Hertz vs Europcar — Which Is Better for Your Next Rental?

If you are choosing between Hertz and Europcar for your next rental, you are weighing two of the biggest names in the industry. Both are global. Both have airport desks everywhere. Both will get you a car. But the experience can feel very different depending on where you rent, what kind of car you want, and how much you care about deposit transparency.

This is not a polite tie. Our reviewers have rented from both brands dozens of times across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Here is what actually matters.

The short version

• Hertz is usually the more predictable, process-first option. Better for travellers who want calm counter experiences and straightforward deposit handling.
• Europcar often wins on price and European location coverage, but with more variation in branch quality and deposit practices.

Our overall call for most travellers: Hertz — mainly because consistency matters more than saving a few euros on the headline rate. But if you are renting in Europe and price is your top priority, Europcar can be the smarter pick.

Price comparison: Europcar often wins on headline rate

Europcar is frequently cheaper on the base rate, especially for European leisure markets like Spain, Portugal, Greece, and the Balkans. This is not a small difference. In some markets, Europcar can be 15 to 25 percent cheaper than Hertz for the same category on the same dates.

But base price is not your final price. Both brands will push:

• excess reduction insurance
• additional driver fees
• fuel pre-payment plans
• premium location surcharges
• optional upgrades at the counter

Hertz is not immune to counter selling. But in our review data, Europcar locations show more variability. Some branches push hard on extras. Others are calm and professional. Hertz is more consistent in its approach, even if that approach still involves a sales pitch.

The real move: compare the total cost after insurance, fuel, and additional driver fees. A €30 headline gap can disappear or even reverse once you add the full rental cost.

Fleet quality: Hertz usually has the edge

Across our reviews, Hertz fleets tend to feel cleaner, newer, and more consistent. You are less likely to get a car with 80,000 kilometres on the clock or visible body damage that was not noted on the pickup form.

Europcar fleet quality varies significantly by location:

• Corporate-owned branches (major European airports) usually deliver well-maintained, recent-model vehicles
• Franchise locations (smaller cities, island airports, off-brand depots) can deliver tired, high-mileage cars with cosmetic issues

Hertz also has franchise variation, but its baseline tends to be higher. If you have ever picked up a Europcar in Split or Rhodes and thought, "this does not feel like a 2025 model," you are not alone.

Best for fleet quality

• Hertz if you want a predictably decent, clean vehicle
• Europcar if price matters more than vehicle age and condition

Deposit and payment: Hertz is more transparent

This is the category where the gap between these two brands is most visible in our review data.

Hertz deposit practices:

• Credit card holds are clearly stated at booking in most markets
• Typical deposit: €200 to €400 for standard categories, higher for premium
• Debit card acceptance varies by country but is usually disclosed upfront
• Refund timeline: 5 to 10 business days is standard

Europcar deposit practices:

• Deposit amounts can change between booking confirmation and pickup counter
• Several reviewers reported higher-than-expected holds (€500+ for economy cars in Italy and Greece)
• Debit card policies are inconsistent even within the same country
• Pre-authorisation amounts sometimes differ from what was communicated in the voucher

If deposit transparency matters to you — and it should, because a surprise €800 hold can wreck a travel budget — Hertz is the safer bet. Our car hire excess insurance guide covers how to protect yourself regardless of which brand you choose.

Customer service: Hertz wins on calm, Europcar wins on convenience

Hertz counter staff are more likely to follow a structured process. That can feel slow if the queue is long, but it also means fewer surprises. You get walked through the contract. Damage marks get noted. The return process is usually orderly.

Europcar customer service is more variable:

• Some branches (especially in France, Germany, and the Benelux) deliver excellent, efficient service
• Other branches (particularly in southern Europe and island locations) can feel rushed, disorganised, or aggressive with upselling
• Queue times at peak periods can be significantly longer at Europcar, especially at leisure-focused airports

Both brands have their share of negative reviews. But Hertz negative reviews tend to cluster around wait times and pricing. Europcar negative reviews more often mention deposit disputes, unexplained charges, and post-return damage claims.

If you are the kind of traveller who values a smooth counter experience, read our guide to common car hire scams to know what to watch for with either brand.

Airport presence: Europcar has broader European coverage

Hertz has strong coverage in North America, Australia, and major European hub airports. Europcar has the edge in European secondary airports and regional locations.

Where Europcar clearly wins:

• Smaller Italian airports (Bari, Catania, Olbia)
• Greek island airports (Heraklion, Corfu, Kos)
• Portuguese regional airports (Faro, Porto, Funchal)
• Eastern European airports (Bucharest, Sofia, Zagreb)

Where Hertz clearly wins:

• US airports (domestic and international)
• Australian major airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)
• Middle Eastern hubs (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha)
• UK major airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester)

If your trip involves both continents, you may find yourself defaulting to Hertz for the US leg and Europcar for the Europe leg. Our car hire under 25 guide covers age-related surcharges that both brands apply.

Loyalty programmes: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards vs Europcar Privilege

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards:

• Free to join, instant status-based tier system
• Gold: skip the counter at most locations, choose your own car
• Five Star: 15 rentals or 40 days per year, better vehicle selection
• President's Circle: 20 rentals or 60 days, guaranteed upgrades
• Points can be redeemed for free rental days with no blackout dates
• Works well if you rent in the US or Australia regularly

Europcar Privilege:

• Four tiers: Smart, Premium, Executive, Elite
• Premium (3+ rentals): 10% discount, free additional driver, skip the queue at some locations
• Executive (6+ rentals): 15% discount, free one-category upgrade
• Elite (10+ rentals): 20% discount, guaranteed upgrade, dedicated phone line
• Discounts apply to base rate only, not extras or insurance
• European-focused; less useful outside Europe

For frequent European renters, Europcar Privilege can save real money over a year. For global or US-focused travellers, Hertz Gold is the more practical programme. Our Hertz vs Sixt comparison breaks down how Hertz stacks up against a different competitor if you want a third option.

Insurance and excess: both push hard, but patterns differ

Both brands will offer you excess reduction at the counter. Both will make it sound essential. The reality is more nuanced.

Hertz insurance approach:

• Standard excess in Europe: €800 to €1,500 depending on category
• SuperCover (Hertz excess waiver): typically €12 to €25 per day
• Hertz is more likely to bundle insurance into the booking rate for US rentals
• Damage assessments are usually more conservative — fewer disputed claims

Europcar insurance approach:

• Standard excess in Europe: €800 to €2,000 depending on category and country
• Full Protection (Europcar excess waiver): typically €10 to €22 per day
• Europcar is more likely to separate insurance from the booking rate, then offer it at pickup
• Damage claims are more frequently disputed in our review data

The smart play for either brand: buy standalone excess insurance from a third-party provider before you travel. It costs roughly a third of what the rental counter charges, and it covers you regardless of which hire company you use. Our car hire excess waiver insurance guide explains exactly how this works.

One-way rentals: both charge, Europcar varies more

One-way rental fees are where Europcar can surprise you. Hertz one-way drop fees are usually disclosed at booking, with reasonable consistency across markets. A one-way rental from Rome to Milan might cost an extra €50 to €80.

Europcar one-way fees can vary wildly:

• Same-country drops in France or Germany: usually reasonable (€30 to €60)
• Cross-country drops in Europe: can be €100 to €300
• Island-to-mainland drops (e.g., Corsica to Nice): can exceed €400
• Some franchise locations simply refuse one-way drops

If you are planning a road trip across borders, check our cross-border Balkans car hire guide for specific restrictions that apply to both brands.

Who should pick Hertz?

• Business travellers who want predictability and minimal counter friction
• Anyone renting in the US, Australia, or the Middle East
• Travellers who value deposit transparency
• Frequent renters who can leverage Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
• Families who want a clean, no-drama pickup experience

Who should pick Europcar?

• Budget-focused travellers renting in Europe
• Anyone picking up at a secondary European airport where Hertz is not present
• Frequent European renters who can reach Europcar Privilege Executive or Elite
• People who care more about the base rate than the counter experience

FAQ

Is Hertz more expensive than Europcar?

Hertz is often more expensive on the base rate, especially in European leisure markets. But the total cost after insurance, deposits, and extras can swing either way. Europcar sometimes pushes harder on paid extras at the counter, which can eliminate the headline savings. Always compare total cost, not just the daily rate.

Which has better deposit policies — Hertz or Europcar?

Hertz is more consistent with deposit amounts and refund timelines. Our review data shows Europcar deposit practices vary more by location, with some branches holding significantly higher amounts than stated at booking. If deposit transparency is important, Hertz is the safer choice.

Do Hertz and Europcar accept debit cards?

Both accept debit cards in some markets, but policies vary by country, location type, and vehicle category. Hertz tends to be more upfront about debit card requirements.Europcar branch policies can differ even within the same country. Always check the specific rental terms before assuming a debit card will be accepted.

Which is better for European road trips?

Europcar has broader coverage at secondary European airports and regional locations, which makes it more convenient for multi-stop European trips. However, Hertz offers more predictable deposit and damage-claim handling. If your route involves smaller airports, Europcar may be your only realistic option. If both are available and you value peace of mind, Hertz is the calmer pick.

Can you return a Hertz car to a Europcar location?

No. Hertz and Europcar are separate companies with no cross-brand return agreements. You must return the car to a location operated by the same brand. One-way rentals within the same brand network are possible but usually incur a drop fee.