I have been renting vehicles for over 40 years and have never had an experience like I had with Budget at the airport in DC (DCA). I have NEVER gotten additional insurance coverage for a vehicle and told the agent at the counter just that but when instructed to initial the many little lines he signed me up for over $400 in additional coverage! I was shocked when I returned the vehicle to see that charge on my receipt and the company has refused to reimburse me the charge. I WILL NEVER USE BUDGET OR THEIR OTHER COMPANIES AGAIN. Enterprise you are the best! Should have read the reviews before renting!! read more

Car didn't have a CD player. They said they don't guarantee CD players, but really, Budget? You're renting cars not equipped with CD players? And this was a standard car, not a bottom of the barrel model. The more egregious thing was that the counter lady said there'd be a full tank. And the paperwork said full tank. But when I got the car, it only had half a tank! Good thing I caught it right away. The manager came out and said that some internal code they use confirmed that it's half a tank. I said I want it in writing, in case there are problems when I return it to a different location. As in, writing that can be understood in plain English, because whatever their "G4" code meant, my paperwork currently said "gas: full" in plain English. He said "I'm the manager. There won't be a problem." I said I'd like it in writing anyway. He scribbled a note and signed it. Well what do you think happened when I returned it with half a tank? They charged me $60 for gas! Of course! I KNEW there would be problems! I had to scramble to the counter to get it reversed, as minutes are ticking away to catch my flight. Fortunately they did that part quickly. read more

I am frequent car rental customer and this was, in every way, one of the worst rental experiences I've ever had. Poor availability of cars in my category, indifferent service, low quality facility. Simply awful. read more

I agree with the other reviews. Should have read yep reviews. Showed up on time with a reservation and had to wait an hour because the large suv I ordered wasn't here. The staff didn't seem bothered by it at all. Customer service? What's that? read more

Convenient location, however the service is absolutely horrendous and outright rude at the counter.

Jackie and Kristen were amazing and very helpful.. must say positive experience and efficient service

This location is horrible. They make you inspect your own car, they never answer the phone.

This is the slowest least efficient rental car office imaginable. Think preferred status will move you along quicker- you're wrong. They have few cars, and can't even tell you what's available. Zero stars not offered as an option. read more

On business travel now to DC and booked at rental at the L street location 3 weeks. Called to this location for two days and no answer. Didn't even know if location was open for business. Arrived to location and it was very unorganized, ppl everywhere with 2 agents working. I am a Fast break customer, location read on reservation that this is a Fast break location yet the agent says "we don't do Fast break here.". This location is disorganized and needs to be re-structured. Needs more staff. Would not recommend to travelers. read more

Good prices for 1 way rental, decent car, slowwwwwww service!! Took over an hour to get car on a Sunday morning. Avis is also here

Pickup on a Saturday morning took more than 30 minutes. Staff admitted thy had no cars available. Once I received a car there was 1/4 tank of fuel. Drop off was also terrible. Staff was cocky. The trip ended with the desk staff saying "here" when giving me the receipt. No one asked if there were any problems with the vehicle etc. If you need a rental, go to National Airport. It will be a much more efficient and pleasant experience. read more

Absolutely TERRIBLE customer service. After waiting for an hour, we were given a car that reaked of smoke, has scratches and dents everywhere, and was filthy after we waited for it to 'be washed'. The attendants were upset that we took so long to look over the vehicle saying that we were the reason everything was backed up (they brought 4 at one time instead of individually but it's our fault). Then they got upset that we wouldn't accept a car that smells like smoke when I'm pregnant and refuse to be near secondhand smoke. Now the attendant is trying to give the same car to another customer and saying 'I think she's just sensitive and it doesn't smell like it at all.' read more

This car rental service has to be the worst customer service I have ever experienced in my life. No customer service, rude, incompetent and disrespectful to the customer. read more

Rented a car and was told i could change the form of payment when returning the car Jacqueline told us in the rudest way that we could not. So dismissive and rude. Called customer service and they changed it. Have done it previously with other rental companies and no hassle, no idea why she thought being so rude would help her case. No business from me ever again. read more

This place is horrible! Not only did I not receive the car I made a reservation for, but I had to wait over an hour to get a lower grade car, and was charged twice the price I was quoted. The reason I'm giving an one star is the older woman who processed my return yelled at me, and then went on to another customer refusing to help me. What type of place thinks it's okay to yell at customers? This place is a joke. Rent your car elsewhere! read more

HORRIBLE CAR RENTAL. Didn't have cars to honor our reservation June 29. Desk clerks were absolutely no help. Wouldn't call another location for us! Never using Budget car rental anywhere in the world!!!! read more

DO NOT RENT A CAR FROM HERE! Terrible experience. They checked in the wrong car. I had to spend hours on the phone trying to fix the wrong charges. I would never rent from here again, and the customer service at the national headquarters so bad would never rent from Budget again. read more

