Europcar Lisbon Refuses $195 Prepaid Rental Over Mystery License Block

I rented a vehicle through Booking.com from Europcar's downtown Lisbon office under reservation number 747054707. I made my reservation for an economy vehicle for August 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM, and prepaid the full total of $195.

When I went to pick up the vehicle, they refused to hand it over to me on the grounds that there was a block listed against my driver's license. Although the rental company itself had placed this block, they provided no explanation as to why. When we called customer relations, they stated that no issue appeared in their system, yet they still refused to release the car. As a result, I was unable to use the vehicle I had prepaid for.

Despite everything that occurred, no refund has been issued by the company, and I have received no response to my written requests. I demand a full, prompt refund of the $195 I paid, as well as a clear, written explanation regarding this ungrounded block.