No, Budget does not require a deposit when making a reservation.

No, you do not need a credit card to make a reservation with Budget. However, a valid credit card must be presented at the time of rental.

Please Note:

Budget accepts the following credit/charge cards as credit identification at the time of rental:

  • American Express
  • Diners Club
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Debit cards are accepted provided that the card displays the Visa or Mastercard logo, has been issued by a bank, has the customer's name and card number on the card, and funds are being debited from a cheque/current account.

Prepaid and Reloadable Debit cards and gift cards, as well as Travel cards and EFTPOS cards are not accepted.

Effective 17 March 2020, Budget New Zealand, will no longer accept any Diners Club International credit cards at time of reservation and rental.

No, you are not permitted to take a rental vehicle across Cook Strait.

If you collect a vehicle from a rental location on one island and leave the vehicle at a rental location on the other island, without Budget authorisation, you will be charged an automatic relocation fee of NZD$450.00 (inc. GST).

No, you don't need a Wizard Number to make a reservation with Budget.

Debit cards are accepted provided that the card displays the Visa or Mastercard logo, has been issued by a bank and has the customer's name and card number on the card, and the funds are being debited from a cheque/current account.

Prepaid and Reloadable Debit cards and gift cards, as well as Travel cards and EFTPOS cards are not accepted.

Yes we have both a booking app and a travel app. 

With our booking app you can book, modify, and cancel any of your bookings. It includes our commercial fleet of Trucks, Vans, and Utes as well as our regular car rental fleet.

Our travel app allows you to get up to date information on tourist attractions and accommodation as well as local road warnings and civil defence alerts. Check them out - Budget NZ Mobile Apps App

To modify an upcoming reservation, go to 'Change Reservation'

Enter your Last Name and your Reservation Confirmation Number and click the 'Find Reservation' button.

On the next page, select the 'Modify' link listed next to the reservation you wish to change.

You will then be able to modify specific information relating to your reservation, including your selected rental options, personal information, rental time and place, and vehicle class.

Alternatively, you can use the Budget Booking App or call Budget Reservations for assistance - 0800 58 58 58 toll free or +64 9 529 7784.

To view an upcoming reservation, go to 'Change Reservation'

Enter your Last Name and your Reservation Confirmation Number and click the 'Find Reservation' button.

On the next page, select the 'View' link listed next to the reservation.

You will then be able to modify specific information relating to your reservation, including your selected rental options, personal information, rental time and place, and vehicle class.

Alternatively, you can use the Budget Booking App or call Budget Reservations for assistance: 0800 58 58 58 toll free or +64 9 529 7784.

To cancel an upcoming reservation, go to 'Change Reservation'

Enter your Last Name and your Reservation Confirmation Number and click the 'Find Reservation' button.

On the next page, select the 'Cancel' link listed next to your reservation. 

Enter your email address and click the 'Cancel Reservation' button.

We will confirm your reservation has been canceled, and send a cancellation confirmation email to the email address provided.

Alternatively, you can use the Budget Booking App or call Budget Reservations for assistance: 0800 58 58 58 toll free or +64 9 529 7784.

Yes, it is possible, but any requested changes in your rental are subject to vehicle availability and will affect your estimated daily rate.

If you realise you need to extend your reservation before picking up your vehicle, please modify your reservation online or call our Reservation Centre on 0800-284-722 for further assistance.

To modify an upcoming reservation, go to 'Change Reservation'

Enter your Last Name and your Reservation Confirmation Number and click the 'Find Reservation' button.

On the next page, select the 'Modify' link listed next to the reservation you wish to change.

You will then be able to modify specific information relating to your reservation, including your selected rental options, personal information, rental time and place, and vehicle class.

Alternatively, you can use the Budget Booking App or call Budget Reservations for assistance: 0800 58 58 58 toll free or +64 9 529 7784.

All coupon discounts are calculated at the time of reservation and should be displayed in the Estimated Total.