Probably the worst experience with a car rental company ever. A car that I reserved that morning as an insurance replacement car was in their system but they could not be bothered to call the number I provided them from my insurance company that morning - despite assurances over the phone that it would be completely taken care of through them before I arrived. While I stood in line, people in front of me were waiting in line forever and told they were out of cars and would have to pay a premium - whenever a car happened to show up... never mind whatever their reservation said. What kind of a company is this? Bottom of the barrel. read more

Visiting from out of state with a 8-year-old, I made a reservation for a car, it was confirmed, and I traveled 45 minutes on unfamiliar streets and on metros with my child to pick up the car, only to arrive and find out they have no cars. I told them I have a reservation, and the man replied, "You have a reservation but that doesn't mean we have cars." Apparently they don't know what reservation means? Currently stranded with an 8-year-old in a city I've never been to because of this. read more

During pick up, two women helped me. Nice, laughed and smiled a lot. They helped me get into the make I prefer. I didn't understand the reviews. Went to drop the car off. Walked into the office and the man behind the desk looked at me as if waiting for me to say something. I started to ask where i should park the car and he interrupted me and told me to "wait your turn". Somewhat confused and mad, there was no one else in line, I asked him to just tell me where to park the car. I drove the car down to the basement where a young man explained that the person checking in cars wasn't there, that I could leave the window down, keys on the seat and take a picture of the gas needle position and head back up stairs. Ok? I took the picture of the gas needle on full and 7 other pictures of the car, including one with the car in front of the budget sign, showing the license plate & my watch with the date & time - you know, just in case. I made my way with my luggage back to the top and into the office. The original man I spoke with explained that I needed my contract to check the car in, if I didn't;t have the contract I would have to go back down and get the keys. I travel A LOT and only use Budget, I know this is not the case and explained as much to him. When I asked him to look my rental up he literally pointed at a chair and said "sit over there". I told him the car was down stairs, that I have all the information I need and to have a great night. I walked out the door, opened my credit card app and disable it. Smart move. Later that evening Budget tried to charge me an additional $94. When I called customer service, the agent explained that I was charged for a full tank of gas and a late fee. I had to talk to a supervisor, send pictures and my receipt from the gas station - time I could have spent relaxing. Ah, good times. Never going back. If you read this far, I highly suggest you not use this Budget, there's another location a few stops down on the Red Line at Union Station. If you do go to this location, be sure to treat the women that work there well, they were REALLY nice. read more

If you are in a hurry like most DO NOT come here. Despite a reservation, I didn't receive my car until 1 hour and 15 mins later. I missed appointments and could not complete other tasks planned for the morning. Very inconvenient. read more

I had a terrible experience here today. I went in to inquire about renting a car for a few days and simply requested if I could see the cars to compare them for my needs. The guy at the desk was unwilling to answer my questions about fees and unwilling to show me the cars. I went to the garage and the guy down there told me I couldn't view the cars without someone from upstairs showing them to me. Needless to say, I will not be renting a car from here and will be taking my business elsewhere. Very poor customer service and obviously not worried about getting my business. read more

i dont know if this is true but i walked over to rent a car i already reserved lady on the phone says theres a younger person fee. i arirve and they tell me i cant get the car because im not 25 like what the hell:? thats not what what they said on the phone, obviosuly theyre lying and just didnt want me to rent the truck. shame on them than they said i need a credit card not a debit card inorder to make a transaction. just all lies i will never ever again come to this rental place they are rude no greetings nothing and dont seem like they care at all!!!! theyre just plain rude and they have attitudes and they lied to me. on the site it says they give young age fee you dont have to be 25 to rent shame on them!! how rude they think they can take advantage of me because im a nice 24yr old girl smh i will be contacting coorpeate do not come here they are scammers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Showed up to pick up our car we arrived and the minute we walked in the lady at the counter was like if you have a reservation we have no cars. Are you kidding me!?!? I booked this car months in advanced. We were sent to union station where she said she spoke with the manager who said there were cars. We get up there and no car was available. They also had different rates so we ended up spending twice as much money. It took over an hour and a half to get into a car. I'll never use budget again. read more

I returned a car here and did not have a good experience. First, be aware that this is a crowded and heavy traffic area. It was busy when i arrived and cars were coming out the way i was supposed to go into the underground garage. Then i was going down the ramp slowly because it's very narrow and dark, this guy (who turned out to be an employee) was flying up the ramp. I stopped when i saw him coming but he didn't see me and kept coming. He slammed on the brakes and did all these upset hand gestures to me like it was my fault he almost hit me. THEN i get to the drop off area and it was almost like a law enforcement traffic stop. Without any type of greeting or even a "hello," the gentleman says "Give me your rental contract." It was the tone of voice more than anything. As I'm thinking 'wtf?' i reach for and hand him the contract. Then he says "Step out," again with the State Trooper- i just caught you speeding- tone of voice. Geez if you hate your job or are having a bad day, no need to take it out on customers. After i got to the office i was charged a $35 late fee because i picked up the car 15 mins early the week before but didn't return it 15 mins before my deadline. I returned the car on time but they said i was late, unaware that my deadline had moved up 15 mins. It says on all my paperwork i may be charged if i return it after 430pm on the due date, nothing about the deadline moving forward if i pick up the car 15 mins early. I get it, the cars must be returned on time so they can turn them over. It seems like a low blow to charge me without making it clear my new deadline was 15 mins earlier. You should be upfront with your customers and not try to weasel every dollar out of them. And ease up on the road rage and slow down in the parking garage, maybe you won't almost hit customers. Treat people like people and everyone will be happier. read more

