Help with your Budget rental

Paying with a debit card at Budget

• Under 25? You can't use a debit card to rent from Budget.
• Where debit is accepted, Budget holds the estimated rental cost and can ask for more. For prepaid budget.com bookings, the minimum hold is $100.
• Some locations won't release a car on a debit card, but they'll still take one for payment when you return the car.
• Prepaid cards and gift cards can't be used at pickup, only to pay when you return the car.
• If you keep the car longer than planned, Budget can place up to three more holds on your card.

Renting under 25

Most locations charge $27 a day for drivers aged 21 to 24. This isn't included in the price you're quoted online, because Budget doesn't check your age when you book. Fees are different in New York and Michigan. If you prepaid, the surcharge is collected when you return the car.

Cancelling or not turning up

• Booking held with a card but not prepaid: cancelling is free until 48 hours before pickup. After that, the fee is $75.
• Prepaid on budget.com: cancelling more than 24 hours ahead costs $50. Within 24 hours, it's $150. If you don't turn up, you get no refund at all, and there's no refund for returning the car early either.
• Refunds go back to the card you prepaid with, usually within about seven business days.
• Booked through a travel agency or another website? Their cancellation rules apply, not Budget's.

Tolls (e-Toll): the charge that arrives late

Every Budget car is set up for e-Toll, and you're opted in automatically the first time you drive through an electronic toll. It costs $6.95 for each day you use a toll, up to $34.95 per rental, plus the tolls themselves. You can also choose e-Toll Unlimited, a flat daily rate that depends on the location.

• Toll charges can take four to eight weeks to reach your card.
• For each parking or traffic fine, Budget can add an admin fee of up to $25 or 10% of the fine, whichever is less.

Budget and Avis

Budget and Avis have the same owner, but their counters, prices and rules are separate.

Questions people ask

Can I rent from Budget with a debit card if I'm under 25?

No. Renters under 25 need a credit card.

Why did Budget charge me $75 when I hadn't prepaid?

If a card secured your booking and you cancelled within 48 hours of pickup, Budget charges $75.

Why is there a Budget toll charge weeks after my trip?

e-Toll charges can take four to eight weeks to bill, and a daily fee applies on top of the tolls.

When it doesn't go to plan

Card refused, surprised by a fee, or chasing a late toll charge? Leave your name and number, and one real person calls back and stays with it until it's sorted.

Figures from Budget's own website, checked October 2026. Budget policies can change, so always check your own rental agreement.

OneCall Rental is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Budget. To contact Budget directly, use the details on Budget's official website.