If a coupon discount has not been applied, please check the Terms & Conditions of the deal and verify you have entered valid rental details.

If your reservation is cancelled in advance, no cancellation fee will be applied.

In certain cases and with certain rates or vehicle groups, a cancellation fee may apply if an unwanted reservation is not cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the reserved pick-up time, or if the customer fails to pick up the vehicle.

To avoid this fee, please cancel at least 48 hours in advance. You can cancel a reservation online, or by calling 0800 58 58 58, or through your travel agent.

Budget requires that each renter and any additional drivers meet the Budget minimum age requirement, present a full and valid driver's license, and present a valid Budget-honoured credit card at the time of rental.

Generally, 'Weekend Rates' apply on rentals beginning after midday (12:00PM) on a Thursday and require the vehicle to be returned by 11:59PM (one minute before midnight) on the following Monday.

If the vehicle is returned later than the time specified, the weekend rate will not apply to the rental and the entire rental will be charged at the applicable daily rate.

Please ensure you read the Terms & Conditions of any weekend special offer before booking.

The following information is required to make a reservation:

  • Rental Pick-up Location
  • Rental Start Date and Time
  • Rental Return Location
  • Rental End Date and Time
  • Frequent Flyer / Loyalty Member Number (if applicable)
  • Coupon Number (if applicable)
  • Corporate Discount Code (if applicable)
  • Fastbreak Number (if applicable)
  • Required Vehicle Type
  • Flight Details (if applicable).

Please Note: If you belong to the Air New Zealand Airpoints™ or Fly Buys loyalty programmes, make sure you have your membership number with you as you may be able to earn points on your rental.

Yes, you can obtain a rental quotation and check availability without making a reservation.

Using this website, simply complete the first three steps of the reservations process stopping at the page titled 'Confirm Rate'. At this point you will see the 'Estimated Total' for the rental details entered.

If you are happy with the quote and wish to make a reservation, simply click the 'Continue' button to confirm the requested details.

At the end of the reservation process you will see a 'Reservation Confirmation' page with the reservation number highlighted. You will also receive a confirmation email containing the details of your reservation.

If you have an upgrade certificate, it is best to advise us at the time of booking so that the location can do its best to have a suitable vehicle available.

For further details, please contact Budget Reservations - 0800 58 58 58 (toll free).

You can also present the certificate at the time of rental, but there is no guarantee a larger vehicle will be available.

Please Note: All upgrades are subject to availability at the time of rental.

The renter must present a valid credit card and a current, full, and valid drivers licence in their own name.

Any additional drivers must also be present at the time of rental and provide a current, full, and valid drivers licence.

If you have any coupons, prepaid vouchers, discount or upgrade certificates, they must also be presented at the time of rental.

When you collect the rental vehicle you will need to sign a Rental Agreement which details your personal information, payment method, insurance coverages and rental preferences.

You should also familiarise yourself with Budget's Rental Terms & Conditions.

You will need to present a valid credit card when you collect the vehicle.

At that time a security hold for the 'Estimated Total' value of the rental will be placed on the credit card account provided.

The card holder will not have access to these funds until billing is finalised at the completion of the rental.

For security purposes the credit card used for payment of the rental must be in the renters name and embossed on the front of the card. The renter's signature must appear on the back of the card.

Budget accepts the following credit/charge cards as credit identification at the time of rental:

  • American Express
  • Diners Club
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Debit cards are accepted provided that the card displays the Visa or Mastercard logo, has been issued by a bank and has the customer's name and card number on the card, and funds are debited from a cheque/current account.

Prepaid and Reloadable Debit cards or gift cards, as well as Travel cards and EFTPOS cards are not accepted.

Effective 17 March 2020, Budget New Zealand, will no longer accept any Diners Club International credit cards at time of reservation and rental.

Your travel agency can sell you a prepaid voucher that you can use to pay for rentals at various locations within New Zealand. However, you may also be asked to show a credit card as well as a current, full, and valid driver's licence, even though you have a voucher.

