Budget Car Rental Milwaukee Airport: Vehicle Rental Services for Wisconsin Travelers

Budget Car Rental Introduce

For many residents of Wisconsin, or visitors flying into the Badger State via Milwaukee-Mitchell International Airport (MKE), a car rental agency is the crucial first stop for transportation needs. Budget Car Rental, located conveniently at 5300 S Howell Ave, is one of the providers aiming to serve this demand for flexible vehicle access. Positioned right at the airport, this location is primarily focused on serving air travelers and local users seeking temporary transport solutions, whether for a quick business trip to Madison or a family vacation exploring the Northwoods.

The core service offered by Budget is providing a necessary link for mobility—transforming an arrival into a departure toward a Wisconsin destination. Like any high-volume airport operation, this branch is expected to manage a large number of reservations daily, encompassing everything from small economy cars suitable for downtown Milwaukee parking to larger vans needed for hauling family, luggage, and college necessities across the state. They aim to offer a diverse fleet and convenient on-site services to streamline the rental process for local and incoming customers.

However, potential renters in Wisconsin should approach the booking process with careful consideration of reported customer experiences. While the promise of a reservation and a swift transaction is appealing, recent accounts from local users indicate significant challenges with vehicle availability and quality control. Stories of lengthy waits, non-existent reserved vehicles (including pre-paid minivans), and concerning vehicle maintenance issues (such as a smoking engine due to a missing oil cap and cars shaking at highway speeds) suggest that customers should manage their expectations regarding service delivery and reliability at this high-traffic location. It is always wise to confirm the fulfillment policies before committing to a reservation.

Location and Accessibility for Wisconsin Drivers

The Budget Car Rental counter is strategically located for maximum convenience, directly serving travelers at Milwaukee-Mitchell International Airport (MKE).

The precise address is: 5300 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA.

This location's main advantage is its position within the airport's rental car facilities, making it highly accessible for customers flying into MKE. This is particularly beneficial for travelers from other parts of the U.S. or international visitors beginning their journey in Wisconsin.

Airport Proximity: Being on S Howell Ave, the location is part of the integrated rental car center near the terminal, allowing for quick retrieval of vehicles after landing.
Major Highway Access: The address provides immediate access to I-94 and I-41, the main thoroughfares connecting Milwaukee to points north (Green Bay, Appleton) and west (Madison), facilitating fast onward travel.
Accessibility Commitment: The facility demonstrates a commitment to inclusive service by offering a wheelchair accessible entrance and designated wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring that travelers with mobility needs can navigate the rental process more easily.

Vehicle and Onsite Services Offered

Budget Car Rental at the Milwaukee airport provides a comprehensive set of services focused on high-volume efficiency and catering to the diverse needs of air travelers and local users seeking temporary transportation.

Car Rental Agency Services: The primary service is the rental of standard passenger vehicles, ranging from small, economical models ideal for short trips to sedans and full-size cars for general commuting and family travel.
Van Rental Agency Services: Catering to group travel, larger families, and customers moving personal items (like college students or those involved in home projects), the agency offers a selection of van options, including minivans and possibly larger passenger vans, though documented availability can be inconsistent.
Onsite Service: All transactions, vehicle pickup, and drop-off are managed on-site at the airport facility, providing a single, consolidated point of contact for the entire rental process.
Payment Flexibility: The agency accepts various modern payment methods, including major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments, offering flexibility in how customers settle their rental costs.
Roadside Assistance Coordination: As a standard offering, the service includes coordination for roadside assistance, a critical function for customers experiencing mechanical issues while traveling throughout Wisconsin.
Online Reservation System: Customers are encouraged to book and pay for reservations online, which is intended to streamline the process upon arrival, though the execution of fulfilling these pre-paid bookings has been problematic according to customer feedback.

Key Features and Highlights

The promotional highlights of this Budget location center on convenience, savings, and accessibility, though the practical application of these features may vary based on vehicle availability and operational efficiency.

Active Military Discounts: A notable feature is the offering of active military discounts. Budget, like other major agencies, typically provides special rates or percentage discounts for active-duty military, veterans, and reservists for leisure travel, offering a tangible benefit to the large military community within Wisconsin.
Centralized Airport Location: The core highlight is the unparalleled convenience of its location directly at MKE, saving travelers time and the hassle of coordinating off-airport shuttles.
Modern Payment Acceptance: The ability to use Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay) provides renters with modern, secure, and flexible ways to pay for their rental and any associated fees.
Accessibility Provisions: The commitment to physical accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot is a significant highlight, ensuring the facility is prepared to serve all members of the Wisconsin traveling public.
Volume Capacity: Being an airport-based agency means the operation is designed to handle high volumes of rentals, offering the potential for a wide selection of vehicles when inventory is fully managed and reservations are accurately reflected.

Contact Information

For direct contact with the Budget Car Rental MKE location to confirm reservation details, hours of operation, or to inquire about vehicle availability:

Address: 5300 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA
Phone: (414) 481-2411
Mobile Phone: +1 414-481-2411

What is Worth Choosing and Why Caution is Advised

The primary reason a Wisconsin traveler would choose Budget Car Rental at MKE is sheer convenience. Its direct location within the airport terminal eliminates the need for separate transportation, making it the fastest option for getting on the road immediately after a flight. Additionally, the availability of active military discounts and accepting flexible payment methods like NFC mobile payments add value for certain customer segments. For an individual whose travel plans require the absolute minimum transfer time, this location remains physically ideal.

However, the critical factor worth noting is the widespread and serious concerns raised by recent customers regarding operational standards. The pattern of accepting reservations and money for vehicles they cannot fulfill, leading to travelers being stranded, is highly unacceptable and constitutes a major risk for those depending on a pre-booked vehicle for essential travel, such as driving a college student or making a time-sensitive flight connection.

