Barcelona Airport car hire report

Most common traveller complaints

Number of desks whose published red flags mention each problem. A desk counts once per theme; one red flag can touch several themes.

1. Damage charges after return1717 of 19 · 89%

   Charges for scratches, chips or dents that travellers say were already there or tiny. Desks: Sixt T2, Sixt T1, Enterprise, Centauro, Budget T1, Europcar T2, Budget T2, Europcar T1, Avis T2, OK Mobility, Avis T1, Click&Rent, Goldcar T1, Hertz, Firefly, NIZA Cars, Drivalia.

2. Pressure to buy insurance or extras1717 of 19 · 89%

   Hard selling of the desk’s own cover, upgrades or extras, or cover added without clear consent. Desks: Alquicoche, Autounion, Sixt T2, Sixt T1, Enterprise, Europcar T2, Budget T2, Europcar T1, Avis T2, OK Mobility, Avis T1, Click&Rent, Goldcar T1, Hertz, Firefly, NIZA Cars, Drivalia.

3. Booking not honoured or price changed1717 of 19 · 89%

   Booked car not available, a smaller or different car, a higher price at the desk, or fees not clear at booking. Desks: Alquicoche, Sixt T2, Sixt T1, Enterprise, Budget T1, Europcar T2, Budget T2, Europcar T1, Avis T2, OK Mobility, Avis T1, Click&Rent, Goldcar T1, Hertz, Firefly, NIZA Cars, Drivalia.

4. Car refused over card, licence or flight rules1414 of 19 · 74%

   Pickups refused or made conditional because of card type, licence or permit, or a missing flight ticket or boarding pass. Desks: Autounion, Enterprise, Europcar T2, Budget T2, Europcar T1, Avis T2, OK Mobility, Avis T1, Click&Rent, Goldcar T1, Hertz, Firefly, NIZA Cars, Drivalia.

5. Long queues or waits1313 of 19 · 68%

   Long waits at the desk, for the keys or for the shuttle. Desks: Autounion, Sixt T2, Sixt T1, Centauro, Budget T1, Budget T2, Avis T2, OK Mobility, Avis T1, Click&Rent, Hertz, NIZA Cars, Drivalia.

6. Deposit or refund held back1212 of 19 · 63%

   Deposits, holds or refunds released late, only in part, or not at all. Desks: Enterprise, Centauro, Europcar T2, Budget T2, Europcar T1, Avis T2, OK Mobility, Click&Rent, Goldcar T1, Hertz, Firefly, NIZA Cars.

7. Fuel charges or fuel policy1010 of 19 · 53%

   Refuelling fees despite a full tank, part-empty tanks at pickup, or a different fuel policy at the desk. Desks: Sixt T2, Centauro, Europcar T2, Budget T2, Avis T2, OK Mobility, Goldcar T1, Hertz, Firefly, NIZA Cars.

8. Hard-to-reach customer service1010 of 19 · 53%

   Phone lines, emails or complaints unanswered for weeks after the rental. Desks: Sixt T2, Enterprise, Centauro, Europcar T2, Avis T2, OK Mobility, Click&Rent, Goldcar T1, Hertz, Drivalia.

9. Closed desk or late-arrival problems99 of 19 · 47%

   Desk closed for late arrivals, bookings cancelled after a flight delay, or out-of-hours fees. Desks: Autounion, Enterprise, Budget T2, Europcar T1, OK Mobility, Avis T1, Click&Rent, Hertz, NIZA Cars.

10. Other fees after the rental88 of 19 · 42%

    Cleaning, admin, traffic-fine handling or late-return fees charged after the car was returned. Desks: Autounion, Centauro, Budget T1, Budget T2, Europcar T1, Avis T2, Hertz, Firefly.

11. Desk, shuttle stop or return hard to find44 of 19 · 21%

    Poor signs or directions to the desk, the shuttle pickup point or the car return area. Desks: Autounion, Centauro, Click&Rent, Drivalia.

12. Car condition problems33 of 19 · 16%

    Dirty cars, warning lights, worn tyres or breakdowns. Desks: Sixt T1, Budget T1, Drivalia.

13. Rude or unhelpful staff22 of 19 · 11%

    Curt, dismissive or aggressive staff at the desk, at return or on the shuttle. Desks: Goldcar T1, Firefly.