Budget Car Rental SJO Airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport, Llegadas, Provincia de Alajuela, AlajuelaAbout
Location :
Added by Jopie, at 07 February 2017
Opening Hours
- Monday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Tuesday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Wednesday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Friday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
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19 Reviews
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28 March 2018
I don't have a clue why so many people are complaining. The staff is friendly, no harsh upsell game, quick and easy pick up and drop off, and a quick shuttle ride from the airport.
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27 February 2018
Booked a Midsize (Corolla) and got a dirty compact (Yaris) that had dents and scratches all over. When I asked for the car that I booked I was told this is it - it says Yaris "in the system". When I pointed to the sheet right on the counter with the yaris and Corolla in two different categories I was told that's the only car they have for tonight and that I could return at 3pm the next day (obviously just to get rid of me hoping I wouldn't return). Half of the damages were not even listed on the inspection sheet - I marked them, took pictures and walked back in only to wait for 5 minutes with no one coming out of the back office - I was simply ignored. Avoid this place at all costs!
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19 February 2018
We actually rented from APEX. The establishment is very decent, but we had a difficult time finding where to go when we were coming out of the airport, we had to ask around to find our Apex is part of budget, and then where the budget shuttle was to the car rental. They need better signs!
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06 January 2018
The WORST rental car experience ever!!!! We purchased a large SUV, they gave us a small vehicle that we had to cram 5 people into plus luggage! We had to wait an hour and a half to get this car and it was filthy! We drove from San Jose to Arenal. From Arenal to Jaco, we were not sure if the car could handle the hills. At times, we were literally thinking we would have to push it! When we dropped off the car we found out it’s a scam they pull at the rental car counter. They have a lot in the back that they hold the cars. They try to get you to eat at a local restaurant(probably get a kick back) and offer to pick you up an hour later with your vehicle. Don’t buy it! Then magically a car appears but it’ll be less value then the one you ordered and smaller. They want you to be so frustrated that you accept whatever they give you. Don’t be a sucker! Demand the car you ordered that you know is sitting on their back lot!!! Horrible.customer service and makes me think twice to ever rent from Budget again!!!
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02 January 2018
We had the budget rental and the clutch broke in the middle of nowhere .. Budget has no emergency services.. Waiting on the phone for 25 min in pitch dark road side with no help. Police does not come and we were on the mercy of luck. A towing truck stopped and we towed the car with own expense to budget. Forget about refunding my Monsey they are even charging me $623 for clutch Repair where as it is mechanical failure. Very bad experience ..it was life threatening and budget does not care.
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18 December 2017
People are trained to rip you off. When asked whether we would need an insurance (which was by the way 30 usd per day, i.e. 3 times the price of our 10usd daily rate), we answered that we are covered by American Express. Their answer was: "if you kill someone by accident with the car, you will be forced to stay for 90 days in costa rica", as if having the insurance would allow us to avoid that. I thought Budget was a company of the standards of Avis and Hertz but it's just another low cost apparently
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27 November 2017
The only drawback is that they are not lcoated directly on the airport grounds. It's just a short shuttle drive away.
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10 September 2017
Do your research before you book. I had 0 problems with Budget because I knew what to expect.
SLI (third party insurance) has to be purchased through the car rental company (any car rental company). So prepare for this anywhere you rent a car.
CDW (damage to your car) can be waived if you have coverage with your credit card or elsewhere. Get a letter from your credit card company if they are supplying it to you and show it to Budget. You still may require a $1000 deposit on your CC. This is normal for any rental or hotel
I just returned my car and I had a flat during my trip, so I changed the tire. When the man saw it he said it's waved because it's accidental and unavoidable.
I had 0 issues with renting from Budget. The people who had issues are the ones who saw "Rent this car for $3 a day." Really? Rent a car for $30 for 10 days?
To add, print off your reservation with the SLI added to show the price you booked at. Keep in mind there are taxes, etc that cannot be avoided.response / report this review -
08 September 2017
A good place to rent your car. Excellent staff
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22 August 2017
* * * * Never Again! * * * *
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Ok, clear.
This is the last time, we will ever rent from Budget.
Coming days, I will share my negative experience with BUDGET, via Google reviews, Facebook, Tripadvisor, etc. Hopefully we will help other peaple so they dot not make the same mistake as we did.
Thank you.
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Dear H.
Thank you for your email.
The refund not proceed at this moment because you accept the coverage by your signature.
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Hello J.
As mentioned earlier, I indicated several times, very clearly to the employee that I did not want any additional insurance costs. Unfortunately, I did not read the document thoroughly and signd this in good faith.
I feel scammed and kindly ask you to turn it back and credit the difference.
If you are unwilling to do so, I unfortunately have no other choice than to express and share my dissatisfaction via the travel- and social media platforms, to save other people/customers to also become victims of this (Budget Costa-Rica) poor working method.
I hope we can complete this dispute in a decent way.
Hoping for your positive response, I would like to hear from you.
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Dear H.
Please find attached a copy of the closed rental agreement that indicates the final amount billed was ₡ 503.831.56 Costa Rican Colones.
Budget Costa Rica is not responsible for the exchange rate and exchange fee use by the customer’s credit card company.
The copies also indicates that you acceptance of the optional coverage(s). In light of this documentation, we find the charges are correctly rendered.
Find below a breakdown of the charges.
Any difficulties or problems encountered by a customer are a concern to us, and we apologize most sincerely for any inconvenience.
Best regards
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Hello Sir J.
May I again request you to credit the difference?
Kind regards,
H.
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Thank you for contacting and giving us the opportunity to serve you.
We will immediately start an investigation process regarding you query will come back to you as soon we have a satisfactory response.
Thank you again for choosing Budget Car Rental.
Best Regards.
