Budget Car Rental - Key West, Florida

Cefcef C.

EVERY single time I return a car to this Key West Airport location, they try to add on all kinds of unapproved charges!! My contracted amount for my most recent rental was $409.77. The Key West Budget decided to add on an extra $476.63 in charges!! So, $881.40 dollars is they charged my card for 2 and a half days - over double what contract stated! And, dates and times were all right on as for amount of time the car was in my possession! I think it is some sort of scam this particular location tries to do with the hope that people will just let it slide? I always have to call corporate and wait on hold for 30-60 minutes to get the mess this location caused cleared up. Fortunately, I take time stamped photos of my rental returns here because of all the past issues. CHECK YOUR CREDIT CARD STATEMENT WHEN RETURNING TO THIS HORRIBLE LOCATION!!!

Cathy B.

We arrived in Key West late afternoon on Dec. 17, 2024 and were told the Budget computer system was down. I showed the representative (didn't get her name) my reservation confirmation and she took down our info and promptly got us a car. By the time we got to our hotel, only a few miles away, the engine oil service light came on. We would not be driving any more that evening and decided to take the car back in the morning. In the morning, before we checked out, Avis/Budget representative Kris called saying that she needed to verify our info as the computers were now up and running. We told her about the service light and she said to bring the car back which we did. We met with Kris and she immediately swapped out the car. However, the new vehicle was electric and was not a good fit for my tall husband. Kris immediately helped us out and gave us a car more to our liking. She was even able to get us a slight discount. When the amount showed up on our credit card the next morning, it did not match the rate we were quoted (we understood about the security deposit). I immediately called Kris and she said she would take it and not to worry. Not only was Kris true to her word but she called me and sent me a text with the confirmation and followed up with me 4 days later. She went out of her way to make sure we were satisfied with our car rental experience. Her wonderful customer service is a rare find these days and I really appreciate her. Kris is a true gem!!

Jay Y.

Chris at Budget at Key West airport was friendly, professional and efficient. We needed a big car to get provisions for a boat and Chris went the extra mile, and found a large SUV for us even though the system didn't show one available. Way to go Chris and Budget!!!

Everett S.

Worst rental experience of my life. Check in took way longer than necessary because of a combination of their computers not working and the gentleman checking me in seemingly being new and barely speaking English. His coworkers chose to talk down to him rather than actually help, which was uncomfortable to listen to while seeing the gentleman knew the process was taking more time than necessary. They also downgraded my vehicle with no explanation or refund, and then finally handed me the keys and said I could find the vehicle somewhere outside in the lot or the garage. After finding the vehicle, I realized there was a sizeable scrape along the side of the car, but was running too late to go back and confirm Budget was aware of it. The gentleman helping me was considerate and kind, but the lack of proper training and leadership couldn’t have been more apparent. I will never rent from Avis / Budget again and hope their competitors swiftly pummel them into the ground with as much velocity as the blunt-force trauma I would’ve willingly endured to avoid this experience.

Steve S.

Terrible experience. Prepaid over $300 online. Got several email confirmations online to pickup my rental at 3pm. Arrived at budget. I was told they didn't have my car. The manager, Angela Rahming, told me the that there are several people a head of me to receive the car. She gave me 2 unacceptable options. 1. Take a downgraded dirty car and it would cost the same...huh...less car...uncleaned.... same money? 2. Wait 45 minutes to see what will come in. She said there isn't enough cars to cover the reservations. She can't guarantee the wait will yield a car. I asked for a discount if I wait for the inconvenience or a discount to downgrade. It was met with a cold, nasty aggressive no. I demanded a refund. She said she couldn't provide one. Terrible company. Terrible service. Someone like this has no business talking to customers. Selling things they don't have....isn't that fraud?

barb H.

Never ever again. They ask your flight information you get in and they are closed when you land!! You call and get nowhere, they tell you come back next day. 15 of us w/o rentals. Everyone on there phones. All fastbreak members. Impossible to reach any customer service on their website. Don't use them. They have other days w early closure too! Don't be left scrambling!

Jennifer S.

I had a really disappointing experience renting a car from Budget in Key West, Florida. As first-time car renters, we were shocked to be hit with a fee for picking up the vehicle just one hour early. We had told them when our flight was landing and that we might pick it up early, yet nobody mentioned an extra fee until after we were charged $186 for it! To make things worse, we even dropped the car off early, but that didn’t seem to matter.

On top of that, we were misinformed about the gas refill policy. We were told we’d only be charged for the fuel we used at the average island cost minus 6 cents. Instead, we were charged for an entire tank – over $86! When we called to complain, they admitted that the employee told us the wrong information but said there was nothing they could do.

Overall, we felt scammed by all the hidden fees and poor communication. I will never rent from Budget again and would warn others to be cautious of their unclear policies and deceptive charges.

Trin P.

*Update* my experience start to finish could not have gone any better!! I received a NEW Subaru Outback. No issues whatsoever with car. Very clean as well.
I did prepay for fuel. They will give you an estimate as you're renting. Yes, the fuel price was almost exact as the gas station. The 250 hold was released....(minus the estimated fuel fee-which was in fact the exact amount shown at time on rental)... release was completed within an hour! A very nice lady took the keys as I parked and sent me a "close out" email as I was standing with her.

Rented a vehicle with a Budget out of Key West. My experience was perfect! Walked right up to the counter got the keys. Took less than 5 minutes! Will update upon return...