DO NOT rent a car here....I waited for an hour to get my car and then receive the LAST car they had which was 2 sizes smaller than what I reserved ...not a comfortable 4 hr trip for my family of five....car was dirty, gas tank was not filled, and the staff could have cared more....they cared LESS!....OH - and then they charged me an extra $60 when I returned the car....they won't be getting any of it, but more effort and frustration for me.....GO ALAMO! read more

At least we got a car, hence the 1 star rating. Find another place to rent a vehicle. We had a valid reservation for a one-day rental for $61.72, re-confirmed in person, by this very agency two days before pick-up. Upon arrival we were told this was not a valid reservation and we would need to re-book. The best rate we were given was $154.95! We did not notice until later that this price included the full insurance package which we were never given the opportunity to decline. Our mistake, but we were getting pressed for time. We were definitely scammed! Have written to Avis/Budget corporate headquarters. Got nothing more than a corporate response. Check out all their poor reviews elsewhere and then find another place to rent car. They should close down this location as it does a disservice to the customers. Also, they will NEVER pick up the phone during business hours!! read more

Unbelievably bad, unethical service. I booked this through the national site and they had me returning it to the L street location on a Sunday. When i called they were closed, no one answered the phone. I was transferred back to the main office where they gave me a new location to drop off the car. The customer service rep gave me a new confirmation code and said sorry for the inconvenience and that i would not be charged for additional rates since i had to take it to a different location. Turns out i was charged double. I called back and actually got the same rep gave him the confirmation code which he didn't recognize. So i was charged more for the inconvenience of having to drive around DC to find a new location since the original one they gave me was not open. read more

Terrible experience. Awful customer service since they don't even answer their phones. Ever. I tried 20 times to check in on my car rental and never once an answer or a response. Corporate doesn't interact with their system so they were no help but at least are checking into why they don't answer their phone. "Busy" is not excuse when it's over two days. read more

I don't know how Budget manages to find the nastiest tempered people to work at this location. I rent here for the convenience but I just can't any more. read more

Plan on 90 minutes wait time and rude service. We thought it would be quicker to get use the agency within walking distance of our flat. Taking the metro to the airport would have been MUCH faster!We booked online so I'm not understanding the hold up. Front desk is absolute chaos. This is so bad I'm using my wasted time sitting here to write this. Oh, and reading another view which said they were charged $900 (!!!) for returning their car 1 hour late had me asking about that before we took off. What the guy said was "it's very expensive if the car is brought in late". Ridiculous!! read more

Pickup is extremely slow. It would be faster to walk to your destination. Extremely inefficient service and a very unfriendly staff. A chaotic experience read more

The customer service at this place was horrendous. We made a reservation for a morning pick up of a compact car. When we got there (at our appointment time), Will their sales associate told us that there was no compact available. If we wanted a car we could only get an SUV, and that it would cost us $13 more. We asked why he would upcharge if we had a reservation and they didn't have the car. He said that it was not based on a reservation but instead availability!!! He said if we wanted the compact we would have to wait an hour!! This was completely unacceptable, and we told him that it was ridiculous to charge extra when they didn't have our car. He replied by saying that if we got the SUV it was an upgrade so we should pay. Since we had to get to our destination we paid the money. I would have given this 1 star, but when we dropped the car off, the front desk staff was much better. They went to get their manager, but he was already gone. They suggested we call customer service because we should not have been charged. Overall, this place really needs to work on its customer service! read more

I got a one-way rental from this Budget location in DC heading west (new mexico). The rental was expensive because of the extra costs involved in being one-way, ... OK, I expected and understand that, but they wrote up the fine print of the contract (and how many people read every letter of their car rental agreement paperwork?) that if the car was late to be turned in .... by even 1 hour or less the fee for being late would be 900$. I turned the car in at the time I received it in DC .... but I received it in DC around an hour late because I had an early morning rental and the staff didn't open on time and didn't get me the car quickly, so despite the fact that I turned it in exactly on time compared to when I was given the car, I was charged 900$ as a late fee, and when I tried to explain to national customer service the situation most of the reps I talked to were hostile. Never was I told that it would be 900$ to turn the car in 1 hour "late" (or right on time depending on your interpretation), and Budget thought it was perfectly reasonable to sneak a massive fee like that into the fine print of the contract, so they charged my credit card and carried on their purely profit-seeking way .... read more