Budget via Booking.com Refused Refund After Delayed Flight – Car Rental Canceled

I booked a car with Budget through Booking.com (reservation number 781757566) for September 24-28, 2024, and paid approximately €70 via credit card, including insurance. My flight with Pegasus Airlines departed on the 24th from Istanbul, but due to a storm at the Montenegro airport, we couldn’t land and had to return. The next morning, we flew again and successfully landed. However, when I went to pick up the car, the Budget employee told me my reservation had been canceled since a day had passed and that I wouldn’t receive a refund. I was told I needed to make a new reservation and pay again.

Due to circumstances beyond my control—weather delays—my trip was postponed by a day, but despite having paid for the rental, I wasn’t given the car for the remaining three days, and no refund was provided. To continue my vacation, I had to rent another car from Auto Union Car Rental for €180 in cash. I am deeply dissatisfied with Budget and Booking.com’s lack of support and expect compensation for the financial and emotional distress this caused.