Budget Car Rental at MSP Airport: Your Gateway to Minnesota Travel

Budget Car Rental Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesota residents returning home or visitors arriving in the Twin Cities, securing reliable ground transportation starts at the airport. Budget Car Rental, located at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), is a key provider of essential mobility services. Operating as a comprehensive car rental agency and van rental agency, the Budget counter at the airport is strategically positioned to get you into a vehicle and onto the road quickly, whether you are heading to downtown Minneapolis, St. Paul, or kicking off a road trip to Minnesota's beautiful lakes and wilderness. This location offers the wide selection and competitive pricing expected from a major national brand, catering to everyone from solo business travelers to families needing an SUV or van.

The initial experience with the agency can be excellent, as noted by customer feedback praising the friendly, welcoming staff and the cleanliness of the ready-to-go vehicles, which contribute to a seamless start after a long flight. However, as with any high-volume airport operation, especially during peak travel periods like holiday weekends, customers should anticipate potential delays and confirm all rental details, particularly regarding fuel and final charges, to ensure a smooth return process.

Location and Accessibility

The Budget Car Rental branch is situated directly within the hub of Minnesota air travel, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), which is centrally located between the two major cities.

Address: 4901 Glumack Dr, St Paul, MN 55111, USA
Airport Location Details: This address generally corresponds to the rental car facility area serving Terminal 1 (Lindbergh Terminal), though some services may also be accessible from Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal). The counter for Budget is conveniently located within the airport terminal area, often requiring a short walk or a tram ride, depending on the specific terminal of arrival. Customers arriving at Terminal 1 should follow signs to the Rental Car Tram, which leads to the rental car counters and vehicle pick-up area in the Silver Ramp.
Operating Hours: The MSP location typically maintains extensive operating hours, often from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM, seven days a week, to accommodate early morning arrivals and late-night flights common at a major international airport. These hours are designed to align with the needs of travelers, though it is always advisable to verify the exact hours for your specific arrival or departure date.

In terms of accessibility, the facility is equipped to serve all travelers. Key accessibility provisions include a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring that the process of obtaining or returning a rental vehicle is barrier-free for customers with mobility needs.

Services Offered

Budget Car Rental at MSP International Airport provides a comprehensive suite of rental and logistical services:

Car Rental: A large and varied fleet featuring everything from economy and compact cars (ideal for navigating city traffic and parking) to intermediate/standard cars, sedans, and luxury vehicles.
Van Rental: Offering a selection of vans, including minivans for family trips to the Mall of America or larger passenger vans for group transport across Minnesota.
SUV Rental: A wide range of SUVs (5-, 7-, or 8-seat options) perfect for winter driving conditions or packing outdoor gear for trips to the state's numerous parks and lakes.
Onsite Services: All rental and customer service transactions are processed directly at the airport counter, facilitating a quick transition from plane to car.
Fastbreak Service: A dedicated loyalty program designed to expedite the rental process by minimizing counter time, allowing members to go straight to their vehicle.
After Hours Returns: Vehicles can typically be returned after business hours by following specific instructions (e.g., parking in the secured lot and leaving keys in a designated drop box), though customers must understand they are responsible for the vehicle until it is formally checked in by a staff member on the next business day.
Long-Term Rentals: Options for customers needing a vehicle for an extended period—rentals of 15 days or more—often referred to as a "mini-lease," which can be a cost-effective alternative to a short-term lease with benefits like unlimited mileage on most vehicle classes.

Features / Highlights

The MSP Budget location incorporates several customer-focused and convenient features:

Active Military Discounts: The agency extends special offers and discounts to active military personnel, recognizing their service to the country.
Flexible Payment Options: The location accepts all standard forms of payment, including major Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, though customers using debit cards should always review the specific local branch policies for holds and required identification.
Accessibility Focus: The provisions of a Wheelchair accessible entrance and Wheelchair accessible parking lot ensure a more inclusive experience for all travelers.
Convenient Airport Location: Being located directly within the MSP facility is a major highlight, eliminating the need for off-site shuttles and making pick-up and drop-off a quick process.
Fastbreak Lane: A dedicated service for frequent renters to skip the main counter line and proceed rapidly to their car.

Contact Information

For reservations, inquiries, or assistance related to your rental at the MSP Airport, please use the following contact details:

Address: 4901 Glumack Dr, St Paul, MN 55111, USA
Phone: (612) 726-5237
Mobile Phone: +1 612-726-5237 (This is the same direct number, useful for mobile contact)

For immediate support or customer service issues, it is important to note that direct local branch support outside of core hours may be limited, as indicated by customer feedback regarding after-hours customer service closure. It is highly recommended to resolve any potential discrepancies, such as fuel charges, while still on-site or during operating hours.

What is Worth Choosing

For anyone in or coming to Minnesota, choosing Budget Car Rental at MSP offers the ultimate in travel convenience. The agency's location right in the airport saves valuable time by allowing a seamless transition from your flight to your rental car, bypassing off-airport shuttles. The extensive operating hours—from early morning until past midnight—accommodate nearly every flight schedule into the Twin Cities.

While the high volume of traffic, especially during holidays, can occasionally lead to long waits and potential administrative issues upon return (like erroneous fuel charges), the value proposition remains strong. The professional and welcoming attitude of the on-site cashiers, as highlighted by positive customer feedback, ensures a pleasant start to your Minnesota journey. Furthermore, the commitment to variety means whether you need an economical car for a solo business trip or a full-size SUV to haul the whole family and their gear for a long weekend up the North Shore, Budget has a vehicle ready for you. The added benefit of the Fastbreak program, the provision of active military discounts, and clear on-site accessibility features solidify Budget as a primary and dependable choice for car and van rental in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. To maximize a positive experience, always use pre-booking services, join the Fastbreak program if eligible, and retain documentation for all ancillary services, such as gas receipts, when returning the vehicle.

