At Los Angeles Airport, Budget and Avis share the same counter for handling transactions, so let me highlight some points to be cautious about. When I went to rent a car, I informed them that I didn’t need any insurance as I had already purchased coverage back home. The staff asked if I had basic insurance, and I replied yes. They then asked if I needed ETC, and I said no. I thought everything was fine after that… However, this location does not provide a printed version of the checklist. They only have a small screen to display the details (make sure to carefully review everything before signing!). They had me sign off to take the car. (Once you sign, any issues afterward will be concluded as you having agreed to it. If the rental company sneaks in anything extra, your signature counts as consent!) Unfortunately, Budget added roadside assistance—which is charged daily—as well as a refueling management fee without my consent. The detailed invoice is sent to you via email, typically about an hour later. By the time I noticed the issue, it was too late… So, make sure to carefully read every detail on the screen before signing to avoid any trouble later on! Fortunately, the after-sales service provided by Zuzuche was excellent. When I identified the issue, I reached out to Zuzuche for help. Since the vehicle was still in use, they advised me that the matter could only be resolved with Budget's customer service after returning the car. In the end, Zuzuche’s excellent support helped me recover the overcharged amount from Budget. I have to commend Zuzuche here—they are incredibly reliable. I always use Zuzuche for international rentals, and their after-sales service has been fantastic every single time!

Budget forced additional charges. At the time of pickup, they did not provide a paper contract for signature, nor did they ask or inform me. Without any prior notice, they directly added full insurance coverage and charges for highway and refueling services (even though I had already refueled the car before pickup).

It took over two hours of waiting in line to pick up the car. There were many service counters, but most were not assisting customers. Since we had 5 people and 5 suitcases, we specifically requested a vehicle with a large trunk. The front desk staff said the original JEEP we booked wasn't available and offered us a larger GMC instead. However, when we went downstairs to pick up the car, the attendant, who was African-American, was extremely unfriendly towards Asians. They blatantly gave the vehicle that had been assigned to us to a white family and pointed to a smaller Dodge, saying that was all they had, take it or leave it. When we asked other staff about it, we were told that this location operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and earlier arrivals get to choose first. Their attitude was horrible! It was infuriating. The service is far worse than in Europe.

Very good.

I arrived at 10:55 AM, and the queue was very long. After finally getting to the counter, an elderly Asian woman named MARY who only spoke English began causing trouble. First, she asked why a family of three chose such a large car. I explained that large cars aren’t available in China, but I like big vehicles. She then claimed this particular car had been recalled, and when I asked how long I’d have to wait, a supervisor said at least 40 minutes to an hour. I couldn't wait because my 90-year-old great-grandmother was waiting for us to have lunch together. Next, they started upselling me, offering a brand-new Cadillac model at $199 per day, discounted to $79 per day. I said it was too expensive and asked for a cheaper alternative. They proposed various vehicles, but I insisted on seeing pictures. She said not all cars had photos available, and I declined options like minivans until they finally offered a 7-seater from GM, which I accepted. By then, it was already afternoon. She then pressured me to buy insurance. I explained that I had already purchased comprehensive insurance, but she claimed she had worked here for 30 years and knew for sure that rental car platforms only offer three types of coverage, insisting I had to buy insurance directly from them. She also mentioned additional services and asked me to insert my credit card. When I confirmed whether it was for a deposit, she stayed quiet but asked me to proceed. Then she made me individually confirm various charges. I was annoyed, but my great-grandmother in Los Angeles had already called to hurry me, so I reluctantly confirmed the charges. In the end, they charged me $752.38! As I was leaving with my luggage, two girls approached me and asked what they should do since their insurance wasn’t recognized. I said I faced the same issue and had no choice but to accept it due to time constraints.