Budget Car Rental

When we arrived at Detroit Metro Airport on September 18, 2025 we waited in a large crowd for the Budget shuttle. There was only one shuttle running for a large amount of people waiting and not enough room on the shuttle for everyone. We had to wait several trips to obtain the shuttle, as I stood with my 80-year-old mother who can barely stand for long and there were not enough seats, until we finally got a shuttle. We entered the Budget terminal at Detroit and from there we waited well over 2 hours in the line to obtain our reservation. Budget only had one employee processing a full capacity (I have photos) room of waiting customers who also had reservations. Again, while trying to navigate with my 80 y/o mother and at this point we were into the next day. The entire process from start to

Took everyone 2 1/2 hours to get a car. First I waited a half hour for the shuttle. I called and was routed to a national call center agent (there is no way to call the local office). She looked it up and said “they come every 5-7 minutes.” I said no they don’t and she said “just keep waiting.” TIP: you can take the Avis or Payless shuttle because they all share an office. Shame on them for not telling me that on the phone. Finally get to the office and face a line almost 2 hours long to reach the counter. Note that I preregistered online and there was no Fastbreak option. At the counter they give me a paper slip and told me stand in line outside to get a car assignment (another half hour). Then another 20 minutes in line to get out the gate. This was a Thursday evening. Google said they w

Oh, fantastic queue management. Nothing says "fastbreak" like 30 people waiting for Budget with exactly one heroic agent on duty. Meanwhile Avis has, what, three people in line and two agents? Adorable. And of course the fourth Budget rep just casually strolling off to dinner was the perfect finishing touch. At this pace it will be 3 to 4 hours waiting in line. Whoever is the operating officer this is something that should top on your priority list to fix.

Live up to promises. Have customer service. Care. Try those 3 things and I’ll consider changing my review. Budget car rental lied to me. And lost me as a customer today. I took the time this morning to create an account with Budget and sign up for Fast Break so I could go straight to my car. After taking the shuttle to the car lot I wandered around in freezing rain and couldn’t find where to go. I went back to the counter area and found someone that would listen to me that told me that Fast Break was “unavailable” today and I’d have to get in line. A line a lot longer than when I arrived but zero communication from Budget … Yeah. Fun. 2 counter attendants and like 20 people in line. No way I get to my destination on time. They have QR codes posted everywhere to scan to shorten time then

If I could leave less of a star I would. Wait time is crazy I’m here right now there is no one for budget side. People have been in line for over 2 hours. We made reservations we should be able to grab the vehicle and leave this is unprofessional, no order, no management no sense of urgency these people is dragging there feet. Because of this experience I will miss my mom birthday dinner that was suppose to be a surprise unbelievable. It’s pointless to write this probably want get a call back but if you read this do not come to budget at dtw … the lady from Avis side had to come over and help. This will be my last time at budget rental