Furthermore, reports of significant, potentially dangerous maintenance negligence, such as a vehicle smoking due to a missing oil cap and another shaking violently at highway speeds, raise serious safety red flags that a renter must carefully consider. Roadside assistance reportedly directed customers to wait until the next morning rather than provide an immediate replacement, forcing the customer to risk driving a damaged vehicle back to the airport.

Therefore, while the location is physically convenient, prospective Wisconsin renters are strongly advised to exercise caution. It is recommended to contact the agency directly just before arrival to confirm the physical presence and readiness of the reserved vehicle, especially for critical needs like vans or large specialty cars, and to always thoroughly inspect any vehicle before leaving the lot. Choosing this provider may involve a higher risk of travel disruption than other local options.

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

Wisconsin Milwaukee County Milwaukee Mitchell Field South Howell Avenue

5300 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA

Budget Car Rental Reviews

An average rating of ★3 from 1111 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I have rented from budget for the last time! Of all the car rental options in the Milwaukee airport Budget was the only one that had a line of 35 people that had been waiting for hours and they had no cars to give them. Every other place limited their bookings to the number of cars they had. People would come and leave with their keys, but not budget. People were stranded! To top it off, people were getting notices on their phone that said if you cancel your reservation now you will be penalized for a late cancellation. I walk to the front of a line and ask the agent if he had any idea if they would even have enough cars for the people in line and he had no idea. He was just hoping cars would come in. Completely unacceptable!We had reserved and paid for a minivan to drive my daughter to college and had booked a flight to fly back home. We ended up having to cram everything into our car, buy a car top carrier, cancel our non-refundable flights, and drive both ways. When I told my sister what happened, she said the same thing happend to her with Budget last year. They accept your booking and money even if they have no idea if they can fullfill the reservation.
August 26 · JW Odders
Absolutely horrible experience. Right after picking up the car, there was a strong smell of gas. A few miles in, the smell changed to burning oil. When we arrived at our destination, smoke began filling the cabin and coming from under the hood. They performed an oil change, and did not put the oil cap back on, causing oil to go everywhere under the hood.We called roadside assistance, and while they agreed to tow the vehicle, they told us no rental counters were open, meaning we’d be stranded until the next morning. Instead, we risked driving the smoking vehicle back to the airport for a replacement.The replacement car was only slightly better—it shook violently at any speed over 60 mph. No apology, no compensation, nothing. Based on this experience, I seriously doubt I’ll ever use Budget again.
April 07 · Chris Bauer
Priceline users and everyone else be warned! They overbook Budget and Avis at this location. The lines are crazy and the service is pretty bad unless you get one of two people that have any idea whats going on.Worst part is they almost never have the type of car you actually reserve. I’ve been traveling back and forth to MKE for last couple months so I’ve been to the rental car desk a lot.Today was the worst. I had wait 3 hours to get a car (reserved for 11am, arrived at 11:30, waited in line for 30 mins, checked in, sorry no car. Wait for 3 hours. Big fail for a rental car company.I would recommend using Alamo or National. The one good experience I had was with Alamo. It was a breeze.I keep getting suckered get the Priceline deal. Good luck !
May 14 · Vincent Rosso
This is the first time in a long time that I have rented from Budget at the Milwaukee location; however, I did experience a few different inconveniences.While the car itself was great, the service was a bit questionable.First, after booking the car rental several days in advance and arriving on site, the line was a bit long, but expected. However, there were two agents at the counter and one was tied up for quite a long time with a woman who's payment was not processing for whatever reason. Unfortunately, the one agent at the counter was spending way too much time (over 20 minutes at least) with her while everybody else was standing in line for a fairly lengthy period of time. Many of the individuals in line were becoming a bit frustrated as was I.Now for the extreme inconvenient situation. The next day, several of us were trying to drop off her rental vehicles and around 5:30 in the morning only to find that the entry gate was in the up position with a red light illuminated. We looked around to find an agent, but to no avail. We then proceeded into a different rental car agency lot to see if we could drop off our cars there in order to not miss our flights. Unfortunately, that became a real difficult situation for obvious reasons. After dealing with this for nearly 40 minutes, we were informed that somebody was able to lower the entry steel gate so that we could get in. After dropping the car off in the proper location, I, myself, had to sprint into the airport and request to jump the line by the people who are already in line in order to check my baggage in and proceed up through the security checkpoint. I made it nearly just in time to board my scheduled flight. This should never happen as it can cost not only major inconveniences, but significant additional costs if a person has to rebook their flight. I will say this... Budget has treated me quite well in the past and I believe that this was a one-off type situation. But nevertheless, this was a preventable situation. Checks and balances need to be in place in order for customers to be able to move freely in a fast-paced environment.
September 22 · Peter Johnson
NEVER renting from this place again!!! First of all, I prepaid for a rental that totaled $90, but they gave me a vehicle I did not pay for when I arrived there. To me, it seemed like a downgrade but I was wasting time already waiting so I just left but I called budget customer service to let them know, which they processed a refund for that. BUT after returning the car and a couple days later I got the receipt for my total, and the total came out to $112, with there being an extra $21 charge. I called customer service again to ask about this charge and she stated that it was for gas. I FILLED UP ON GAS BEFORE I RETURNED THE CAR!! I went to a Clark gas station near the rental place and spent about $13 to fill the tank, then immediately went to return the car, so why would I be getting charged $21 for gas?!!! Of course the customer service person just says they’ll refund me for that too, but why would I be charged that in the first place?? That makes me think I’m getting gypped out my money from a company already making millions of dollars! Regardless if I get the money back or not, it’s the principle of the situation. How and why would I get charged for something that did not need a charge? Count your days BUDGET!!!
August 21 · daisha watts