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Counterwise

No. 3 of 30 at HER

Avance

at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis"

Short walkNo credit card needed
Counterwise Score 8.4 out of 10, rated Great.Medium consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Avance at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" is ranked No. 3 of 30 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 8.4/10 (Great).
  • The Avance desk is in a nearby car park or building, a short walk from the terminal at Heraklion Airport (walking time not confirmed yet).
  • No credit card is required (debit cards accepted); the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
  • Fuel policy: same to same. Opening hours: 08:00–22:00 daily.
  • Main red flag from travellers: Several recent reviews (Jun-Oct 2026) report charges of roughly €180-300 for scratches or bumper damage that customers say were already on the car or not documented at handover; some customers say the car's existing damage was only partly recorded..

Based on 296 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on 246 recent Google reviews with text (after excluding 4, plus about 50 star-only ratings handled separately), this desk is very strongly reviewed for fast handovers, friendly staff, little upselling and clean, newish cars. The main recurring complaint, in roughly 9 reviews since June 2026, is disputed charges of about €180-300 for scratches or bumper damage, so photographing the car carefully at pick-up is advisable. Web evidence about this specific desk is thin and mostly undated.

AI-assisted summary of 296 recent Google reviews and web reports, reviewed by our editor on 13 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)

Mixed6.5/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 34 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Great9.0/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 15 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Great8.5/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 28 reports · medium confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Great9.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 45 reports · high confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Great8.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 90 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 8.0 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 10.0 · counts 30%
  • 4 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, other locations). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 8% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (172 after weighting by age).

Medium consensusOur independent signals mostly agree, with some differences.

What travellers flag

Red flags (3)

  • Several recent reviews (Jun-Oct 2026) report charges of roughly €180-300 for scratches or bumper damage that customers say were already on the car or not documented at handover; some customers say the car's existing damage was only partly recorded.
  • A handful of recent reviews report vehicle problems: engine or service warnings, rough running, worn tyres, an older high-mileage car, or a poorly kept van.
  • Some travellers received a different car model than the one shown on the booking page, and one reported an older, higher-mileage version than advertised.

Green flags (5)

  • Pick-up and return are widely described as quick (often 5-10 minutes) with little or no queue, even in peak season.
  • Many reviewers say staff did not push extra insurance or upgrades.
  • Deposits are often reported as released within days to two weeks, or not taken at all. Several reviewers also say debit cards were accepted, and the desk's own FAQ says debit cards can be used for the deposit.avance.gr
  • Cars are most often described as new or nearly new, clean and low-mileage.
  • The desk is just across the road from the arrivals exit, a short walk with no shuttle.qeeq.com

Practical facts

LocationNearby car park or building, a short walk from the terminal (minutes not confirmed yet)source
Opening hours08:00–22:00 dailysource
Credit card requiredNo, debit cards accepted (check conditions)source
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 296 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

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Avance at Heraklion Airport: questions and answers

Is Avance at Heraklion Airport any good?

Avance at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" has a Counterwise Score of 8.4/10 (Great) and is ranked No. 3 of 30 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Pick-up and return are widely described as quick (often 5-10 minutes) with little or no queue, even in peak season.. Main red flag: Several recent reviews (Jun-Oct 2026) report charges of roughly €180-300 for scratches or bumper damage that customers say were already on the car or not documented at handover; some customers say the car's existing damage was only partly recorded..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Avance at Heraklion Airport?

No. Avance at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" does not require a credit card; debit cards are accepted. Check the conditions when you book.

How much is the deposit at Avance at Heraklion Airport?

The deposit amount at Avance at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at Rental Center Crete (€0).

Where is the Avance desk at Heraklion Airport?

The Avance desk is in a nearby car park or building, a short walk from the terminal at Heraklion Airport (walking time not confirmed yet).

What are the opening hours of Avance at Heraklion Airport?

Avance at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" is open 08:00–22:00 daily. Fuel policy: same to same.

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