Budget Rent A Car

Budget Rent A Car is one of the largest car rental companies in the world, and has been in operation since 1958. Operating in approximately 2,750 locations in more than 120 countries, Budget is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. The Avis Budget Group operates approximately 750 Budget locations themselves, the remaining locations are licensed operators of what's known as the "Budget System". Of the 800 Budget locations in the U.S., 600 are operated by the Avis Budget Group, the remaining 200 are licensees, and may offer different vehicles and deals that those at the company-operated locations. Internationally the count is 150 company-operated locations versus 1,800 licensees.

Budget History

Budget was founded in 1958 in Los Angeles, California, by Morris Mirkin. The company grows quickly, both nationally and internationally, and was purchased in 1986 by Transamerica Corp. In 1997 Budget was purchased by Team Rental Group, Budget's largest U.S. franchisee, and changed it's name to Budget Group, Inc., and begin trading on the NYSE. In 1998 Budget introduced "Fastbreak", its express service. In 2002 Budget Group was de-listed from the NYSE and sold all its worldwide assets (other than Europe) to Cendant Corporation. European assets were sold to Avis Europe, Plc. In 2006, Cendant Corporation separated into four independent companies: the real estate division became Realogy, Inc., the hospitality division became Wyndham Worldwide, the travel distribution services division became Travelport, Inc., and was sold to The Blackstone Group. The remainder of Cendant was comprised of the vehicle rental services division, and was renamed Avis Budget Group.

Website Information

Website: Budget.com
Locations: Budget location search
Specials: Budget specials

Frequent Renter Information

Called Fastbreak, Budget's frequent renter program let's you rent with one click online, and bypass the counter when picking up your vehicle. You must rent at least three times each calendar year to stay as a member of Fastbreak. Additionally, with the Rent More, Save More program, you save 10-20% off future rentals after completion of your first eligible rental (for a period of 365 days after your last completed eligible rental).

Frequent Renter URL: Fastbreak

Financial Information

The Avis Budget group trades on the NYSE under the symbol CAR.

Flash Player 9 or higher is required to view the chart
Click here to download Flash Player now

Budget Rent a Car News

Rental cars: Is it worth it to prepay for gas? - USA Today USA TODAY Alice Pereira, a spokeswoman for Avis Budget Group, which operates both the Avis and Budget rental car brands, agrees that their prepaid gasoline option can save renters time, and the cost is "comparable to those prices charged at local gas stations." ... and more »

9NEWS.com

Fraud Possible in Budget Car's Fee-Based Rewards Courthouse News Service (CN) - The car rental company Budget cannot dismiss claims that its rewards program came at a secret charge of 75 cents per rental day, a federal judge ruled. While making an online reservation with Budget Rent a Car for Stephanie Klein on July 14 ... Zipcar expands car rentals to airports9NEWS.com Zipcar expands car sharing to eight airportsBoston.com all 25 news articles »

Kleen Car Announces Vapor Chief Steam Cleaner in Use at Avis/Budget Rent-A ... Virtual-Strategy Magazine (press release) Kleen Car in New Milford, NJ announces the Vapor Chief steam cleaner in use at the Avis/Budget rental car companies. Many car rental agencies have unique problems and concerns in keeping rental cars clean. The turnover of rental cars is constant and ... and more »

BUSINESS BEAT: Clover Opens In Bixby Knolls; Arts District Welcomes 1897LB ... Gazette Newspapers The new Budget Westin and the existing Budget Long Beach Airport offices are under the direction of Bill Thomas, general manager. To celebrate the opening, Budget Car Rental is offering a free upgrade through June 30. For details, visit budget.com or ...

AutoSpies.com

Bill targets rental car companies loaning defective vehicles NBCNews.com (blog) The major car rental companies support the legislation: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty, as well as the American Car Rental Association. The bill would put into law what they now do voluntarily. “This bill provides ... Automakers, dealers remain opposed to bill preventing rental firms from ...Automotive News Rental firms support, automakers question bill to ban rental of defective carsSt. Louis Beacon Automakers, dealers object to rental recall billThe Detroit News all 4 news articles »

Avis Budget Group Launches Partnership With Spirit Airlines GlobeNewswire (press release) Under the multi-year agreement, members of FREE SPIRITTM, the carrier's frequent flier program, can save money when they rent from Avis Car Rental and Budget Car Rental, and will also have the opportunity to earn miles when renting at Avis and Budget ... and more »

Franchise Services of North America Inc. Announces Appointment of William ... PR Newswire (press release) Mr. Plamondon has considerable experience in the rental car industry and began his career in franchise development at Budget Rent A Car in 1978. As Vice President, franchised operations, Mr. Plamondon built Budget Rent A Car's functions in field ... and more »

ABC News

With the Closing Arguments Finished, Jodi Arias Awaits the Jury's Decision on ... Alaska Native News In the days leading up to the murder, Arias rented a vehicle from Budget Rent-a Car in Redding, telling them she was only going to use the vehicle locally. But, when the vehicle was returned five days later on June 7th, it had 2,800 miles driven on it ... Darryl Brewer, Jodi Arias' Ex-Boyfriend: 'There Was A Whole Other Life To Jodi'Huffington Post all 330 news articles »

ABC Action News

Hundreds of rental car customers complain of high pressure tactics and tricks ABC Action News In comparison, we found a total of 42 complaints against Budget/Avis rental cars. Former employee Jamal Powell worked at Dollar's Tampa Airport office. He described a sales driven culture and commission structure that rewards agents who up sell ... and more »

Baker County Commission nixes most proposals of privatizing county services to ... Florida Times-Union The commission told Thompson to pursue his discussions with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to privatize the county's fleet through replacing aging county vehicles at an estimated annual savings of $65,000. Commissioner James Croft urged the commission to ...

References

1. Milestone Events, The history of Budget Rent a Car, Inc.: Budget Rent a Car. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
2. 2010 Annual Report: Avis Budget Group. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
3. Our Factsheet: Budget Rent a Car. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
3. Company Information: Avis Budget Group. Retrieved May 3, 2011.

Ownership
Owners: Avis Budget Group
Headquarters: 6 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054

Phone
Customer Service: 800-214-6094
Reservations (U.S.): 800-527-0700
Reservations (Outside the U.S.): 800-472-3325

Employees
Approximately 2,800 Budget employees worldwide and an additional 11,500 Avis Budget Group employees. The Avis Budget Group employs over 21,000 people total.

Locations (as of 12/09)
Total Locations: 2,750 (approx.)
U.S.: 831
Corporate: 612 (184 Airport; 428 Off Airport)
Licensee: 219 (88 Airport; 131 Off Airport)
International: Total 983
Corporate: 168
Licensee: 815