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Counterwise

No. 12 of 21 at FNC

Avis

at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport)

In terminal
Counterwise Score 4.5 out of 10, rated Poor.Medium consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Avis at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is ranked No. 12 of 21 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 4.5/10 (Poor).
  • The Avis desk is inside the terminal at Madeira Airport.
  • The credit card rule is not confirmed yet; the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
  • Fuel policy: same to same. Opening hours: 08:00–24:00 daily; 24-hour drop-off (key box).
  • Main red flag from travellers: Many recent reviews say roadside assistance, occupant insurance or other add-ons appeared in the contract or in later card charges even though the customer had declined them or never had them explained, often €50-150 and often for bookings made through brokers..

Based on 291 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on about 185 kept text reviews (plus around 95 star-only ratings) after excluding 9 staff-praise reviews, this desk gets mostly positive comments on car quality, upgrades and quick handovers. Recurring complaints concern add-ons and fuel-service fees that travellers say they did not knowingly accept, post-rental charges with slow or no replies, card refusals, and under-powered cars. Web evidence is thin, mostly undated or from affiliate sites, and broadly mixed.

AI-assisted summary of 291 recent Google reviews and web reports, reviewed by our editor on 14 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)

Poor2.5/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 55 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 35 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor4.5/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 30 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 25 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Mixed6.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 55 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 3.8 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 5.9 · counts 30%
  • 9 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 (169 after weighting by age).

Medium consensusOur independent signals mostly agree, with some differences.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

  • Many recent reviews say roadside assistance, occupant insurance or other add-ons appeared in the contract or in later card charges even though the customer had declined them or never had them explained, often €50-150 and often for bookings made through brokers.
  • Several reviewers say they were told at the counter that they need not refill the tank, then were charged a flat fuel-service fee of roughly €70-100 or more even when the tank was nearly full.
  • Repeated reports of cards being refused at pickup (notably cards from digital banks, and pickups made before the booked time), leaving travellers without a car despite prepaying or paying the deposit; one recent forum post also describes a blocked card at this desk.reddit.com
  • Around ten recent reviews describe disputed post-return charges for cleaning, scratches the customer says were pre-existing, late-return fees or missing items, often combined with no reply to emails or phone calls.
  • About a dozen reviews report cars with serious mechanical problems, including weak engines or clutches that struggle on Madeira's hills, vibrating brakes, a cracked tyre and low oil.

Green flags (4)

  • A dozen recent reviews report free or inexpensive upgrades, often to an automatic or larger car, which many travellers found useful on Madeira's steep roads.
  • Many reviewers describe new or almost new, clean cars and quick, straightforward handovers and returns, including out-of-hours key-box returns.
  • The desk is in the Arrivals Hall, so no shuttle is needed, and some reviewers report pickups of 5-30 minutes.avis.com
  • Some travellers, mainly those booking direct or via ADAC, report clear explanations, no pressure to buy extras, and accurate final billing or a deposit released quickly.

Practical facts

LocationDesk inside the terminalsource
Opening hours08:00–24:00 daily; 24-hour drop-off (key box)source
Credit card requiredNot confirmed yet
Typical depositNot confirmed yet
Fuel policySame to samesource
Shares the desk withBudget

“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 291 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

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Avis at other airports and stations

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Avis at Madeira Airport: questions and answers

Is Avis at Madeira Airport any good?

Avis at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) has a Counterwise Score of 4.5/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 12 of 21 desks at the airport. Main green flag: A dozen recent reviews report free or inexpensive upgrades, often to an automatic or larger car, which many travellers found useful on Madeira's steep roads.. Main red flag: Many recent reviews say roadside assistance, occupant insurance or other add-ons appeared in the contract or in later card charges even though the customer had declined them or never had them explained, often €50-150 and often for bookings made through brokers..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Avis at Madeira Airport?

Not confirmed yet. We have not yet confirmed whether Avis at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) accepts debit cards for the deposit. Check the rental terms when you book.

How much is the deposit at Avis at Madeira Airport?

The deposit amount at Avis at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at RentX (from €0).

Where is the Avis desk at Madeira Airport?

The Avis desk is inside the terminal at Madeira Airport. It shares the counter with Budget.

What are the opening hours of Avis at Madeira Airport?

Avis at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is open 08:00–24:00 daily; 24-hour drop-off (key box). Fuel policy: same to same.

Other desks at Madeira Airport

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