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Dear Sir J,
I have just talked to you about my dissatisfaction with car rental.
We have reserved and rented the car for a price of $ 482.21, see email.
While picking up the car I clealy said that I did not want any additional insurance, no extra costs. To my great surprise, I see now that the final bill that it has been charged. I am very Disappointed and very dissatisfied about this. We were very pleased with everything. Nice location, good car, no problems, etc. But this final bill is not fair, not correct.
I was not (made) aware of the additional costs and I disagree.
I kindly ask you to credit the difference.
Thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
H.
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Reservation:
Pick-up:
07/17/2017
Return:
07/27/2017
Car
LAND CRUISER PRADO 4X4
Estimated Rate: $ 483.21 (USD)
Taxes and airport fees included on the price.response / report this review -
06 August 2017
Lots of the reviews here complain about price but I believe these people simply did not do their research prior to arriving in Costa Rica. The price they quote is without the mandatory insurance (this is not optional, it is 100% required by law). We rented a 4x4 here and knew what the price would be because we checked the coverage and insurance costs. You have the ability to waive CDW on your credit card but this would make your deposit higher. We picked up our car; a Daihatsu Terios, which was fine for its purposes and had absolutely no more problems with the pickup, or the drop-off. Furthermore the people we spoke with were friendly and helpful with showing us the best roads to take as well. If you visit Costa Rica I would be sure to do your research and call in advance to ensure your car will be there.
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27 June 2017
I rented a car from the US on their site and was charged $90 for the week and $90 for insurance but then the numbers they gave me at the content were all skewed upwards. They didn't have the car ready for me and I had to wait longer than I should have as a Rapid Rez member..
For $10 more per day they gave mea car similar to the one I had rented so not sure what difference.
Its not at airport but they drove you in an AC SUV so factor in that time.
Next time I'm flying out to Nosara and renting a Toyota RAV at Alamo same price even.response / report this review -
08 June 2017
Hereble!!! STAY away from this place.
We booked our car through Expedia and was under impration that we are all set, We were soon disappointed. Budget is not in the airport terminal, on the top of all they forced us to buy "required" 359$ insurance coverage or asked us to pay $3000 security deposit on thesame credit card. We traveled with 2 kids and in the middle of nowhere we were bullet to buy the insurance. I've looked at the Costa Ricion low, there were No requirements to purchase any additional insurance as they are already fully covered.
They get advantage and stilling there customers money. They should be named "SCAM Rental" not budget!response / report this review -
27 April 2017
They will give you cheap price, but at the end bill gonna be at least twice more somehow. BEWARE THIS PLACE!
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12 April 2017
*See update below+
I dropped off the car 24 hours early with a full tank. I checked my bill once I arrived home and they charged me for the extra day and a charge to fill the tank. I am trying to reach them to clarify but until I do I will leave this review on here for others to be wary.
*UPDATE
After 3 weeks Budget Alajuela was kind enough to rectify this problem and refunded my $151 USD overcharge.
I am very happy I received my overcharged amount.
Thanks Budget :)response / report this review -
23 March 2017
We booked our car through Expedia and thought we had a great price for the week. We were soon disappointed. Budget is not in the airport terminal so we needed to take a 15 minute shuttle to the main site. We didn't mind this until we were given our paperwork to sign with the "minimum required insurance" that cost an extra $300++! We were bullied into getting this insurance and were told we had no choice and if we wanted to prove our credit card covered liability then we needed a formal note stating so. The clerk essentially yelled at us and once off the airport property with no where else to go we were forced to sign the agreement. Not exactly how we wanted to begin our trip. If I couldn't give this place no stars I would.
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21 March 2017
NEVER AGAIN WILL I RENT A CAR FROM BUDGET!!!
Do yourself a favour and rent elsewhere.
They didn't have my 2 SUV's that I rented, instead I got 1 Toyota Yaris for 7 peopleyes 7 people are supposed to fit in this tiny car!
Two days later I got what I rented, the 2 SUV's. Was told to drop the car off at the airport and pick up the 2 SUV's at no extra charge.
They then charged me $74 USD for dropping the car at the airport. I was also told I was charged because the car was supposed to be back for 3:00pm (I dropped off at 2:45pm, but the lady didn't check the car in until 3:18pm as she was busy, completely understandable) but don't charge me because she was busy.
I called and complained about the extra charges when I returned from my trip, was transferred 6 times, 6 different people looked at my case and a month later now and I finally get an email saying their sorry but the charges are correct and won't credit me back.
I called again to escalate the issue and now after all this, I was given a small credit of $55.
It's sickening. It's not really about the money but more I was out a car for 7 people for a total of 3 days and $150 in taxi fees to get from the airport to the house. I lost 3 days of sightseeing.
Please do yourself the biggest favour and read other reviews about Budget, they have a crappy review for a reason. I feel they are unfair and try to over charge and get away with it.response / report this review -
21 February 2017
Update : the amount debited on my card was 50 euros higher than agreed. I called and the guy put me on hold, now when I try it says the number is not working temporarily
Very bad experience. Rented a car on Internet for a week. Chose automatic. The price quoted was 151 usd.
Once at the airport, the first surprise is that there is no automatic. Then the first price quote they gave us was 650 $!!!!
They had included 3 more insurances LWD PAE and another one I don't remember. I declined LWD (200$) because my credit card covers it but took the 2 others which cost 180 $ because not covered by my credit card. Total ended up being 450$. We got free GPS because I complained a lot about automatic not available. We had to pay additional drivers as well as some other rental fee I did not know about. In summary this was the first and last time I take budget. I had other offers at 315 for the week and refused. In summary avoid this company in costa rica.
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14 February 2017
I have booked a car at this Budget location - are there still problems with the place or has it been resolved? There are no new comments in the last 5 monts.
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