Rapid Rewards Partner Budget car rental

[TomDivelbs]

I used the Southwest Rapid Rewards program to choose a rental car for my recent January 11, 2023 flights # 0797 and # 0212. I flew to Long Beach, CA on a flight that was delayed so the arrival was after dark. My Southwest flight was fine, but I had problems with your partner, Budget. The car was in a dark lot east of the terminal and Budget rental office. As I drove my car to my hotel, the tire pressure warning light came on. The tire didn't look low when I got to my hotel but was visibly low the next morning. I promptly returned the car to the Long Beach airport on January 12 and exchanged it with another car for the remainder of my 2-week rental agreement. They didn't have an equivalent car and I had to pay an additional $10 per day for the 14-day rental agreement, or $140 additional dollars. Several issues have made me regret that Budget was an option with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. The first issue is receiving a car with tire damage at the airport. The second issue is the Long Beach Budget outlet is a "licensee location" rather than an actual Budget outlet. Initially Budget didn't want to help me with this issue even though their licensee has the same customer service phone number as Budget provided on the rental agreement through Southwest's Rapid Rewards program. But the main regret is the Budget "licensee" at the Long Beach airport sent a bill to me for $860.94 to replace a damaged tire that I did not damage. I am disputing this claim, but I feel Budget isn't meeting the customer service level that I get through Southwest. I've submitted a complaint through Southwest customer service, and I hope Southwest will review their use of offering Budget as a partner company for car rental...particularly the licensee at Long Beach Airport in Southern California. I would appreciate having this issue investigated.

[dfwskier]

Just about every airline offers their customers the opportunity to rent cars from just about every major rent car company - Budget  being one of them. The airlines do this as a customer convenience so passengers don't have to visit multiple websites to get airfare, cars, and yes even hotels.

The rent cat companies are not "partners" with any of the airlines, although some award FF miles to customers that rent their cars. The car companies buy the miles from the airlines. I'm sure the airlines get a "cut" of any revenue generated from the airlines' websites.

I've had my own horror stories with various rent car companies not named Budget.

Sorry you ran into trouble, but if you really don't like Budget, don;t rent one of their cars again.

[parpitt1]

As noted, the connection between SWA and Budget is really just a conduit not a partnership. From an advice point of view, Deal directly with the rental company, you can direct them to deposit points in your airline of choice's frequent flyer account, so there is almost ZERO benefit to reserving through an airline's website.

When you make a rental reservation through the airline's portal you are basically one step above a "Priceline" or "Expedia." customer, (which are the lowest tier on the totem pole). When you set up frequent user account with a rental car company you receive in most cases better rates, better service at the counter or avoiding the counter entirely, more likely hood of a free upgrade, and just plain better service. Why is this? All the rental companies I deal with require me to have my drivers license on file, my cc on file, etc..

This means I walk(or ride the shuttle) to the car and go, no 30 minute line waiting behind the Priceline customer.  

Safe travels

[TomDivelbs]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Obviously, I regret using Budget, as they are holding me responsible for a tire I did not damage. Regardless, I like your suggestion of setting up a frequent account with a rental car company. My company arranged this prior to retiring and I always got superior and quick service. I am curious if you have a company or two you feel provide good prices and service? Thanks again.

[DancingDavidE]

---

@TomDivelbs wrote:

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Obviously, I regret using Budget, as they are holding me responsible for a tire I did not damage. Regardless, I like your suggestion of setting up a frequent account with a rental car company. My company arranged this prior to retiring and I always got superior and quick service. I am curious if you have a company or two you feel provide good prices and service? Thanks again.

---

I use Costco rental cars which include Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise and then I will use Hertz direct. 

I get a bigger discount through Costco than I would benefit from the extra points so I don't use the partner programs for rental cars. I probably prioritize them last out of this group for minor issues but I've never had anything like you are describing.

Budget would usually be included among the major brands, so I think you are unfortunately having an unexpected experience with them. 

The tire thing is strange, I don't know what the damage was it might have happened while you were driving or its possible they aired it up right before they gave it to you, it would be difficult to know without more information on what the damage was to the tire. 

$800+ sounds like a lot though.

[floridaguy]

Dispute the charge on your credit card, agreeing only to pay what was originally contracted.

I have an ongoing complaint with Avis/Budget Group over how they handle issues.