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Counterwise

No. 12 of 17 at MLA

Surprice

at Malta International Airport

Walk 3 min
Counterwise Score 4.1 out of 10, rated Poor.High consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Surprice at Malta International Airport is ranked No. 12 of 17 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 4.1/10 (Poor).
  • The Surprice desk is in a nearby car park or building, about 3 minutes on foot from the terminal at Malta 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: Daily 08:00–20:00.
  • Main red flag from travellers: Many recent reviews say the desk made its own insurance effectively compulsory, typically after refusing a card (debit, Amex or non-embossed) or declining pre-bought third-party cover, adding roughly 75 to 650 euros or 25 to 30 euros per day..

Based on 256 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on about 257 usable Google reviews after excluding 43 (staff-praise or duplicate), of which roughly 215 contain usable text, this desk is sharply split. Many recent reviewers praise quick, friendly service and clean cars, but a consistent group of recent complaints describe compulsory desk insurance when cards or third-party cover are refused, deposits held for weeks, disputed fuel or damage charges, and several breakdowns in summer 2026. Web evidence is mostly undated aggregator pages and forum threads and also leans negative, so it adds little certainty.

AI-assisted summary of 256 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)

Poor3.5/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 75 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 65 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor3.0/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 40 reports · high confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Poor5.5/10

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 45 reports · medium confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 3.9 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 4.1 · counts 30%
  • 44 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, duplicates). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 11% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (127 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 recent reviews say the desk made its own insurance effectively compulsory, typically after refusing a card (debit, Amex or non-embossed) or declining pre-bought third-party cover, adding roughly 75 to 650 euros or 25 to 30 euros per day.
  • Bookings made through airline apps and comparison sites were often not honoured on the original terms at the counter: unclear card requirements, extra deposits, refused bookings, or a different or smaller car than reserved. Some travellers walked away and lost what they had paid.
  • Deposits and advance payments reportedly held for several weeks to two months, with customer-service emails said to go unanswered, in about 10 recent reviews.
  • Several recent reviews dispute post-rental charges: fuel top-up fees of about 60 euros despite a full tank or a broken gauge or cap, scratch or licence-plate charges, and roadside or towing fees of 100 to 250 euros.
  • A cluster of recent reviews (summer 2026) report breakdowns or warning lights, flat or worn tyres, and slow or absent roadside assistance, with the customer then billed for the call-out.

Green flags (5)

  • Dozens of recent reviews describe quick, friendly pickup and return with clear explanations at the desk and car park.
  • Many reviewers describe clean, recent cars (often a small Citroën or similar), several calling them almost new.
  • Customers who arrived with a physical credit card in the main driver's name and their own cover report no pressure to buy extras and no surprises.
  • Some recent reviewers say pre-existing damage was noted on the check-in form and no charge followed on return.
  • A few recent reviews report the deposit released within a day to about ten days.

Practical facts

LocationNearby car park or building, about 3 min on foot from the terminalsource
Opening hoursDaily 08:00–20:00source
Credit card requiredYes, in the main driver’s namesource
Typical depositNot confirmed yet
Fuel policyFull to fullsource
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 256 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

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Surprice at other airports and stations

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

Surprice at Malta Airport: questions and answers

Is Surprice at Malta Airport any good?

Surprice at Malta International Airport has a Counterwise Score of 4.1/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 12 of 17 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Dozens of recent reviews describe quick, friendly pickup and return with clear explanations at the desk and car park.. Main red flag: Many recent reviews say the desk made its own insurance effectively compulsory, typically after refusing a card (debit, Amex or non-embossed) or declining pre-bought third-party cover, adding roughly 75 to 650 euros or 25 to 30 euros per day..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Surprice at Malta Airport?

Yes. Surprice at Malta International Airport requires a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

How much is the deposit at Surprice at Malta Airport?

The deposit amount at Surprice at Malta International Airport is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at JS Car Hire (from €150).

Where is the Surprice desk at Malta Airport?

The Surprice desk is in a nearby car park or building, about 3 minutes on foot from the terminal at Malta Airport.

What are the opening hours of Surprice at Malta Airport?

Surprice at Malta International Airport is open Daily 08:00–20:00. Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Malta Airport

Ranked by Counterwise Score. Compare all 17 desks side by side