Budget Car Rental

- 1670 Kettner Blvd (entrance on, W Cedar St, San Diego, CA 92101

For residents of California, particularly in a dynamic city like San Diego, the need for a reliable and straightforward car rental can arise at any time. Whether it's for a weekend getaway along the coast, a business trip across the state, or an unfortunate situation like your personal vehicle being in the shop, choosing the right car rental company is crucial. Budget Car Rental, a globally recognized name in the industry, has a presence in San Diego, including a branch on Kettner Boulevard. While the brand name often evokes a sense of affordability, a closer look at local customer experiences reveals a more complex picture that warrants careful consideration from a local user's perspective.

Budget Car Rental aims to offer competitive rates and a wide selection of vehicles, catering to a broad spectrum of rental needs. However, the experiences shared by customers at their 1670 Kettner Blvd location highlight common frustrations often associated with the car rental industry, particularly concerning pricing transparency and service quality. This article will provide an honest, factual, and engaging overview of this specific Budget Car Rental location, drawing directly from recent public feedback to help San Diegans make an informed decision for their transportation needs.

Budget Car Rental is conveniently located at 1670 Kettner Blvd (entrance on W Cedar St), San Diego, CA 92101, USA. This places the branch squarely in the heart of downtown San Diego's vibrant Little Italy neighborhood. Its location is advantageous for several reasons: it's easily accessible from various parts of the city, making it a viable option for locals who reside in or near the downtown area. Being near the Amtrak Station also makes it convenient for those arriving by train who need immediate vehicle access.

While this particular branch is not located directly at the San Diego International Airport (SAN), Budget does have a larger presence at the airport's consolidated rental car center (3355 Admiral Boland Way), which offers shuttle services. However, customers interacting with the Kettner Blvd location should be aware that it operates as a separate neighborhood branch. This means that while it's central, direct airport pick-up/drop-off might not be as seamless as with on-airport locations. Understanding their operating hours is also critical, as the branch is not open 24 hours (typical hours are Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM, Sat & Sun 8 AM - 12 PM), which can impact return flexibility, especially for early morning flights or late-night arrivals. Parking for personal vehicles when picking up a rental can also be a challenge in this dense urban area.

Budget Car Rental generally offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to meet diverse transportation needs. At their 1670 Kettner Blvd location, customers can typically expect:

• Diverse Vehicle Fleet: A wide range of vehicles, including economy cars (e.g., Kia Rio, Kia Soul), compact cars, mid-size sedans (e.g., Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta), standard and full-size vehicles (e.g., Toyota Camry), SUVs (e.g., Toyota RAV4, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Suburban), minivans (e.g., Chrysler Pacifica), and sometimes specialty vehicles like convertibles (e.g., Ford Mustang Convertible) or luxury cars. They also offer electric and hybrid vehicle options at some locations.
• Flexible Rental Durations: Options for daily, weekly, and longer-term rentals, with rates potentially decreasing for extended bookings (e.g., a full month being cheaper than three weeks).
• Online Reservation System: Customers can book vehicles through the Budget website or various third-party travel platforms. Self-service pick-up options are available at some locations to expedite the process.
• Optional Protection and Add-ons: Availability of Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Extended Roadside Assistance (ERA) covering issues like flat tires, key retrieval, and jump starts. Additional items like GPS navigation systems and child safety seats (baby seats, booster seats) are also offered for an extra fee.
• Debit Card Acceptance: Debit cards are generally accepted with specific conditions, which may include a return flight itinerary and a security deposit.
• Additional Driver Policy: Policies for adding extra drivers, including fees for unrelated individuals and specific conditions for spouses or employees.
• Age Restrictions: Renters must be at least 18 years old, with surcharges typically applying for those aged 18-24.
• One-Way Rentals: Options for picking up a vehicle at one Budget location and dropping it off at another, with potential fees.

The experiences reported by customers at the Budget Car Rental on Kettner Blvd highlight several key features, both positive and negative, that impact the overall rental experience:

• Reservation Issues: A significant concern is the unreliability of reservations, with customers being informed that "they have no cars for me even if I reserved two weeks earlier." This directly leads to major inconvenience and disruptions to travel plans.
• No-Show Fees on Company Cancellation: Incredibly, customers have reported receiving a "NO SHOW FEE" even after Budget itself initiates the cancellation due to lack of vehicle availability, followed by delayed or unreceived refunds. This indicates severe issues with billing and customer service protocols.
• Dishonest Pricing: A recurring theme is the discrepancy between online quotes and the actual cost. Customers should "expect to pay 2-3x more than what you expected to pay," suggesting a lack of transparency and potential hidden charges that are not adequately disclosed upfront.
• Vehicle Condition & Maintenance Issues: While some cars may be new or well-maintained, customers have reported receiving vehicles with "minor scratches" requiring photo documentation. More critically, there are concerns about the "maintenance team will drag their feet fixing it" if issues like a flat tire arise, forcing customers to continue paying for a non-functional vehicle.
• Subpar Customer Service: Reviewers describe the customer service as "not friendly" and that staff "do not explain properly the way you should." This indicates a lack of proactive communication and a dismissive attitude towards customer inquiries and concerns.
• Limited Operating Hours & After-Hours Returns: The branch is not open 24 hours, leading to complications for after-hours returns. Customers might be advised to "park it outside if there is any room and drop off the keys in the night box," but this is problematic when there is "absolutely no parking." This highlights a significant logistical challenge for customers with early or late travel schedules.
• Refund Delays: Even when a refund is promised (e.g., for a no-show fee unjustly charged), customers report not receiving it "two weeks later," indicating systemic issues with their refund processing.
• Online Booking vs. Reality: While online booking promises convenience, the actual experience can diverge significantly, with reservations not being honored and unexpected vehicle assignments (e.g., a Volkswagen instead of a Camry).

Address: 1670 Kettner Blvd (entrance on, W Cedar St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

Phone: (619) 231-7162

Mobile Phone: +1 619-231-7162

Operating Hours (verify directly as they may vary):

• Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

For San Diego locals, the decision to rent from Budget Car Rental at 1670 Kettner Blvd requires careful consideration, weighing the convenience of a downtown location against significant documented customer service and operational challenges. While the brand name carries a certain weight, the specific experiences reported at this branch present a stark warning that can profoundly impact a local's rental journey.

The allure of a good online offer, like "$80 for three days," is undeniably appealing. However, the consistent feedback detailing "dishonest" pricing, where the quoted price can "become $180" or even "2-3x more than what you expected," is a major red flag. For Californians who rely on predictable budgeting, such sudden and substantial increases are unacceptable. Furthermore, the reports of reservations not being honored, leading to cancellations by Budget followed by unjust "NO SHOW FEE" charges and prolonged refund delays, demonstrate a critical failure in customer commitment and financial transparency. Locals need a rental partner they can trust, especially when unexpected vehicle needs arise, and these issues undermine that trust.

The customer service, described as "not friendly" and unhelpful with explanations, coupled with concerns about vehicle maintenance (e.g., "maintenance team will drag their feet fixing it" while you continue paying), adds to the deterrent. The limited operating hours and confusing after-hours return policies (like finding non-existent parking spaces for key drop-offs) further complicate matters for busy San Diegans. Therefore, while Budget has a widespread presence, the Kettner Blvd location, based on available local reviews, appears to be a source of potential frustration and unexpected costs. For locals prioritizing reliability, transparent pricing, and consistent customer support, it would be highly advisable to explore alternative car rental providers in San Diego to ensure a smoother and more predictable experience.

Budget Car Rental

1670 Kettner Blvd (entrance on, W Cedar St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA