Arrived 40 minutes early. Normally, after completing the formalities at Terminal 1, I would rush to the parking lot at Terminal 2. There was no car available. Numerous phone calls were made back and forth, and it took 54 minutes past the scheduled pick-up time to get the car. It really messed up my plans. Returning the car in advance went smoothly.

I arrived 4 hours early and asked the staff if it was possible to pick up the car earlier. They recommended an Audi and even though I asked twice, they said it was the same price. However, upon returning the car, I was charged over 300 euros more. The staff in Madrid confirmed that the price had increased.

Initially booked with AVIS, but remembered the unpleasant experience in Los Angeles where AVIS forced insurance charges. Switched to Europcar before the trip. Both pickup and dropoff were smooth without excessive upselling. We got the car we wanted.

Very convenient

1. Never trust returning a car outside business hours. Europecar in Barcelona is extremely terrible. 20 days after returning a car, I was charged again for a damaged air compressor. How unreasonable! It's unfair to blame the previous renter for internal damages after such a long time. Another car had scratches when picked up; I reported it and took photos as evidence, yet I was charged for repairs. 2. QEEQ is powerless for complaints. I provided photos and evidence to QEEQ but still no result after more than a month, just endless patience waiting. I've given up and turned to insurance claims. 3. Always get full insurance. If any issue arises, European car rental companies will shirk responsibility, QEEQ is useless, and losses can't be recovered.