Budget locations in New Zealand can accept cash, travellers cheques,money orders and personal cheques as payment, but these must be issued in New Zealand Dollars and can only be used when you return the vehicle. When you start your rental a valid and accepted credit or debit card must be presented as credit identification.

Budget accepts the following credit/charge cards as credit identification at the time of rental:

  • American Express
  • Diners Club
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Please Note: Debit Cards are accepted provided that the card displays the Visa or Mastercard logo, has been issued by a bank, has the customer's name and card number on the card, and the funds are being debited from a cheque/current account.

Prepaid and Reloadable Debit cards and gift cards, as well as Travel cards and EFTPOS cards are not accepted.

International visitors who have a prepaid voucher can pay cash up front for any insurance excess or optional extras (e.g. Excess Reduction, GPS, Child Safety Seats, Roadside Assistance etc.), and upon return of the vehicle for any miscellaneous charges (e.g. fuel, additional rental hours or days, one-way fees etc.).

Effective 17 March 2020, Budget New Zealand, will no longer accept any Diners Club International credit cards at time of reservation and rental.

Rental vehicle pricing is like airline pricing - if you travel at off-peak times or make a reservation seven or more days in advance, you often get a better deal.

Budget also run regular special offers using coupon codes. To take advantage of the promotional offer you need to quote the coupon number at the time of booking or rental.

Before booking, please be sure to check the terms and conditions of the coupon to see if they fit your rental requirements.

There are a number of factors that influence rental rates including:

  • Peak travel times
  • Seasonality
  • Advanced purchasing
  • Fleet running costs
  • Specific location prices and fees
  • Fleet availability

Daily Rates are based on a 24-hour rental period and have a one-day minimum charge even if the vehicle is returned in less than 24 hours.

Weekly Rates are available for rentals of more than 6 days but less than 28 days.

Weekend Rates normally apply to rentals beginning after noon on Thursday and require the vehicle to be returned by 11:59 PM on the following Monday. If the vehicle is returned later than the time specified, then the weekend rate will not apply to the rental.

Many weekend rates require that the vehicle be kept over a Saturday night in order to be eligible for weekend rates.

In addition to time and kilometre charges and government taxes, an airport or port / wharf fee may apply to rentals commencing from or terminating at an airport, railway station, and/or port side rental location.

Any applicable fees will be quoted on your reservation.

Budget Trucks does not currently allow for one way rentals.

Motor Vehicle Insurance (MVI) is compulsory in New Zealand and is included in most rates.

Budget, where permitted, also offer additional optional coverages for Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Personal Effects and Baggage Insurance (PEB), and Excess Reduction (ER).

Please check your insurance options at the time of rental.

Budget charges a card transaction fee for all rentals in New Zealand where a debit card or credit card is used for payment of the rental. This fee is calculated on the total rental charges including GST and will be added to the invoice amount. 

The fee calculation is 2.1% on Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards and 3.1% on American Express and Diners Club cards. 

The card transaction fee is subject to GST.

Budget rates do not include fuel. Budget offers three options for fuel:

  • Return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel as when rented and no refueling fees will apply
  • Return the vehicle with less fuel than when rented and pay a refueling service charge for the fuel used. The refueling service charge is a rate higher than the local retail fuel prices. The latest refuelling service rate will be shown on your rental agreement and is subject to GST.
  • Purchase the prepaid fuel option

Pre-Paid Fuel Option

The prepaid fuel option allows the renter the option of purchasing, a full tank of fuel at a price competitive with the prevailing local service station rates for regular unleaded petrol. This eliminates the need to refill the tank before the vehicle is returned.

There is no credit given for fuel remaining in the vehicle at the time the vehicle is returned so the renter should return the vehicle with as little fuel remaining as possible.

The prepaid fuel purchase option must be selected at the beginning of the rental.