Budget does not honor confirmed price.

Does Mellon also make reservations for dinner and not show up?

Had this happen at the Vegas Budget.

nope

Bring everything, Julie. Your print out of the confirmation, those cards you mentioned.
You cannot know who "them" is when you call a company with questions. It certainly won't be the agent at the point of rental.

alanleroy, contact your state prosecuting attorney's office.
Deceptive sales practices by Budget Rental operating under Costco Travel (or whatever the arrangement is.

Right now, you don't know if your $80 will be refunded, so good time to register the complaint and get an investigation going.

I would also call Cleveland airport management. There is accountability on contractors that operate on airport property. The airport profits from rental car operations on their property. As a dissatisfied customer, you will not continue to do business at that site if the counter agents are incompetent.

Go get 'em!

All I want is to pay the price they confirmed for the car. The Costco Woman claims she fixed it, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong.

As for the reporting to Cleveland airport management....it could have been an honest mistake. I am still due a phone call from Budget Corporate 'Escalations' within 48 hours. Perhaps I'll see if we can determine the root cause of the issue and come up with a process to prevent incorrectly dishonoring confirmed prices in the future. If they tell me that our call is being recorded for quality control purposes, then I should be able to legally record the call too, right?

Yeah,you just tell them that you are recording the call,also.
I would prefer to get this transaction and your agreement on paper and their response as well.
If it's in an email,that's what you have for some proof of what/ who said what.

Sounds like a large screw up by the Budget attendant,so far.
A confirmation really IS a confirmation. Black-out's don't apply.
IF the car was not available,you get another one for the same price.
Maybe an upgrade.
I'm pretty sure that Budget will make it right.
Just be cool about it.

If you look at paragraph 1 on page two of the Budget Rental agreement it clearly states that:

"CD - W852802; Coupon Code - MUGZ090. Dollars off applies to the time and mileage charges only on a minimum five, maximum 28 consecutive day rental period on weekly rates on vehicles compact (group B) and above excluding the Signature Series (Group X). Saturday
night keep is required. Fuel charges are extra. In the U.S., taxes, concession recovery fees, vehicle license recovery fee and customer facility charges may apply and are extra. Optional products such as LDW ($29.99/day or less) are extra. In Canada, all taxes (including Air Conditioning Excise Tax), fees (including Vehicle License Recovery Fee), and optional items (such as LDW) are additional. One coupon per
rental. An advance reservation is required. May not be used in conjunction with any other coupon, promotion or offer except your Costco member discount. Renter must show Costco membership card at the time of rental. Coupons cannot be transferred, sold and we reserve the right to change terms anytime at our sole discretion. Coupon valid at participating Budget locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Offer subject to vehicle availability at time of reservation and may not be available on some rates at some times. Dollars off coupons presented/entered during reservation are calculated at time of reservation. Renter must meet Budget age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old. Rental must begin by12/31/2015. Book by 12/31/2015."

Bolded part by me....

Wow good thing you fought it but you really shouldn't have had to . Keep us informed. I have used Budget in LV and never had an issue with them. I always take a printed copy of my receipt and compare it the the bottom line. I have had some of the lesser companies like Advantage try and sneak in an additional charge, like insurance or road side assistance.

They honored my confirmed price last night and didn't even give me a hard sell on all the extras. I will say that the Chevy Spark I got is the most gutless piece of crap I have ever driven and I once owned a 1983 diesel Chevette. I hope the crowds dwindle after the weekend or I don't think I'll be brave enough to drive it anywhere.