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To help you make the most of your rental with Budget Australia, we've compiled
a list of some of the most common questions renters need answered. Please review the questions below and click on the links to find the answer
to any that interest you.
General
Age Restrictions/Additional Drivers
Optional Insurance
Security Bond - Pre-Authorisation
Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee
Returning the Car
Payment and Pricing
General
Q: How can I guarantee the make and model of the car I prefer?
A: Our make and model are based upon availability. Upon arrival advise the counter representative
of your preference. If available we will be happy to accommodate your preference.
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Q: How can I guarantee a specific colour?
A: The colour of the vehicle is based upon availability. Upon arrival advise the counter representative
of your preference. If available we will be happy to accommodate your preference.
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Q: How can I change or cancel my reservation?
A: You can use this web site to change or cancel a reservation. Simply choose the required
option via the 'Reservations' section of our website.
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Q: What do I need to bring with me to the counter to rent a car?
A: All drivers of the vehicle will need to be present and provide a valid drivers licence and
credit card in their own name. Also, if you have any discounts, coupons, or corporate/government
identification they must be presented upon arrival.
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Q: What services are available to disabled renters?
A: For renters with a special need please contact us for reservation needs.
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Q: I have an upgrade certificate, what car do I reserve?
A: All upgrades are subject to availability at the time of rental. You should reserve the smaller
vehicle and upgrade at the counter if available.
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Q: Is there a charge if I cancel my reservation?
A: There is no charge if reservations are cancelled one day prior to your pickup date.
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Q: Can I use someone else's credit card?
A: For security purposes of the credit card holder all renters and additional drivers must have
a credit card in their own name.
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Q: How do I extend my rental and will it change my rate?
A: To extend your rental, you must contact the location where the car was rented. Any changes in
your rental may change the rate.
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Q: What is the difference between daily, weekly, and weekend rates?
A: Weekly rentals are 7 consecutive days. Weekend rate at most locations starts after 1200 noon Friday
with a return by 1200 noon Monday. Daily rates apply if the weekly or weekend parameters are not met.
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Q. What should I do if I have an accident or the vehicle breaks down?
A: First contact the police to complete an accident report
and immediately contact the location the car was rented from. For breakdown service
check the back of your contract for a phone number. If a number is not available contact
the location where the car was rented.
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Q. What kind of driver license should I have?
A: All drivers must hold a current, non-probationary license. The license may either be Australian, or from a renter's country of residence with an English driver license or an international drivers permit.
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Age Restrictions/Additional Drivers
Q: How old do you have to be to rent a car?
A: Most car rental companies require drivers to be over the age of 25. Some locations, including some
Budget locations, have lower minimum age requirements, such as 18 or 21, and may require a surcharge. Government employees
over 18 travelling on government orders and employees aged 21 and older of a corporate
account travelling on business can rent from Budget.
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Q: Is there an additional charge if there will be more than one driver?
A: There are usually surcharges for additional drivers, who must meet minimum age requirements. The
cost of a daily surcharge varies from location to location, so renters should inquire when making a reservation.
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Q: Will Budget check my driving record?
A: To help control liability and insurance costs, several major car rental companies, including Budget,
screen for high-risk drivers. Budget may ask potential renters a variety of questions regarding their personal driving records.
Whenever a prospective renter's driving history fails to meet a company's established criteria, the company can deny rental service.
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Optional Insurance
Q: What is Excess Reduction?
A: Click here for more details.
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Q: What if I decline Excess Reduction?
A: If you choose not to purchase Excess Reduction then you will be liable for the full cost of
the excess that is applicable on your rental.
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Q: Won't my credit card cover it?
A: Some credit card companies offer protection if you present their card at the time of rental
and use the same card to pay for your rental at the time of return. Renters should examine
closely the terms of this coverage as the protection is often supplemental and certain limitations or restrictions may apply.
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Q: Are Excess Reduction coverage and rates always the same?
A: Excess Reduction coverage and rates will vary depending on the type of vehicle rented and the age of the driver renting.
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Security Bond
Q: What is a security bond?
A: A security bond is a pre - authorisation to your credit card that is used as a form of protection by Budget whilst you are renting a vehicle.
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Q: How does a security bond work?
