Europcar - Madrid Airport Adolfo Suarez T1 Information, Car Rental Instructions & Policies

El coche estaba en muy mal estado. Lleno de arañazos, óxidos, agujeros en la tapicería...

No me gusto la atención del mostrador y la entrega del vehículo. Tuve que buscar ayuda constantemente y las llaves nunca las habían mandado para retirar el auto Todo el tiempo quisieron venderme la Póliza por seguro total y me dijeron que cualquier problema yo tenía que pagar y después reclamar a Uds. eso no me gusto nada.

Right outside Terminal 1 of Madrid Airport, very convenient.

It is a well-organized and large-scale car rental company. I had a minor accident during the trip, and the company helped me handle it promptly and replaced the vehicle. I am quite satisfied.

The first day we got the car and drove to Toledo, it broke down just before we arrived. We called the emergency support line, and the person who checked it said it was an oil problem and the car had to be towed, otherwise we would be responsible for any consequences. But the support center said I had to go back to Madrid to get a replacement car myself after it was towed. After much negotiation, they sent a car to take us back to Madrid the next day. When we got to the agreed pick-up point, they said they didn't have the car model that was confirmed. They wanted me to go to another pick-up point, which I firmly refused. Seeing my insistence, they eventually sent someone to bring the car over. This whole process wasted over half my day. The replacement car was not even full of gas. We had to drive back to Granada from Madrid, and by the time we got there, it was night, and we missed the Alhambra tickets I booked, costing me over 900 yuan. This booking was made through Zuzuche, and I asked Zuzuche to help coordinate if the tickets could be rescheduled, but nothing came of it. When I returned the car, the rental company charged me 16 euros for the fuel of the first car. Why? The replacement car was not full of fuel when given to me, and I had to start again from Madrid. I demand an explanation and compensation from the rental company for my losses. This is extremely frustrating. At a minimum, I need compensation for the ticket loss and a refund for the fuel charge. I hope Zuzuche can help mediate this matter, and I await the result.

Both pickup and drop-off were very easy, the staff were very friendly.

The service attitude was generally satisfactory, but the work efficiency needs improvement. The condition of the provided vehicle was too poor; it broke down twice on the road, requiring two replacements, which delayed our trip by two days. Additionally, the front bumper fell off once. An unjustified deduction of 400 euros was made due to the vehicle's own issues, without any explanation or receipt, and it's unclear if further charges will be applied.

No fuss, good attitude

I have previously rented cars from Sixt, Budget, Hertz, etc., and had great experiences. However, renting from Europcar this October was frustrating. In February, I rented cars from Europcar at Madrid Airport in Spain and Tangier Airport in Morocco through a rental company, bought full insurance, and paid in full. On October 4th, when I picked up the car at Madrid Airport, the Europcar employee did not recognize the rental company or the full insurance. She insisted that I either: 1. Buy additional insurance, or I would be responsible for any damages. I refused adamantly. 2. Pay a deposit of 331 euros, otherwise I couldn't pick up the car. Reluctantly, I paid 331 euros with my credit card. (I had a similar experience at Tangier Airport in Morocco.) When I returned the car in Algeciras, Spain, the return location provided by Europcar did not even exist! After much trouble finding the correct return location, I missed the free shuttle bus provided by the ferry company (I had already purchased the ferry tickets) to Tarifa. I had to pay 33 euros for a taxi to rush to the dock before the ferry departed! Would I dare to rent from Europcar again?!

Very good experience

Not complicated, the staff have a good attitude

The staff's English wasn't very fluent, but their attitude was nice.

The staff has a great attitude.

They forced us to buy insurance and kept insisting we upgrade to a better car. They just gave us a contract and made us sign.

Insurance is too expensive

They offered me an upgrade which I declined, but still got an upgraded car as the original was unavailable.

Very satisfied, the process was very fast.

Many people picking up cars at night with only two counters, but the staff was very friendly and patient in their explanations.

Extremely dissatisfied with this deceitful and fraudulent car rental company. The car I was given had no logo (they intentionally gave us a problematic car that was hard to notice, probably to make us pay extra at return and buy their insurance. We already had full insurance and didn't agree). From where the logo was supposed to be, it was clear it had been missing for a long time. We didn't notice or document it until after we left. When returning the car, we provided photo evidence and timestamps, but they refused to acknowledge it and demanded compensation. Any damage to the car should have been recorded, but they still denied it. It seems like a common tactic to extort money. If renters notice the issues, they note it; if not, they get scammed. Another renter, also Chinese, faced a similar problem and was arguing with the company because they were charged for undetectable hardware issues. This is the first time I've encountered such blatant fraud from a car rental company. Never ever rent from this company at Madrid Airport. Many other options are available, avoid this one at all costs!

The lady on duty was very stubborn. We arrived two hours early and wanted to pick up the car early and return it early, but she refused, saying the price would be different if we picked it up early. Who is she trying to fool? We had to wait until her shift ended. Then a young lady helped us pick up the car early, and we also returned it early. It felt like the first person was either unfamiliar with the job or discriminating against Chinese people. I strongly complain about someone called Sevilla.

