No. 9 of 21 at ALC

Europcar

Name: Europcar at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport: Counterwise rating
Item: Europcar (Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport)
Rating: 5.1
Author: Counterwise

at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport

In terminalNo credit card needed

Medium consensus Check prices ↓

At a glance

Europcar at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is ranked No. 9 of 21 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 5.1/10 (Poor).
The Europcar desk is inside the terminal at Alicante Airport.
No credit card is required (debit cards accepted); the typical deposit is €100–€500.
Fuel policy: full to full. Opening hours: Mon–Sat 07:30–23:59, Sun 08:00–23:59.
Main red flag from travellers: Many recent reviews report charges after the rental for damage, cleaning, fuel or unexplained items, sometimes after staff said all was fine at return. Amounts range from about €30 to several hundred euros, and some travellers needed their bank to reverse the charge. Recent web posts about Europcar Spain describe similar unrecorded-damage charges..

Based on 296 reviews analysed · Last updated 12 November 2026 · How scores work

The short version

Based on about 160 usable written Google reviews from the last 10 months (after excluding 4 staff-praise reviews; about 130 further ratings are stars only), this desk is polarised. Many travellers report quick, friendly service and clean newer cars. A sizeable minority report counter upselling, booked categories not honoured and disputed post-rental charges. The web evidence is mostly undated or brand-wide, so it adds only limited detail for this desk.

AI-assisted summary of 296 recent Google reviews and web reports, reviewed by our editor on 12 November 2026. How we do it

Score breakdown

Each sub-score is out of 10. Higher is always better for you. How the weights work

Deposit & damage disputes(30% of score)

Poor3.5/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 36 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Poor3.0/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 30 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor4.0/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 40 reports · high confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Mixed7.5/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 26 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Mixed6.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 50 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 4.5 · counts 70%
Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 6.6 · counts 30%
4 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise). How we clean reviews
Pulled 8% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (176 after weighting by age).

Medium consensusOur independent signals mostly agree, with some differences.

What travellers flag

Red flags (4)

Many recent reviews report charges after the rental for damage, cleaning, fuel or unexplained items, sometimes after staff said all was fine at return. Amounts range from about €30 to several hundred euros, and some travellers needed their bank to reverse the charge. Recent web posts about Europcar Spain describe similar unrecorded-damage charges.trustpilot.com reddit.com
Repeated reports of pressure at the counter to buy extra insurance or an upgrade, including customers told their prepaid or third-party cover was invalid because of a supposed 'US rate' booking. Several found extra products (breakdown, accident or premium cover) on the final invoice that they say they did not knowingly accept.trustpilot.com trustpilot.com
About a dozen reviews say the booked car class was not provided (smaller, different or older model), or that the only alternative was a pricier upgrade, sometimes doubling or tripling the price paid.
Several reviewers say customer service did not answer emails or calls about disputed charges or delayed deposit refunds, with some waiting months or going to their bank or an ombudsman.

Green flags (4)

Many reviewers describe fast, smooth pick-up and return at the airport, often with no wait.
Staff are frequently described as friendly, professional and helpful, including when travellers changed plans or had a flight delay.
A large share of written reviews mention new, clean, well-equipped cars that matched what was ordered.
Some recent reviewers report deposits of around €500 released within about 48 hours and no pressure to buy extra cover.

Practical facts

Location	Desk inside the terminalsource
Opening hours	Mon–Sat 07:30–23:59, Sun 08:00–23:59source
Credit card required	No, debit cards accepted (check conditions)source
Typical deposit	€100–€500source
Fuel policy	Full to fullsource
Shares the desk with	Keddy by Europcar

“Not confirmed yet” means we have not verified that fact yet. We never guess.

Sources

Web pages behind this rating’s facts and flags, found through search APIs. The review analysis also used 296 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

Before you go

Tick these off at the counter. (Nothing is saved; it's just for you.)

Take photos and a short video of the car at pickup, including wheels, windscreen and the fuel gauge.
Check the fuel level matches the contract before you drive off.
Decline duplicate insurance at the desk if you already have excess cover. Bring proof of your policy.
Check the closing time (Mon–Sat 07:30–23:59, Sun 08:00–23:59). If your flight lands late, call the desk: some wait, others close on time.

Europcar at other airports and stations

Same brand, different counter. We rate each location on its own.

Europcar at Alicante Airport: questions and answers

Is Europcar at Alicante Airport any good?

Europcar at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport has a Counterwise Score of 5.1/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 9 of 21 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Many reviewers describe fast, smooth pick-up and return at the airport, often with no wait.. Main red flag: Many recent reviews report charges after the rental for damage, cleaning, fuel or unexplained items, sometimes after staff said all was fine at return. Amounts range from about €30 to several hundred euros, and some travellers needed their bank to reverse the charge. Recent web posts about Europcar Spain describe similar unrecorded-damage charges..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Europcar at Alicante Airport?

No. Europcar at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport does not require a credit card; debit cards are accepted. Check the conditions when you book.

How much is the deposit at Europcar at Alicante Airport?

The typical deposit at Europcar at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is €100–€500. The lowest starting deposit at this airport is at Goldcar (€0–€950).

Where is the Europcar desk at Alicante Airport?

The Europcar desk is inside the terminal at Alicante Airport. It shares the counter with Keddy by Europcar.

What are the opening hours of Europcar at Alicante Airport?

Europcar at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is open Mon–Sat 07:30–23:59, Sun 08:00–23:59. Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Alicante Airport

Ranked by Counterwise Score. Compare all 21 desks side by side