Company is a joke, and not in a good way. Please do yourself a favor and spend a little more to avoid BWI Budget/Avis

Krishna P.

Budget didn't have any gas cars in the segment that I reserved. So, they offered me an electric or I could pay extra and get the next upgrade which I eventually ended up taking. The wait to pick the car up was quite long even though there were only 2 people in front of me. The return was smooth though. The prices are pretty high here. So, it's worth it only if you can find deals. Didn't have to wait too long for the shuttle(maybe I got lucky).

time for me to leave Budget nearly 20 yrs with them. plan to wait in line no matter what preparing you make. I have FASTBREAK for years and no one is ever at the kiosk, just a sign that says go to the main counter. then wait in line and they rarely have the car you actually reserve. the company's loyalty program is broken!

Waiting for the car after a 90 minute wait to check in.

An hour and a half wait at BWI in Baltimore. One two agents serving a line that went across the big waiting hall. When we got to the desk, the line behind us was still just as long. We're looking for another car rental agency next time. And of course there was another long line to pick up the car.

Long line with one employee

Have more employees, put up signs when a person needs to be directed to budget. The line is a 2 hour wait

Warning   they can deny your Rental if you don't have a high Credit Score

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Ask the Community - Budget Rent A Car System

Review Highlights - Budget Rent A Car System

Lanham MD, Location "We absolutely love our neighborhood Budget and Avis car rental location.

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National Car Rental

National Car Rental

3.8(252 reviews)
0.0 mi

Another car rental company lost my reservation when I was tired and had come in late from the West…read moreCoast! National BWI was glad to help me and saved the day. They had a wide selection of vehicles of the type I wanted in the Club aisle. One issue. The next day, I had a low tire pressure warning, so I assumed there was a leak. Called National Roadside Assistance. They were helpful but by then the closest open rental facility was in the airport. Went back to National BWI, who were expecting me and handled the switch out smoothly. Took my vehicle and got another one. Another minor issue. The next vehicle's display screen kept locking up when I tried to interface to Google Maps. Each vehicle was a nearly new Mitsubishi SUV. These are not really National's fault. Hope to rent from them again on my next trip!

I rented from National Car Rental on a work trip to Baltimore. I caught the shuttle to the car…read morerental location. National was located to the left once inside the building. There was only one person in front of me, my wait time was 5 minutes. I showed my ID and provided a credit card. The checkout process took less than 10 minutes. I walked into the garage where I was met by an employee who pointed me to a mini SUV. I was very happy with the car as it had less than 3,000 miles. It still had the new car smell and drove like a dream. Drop off was easy peasy. I got in line and someone came to take the keys and check in the car very quickly. Then I hopped on the free shuttle bus which took me to the terminal.

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National Car Rental
National Car Rental - Good selection of vehicles in Emerald Aisle

Good selection of vehicles in Emerald Aisle

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National parking area in the garage

Hertz Rent A Car - Chevy equinox

Hertz Rent A Car

2.1(246 reviews)
0.0 mi

Meh..have had much better experiences with Hertz at other airports!…read more We flew into Baltimore, and arrived around 9pm. I had already done the pre-check in and my name was on the board when we arrived. Problem was, there were literally 2 cars to choose from. The whole Presidents Aisle was missing in action! While standing there trying to get into one car, a rep came over and tried to check it in to my name. Unfortunately, someone at the counter already reserved it. Thankfully, this Hertz rep was awesome and he saw a car that just had been returned, and he went to get it across the parking lot and brought it to me and checked it out for me. It was a Kia Sportage (2nd time I have received this type of car from Hertz. I like it...small SUV, very comfy, fun to drive, good gas etc). Return was a breeze. They have a shuttle that takes you to the rental car facility. It took about 10 minutes..one of the longer shuttles from airport to rental lot that I have taken. Rating would be higher if they had more cars.