When picking up the car, the sales repeatedly recommended insurance. Upon returning the car, the staff were extremely picky, trying hard to find tiny 'scratches' that were almost invisible. They assessed 360 euros in damage. I explained that it was already late at night when picking up the car and such small marks were not visible. Moreover, the staff was very busy and told us to just drive away. The return staff said: 'You used the car, and the pick-up record shows no damage, so you are responsible.' I refused to pay. Although they did not charge on the spot, they did not clearly explain whether the fee would be deducted from the credit card authorization. The whole service experience was filled with discrimination against Chinese tourists. We often reside in Europe and usually rent cars directly from local companies, where the process is hassle-free. This experience has tainted our otherwise perfect trip. Unless you have language difficulties, I do not recommend using this rental platform.

They use a number ticket system for queuing to pick up the car. There were quite a few people, but since we could sit and wait, the overall pickup process was smooth.

The queue was a bit long. Rental and return services were together, which was a bit chaotic.

When picking up the car, the counter staff kept pushing me to upgrade the rental model, but I refused. Then they continuously recommended insurance, and when I finally confirmed the order and made the payment, the bill was charged in USD (we picked up the car in Madrid, Spain). This was the only time we were charged in USD within Spain.

I've rented cars in over 20 countries and at least a dozen times, but I was still scammed by Europcar at Madrid T1 Airport. To be more organized, let me list the traps set by this company step by step: 1. During the car pickup, the counter staff tried to upsell a different car model, claiming my current car was petrol and the upgraded models were diesel, and the fuel savings would cover the upgrade cost. I've rented diesel cars in Europe before, and they are indeed more fuel-efficient, but the upgrade cost was almost double the original rental fee, making the fuel savings negligible, so I declined. As the car models don't specify fuel types, this seems like a loophole they exploit. Later, I found out their quotes didn't include the 21% VAT. 2. After confirming no upgrades, the counter staff printed a Spanish pickup confirmation, despite our entire conversation being in English. (The return confirmation was in English, proving the system can change languages.) The payment section of the Europcar confirmation was very confusing, showing amounts in both euros and dollars. I saw the €119.46 and €419.46 (including deposit) amounts from my reservation and assumed it was correct, so I handed over my card. However, the transaction didn't go through a POS machine, and later my bank notified me of a $487.83 charge, at an exchange rate higher than the day's rate. Clearly, the counter did a Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) without my consent. I've disputed this with my bank. 3. After getting the keys, I took photos of the car using an app to document pre-existing damages. The car had visible dust from sitting for a long time, making it hard to photograph. Besides the two noted damages, there were additional scratches. 4. Inside the car, the fuel gauge was at 15/16, but the confirmation showed a full tank. I let it go, but later realized that driving from full to 15/16 tank could cover 150 km on the highway. Either the previous renter returned it not fully fueled and Europcar didn’t refuel, or they siphoned gas from the full tank. Given the car (BMW X1, 7673KVS) seems geared for scamming and considering the company's ethics, the latter is possible. 5. After the journey and navigating tough roads in Spain and Portugal, thanks to the 360-degree radar, I returned the car to Madrid T1. Knowing self-return often causes disputes, I called over an employee. The difference between self-return and assisted return is merely getting scammed behind or in front of you. The inspector ignored the pre-documented damages and pointed out two new ones – a small cut on the right front tire and a tiny dent on the lower left windshield. Both were in my photos. These damages, especially the windshield dent, are hard to spot at pickup, making disputing them nearly impossible. 6. At the counter with the damage report, the staff swiftly announced the charges: €116.43 for damages and a mysterious €50.75 'damage management fee'. Having third-party insurance and in a rush for my flight, I took the receipt and left. Back home, I noticed these charges had an additional 21% tax. In conclusion, a few recommendations that might apply beyond just Europcar: 1. Avoid renting from Europcar; their scamming tactics are systematic and company-wide, not just isolated to a single branch. 2. If you must rent from Europcar, never sign any documents with unclear details. 3. Allocate at least 30 minutes for document verification and an hour for thorough car inspection and photography during pickup. 4. Be extra cautious with the BMW X1, license plate 7673KVS, at Madrid T1 Airport Europcar as they might not honestly document its damages.

