Q. Can I make a reservation outside New Zealand on this web site?
A. Budget has over 3,200 locations worldwide. Our website enables you to link to several other Budget websites. If you cannot find the country you are looking for, please call Budget Reservations on 0800 283 438.

Q. Can I book trucks online?
A. Trucks are subject to availability and cannot be reserved online. For enquiries and to make a reservation please call 0800 58 58 58 or email commercials@budget.co.nz.

Q. How can I guarantee the make, model, or colour of the car I rent?
A. Unfortunately make, model, and colour preferences are based on availability and cannot be guaranteed. Please advise the rental location of your preference and if available we will be happy to accommodate you.

Q. How can I change or cancel my reservation?
A. If you made your original booking via this website you can use the 'View / Change / Cancel' option found under the 'Quotes & Bookings' tab. Alternatively, you can contact Budget Reservations on 0800 283 438 to make any changes.

Q. What do I need to bring with me to the counter to rent a car?
A. All drivers of the vehicle will need to be present and provide a valid drivers licence and credit card in their own name. Also, if you have any discount coupons, or corporate/government identification, they must be presented at the time of rental.

Q. What services are available to disabled renters?
A. For renters with a specials needs please refer to the separate FAQ section below for Services for the Disabled or Travellers requiring a Vehicle with Hand Controls.

Q. I have an upgrade certificate, what car do I reserve?
A. Depending on the type of upgrade voucher you have (i.e. single or double) you should book a car group one or two levels below your preferred car choice. Please note, all upgrades are subject to availability at the time of rental.

Q. Is there a charge if I cancel my reservation?
A. No, we do not charge for cancellations.

Q. Can I take the vehicle across the Cook Strait?
A. No, you cannot take Budget rental cars on the inter-island ferry. All cars must be left at the rental location at your point of departure (either Picton or Wellington Ferry terminal). Another rental car can then be collected upon arrival at your destination.
If you are travelling between the North & South Islands, please make sure you book a Multi-Island Hire. Contact Budget Reservations on 0800 283 438 for further details.

Q. Can I remove the seats from a minivan?
A. Seats cannot be removed from a minivan or any other vehicle.

Q. Can I use someone else's credit card?
A. Yes, you can use someone else's credit card for payment, but the card holder must provide written authorisation prior to the rental. Acceptance of an alternate card is at the discretion of Budget Rent A Car. Please contact Budget Reservations on 0800 238
438 for further details.

Q. How do I extend my rental and will it change my rate?
A. To extend your rental, you must contact the location where the car was rented or phone 0800 652 227. Any changes in your rental may change the rate.

Q. What is the difference between daily, weekly, and weekend rates?
A. Weekly rentals are 7 consecutive days. Weekend leisure rates at most locations start after 12 noon Thursday with a return by 11:59pm Monday. Daily rates apply if the weekly or weekend parameters are not met.

Q. What happens if I have an accident, break down, or need assistance?
A. In the unfortunate event of a breakdown or accident (or if the car is damaged in any way) you should first contact emergency services if required (dial 111), and then you should contact the nearest Budget rental location - phone numbers are listed on the
Rental Agreement. In the case of an accident you should obtain the contact and registration details of all parties involved. For 24 Hour Roadside Assistance call 0800 500 222.

Q. Do you have Child Safety Seats available for rent?
A. Yes, we have Child Safety Seats available at most locations and these can be selected as an Optional Extra when making a reservation (pricing will be advised when the seat is chosen as an Optional Extra ). Child Safety Seats are suitable for children 9.0
– 19.5 kgs in weight (or approximately 1-5 years of age) and are forward facing. The child must be able to sit up on his / her own.

Q. Do you have Child Booster Seats available for rent?
A. Yes, we have Child Booster Seats available at most locations and these can be selected as an Optional Extra when making a reservation (pricing will be advised when the seat is chosen as an Optional Extra ). Child Booster Seats are suitable for children
that are bigger than the requirements for a Child Safety Seat but not large enough to use an adult seat belt by itself, and are forward facing.

Q. Do you have Child Infant Seats available for rent?
A. If you have a young baby less than 1 year old you will need to arrange a Child Infant Seat well in advance of the rental date. While not available at all locations, to check availability of a Child Infant Seat please contact Budget Reservations toll free
on 0800 283 438 or alternatively on +64 9 529 7784 and quote your reservation number.

Q. How old do you have to be to rent a car?
A. All renters (and any additional drivers) must be over the age of 21 and hold a full driver's license at the time of rental. If you are 21-25 years of age, an under-age surcharge may apply.

Q. Is there an additional charge if there will be more than one driver?
A. No.

Q. Will Budget check my driving record?
A. Budget may screen for high-risk drivers by asking potential renters a variety of questions regarding their personal driving records. Whenever a prospective renter's driving history fails to meet an established criteria, Budget can deny rental service.

Q. What refuelling options do I have?
A. You can either refuel the car at the nearest petrol station before returning the car, or you can return the car without refuelling and the Budget location will charge you for the refuelling. If Budget has to refuel the car it will be based on the renting
location's per-litre refuelling service charge.

Q. Why do I have to return my car at a set time?
A. Many rates, like weekend specials, are only available during certain time periods. Returning the car after or even before the designated time might affect the rate quoted. Returning the car by the agreed-upon time also helps ensure that cars are available
for future reservations.

Q. If I pick up a car on Tuesday at noon and return it Wednesday at 4 p.m., will I be charged for one day or two?
A. Most car rental rates are based on a 24-hour period. Extra hours are charged at one third of the daily rate, up until 3 hours, when the rate becomes a full days charge. So in this case, you would be charged for two days. In addition, the charges for optional
insurance and surcharges will be applied for either part or full day hires.

Q. If I want to pick up a car at one location and drop it off at another, does it cost more?
A. Yes, unless otherwise stated, there will be a one-way fee applied to rentals picked up at one location and returned to another. The fee will vary depending on the distance between locations.

Q. Why do rental car companies ask for a credit card?
A. We need to know that our renters are credit-worthy in order to minimise the risk of vehicle damage and losses. Credit cards and valid drivers' licences usually provide the only information we have about our renters.

Q. Can I use a credit card up front and then pay for the rental with cash when I return the car?
A. Unfortunately we only accept credit cards, and some debit cards, as payment for rentals. Cash payments are not accepted.

Q. What credit card can I use?
A. Budget accepts most major credit cards including VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and Diners. Budget also accepts debit cards that carry the Visa or Mastercard logo.

Q. Are there any other payment alternatives?
A. Your travel agency can sell you a prepaid voucher that you can use to pay for rentals at various locations within New Zealand. You may also be asked to show a credit card as well as a valid drivers licence, even though you have a voucher.

Q. Can I use a debit card?
A. Yes, you can use debit cards that carry the Visa or Mastercard logo.

Q. Why do rates differ?
A. Operating costs on vehicles, property, labour and taxes differ from one area to another, with surcharges levied on airport locations. Rental rates vary between competitors and may also vary depending on when and where you rent.

Q. How can I get the best deal?
A. If you travel at off-peak times, make an advance reservation, or rent for seven or more days, you often get a better deal.

Q. What currency are your quotes in?
A. All prices are in New Zealand dollars.

Q. What services do you offer the disabled?
A. For renters with a special need please contact Budget on 0800 283 438 or +64 9 529 7788 for more information.

Q. Can Budget fit hand controls in their vehicles?
A. Budget is able to assist with the fitting of hand controls on some vehicle groups. Please contact Budget on 0800 283 438 or +64 9 529 7788 for more information.