No. 2 of 19 at BCN

Autounion

Name: Autounion at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport: Counterwise rating
Item: Autounion (Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport)
Rating: 7.3
Author: Counterwise

at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport

Shuttle

Low consensus Check prices ↓

At a glance

Autounion at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is ranked No. 2 of 19 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 7.3/10 (Mixed).
The Autounion desk is off-site, reached by shuttle from Barcelona Airport (ride time not confirmed yet).
A credit card in the main driver's name is required; the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
Fuel policy: same to same. Opening hours: 08:00–20:00 daily.
Main red flag from travellers: Many recent reviews (about 14 in the last 3 months) report waits of 30 minutes to 2 hours for the shuttle from the airport, sometimes plus a long wait at the desk. Several say the meeting point was unclear or phone contact was needed to be collected..

Based on 267 reviews analysed · Last updated 12 November 2026 · How scores work

The short version

Based on 248 useful recent Google reviews after excluding 25 that only praise a named staff member, this off-site shuttle desk is rated highly for new, clean cars, upgrades and quick deposit refunds. Recurring problems are long shuttle and desk waits (30 minutes to 2 hours in about 14 recent reviews) and a minority of reports of compulsory extra cover or unexpected fees at the counter. Web evidence is thin and mostly undated, so it adds little to the picture.

AI-assisted summary of 267 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)

Mixed7.5/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 20 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Poor5.5/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 19 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Mixed6.5/10

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

Queue time(15% of score)

Poor5.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 40 reports · high confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Great9.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 60 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 6.8 · counts 70%
Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 9.4 · counts 30%
33 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 (181 after weighting by age).

Low consensusOur independent signals disagree: read the red and green flags before relying on the score.

What travellers flag

Red flags (4)

Many recent reviews (about 14 in the last 3 months) report waits of 30 minutes to 2 hours for the shuttle from the airport, sometimes plus a long wait at the desk. Several say the meeting point was unclear or phone contact was needed to be collected.
Several recent reviews report being told extra cover was compulsory, or the price rising at the desk, even with cover already bought elsewhere. These cases often involve a debit card or a card not in the driver's name. A traveller forum post about the brand (Oct 2025) describes similar surprises, though it is not specific to this desk.fodors.com specialfares.com
Several reviews describe extra charges that were not clear beforehand: a cleaning fee for an unwashed car, a daily cross-border fee, an out-of-hours fee, an administrative fee for a parking fine, and an extra rental day for a late return.
The station is off-site and many reviewers found it hard to find or poorly signposted, including the access ramp and first-floor reception, and those arriving by public transport.

Green flags (4)

Cars are widely described as new or nearly new and clean, and free or low-cost upgrades are frequently mentioned.
Deposits are often released within minutes or the same day after return, according to recent reviewers.
Handover and return at the station are frequently described as quick and clearly explained. Staff speak several languages, and the car is inspected with the customer present.
Several reviewers who already had their own insurance say they were not pressured into extra cover at the desk.

Practical facts

Location	Off-site, by shuttle (ride time not confirmed yet)source
Opening hours	08:00–20:00 dailysource
Credit card required	Yes, in the main driver’s namesource
Typical deposit	Not confirmed yet
Fuel policy	Same to samesource
Shares the desk with	No other brands

“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 267 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.
Bring a credit card in the main driver’s name with enough available credit for the deposit (amount not confirmed yet).
Allow extra time for the shuttle ride and the wait (ride time not confirmed yet).
Check the closing time (08:00–20:00 daily). If your flight lands late, call the desk: some wait, others close on time.
Same-to-same fuel: photograph the gauge at pickup and at return.

Autounion at other airports and stations

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

Autounion at Barcelona Airport: questions and answers

Is Autounion at Barcelona Airport any good?

Autounion at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport has a Counterwise Score of 7.3/10 (Mixed) and is ranked No. 2 of 19 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Cars are widely described as new or nearly new and clean, and free or low-cost upgrades are frequently mentioned.. Main red flag: Many recent reviews (about 14 in the last 3 months) report waits of 30 minutes to 2 hours for the shuttle from the airport, sometimes plus a long wait at the desk. Several say the meeting point was unclear or phone contact was needed to be collected..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Autounion at Barcelona Airport?

Yes. Autounion at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport requires a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

How much is the deposit at Autounion at Barcelona Airport?

The deposit amount at Autounion at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at Goldcar T1 (€0–€950).

Where is the Autounion desk at Barcelona Airport?

The Autounion desk is off-site, reached by shuttle from Barcelona Airport (ride time not confirmed yet).

What are the opening hours of Autounion at Barcelona Airport?

Autounion at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is open 08:00–20:00 daily. Fuel policy: same to same.

Other desks at Barcelona Airport

Ranked by Counterwise Score. Compare all 19 desks side by side