No. 5 of 21 at FNC

Hertz

Name: Hertz at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport): Counterwise rating
Item: Hertz (Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport))
Rating: 5.9
Author: Counterwise

at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport)

In terminal

Medium consensus Check prices ↓

At a glance

Hertz at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is ranked No. 5 of 21 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 5.9/10 (Poor).
The Hertz desk is inside the terminal at Madeira Airport.
A credit card in the main driver's name is required; the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
Fuel policy: full to full. Opening hours: 07:00–23:59 daily.
Main red flag from travellers: Multiple recent reviews report charges after return for damage or fuel that travellers dispute (scratches, wheel rim, full tank billed after a refill, unreturned deposit), with little response to evidence sent. Trustpilot snippets mention similar complaints..

Based on 147 reviews analysed · Last updated 13 November 2026 · How scores work

The short version

Based on about 105 usable Google reviews after excluding 146 mostly staff-name praise reviews, the Hertz desk at Madeira Airport is praised for friendly, fast counter service and often good or upgraded cars. However, a recurring minority of recent reports describe disputed damage or fuel charges, refused rentals over card and booking rules, brake or mechanical faults, and occasional long queues. Web evidence is mostly undated or general, so travellers should photograph the car thoroughly and check card and deposit rules before booking.

AI-assisted summary of 147 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)

Poor4.0/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 15 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Mixed6.5/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 8 reports · medium confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor5.0/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 18 reports · medium confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Mixed7.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 20 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Mixed6.5/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 22 reports · medium confidence.

How this score was built

AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 5.5 · counts 70%
Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 7.3 · counts 30%
153 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise). How we clean reviews
Pulled 14% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (93 after weighting by age).

Medium consensusOur independent signals mostly agree, with some differences.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

Multiple recent reviews report charges after return for damage or fuel that travellers dispute (scratches, wheel rim, full tank billed after a refill, unreturned deposit), with little response to evidence sent. Trustpilot snippets mention similar complaints.trustpilot.com trustpilot.com uk.trustpilot.com
Several reviews say the contract is signed at the counter before the car is seen, and cars are returned by self-service or key drop without an agent signing off, which makes later damage disputes harder to contest.
Several reviews report being refused a car or blocked at the desk over card rules (name on card, PIN, deposit), age limits, two cars on one booking, or a desk closed for a delayed arrival, sometimes without refund.
Several recent reviews report brake, gearbox, tyre or servicing faults on rental cars, sometimes requiring long trips back to swap the vehicle. Some were swapped quickly, but the pattern matters on Madeira's steep roads.
Some reviews report long waits at a single busy counter (up to about 45 minutes even after online check-in, a very long line in April), mostly in busy periods.

Green flags (5)

Counter staff are described as friendly, patient and clear in explaining the contract and car in a large majority of the usable reviews, often in several languages.mindtrip.ai
Many reviewers report quick pickups and returns, including some with no line at all.
Free or low-cost upgrades to a larger or automatic car are reported by several travellers, and some cars are described as new or very clean.
Several travellers say the desk quickly swapped a faulty car, fixed a booking-name mismatch, or helped after a cancelled flight.
Two reviews report the deposit released within about a day after return.

Practical facts

Location	Desk inside the terminalsource
Opening hours	07:00–23:59 dailysource
Credit card required	Yes, in the main driver’s namesource
Typical deposit	Not confirmed yet
Fuel policy	Full to fullsource
Shares the desk with	Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly

“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 147 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).
Check the closing time (07:00–23:59 daily). If your flight lands late, call the desk: some wait, others close on time.

Hertz at other airports and stations

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

Hertz at Madeira Airport: questions and answers

Is Hertz at Madeira Airport any good?

Hertz at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) has a Counterwise Score of 5.9/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 5 of 21 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Counter staff are described as friendly, patient and clear in explaining the contract and car in a large majority of the usable reviews, often in several languages.. Main red flag: Multiple recent reviews report charges after return for damage or fuel that travellers dispute (scratches, wheel rim, full tank billed after a refill, unreturned deposit), with little response to evidence sent. Trustpilot snippets mention similar complaints..

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

Yes. Hertz at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) requires a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

How much is the deposit at Hertz at Madeira Airport?

The deposit amount at Hertz 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 Hertz desk at Madeira Airport?

The Hertz desk is inside the terminal at Madeira Airport. It shares the counter with Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly.

What are the opening hours of Hertz at Madeira Airport?

Hertz at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is open 07:00–23:59 daily. Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Madeira Airport

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