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Thrifty

Name: Thrifty at Valencia Airport: Counterwise rating
Item: Thrifty (Valencia Airport)
Rating: 2.3
Author: Counterwise

at Valencia Airport

Short walk

Medium consensus Check prices ↓

At a glance

Thrifty at Valencia Airport is ranked No. 17 of 17 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 2.3/10 (Poor).
The Thrifty desk is in a nearby car park or building, a short walk from the terminal at Valencia Airport (walking time not confirmed yet).
The credit card rule is not confirmed yet; the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
Fuel policy: full to full. Opening hours: 08:00–22:59 daily.
Main red flag from travellers: Dozens of recent reviews say extra insurance, upgrades or 'My Choice'-type items were added to the rental agreement at the desk. This includes travellers who had prepaid full cover through a broker and say they declined extras. Recent Trustpilot posts describe the same pattern at this airport..

Based on 292 reviews analysed · Last updated 12 November 2026 · How scores work

The short version

Based on about 293 Google reviews of this desk after excluding 8 (roughly 255 with useful detail), the large majority are negative. They most often report extra insurance or upgrade charges added at the counter, unexplained card debits and partial deposit refunds after return, and the booked car category being unavailable. Positive reviews describe new, clean cars and smooth service, and queues of one to two-plus hours are reported at times. Web evidence is thin, mostly undated, with recent Trustpilot posts pointing the same way.

AI-assisted summary of 292 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)

Poor1.5/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 120 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor2.0/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 70 reports · high confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Poor4.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 35 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Mixed6.5/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 30 reports · medium confidence.

How this score was built

AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 2.9 · counts 70%
Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 0.0 · counts 30%
8 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, other locations, other reasons). How we clean reviews
Pulled 11% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (125 after weighting by age).

Medium consensusOur independent signals mostly agree, with some differences.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

Dozens of recent reviews say extra insurance, upgrades or 'My Choice'-type items were added to the rental agreement at the desk. This includes travellers who had prepaid full cover through a broker and say they declined extras. Recent Trustpilot posts describe the same pattern at this airport.trustpilot.com uk.trustpilot.com
Many reviews report card debits after the car was returned (fuel service fees, insurance, unexplained amounts) and only part of the deposit being refunded, sometimes despite a full tank. Customers often say they got no itemised explanation.uk.trustpilot.com
Recent reviews report the booked car category being unavailable with a paid upgrade as the only option, bookings voided or repriced after flight delays, and refusals or extra cover demanded over credit/debit card rules.
Several recent reviews report damage charges for small marks, including under the car or after an unattended key-box return. Some say the condition report at pickup was incomplete.
Queues of an hour or more at the desk are reported in about 10 reviews from the last 12 months, with only a few agents on duty at busy times.

Green flags (4)

Cars are frequently described as new, clean and low-mileage, with several reports of free or cheap upgrades.
Some travellers report no pressure at the desk, with extras declined without trouble or the options clearly explained.
A number of reviews report the deposit released within days, including after returning the car outside opening hours via the key box, usually when a fuel receipt was shown.
Some recent customers report quick pickup (about 10 minutes) and little waiting.

Practical facts

Location	Nearby car park or building, a short walk from the terminal (minutes not confirmed yet)source
Opening hours	08:00–22:59 dailysource
Credit card required	Not confirmed yet
Typical deposit	Not confirmed yet
Fuel policy	Full to fullsource
Shares the desk with	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 292 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.
Check before you travel whether this desk accepts debit cards for the deposit (not confirmed yet).
Allow walking time from the terminal, longer with luggage.
Check the closing time (08:00–22:59 daily). If your flight lands late, call the desk: some wait, others close on time.

Thrifty at other airports and stations

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

Tenerife South Airport2.9 · Poor

Thrifty at Valencia Airport: questions and answers

Is Thrifty at Valencia Airport any good?

Thrifty at Valencia Airport has a Counterwise Score of 2.3/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 17 of 17 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Cars are frequently described as new, clean and low-mileage, with several reports of free or cheap upgrades.. Main red flag: Dozens of recent reviews say extra insurance, upgrades or 'My Choice'-type items were added to the rental agreement at the desk. This includes travellers who had prepaid full cover through a broker and say they declined extras. Recent Trustpilot posts describe the same pattern at this airport..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Thrifty at Valencia Airport?

Not confirmed yet. We have not yet confirmed whether Thrifty at Valencia Airport accepts debit cards for the deposit. Check the rental terms when you book.

How much is the deposit at Thrifty at Valencia Airport?

The deposit amount at Thrifty at Valencia Airport is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at Wiber (from €0).

Where is the Thrifty desk at Valencia Airport?

The Thrifty desk is in a nearby car park or building, a short walk from the terminal at Valencia Airport (walking time not confirmed yet). It shares the counter with Firefly.

What are the opening hours of Thrifty at Valencia Airport?

Thrifty at Valencia Airport is open 08:00–22:59 daily. Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Valencia Airport

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