A: When you collect your vehicle a pre -authorisation will be made on your credit card for the bond amount as a security measure by Budget. Provided the vehicle is returned undamaged and no additional charges apply (e.g. fuel), the pre-authorisation is cancelled.
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Q: How much is the security bond?
A: When picking up your vehicle a pre-authorisation will be made on your credit card covering the estimated rental charges and a security bond of $330 ($550 for 4WD's and Commercial Vehicles). When the vehicle is returned, provided that it is undamaged and no additional charges apply, the security bond will be cancelled.
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Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee
Q: What is a Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee?
A: The Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee (VRRF) is a surcharge to recover the cost of registering a rental vehicle. The VRRF applies to ALL vehicles and varies on a country/state basis.
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Returning The Car
Q: What refuelling options do I have?
A: Several:
Option One: Pay in advance for the fuel and bring the car back empty. Budget will fill the car at or sometimes below the current retail pump
price. Regardless of how much fuel is left in the tank, credits will not be given for unused petrol.
Option Two: If you aren't sure how far you'll be driving, but plan to stop for petrol, don't pay Budget in advance for petrol and bring
the car back full to avoid any refuelling service charge.
Option Three: If you won't be using a full tank, and don't have time to stop for petrol, pay us only for the petrol you use, based on the renting
location's per-litre refuelling service charge. Budget customer service representatives
can tell you what the renting location's refuelling service charge is when you pick up the car.
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Q: Why do I have to return my car at a set time?
A: Many rates, like weekend specials, are only available during certain time periods. Returning the car after or even before the designated time
might affect the rate quoted. Returning the car by the agreed-upon time also helps
ensure that all other customers will have their reserved car available upon their arrival.
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Q: If I pick up a car on Tuesday at noon and return it Wednesday at 4 p.m., will I be charged for one day or two?
A: Most car rental rates are based on a 24-hour clock. So in this case, you'd be charged for three
extra hours or one additional day, whichever is less. In addition, the charges for optional
waivers, optional insurance and surcharges are applied on a 24-hour basis.
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Q: If I want to pick up a car at one location and drop it off at another, does it cost more?
A: Car rental companies may charge renters an extra drop-off fee for cars picked up at one location
and returned to another, and sometimes impose a fee for additional mileage. Customers interested in a one-way rental should specifically
ask if there are any drop-off fees or charges for additional mileage and what locations are authorised for such rental car returns.
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Payment and Pricing
Q: Why do rental car companies ask for a credit card?
A: Rental companies need to know that their renters are credit-worthy, to minimise vehicle damage and losses.
Credit cards and valid drivers' licences usually provide the only information we have about our renters.
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Q: Can I use a credit card up front and then pay for the rental with cash when I return the car?
A: Although you present a major credit card at the time of rental, when you return the vehicle, you will be
asked if you'd like to keep the rental charges on that credit card or pay cash. Since car rental companies ask for credit
approval on the estimated car rental charges when you pick up the car, that amount will be held against your credit balance on
that card for up to 14 days, regardless of how you pay upon return.
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Q: What credit card can I use?
A: Most major credit cards are accepted.
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Q: Are there any other payment alternatives?
A: Your travel agent can sell you a prepaid voucher that you can use to pay for rentals at various
locations within and outside the Australia. In some cases vouchers do not cover taxes, surcharges, additional coverage, extra
days, upgrades, etc. Therefore, you should carefully read the voucher information to understand exactly what is included.
You may also be asked to show a credit card as well as a valid driver's licence, even though you have a voucher.
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Q: Can I use a debit card?
A: Yes, if it has the MasteryCard or Visa emblem/logo.
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Q: Why do rates differ?
A: Costs of vehicles, real estate prices, labour costs and special taxes vary from one area to
another. Rental rates vary between competitors and may also vary depending on when and
where you rent. The company's rates may be higher at an airport location and lower at a downtown or suburban location.
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Q: How can I get the best deal?
A: Car rental pricing is like airline pricing -- if you travel at off-peak times or make a reservation seven or more days in advance, you often
get a better deal. Also, watch the Hot Specials section on the Budget web site.
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Q. What currency are your quotes in?
A: All self drive rental transactions in Australia are subject to AUD on the total sum billed.
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