Budget Car Rental is owned by New Jersey-based Avis Budget Group, which is also the parent company of Avis Rent a Car, Payless Car Rental and the car-sharing service Zipcar. Avis Budget Group also owns a few local car rental brands outside the U.S., including Maggiore in Italy, FranceCars and New Zealand’s Apex Car Rentals.
Budget focuses on the value-minded traveler more than sister company Avis does. While well-known in the U.S., Budget actually has about 2,700 locations in more than 120 countries and offers a more extensive system than Payless.
History of Budget Rent a Car
The ownership of Budget Car Rental has changed hands several times since the Morris Mirkin founded the company in 1958 and launched it as a Chicago-based operation the following year. The company got its name from its focus on budget-minded travelers.
The 1990s were a time of innovation for Budget. It included its “Unlimited Budget” loyalty program in 1996, which allowed travel agents to earn points toward a MasterCard debit card. It also introduced its “Fastbreak” program for paperless transactions in 1998.
Team Rental Group purchased Budget in 1997 and started publicly trading it as Budget Group, Inc. In 2002, Budget Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was subsequently sold to Cendant Corporation. The company eventually moved its headquarters to New Jersey, and in 2006 Cendant split into four companies including Avis Budget Group.
How to Make the Most of Renting from Budget
There are several ways to make the most of your rental experience:
Skip the counter.
Join the Budget Fastbreak loyalty program to be able to pick up and return your rental car without waiting at the counter. Your receipt will be automatically e-mailed to you after you return the vehicle.
Use Budget’s rate guarantee.
If you pay in advance and then find a better rate elsewhere, Budget will match it and shave 10 percent off that price.
Earn Budget Bucks for future rentals.
Rent twice with Budget and you can receive $25 in Budget Bucks to be used toward a future rental.
Use the app.
Budget offers a mobile app for iPhone and Android phones, which gives renters the chance to manage reservations, contact roadside assistance and look up rental locations.
Shop for vacation deals.
Budget partners with some big travel brands. For example, you can save on Universal Orlando Resort vacations and Legoland tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a car in Portugal and drop it off in Spain?
The answer is yes, you can do this. It’s called “car-hire”. You can find many companies online that offer this service.
Just make sure to check with the Spanish or Portuguese authorities if they have licensed them.
The best way to do this is to contact them directly on their websites. You should be able to contact them directly on their websites.
Can you drive a rental car between countries in Europe?
Hertz is a good option if driving across Europe. It’s cheaper than hiring private drivers. You also get great coverage.
They offer unlimited mileage, so if you require a car to take you on a longer trip, you can rent more cars.
What documents are required to drive in Europe with a license?
You will need all documentation for each country you visit.
Also, you will need to have copies of your passport, driving licence, and insurance policy. It will be necessary to have your insurance policy cover you when driving in Europe.
In some countries, you may also need to show proof of ownership of the car. This includes a bill or registration papers.
Some countries require that drivers have a valid driver’s licence from their home country.
Can you rent a car in one European country and return it to another?
It would make travelling easier if you could rent cars across multiple countries and have them return to the place they were rented.
This idea may not work because people don’t want to pay extra mileage. Also, most rental agencies charge a lot more for returning a car to a location outside where it was initially rented.
So unless you plan on traveling frequently, it may be better to pick only one country where you plan on staying for a while.
Do you have a need for a car throughout Europe?
The best solution for you depends on where your life is and what you’re looking to do. A typical European town might have different priorities than a rural location.
You also need to think about how long you are going to be in each country. You may need an economical car if there are frequent trips and you don’t plan on staying in one place for long.
In most cases, buying used cars is more cost-effective than renting. There are many reasons why buying a used car in Europe is cheaper than renting one. For example, you can save money on fuel and parking fees, maintenance costs and insurance.
You can also drive the car safely knowing that you own it.
Many websites provide information about renting a car in Europe. You should check out the following recommendations.
With a US driving license, can you rent a car anywhere in Europe?
It depends on what country you are visiting. For instance, if you go to France, you may be able to rent cars there. However, you cannot rent cars to Italy if the country doesn’t accept US driver licenses.
Statistics
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
External Links
sixt.com
enterprise.com
avis.com
jdpower.com
How To
Things to Consider When Renting a Car
Before I book a car rental, what should I do?
When you’re looking for a rental vehicle, the following are important points to remember:
- There are many types of cars to choose from: small compact, medium compact and large compacts; SUVs, minivans and more.
- Prices for renting vary depending on what vehicle you are renting. Renting a vehicle is as low as $15 per day for smaller vehicles. Larger vehicles can cost you much more.
- Other than the daily price, there are additional charges depending on how long the vehicle is rented, such mileage fees.
- Additional fees may apply to vehicles that are rented out.
- You can travel anywhere you want, at any hour of day, by renting a car. However, this option is subject to some limitations. You cannot rent your car during rush hour.
- Consider your budget when selecting a car model. You should also check whether the car is equipped with air conditioning. This is very helpful in hot conditions.
- Make sure you reserve the car you want in advance. Some people don’t realize they need one until the last minute.
- Safety features come standard in all rental cars. It is recommended that you have a first aid kit and blanket in case of an emergency.
- Consider adding a collision damage waiver on your rental. It is optional but it can save you money on your insurance.
- Special needs can be requested during your booking process and upon your arrival, if you have any special needs.
- You should pack your bags and have your ID and credit card ready before you leave the airport.
- Keep alert while driving. Stay focused and avoid distractions.
- Contact the police immediately after you’ve been in an accident.
- Make sure that you return the vehicle to its original location after you are done using it. If you don’t, you could be subject to a fine.
