Case Study: Budget St. Croix

The need for an Independent Digital Channel

While operating within the framework of the Budget franchise system, Budget St. Croix saw a major opportunity: launching an independent website and online booking system to complement their existing operations.

The goal was twofold:

• To increase direct reservations and revenue through their own marketing efforts.
• To gain flexibility over promotions, pricing, and customer communication—freedom not possible within the corporate franchise booking platform.

They turned to VEVS Car Rental Software to build a powerful, standalone website and reservation system that could integrate smoothly with the tools they already used internally.

Our Solution

VEVS delivered a customized car rental website builder and booking platform, designed to operate alongside Budget’s internal systems without disruption—thanks to deep API integration and tailored business logic.

Website & System Setup

• A modern, mobile-friendly website was built to reflect the Budget St. Croix brand while standing as a completely independent channel.
• The website included all essential content, location details, vehicle listings, and a user-friendly booking engine.

Custom Business Logic

To meet their unique operational model, several key customizations were implemented:

• "1 Day Free" for every 7-day booking – a loyalty-oriented promotion to boost longer reservations.
• Customized checkout form – tailored to collect all necessary client and vehicle details in line with their in-house processes.
• Hybrid “Per Day / Per Hour” pricing model – allowing accurate pricing for same-day or short-term rentals, especially valuable for island tourists.

Bluebird Software Integration

One of the most significant achievements of the project was the API integration with Bluebird, the rental management software used by many Budget franchisees. This custom integration enabled:

• Automatic reservation imports from the VEVS website into Bluebird.
• Real-time fleet availability sync, ensuring the online inventory was always up to date.
• A seamless bridge between their independent website and internal franchise systems, ensuring smooth operations and eliminating manual data entry.

Collaborative Setup

Throughout the process, VEVS worked closely with Robert Donovan, the company’s external IT consultant. Several Google Meet calls were held to align on setup details, API integration, and quality assurance to ensure a robust and reliable system.

Results

Since going live in October 2024, Budget St. Croix has achieved key outcomes:

• Gained full control over an independent sales channel, allowing the team to run promotions, collect leads, and boost bookings.
• Increased revenue from direct online bookings, without relying solely on the Budget franchise platform.
• Streamlined operations by syncing all data with Bluebird in real time.
• Improved customer experience through clear pricing, flexible booking options, and a user-friendly website interface.

Highlights of the Project

• Deep API Integration with Bluebird – connecting VEVS with Budget’s internal software in real time
• Custom Pricing & Promotions – including “1 Day Free” logic and hybrid rental pricing
• Tailored Checkout Process – adapted to Budget St. Croix’s workflow
• Independent Website – built to attract new customers and support local marketing
• Seamless Collaboration – via ongoing meetings with Robert Donovan and the Budget St. Croix team

Ready to create your own success story?

Whether you're an independent car rental company or part of a franchise looking to build your own digital footprint, VEVS gives you the tools to succeed.