Awful!!! I'm a Gold member. I got the email and text messages that told me to go straight to the…read moregarage, find my name on the board. and go straight to my car. When I got there, there was a kind lady in front of the door to the garage directing people to go stand in line. When I got to the line, I was met by several disgruntled customers. Nobody was telling them what to do. No one was telling them what the problem was. One lady had been waiting there for two hours. Hertz had run out of cars and they had no resolution. The desk associates were completely flustered. They said it could be 1:30 hours for a car. They're just waiting until a car came in. If you don't think you'll have a car, don't reserve them for people. Hertz lost some credibility in my mind today!

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Hertz Rent A Car
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Alamo Rent A Car

Alamo Rent A Car

3.6(73 reviews)
0.0 mi

Hey yall!…read more Logan at BWI Alamo, just told me he can honor the 20% off discount I got from Erica at KANSAS ENTERPRISE, after my complaint there, but can't honor the premium upgrade she gave me due to not having those cars right now at 10:30pm on 2/3. I told her on email. I just wanted to say that. That's not satisfying to hear. I just rented another car for $76 (24 hours) with my 20% discount making it $61... and it will be a suv or van. Well, it's a 2026 Nissan. I did see a luxury Mercedes but looks like it just got turned in and isn't ready. Just wanted to follow up on this. I showed Logan the email and he said he doesn't know who ERICA is and I said it's someone in ur company! Erica Beck at enterprise/alamo in Kansas City! She helped me with my last rental! Anyways let's see how this 24 hour rental is! So far car is clean and new.

I was a regular and loyal Alamo member, BWI was a regular pickup spot for me as I traveled for…read moremedical reasons. However, having rented here twice in 2 weeks, it's become obvious this location is simply awful at customer relations and mitigating even the slightest of problems. For example: you don't replace a SUV with a compact car at the same rate. However most unsettling is how making changes at the counter to appease counter, agents... who by the way...discussed my rental situation in front of other customers.... was so poorly handled. Alamo BWI made me change my return flight match even though my car rental was for FEWER days than my flight itinerary. I spent a few hundred dollars on site changing my flight to match the date ON SITE... only to be told by Alamo management the problem was that i made the change in real time in front of them. What??!?? I am in town for a week and a half, but I only need a car rental for 3 days.... and that's a problem????? So I left because clearly, Alamo BWI no longer wants or values my business. I walked right out and booked next door at a different rental company.

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Alamo Rent A Car
Alamo Rent A Car
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Sixt Rent A Car - SIXT

Sixt Rent A Car

1.3(18 reviews)
0.2 mi

Terrible customer service. Charged $14.99 extra a day for my husband to drive. I was told it would…read more$14.99 extra NOT per day. Ridiculous. When I called to have these charges removed they would not. This is the only company to ever charge me for my spouse to drive. The car had low tire pressure and we had to add air to them. Also the low engine oil warning came on as we drove off the lot. I will never rent from this company again.

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. I left my wallet in the rental car -- I knew…read moreexactly where it was. I realized it less than 10 minutes after returning the vehicle and tried to call right away. You'd think that would be plenty of time to grab it before the car went anywhere, right? Nope. Instead of being allowed to speak to anyone at the actual rental car location, I was told to fill out a generic lost and found form. No phone number, no way to contact the branch directly. I called the main line begging for help -- literally begging -- and the guy refused to transfer me to the location. After five minutes of pleading, he finally said he'd "call himself," but of course there was no answer. We had just gotten married the day before and were supposed to leave for our honeymoon in two days. The stress this caused is unbelievable. It's now been three days, no update, no email, no voicemail -- nothing. That car is definitely rented to someone else by now, and who knows where my wallet is. The lack of urgency, accountability, and basic human empathy here is beyond disappointing. This isn't just poor customer service -- it's a total failure of common sense. If you value your sanity (or your belongings), avoid this company at all costs.

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Sixt Rent A Car - SIXT

SIXT

Sixt Rent A Car - Customer service area

Customer service area

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Budget Rent A Car System - carrental - Updated May 2026

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