Budget Car Rental Introduce
Planning your next trip, business travel, or local move in South Carolina often requires reliable transportation. For residents and visitors flying into the Midlands region, **Budget Car Rental** offers a convenient solution right at the heart of West Columbia's transportation hub. This location serves as a dedicated car rental agency and van rental agency, making it a valuable resource whether you need a compact car for navigating downtown Columbia or a larger van for group travel or hauling cargo. Located strategically near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), Budget Car Rental aims to provide access to a diverse fleet of vehicles to meet a variety of needs for customers across the Palmetto State.
The agency's primary function is to provide up-to-date model rental cars for local use, alongside a selection of vans suitable for diverse purposes. While their operational scope generally focuses on local rentals, the connection to a large, national brand often reassures customers regarding fleet maintenance and professional standards. However, prospective customers should be aware that, like any major service provider, customer experiences can vary. We recommend reviewing the general terms and conditions, especially concerning charges, vehicle return policies, and dispute resolution, as some customers have reported challenges with refunds and service issues, emphasizing the importance of securing clear documentation throughout the rental process.
The specific address for this critical South Carolina location is:
Contact Information (Address and Phone):3010 Aviation Way, West Columbia, SC 29170, USA
For drivers navigating from I-26 or other major South Carolina highways, the location is easy to find, benefiting from clear airport signage. The agency emphasizes its commitment to serving all customers by featuring essential accessibility options:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
These features ensure that the facility can accommodate customers with mobility needs, upholding an inclusive approach to car rental services in the West Columbia area. Operational hours are generally extensive, catering to early morning arrivals and late evening departures, which is typical for an airport-affiliated service. The typical operating hours are generally Mon-Fri: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM; Sat: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM; Sun: 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM, though customers are always encouraged to confirm these hours, especially on holidays or for specific pickup/return times.
- Car Rental Agency: Offering a wide range of current model passenger vehicles, from economical compact cars perfect for short trips to larger sedans and SUVs for family travel throughout the region.
- Van Rental Agency: Providing vans for customers who need extra space, such as for moving goods, transporting larger groups, or managing commercial needs.
- Onsite Services: The presence of onsite services means transactions can be completed directly at the location, likely including vehicle selection, contract signing, and key handover.
- Payment Options: Accepting major payment methods, providing flexibility for customers. Accepted forms include Credit cards and Debit cards (subject to specific rental policies and restrictions, especially with debit cards).
- Active Military Discounts: The agency recognizes the service of military personnel by offering discounts. Active military members traveling with orders can often secure a percentage off the time and mileage of the rental rate. It is advisable to inquire about the specific discount code (such as USMIO, which is often used) and present all necessary military identification at the time of reservation or pickup to ensure the discount is applied correctly.
- Accessibility: Full accommodation for customers requiring accessible facilities, including both the entrance and designated parking areas.
- Keydrop Location: For after-hours returns, a keydrop service is often available (as is typical for airport locations), allowing customers to securely leave the vehicle and keys outside of normal operating hours, though the customer remains responsible for the vehicle until the office physically processes the return the following business day.
- Proximity to CAE: Being located right at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport offers unparalleled convenience for air travelers, minimizing the stress of ground transportation upon arrival.
The primary strength lies in its **strategic location and extensive operational hours**, which align perfectly with airport traffic. The ability to step off a flight and immediately access a pre-booked vehicle simplifies travel logistics significantly. Furthermore, the provision of **both car and van rental services** means they can cater to diverse vehicle needs, from solo business travel to larger logistical requirements for families or groups.
The commitment to offering **active military discounts** is a significant draw for the large military community within South Carolina. This specialized discount acknowledges the service of military members and makes rental a more affordable option for those on orders or visiting family in the area.
However, while the offerings are solid, potential renters should approach the process with due diligence. Given the publicly available feedback regarding customer service challenges, particularly with billing disputes and responsiveness, it is highly recommended that customers:
- Document all aspects of the rental, including vehicle condition, return time/mileage, and any agreed-upon changes.
- Review the rental agreement thoroughly, paying close attention to cancellation and early return clauses before signing.
- Retain a paper trail for all communications regarding refunds or disputes.
Choosing Budget in West Columbia provides the assurance of a major, national brand with the convenience of an airport location and special considerations for military personnel, making it a practical option for mobility in the South Carolina Midlands area.
Contact Information:Address: 3010 Aviation Way, West Columbia, SC 29170, USAPhone: (803) 822-8346Mobile Phone: +1 803-822-8346
It is always a good practice to contact the local office directly to confirm vehicle availability, current rates, and specific terms relevant to your rental period.
Budget Car Rental Details
Service options
- Onsite services
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Budget Car Rental Photos



Budget Car Rental Location
Budget Car Rental
3010 Aviation Way, West Columbia, SC 29170, USA
Budget Car Rental Reviews
pricingairportphone calltruckmoneycheckfeesdrivingrefundcheat
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Returned my car a day early. Still got charged. I called 10 different times to get someone to actually help me. Every phone call sent me to a different phone number. I finally got someone on the 10th phone call to actually help. They started a case on it and gave me a case number. Never heard anything so I called and case had been closed. No phone call, email and absolutely no money back. Was finally able to send an email so I would have a paper trail. 3 weeks later I received an email saying they would not be able to refund my money for that day because they rented it to me for the week. Customer service is a joke.
September 14 · Monika WoodruffIt took three cars to get me through one week, as the first two broke down stranding my wife and I in the middle of nowhere. Days, plans, and guide fees lost. Budget's solution: we'll reduce the cost by three days. AVOID this company.UPDATE: Its been 4 days and I have not received any money back, nor further communicationsUPDATE October 7: SO much for Budget looking into this problem. I had to call today because I have not received a refund or ANY communication. AVOID BUDGET!
October 07 · Jeff MonksBeware!!!! Their car was faulty. The maintenance light and oil icon lite up during our 10 hour drive interstate from up North to Downsouth. We realized the windshield wipers were also damaged. They told us to go into the local return center for a replacement. We decided not to use the replacement for the long drive home and returned it where we picked it up (Downsouth) two days early. They then charged an extra $300 + because we didn't take the replacement back to where we started (up North). After a few calls Customer Care offered $90 credit for the maintenance issue. Price went from $489 to $804.Wow. Let's see if we really get the credit which we were told to call back to receive.
April 18 · Crystal DentCar was not cleaned. Tires were too worn for wet weather driving. Called and they told me to swap at any budget, drove 45 min to nearest budget and they said they were all out of cars.
October 06 · Kevin SnyderI landed at Columbia, SC had a rental paid for and waiting from another company with the package deal I purchased for my family and myself. Let’s just say they did not give me the car and I needed a 6 passenger car which is not easy to get last minute. I went to the Budget desk which is my usual rental car company even when we go away to Spain and Heather was amazing! She worked with the Avis employee which I am sorry I never got her name to write a review on her as well and they tried to help find a car for my family and I with no previous reservation. I was so thankful without them we wouldn’t have been able to go anywhere as you need a car in SC especially where I was going was a hour away from the airport. She told me everything I needed to know about the return of the car because I wanted to use a different card than my deposit card. Even though it cost a lot more than the rental I had paid for I was thankful I had what we needed my husband and I were thankful we had transportation we needed for us and our 4 kids for that 3 day weekend trip!Thanks to Budget and Avis!Btw the cars are easy to get to you just leave baggage claim cross an intersection and walk through a walkway and leave out to each “letter” row to your cars location safely. Was very pleased with the airports rental car parking lot which also was easy to get to when bringing car back.
September 26 · Victoria Dominguez
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