Does Budget impose any fuel-related requirements on renters?
Budget Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
II.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion, offering for rent, or renting of any vehicle, shall disclose clearly and conspicuously, at the time of rental transaction,
- A. any fuel-related charges, fees, or costs, including any fuel-related charges, fees, or costs which a renter who drives the vehicle less than any specified amount may incur;
- B. any requirements related to fuel-related charges, fees, or costs, including any fuel-related requirements which a renter who drives the vehicle less than any specified amount may need to satisfy; and
- C. the manner, if any, in which a renter can avoid such fuel-related charges, fees, or costs, or related requirements.
III.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion, offering for rent, or renting of any vehicle, shall not make, expressly or by implication, any representation about the benefits, costs, or parameters of any fuel-related option, unless it discloses clearly and conspicuously, and in close proximity to the representation, all material terms and conditions relating to the fuel option.
IV.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. and its successors and assigns, for five (5) years after the last date of dissemination of any representation covered by this order, shall maintain and upon request make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection and copying:
- A. All advertisements and promotional materials containing the representation:
- B. All materials that were relied upon in disseminating the representations; and
C. All tests, reports, studies, surveys, demonstrations, or other evidence in its possession or control that contradict, qualify, or call into question the representation, or the basis relied upon for the representation, including complaints and other communications with consumers or with governmental or consumer protection organizations.
V.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 80–426)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Budget is subject to a legal order that mandates clear disclosure of fuel-related charges, fees, costs, and requirements to renters at the time of the rental transaction. This includes informing renters about any fuel-related charges they may incur if they drive the vehicle less than a specified amount, as well as outlining how renters can avoid these charges or requirements.
In practical terms, this means that Budget franchisees must ensure that their rental agreements and customer interactions clearly and conspicuously explain all fuel-related policies. This could include charges for refueling, requirements to return the car with a full tank, or options for prepaid fuel plans. The goal is to prevent any hidden fees or surprises related to fuel costs.
Furthermore, Budget is prohibited from making any representations about the benefits, costs, or parameters of any fuel-related option without clearly and conspicuously disclosing all material terms and conditions relating to that option in close proximity to the representation. This ensures transparency and allows renters to make informed decisions about fuel options.
Budget must also maintain records of all advertisements and promotional materials containing representations about fuel-related options for five years after the last date of dissemination and make them available to the Federal Trade Commission upon request. This includes any tests, reports, studies, surveys, or other evidence that contradict or call into question the representations made.