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
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Budget Car Rental Photos

Budget Car Rental Location

Budget Car Rental

Minnesota Hennepin County Saint Paul Glumack Drive

4901 Glumack Dr, St Paul, MN 55111, USA

Budget Car Rental Reviews

An average rating of ★2.6 from 2189 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

My experience with Budget Rent a Car was absolutely seamless from start to finish. We arrived right off the airplane and went directly to the counter. The cashier was so friendly and welcoming, and her great small talk instantly made us feel at ease after a long flight. She was genuinely interested in our day and made the process a real pleasure. We were in our clean, ready-to-go car in no time. I couldn't have asked for a smoother rental experience!
September 05 · Fredericksburg Gutter and Lawn
NEVER Rent from this Budget. They have been the worst from start to finish. My father booked the rental. We arrived on Friday of Labor Day weekend (yes, some delay expected), to find that Budget was the only rental with a line, and it was LONG. And they alternated between having one and two agents the entire HOUR we waited. I feel bad for the agents, they barely were having time for a bathroom break because they were short staffed. Finally got our car and were off. Today we just returned the car, told when we exchanged it that we were “good to go.” We had filled up with gas just before coming in. Once we’re at the gate for our flight my dad gets the receipt via email for $170 more than expected. They charged us for fuel. We call the 800 customer service number just to be told after making it through the call tree and reaching a person that “customer service is closed”. Like what the hell?! That tank is sitting there full, and they could send someone to verify, but they’re closed at 7:10pm local time. Absolutely garbage. Of course we have our receipt from the gas station. We’ll be contesting this charge until the end of time. Never going to book with Budget again after being scammed like this. Horrible and inaccessible customer service.
September 02 · Daniel Seetin
First, I'd like to say that the associates at the main counter were professional and courteous. However, I booked the car with a package through Expedia, and I will mention that we purchased the car insurance and such through Expedia. When we got to the counter the agent was going over our reservation, or so I thought, but in essence, she sold more insurance to us which I felt was very misleading, especially, since she had our contract/reservation in front of her and knew we had already purchased insurance and some of the extras. In the end, we ended up spending almost $500 more for the car on top of what we paid through Expedia! Felt tricked and misled. Another problem came with picking up the car and the car itself. The counter agent signed us up with a Kia Soul, which is what we wanted. When we got to the lot, a Kia wasn't available, which was ok, I can understand possibly not having what we wanted. The associate gave us the option of a Nissan Altima and a Toyota. We chose the Altima. She simply said, "keys are in the car," and walked off. We checked the car without the associate and saw many dings, scratches, etc... - these were not noted by the associate. The front grill was also cracked. When we got to Iowa, we noticed a flap in the tire, and the Tennessee tag was EXPIRED - 12/24! 7 months old! I called the Budget number- which is NOT user friendly- and finally spoke to a person who told me to take it to a nearby Budget and trade it out. I was not about to take 4 hours out of my vacation to correct their error. I was told to call roadside service if we got stopped. I contacted Expedia. They contacted Budget, and we were told we would get a refund on the car. We did not. We were offered 20% off, but only on the extra insurance purchase, not including what we paid for through Expedia. We received two receipts reflecting the same amount with no adjustment. Now, I have to see if I was charged twice for the extra UNNECESSARY insurance we purchased.Update- they failed to give us the extra 20% off discount promised.
July 11 · Jul-Tee
AWFUL!! Was given an very dirty and used, shaking car. It had 50k miles on it and was wobbling and reeked of smoke. Car was eventually towed. Budget refused to refund all the days I was without a car nor did they even acknowledge the mishap. Really poor customer service. DO NOT RENT HERE.
October 06 · Lindsey Revier
I strongly advise against renting from Budget/Avis at the Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport (Terminal 2). The shared on-site team is disorganized, undertrained, and unaccountable—leading to hours of wasted time and unnecessary stress.Pickup Experience: It took over an hour to receive the vehicle because the car seat I prepaid for was missing. Staff initially tried to give me a seat with no harness or safety straps for my toddler. I had to push back hard to get a proper replacement. The car itself was dirty—interior hadn’t been cleaned, with sticky residue and spilled coffee stains.Return Experience: Despite refueling the car 10 minutes before drop-off (with photo proof), the field associate didn’t check the fuel level. Their system defaulted to charge me a premium fuel rate. When I waited at the counter, only one associate was present. Ashley, who was dismissive and unprofessional, told me to call customer service instead—contradicting what customer service later said: that the on-site team should have corrected the bill.The field associate also claimed he’d fix it once free, but never did. No one took ownership, and the team clearly lacked communication and accountability.Customer Service Follow-Up: After getting no help on-site, I had to call multiple numbers and was told to wait 48 hours to initiate a refund claim. I spent over an hour trying to resolve an issue caused entirely by their negligence. While the phone support team was more professional, the on-site staff at Terminal 2 were poorly trained and indifferent.Budget/Avis at MSP operates with inefficiency, poor on-site customer service (better service via the phone), and unethical billing practices. If you value your time or expect basic professionalism, consider choosing another rental company.
August 18 · Ryan Kim