I keep going back when they are dramatically cheaper than the competition, but I've had so many problems (documented on FT) with Budget over the years it's amazing, and the mysteriously changed rate/terms was one of them.

I've found that "corporate" is just as crooked/lazy as the local branches in terms of getting responses to questionable practices. I suggest making a backup reservation and if the Budget agent refuses to honor the rate, tell them where to shove it.

Also, check that return receipt! The time I had an argument over my quoted rate, they initially relented when I picked up the car, but then changed it anyway and refused to budge when I returned it.

Tino, did you eventually get things set right or did you end up disputing the charge through your credit card company?

After having it out with one of their CSRs, I didn't contest it - I just stopped using them for about 2 years.

Ok, so I think I figured out what has happened here. When I did the original booking I used a BCD from the Entertainment Book for a 15% discount. I've gone back and re-checked the BCD and noticed it had an expiry of 31DEC03. So, I guess Budget initially allowed the BCD and then somehow their system kicked it out - the revised rate is what the original rate would have been without the discount ($100 less 15% = $85). Even still, the rate of $100 for 5 days is a bargain (Ford Focus/4 door).

I'll take the screen shot and email confirmation with me and question the rate difference at check-in but won't push it if they don't honor it. I should have used the coupon from the 2004 Entertainment Book.

Keep checking periodically with the coupon from the 2004 Entertainment Book. You may get lucky and get a cheaper rate. I made a reservation two months ago for midsize car at MCO and just checked a few days ago and got a rate that was $20 lower.

Interesting. I made a reservation for Oct. 2 back in July for 5 days for an Escape. It now shows much higher today, but I have my email confirmation & screen shot confirmation. Maybe it works like airline fares. They can go up & down perhaps.

What was the outcome?

Ok, so here's my tale of woe.

Just to recap - I had booked a compact car for 5 days.

Got to the budget counter in Miami - and after the clerk went through the ressie and printed the paperwork she asked me to sign the contract but before doing so I asked her what the rate was. She told me (the higher rate) and I said there seemed to be a problem as my confirmation shows a lower rate. She told me there was a new 'tax' of $5 per day being charged. I paused, did the math and then told her it still didn't work out. I think she was confused by the fact that I had done the math! She immediately called for a manager and when she came she gave me the same song and dance about the new rate. I looked more closely at the contract. The rate was the same as on my confirmation but there was no deduction of the 15% coupon ($100 less 15% = $85). When I noticed this she looked at it again - obviously the story about the $5 per day new tax wasn't going to work any longer. She agreed that *for some reason* the discount wasn't showing in the computer. She said there was nothing she could do now and that the rate would need to be adjusted when I returned the car (in Ft Lauderdale). I asked her to remark the file, got her name and telephone number. She reprinted the contract showing the notation and signed it. I walked out to 'the hanger' (this really is a big gross hot and humid place) looking for my compact Ford Focus. Instead, parked in the spot where my Focus is supposed to be is an huge family sized mini-van. I did a double take and then checked the key tag to the contract. Sure enough - they had *upgraded* me to a mini-van and hadn't told me. Ok, so normally this would not be a problem for a one/two day rental, but I (we) were driving down to Key West the next day and with gas prices the way they are, the last thing I wanted was to burn up over 1000 miles over the 5 days in a mini-van.

I went back inside and with a puzzled look on my face asked where my Ford Focus was. The response was, "Oh, your car has been substituted." And I said, "But I a) didn't want a substitution and b) you didn't even tell me/ask me if that was ok." I was told that was all there was. So I pushed. I said there were other cars out there (the Mustang convertible would have been nice) and I was told those cars were not available and that I was luck to even be getting a car because I was an hour late! (I love how their problem has now become my problem!). During the conversation, somewhere along the way, a Ford Focus had come in. But, it has to be cleaned - "Just wait outside, it will only be 5 minutes." Ok, so 10 minutes go by and I ask where the car is. "Oh, it will be just another minute, it's coming right out." I go outside and within 5 minutes - a kid pulls up a washed Lincoln Town car - "Here you go!" he says. I asked him if he was sure this was my car as I was aiting for a Ford Focus. "Oh, that will be out in about 10 minutes," the kid says. I went back inside and by this time I had little patience left. I asked where the car was... The manager was no where to be seen but the 5, yes FIVE employees at the counter who were sitting around having a good 'ol chit chat started to gang-up on me telling me that if I had just taken the mini-van none of my problem would even be an issue - See, now it really is my problem!

I go outside and finally the kid pulls the Ford Focus up. We load up and head to our overnight hotel.

Ok, now so fast forward 5 days and it comes time to return the car in Ft Lauderdale. We're going on a cruise and the most convenient return location is at 1515 17th St Causeway (F07). I walk in and there's one clerk on - he's having a problem booking out the people ahead of me (something to do with a rate discrepancy). After about 15 minutes, he finishes with them and I proceed to tell him that I am returning the car BUT that the rate is incorrect and needs to be adjusted before he closes the contract. His face drops - clearly he hasn't done this before... and rightly so, he tells me that. No problem, I told him -> remember readers, I've got the name and phone number of the manager in Miami! So, I give him this info and he gladly calls her. Of course, she's not working the day shift (she's the night shift manager). So, he gets transferred to someone else who he has to try and explain the story to. I can see him listening intensly and then says to me the reason for the rate discrepancy is beacuse of a new 'tax' they have in Miami of $5 per day - oh good g-d, we're back to square one! I explained to him that it had something to do with the 15% not being in the system. He plays with his computer and confirmed that. At this point, I decided to go outside and help my partner unload the car and get all out stuff into the courtesy shuttle to the cruise ship pier. When I came back in he said that the manager in Miami had issued a credit of $25. "Was that ok?" It brought the total down to $120 (from their $149) which was only $7 more than my original rate. I said ok - by this time I was done pushing the point!

We were off on a 10 day Southern Caribbean cruise and it was stuff like this I was trying to get away from!

On the way to the pier I said to my partner that I really don't like renting from Budget because there's always a problem or always a wait or always a line to stand in. But, their price is always the lowest. I'm a believer in value for money; I think I've finally convinced myself to forego the $25 savings, avoiding the above scenario, and that it's time to go back to Hertz or Avis... wish me luck!

Wow! What a bunch of hassles. Budget tried to give me a giant pick up truck once, and I said there's no way I could drive or park the thing. Not to mention gas guzzler prices. I have been loyal to Budget for years now, but need to research a different company. My issues are now with them not posting points when they should, and they don't seem good at math. Time is money to me, so I would rather prevent the time consuming hassles. So good luck to us all!