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Counterwise

No. 31 of 37 at CTA

RentSmart24

at Catania-Fontanarossa "Vincenzo Bellini" Airport

Walk 10 min
Counterwise Score 2.9 out of 10, rated Poor.High consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • RentSmart24 at Catania-Fontanarossa "Vincenzo Bellini" Airport is ranked No. 31 of 37 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 2.9/10 (Poor).
  • The RentSmart24 desk is in a nearby car park or building, about 10 minutes on foot from the terminal at Catania Airport.
  • 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: 24 hours daily (EUR 75 night surcharge for pick-ups after 23:01).
  • Main red flag from travellers: Many reviews, about 28 in the last 12 months, report charges of roughly 120-500 euros for small scratches, hubcap marks or roof/underbody marks that travellers say were already on the car or not visible; several say the damage report was incomplete and only their own photos or video protected them..

Based on 245 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on about 245 Google reviews from the last 18 months (55 excluded as staff-praise, duplicates or other branches), opinion of this desk is sharply polarised. Many travellers praise fast service, new cars and a 24-hour desk, while a large share report disputed damage charges, card refusals followed by costly extras, and bookings cancelled after short flight delays. Web sources are mostly undated or from other branches, so they add little beyond the reviews; travellers should photograph the whole car, check card rules and bring their arrival details.

AI-assisted summary of 245 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)

Poor2.0/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 90 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Poor2.5/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 55 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor1.5/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 75 reports · high confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Mixed6.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 32 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Poor5.0/10

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

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 3.0 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 2.0 · counts 30%
  • 55 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, other locations, duplicates). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 10% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (143 after weighting by age).

High consensusOur independent signals (AI review analysis, web reports and star ratings) point the same way.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

  • Many reviews, about 28 in the last 12 months, report charges of roughly 120-500 euros for small scratches, hubcap marks or roof/underbody marks that travellers say were already on the car or not visible; several say the damage report was incomplete and only their own photos or video protected them.trustpilot.com
  • Frequent reports that the desk refused cards (online or digital banks, soon-to-expire cards, name mismatches) and then offered the rental only with extra paid cover, a changed main driver or a much higher price, in some cases leaving travellers without a car at night; the supplier's own page requires a credit card.rentsmart24.comdiscovercars.com
  • Bookings are reportedly cancelled when the customer arrives more than about 60 minutes late, even after flight delays or after notifying the desk; the customer is then offered the car at a much higher price with no refund of the original payment.
  • Many reviewers describe strong pressure at the desk to buy the desk's own insurance, including statements that broker or third-party cover is invalid or that any scratch will be charged, and some say the car was not handed over until they paid.
  • A recurring group of reports describes slow or missing deposit and booking refunds, and unexplained card charges (fees, fines or damage) appearing days or months after return; several travellers say follow-up emails got only template replies, though a few recent refunds arrived within days.

Green flags (4)

  • Many recent reviews describe quick pickup and return, often within minutes and with no queue, and friendly staff who speak English.
  • Several recent reviewers received new or nearly new, clean cars (often an upgrade on the booked category) with low mileage.
  • Travellers who bought the desk's full cover, usually by booking directly, often report a smooth return with the deposit released within hours or days.
  • The desk operates round the clock, which several travellers with late or delayed flights found useful for late-night pickup and early-morning drop-off.rentsmart24.com

Practical facts

LocationNearby car park or building, about 10 min on foot from the terminalsource
Opening hours24 hours daily (EUR 75 night surcharge for pick-ups after 23:01)source
Credit card requiredYes, in the main driver’s namesource
Typical depositNot confirmed yet
Fuel policySame to samesource
Shares the desk withNo 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 245 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

Before you go

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RentSmart24 at other airports and stations

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

RentSmart24 at Catania Airport: questions and answers

Is RentSmart24 at Catania Airport any good?

RentSmart24 at Catania-Fontanarossa "Vincenzo Bellini" Airport has a Counterwise Score of 2.9/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 31 of 37 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Many recent reviews describe quick pickup and return, often within minutes and with no queue, and friendly staff who speak English.. Main red flag: Many reviews, about 28 in the last 12 months, report charges of roughly 120-500 euros for small scratches, hubcap marks or roof/underbody marks that travellers say were already on the car or not visible; several say the damage report was incomplete and only their own photos or video protected them..

Do I need a credit card to rent from RentSmart24 at Catania Airport?

Yes. RentSmart24 at Catania-Fontanarossa "Vincenzo Bellini" Airport requires a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

How much is the deposit at RentSmart24 at Catania Airport?

The deposit amount at RentSmart24 at Catania-Fontanarossa "Vincenzo Bellini" Airport is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at B-Rent (from €90).

Where is the RentSmart24 desk at Catania Airport?

The RentSmart24 desk is in a nearby car park or building, about 10 minutes on foot from the terminal at Catania Airport.

What are the opening hours of RentSmart24 at Catania Airport?

RentSmart24 at Catania-Fontanarossa "Vincenzo Bellini" Airport is open 24 hours daily (EUR 75 night surcharge for pick-ups after 23:01). Fuel policy: same to same.

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