Yes, you can typically use a debit card, a prepaid card or even cash to rent a car. However, each rental company has its own rules about acceptable payment options – which often vary by location – and not paying by credit card often carries certain ramifications. Show
For more on which particular payment methods you can use with each rental company as well as a breakdown of their policies and potential pitfalls you may encounter, continue reading below. Payment Options by Car Rental CompanySpecific policies differ based on the rental company you use. For your convenience, we have included below the details of the policies held by the 10 largest rental companies in the U.S.:
*According to the Avis website, debit cards may not be used at locations in Canada or the “Metropolitan NY Tri-State area, Hartford, CT, Philadelphia area, Mississippi or Louisiana locations as well as other locations across the country.” Tips for Renting a Car Without a Credit Card
How to Rent a Car With Bad CreditGiven the importance of credit cards to the car rental process – they’re
the only form of payment rental company are guaranteed to accept, no questions asked – it’s fair to wonder how people who do not have a credit card due to bad credit get along. Or, what if your credit limit is too low to cover the rental company’s hold, again as a result of your bad credit? Secured credit cards work just like regular credit cards and are reported to the three major credit bureaus. What separates them from regular credit cards is that they require a security deposit – usually starting at around $200. By placing a big enough security deposit to cover the cost of a rental, plus the added incidental charges that rental companies factor into the holds they place on customers cards, you’ll garner the ability to rent a car without a problem. The best part is that secured cards put the power in your hands. They offer effectively guaranteed approval and enable you to control your credit line based on the size of your deposit, so all you have to do is decide to apply and how much to put down. Plus, you won’t be at risk of overspending with this type of card. For more information about secured credit cards, check out WalletHub’s Secured Card Guide. Detailed Policies By Rental CompanyAs you might expect from car rental companies, there are a variety of caveats and exceptions that impact the policies enumerated in the payment method acceptance table above. So, in the interest of providing you with the complete story and helping you avoid any unnecessary surprises, we have included detailed information about each company’s policies below. This data is as complete as we could make it, although certain issuers were not forthcoming about their policies and there was, in many cases, inadequate information available online.
*Cash Qualification Process: Customers who wish to rent with cash (or other non-credit card/debit card payment method) must meet certain requirements that vary widely by car rental company and location. Requirements may include presenting a valid driver's license, a valid return travel (airline, cruise, train) ticket, multiple forms of identification (a valid passport if an international traveler), verifiable proof of employment, a paycheck stub, utility bill(s) in renter's name and verifiable contact information for the renter. In addition, the renter may be required to undergo a credit check, provide personal references and pay a security deposit.
Was this article helpful? Disclaimer: Editorial and user-generated content is not provided or commissioned by financial institutions. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and have not been approved or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution, including those that are WalletHub advertising partners. Our content is intended for informational purposes only, and we encourage everyone to respect our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered. Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation "Sponsored", where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products. Can you use a debit card to hold a rental car?The short answer is yes, you can rent a car with a debit card. Major rental car companies—including Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz—all permit rentals on a debit card.
How much does Avis hold on debit card?Generally, at the time of rental, we'll require a credit card hold of total estimated charges or $200 USD, whichever is greater. If you have prepaid with a debit card, the hold is only $100 USD. A prepaid charge card is not accepted for this required hold.
Which rental car company does not require a credit card?Which rental car companies do not require a credit card? All of the major U.S. rental car companies have non-credit card payment options at certain rental locations, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, SIXT, Thrifty, and Turo.
Does Enterprise put a hold on your card?Like all car rental companies, Enterprise will put a hold on your credit card or debit card when you rent a car. The hold is equal to the rental rate plus a security deposit. The company holds this sum to guard against scenarios like an accident, late return or additional fuel charge.
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