Having visited over 20 countries and rented cars more than a dozen times, I didn't expect to be scammed by this Europcar at Madrid T1 Airport. For clarity, I'll list the steps of their scheme, which is essentially a trap at every turn: 1. At pick-up, the counter staff pushed for an upgrade, claiming that my car was a petrol car and the upgraded models were diesel, which would save on fuel costs enough to cover the upgrade fee. My previous rentals in Europe were all diesel cars, indeed more fuel-efficient, but the upgrade fee was almost double the original cost, and the fuel savings wouldn't match that. So I declined. Since the car category doesn't specify fuel type, this seems like a loophole Europcar exploits. Additionally, I later learned that their quotes exclude the 21% VAT. 2. After confirming no upgrades, the counter issued a pick-up confirmation in Spanish, even though we communicated entirely in English (my return receipt was in English, proving Europcar's system can choose languages). The payment amounts were confusing, with both Euros and USD displayed. Seeing the €119.46 payable and €419.46 including deposit, I thought it was correct and handed my card to the clerk. Instead of using a POS machine, after returning my card, my bank app showed a charge of $487.83 with a 1.16 exchange rate (the day's rate was 1.11). They had done DCC without my consent. I've since filed a dispute with my bank. 3. Taking the car keys, I photographed the vehicle using a rental car photo assistant app. Aside from two documented damages, I photographed other scratches. The car, a BMW X1 7673KVS, seemed to have been washed a long time ago, covered in dust, making photo documentation difficult. 4. Inside, the fuel gauge showed 15/16 full, though the confirmation showed full. Thinking it wasn't worth arguing, I took the car. In reality, driving from full to 15/16 on the highway covered about 150 km. Either the last renter returned it less than full without replenishment, or fuel was siphoned off at full. Given this company's ethics and employee practices, either scenario is possible. 5. Journeying through Spain and Portugal's old town narrow lanes and tight underground car parks, the car's 360-degree radar helped navigate successfully back to Madrid T1. Having read many reviews, I knew self-return could lead to disputes, so I immediately sought out Europcar staff after parking. It turns out, manual and self-return only differ in whether the scam is covert or overt. The inspector ignored my documented damages, pointing out two others: a small cut on the front right tire and a tiny dent on the lower left windshield, both already documented. Despite never driving off-road, I couldn't be 100% sure I wasn't responsible. Since such tiny damages aren't noticeable at pick-up, they basically guaranteed the charges. 6. Presenting the damage report at the counter, the clerk swiftly calculated costs: €116.43 for damages and a mysterious €50.75 'damage management fee.' Having third-party insurance and rushing for a flight, I accepted and left. Upon returning home, I noticed a 21% tax added to these charges. In conclusion, some advice, not limited to Europcar: 1. Avoid Europcar; their scams are systematic. 2. If using Europcar, do not sign any unclear documents. 3. Allocate 30 minutes for paperwork verification and an hour for detailed vehicle check and photos at pick-up. 4. If renting from Madrid T1's Europcar, beware of BMW X1 with plate 7673KVS; damages might be undocumented in their records.

1. The staff had poor English skills, making communication difficult. 2. Pickup time was delayed by over 10 minutes from the scheduled time, resulting in an additional charge of over 500 RMB. 3. They surprised us with extra charges at pickup, forcefully adding a bunch of insurances. 4. The tire had a small scratch, and they charged over 2000 RMB, enough to replace it with a new tire. 5. Severe overcharging, taking advantage of out-of-town customers.

There were two service counters at the site. We arrived when there were no other customers, so we completed the process immediately without waiting.

There were two service counters on-site, and luckily, there were no other customers when we arrived, so we didn't have to wait in line.

Although it took a bit of time to find the car rental company, the process was very quick and the staff were very nice and provided clear explanations.

No staff available during business hours

Standardized management

They start working at 7 AM. How can I return the car if my flight is at midnight? There's no self-service drop-off box.

We were forced to upgrade the car model

The rental company staff were very patient and provided excellent service.

The service was excellent. We arrived early and were able to pick up the car quickly. They explained that for domestic claims, repair costs need to be covered initially. The process was swift, and the return was also very fast.

Returning the car was difficult to find, we circled around several times since the navigation was inaccurate. Picking up the car was easy. We were convinced by the store to buy full insurance; the car rental was only 1800, but the insurance cost more than 4000. It's been over a month and the deposit hasn't been returned yet.

Picking up the car is convenient. However, the service is slightly inferior compared to Germany.

1. Picking up the car went relatively smoothly. The staff weren't very enthusiastic but not rude either. It was okay overall. They didn't try to upsell insurance and I got the model I booked. 2. When returning the car, there was a scratch on the wheel rim (clearly an old damage). A local person returning the car with me confirmed it was an old scratch. But they claimed I caused it. I asked them for evidence and they showed me the check-out form, which indicated the car was in perfect condition when handed over. I then showed them photos I had taken beforehand, and they adjusted my bill. (Make sure to take photos and videos when renting a car). 3. I want to remind everyone again: take photos and videos when picking up the car. It could save you a lot of money. 4. Why only 1 star? Because if I hadn't provided the photos, they'd have blamed me for the scratch. This is dishonest, deceptive, and irresponsible towards customers.

I was lucky to get a new car with only 14KM mileage. I drove carefully with no issues, and the inspection staff was friendly when I returned the car. Everything went smoothly.

Shortly after returning the car, I received an additional bill from the rental company claiming the car was scratched and demanded compensation. Fortunately, I had taken photos when renting the car, proving the scratch was already there. Currently, I'm still in dispute with the rental company.

The car rental company is very responsible. When picking up the car, the staff recorded any newly discovered scratches on the rental form. The A3's trunk space was sufficient; I easily fit a 26-inch suitcase, a 22-inch suitcase, and a handbag.