Budget car rental

Budget WorldClass Fleet

With more than 30 percent of its fleet comprised of specialty vehicles, the Budget WorldClass Fleet is one of the most diverse in the world. In the United States, Budget features a wide selection of specialty vehicles ranging from sport utility vehicles, minivans and pickups to convertibles, premium and luxury cars. Internationally, Budget's specialty fleet ranges from the Jaguar XK8 and Mercedes- Benz models throughout most of Europe, to Harley-Davidson motorcycles in France, Holland, Spain and the UK, Jeeps in Israel and Latin America, convertibles and campervans in Australia, and the largest four-wheel-drive fleet in New Zealand.

Express Service: Budget Fastbreak

Fastbreak is Budget’s express rental service featuring paperless transactions. It’s so fast, Budget Fastbreak customers can be on their way in just a matter of seconds. Enrollment is easy and membership is free. To enroll in Fastbreak, customers simply sign a Master Rental Agreement (MRA), which details all of their preferences, from optional coverages and vehicle types to award options. Once customers are enrolled in the program, they do not have to sign another rental agreement each time they rent from Budget. Depending on the airport configuration, there are two variations of Budget Fastbreak service: Choice and Counter. Fastbreak Choice service is available at more than 30 major market airports, including Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Fastbreak Choice customers are bused from the terminal to the Budget lot and dropped off at a dedicated weather-protected Fastbreak canopy where they can confirm their reserved car class on the reservations monitor. Customers then get to choose their vehicle from a wide array of styles and colors within the car class they have reserved; then simply show their driver’s license and the hang tag from the rearview mirror to the attendant at the state-of-the-art Fastbreak exit booths. For a nominal fee, members can upgrade to a different car class by simply choosing another vehicle and presenting the hang tag to the exit booth attendant, who will automatically adjust the cost of the vehicle rental. Fastbreak Counter is available at more than 105 U.S. airports and it offers the same speedy paperless service as Fastbreak Choice, with a brief stop at the designated Fastbreak area of the rental counter. Customers simply check their reservation status on the Fastbreak manifest, enter the Fastbreak service line, present their driver’s license to the customer service representative, pick up their keys, and off they go. In addition to speedy rentals, both Fastbreak Choice and Counter service offer automated Rapid Return, where a Budget service agent prints the customer’s receipt on the spot in the lot when they return the car.

Frequent Renter Program: Perfect Drive

Perfect Drive is Budget’s wildly popular customer loyalty awards program. The program offers easy to earn rewards and requires no membership fee. Perfect Drive is fully automated and members earn points based on dollars spent. Members earn for every dollar spent with Budget, including rental fees, optional insurance coverage, surcharges, taxes, etc. As points are accumulated, members can choose to redeem them for a variety of tiered awards. Perfect Drive Highlights:  • The program is fully automated and based on total rental charges. • Both business and leisure travelers can take advantage of the awards. • Enrollment is easy and membership is free. • Points can be redeemed by phone or online for golf clubs and accessories, spa packages, athletic apparel and merchandise, frequent flyer miles or credits, free car rentals and upgrades, designer eyewear, and other popular items. • Members can check account activity online. • Members can call a dedicated toll-free number to check point balances or to redeem points (1-800-BUDGET-4). Customers must choose between earning Perfect Drive points and frequent flyer miles/credits. Points can also be purchased after a minimum points level accrual. With more than one million members, Perfect Drive is available at nearly 900 participating Budget locations throughout the U.S. and more than 150 locations across Canada.

Airline Partnerships

Budget is a partner in many domestic and international airline frequent flyer programs. Every time members of these programs rent from Budget at participating locations worldwide, they earn free airline miles, unless they opt for Perfect Drive points.

Budget partners with the following worldwide airline frequent flyer programs:

• AeroMexico Club Premier / Aeromiles
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France Frequence Plus
• Air Malta FlyPass
• Air New Zealand Air Points
• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• Aloha Air AlohaPass
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Midland Diamond Club
• El Al Israel Airlines Frequent Traveler
• Emirates/Sri Lankan Skywards
• Hawaiian Air HawaiinMiles
• Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank
• Northwest Airlines WorldPerks
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Saudi Arabian Alfursan
• South African Airways Voyager
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
• Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
• United Airlines Mileage Plus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Budget also has partnerships with Southwest.com and UAL.com.

Budget CorpRate

Budget CorpRate features low rates with unlimited mileage to qualified companies and their employees. The program also offers companies assistance in managing their travel expenses more effectively. Designed to accommodate companies from start-ups to major multi-national corporations, CorpRate offers a choice of billing methods to help companies maintain lower travel costs.

Budget's extensive list of worldwide locations also enables a company to rely on consistent service and economical rates across the globe.

Cellular Phones

Budget offers cellular phones at many locations in the United States, Canada, and in most major European cities. These phones help busy executives keep in touch with clients and co-workers while on the road and provide vacationers with a way to call ahead.

The phones offer free 911 service in many cities. The phone package also includes a hands-free speakerphone.

One-Way Rentals

Convenient one-way car and truck rentals are available at many Budget locations worldwide with a choice of rate plans. Based upon length of rental and distance traveled, the all-inclusive rate for cars is often the most economical one-way rental.

Drivers with Special Needs

A number of services for U.S. travelers with special needs are available to the individual and any member of the traveling party, including: Hand controls and spinner knobs for most vehicles (available, at no extra cost, with Page 3 reservations made 24 to 72 hours in advance). • Vehicle curb service. • Toll-free reservation system (can identify special equipment and service needs and then notify the appropriate rental location so the arrangements can be made prior to the renter's arrival). • TDD information at Budget’s Worldwide Reservation Center is available to speech and hearing-impaired customers.

Business Club

Budget’s Business Club program is available in Europe to business renters and small-medium size companies. Members are eligible for preferred rates that are all-inclusive and guaranteed in the local currency of the destination country. The program also includes automatic membership in Fastbreak.

Special Equipment

Children's car seats, luggage racks and ski racks (where applicable) are available at most rental locations, usually for a small additional charge.

Customers should request special equipment at the time of reservation.

Go!Budget

Go!Budget Europe and Go!Budget Australia and New Zealand are all-inclusive leisure car rental programs that offer highly competitive rates.

No-Smoking Fleet

For customers seeking no-smoking alternatives when they travel, Budget offers a substantial fleet of no-smoking cars at most locations in the United States and Canada. Budget recommends that customers request a no-smoking car when making reservations. These cars are available at no extra charge.