Do You Need a Credit Card to Rent a Car? | Chase (2024)

FAQs

Do You Need a Credit Card to Rent a Car? | Chase? ›

The short answer is no, a credit card is not required to rent a car, but it may make things easier. Most of the major rental agencies will accept debit cards for initial deposits and final payments.

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.

Paying for Your Rental Car with a Debit Card

Renters have the option to prepay for a rental online with a debit card. Some locations may require a credit card at the time of pickup, but you can still pay for the rental with a debit card.

Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, & Sixt all allow you to rent a car with a debit card. Renting a car with a debit card is more difficult than renting with a credit card thanks to additional steps and requirements set forth by the rental agency.

So if you have a $500 credit limit and the rental company puts a $300 hold on your card, you only have $200 in available credit. Trying to charge more than your available credit line during your trip could result in an overdraft or declined transactions, which could put a big damper on your plans.

Debit Card Exceptions

Renters younger than 25 must present a credit card; they cannot present a debit card. In New York, renters may present a debit card if they are 18 years or older. Some locations do not accept debit cards for a deposit at the time of rental.

Credit Qualifications/Requirements: To qualify to rent the Hertz vehicle, the renter must present at the time of rental a current driver's license and valid major credit card or debit card (see Debit Card Usage below) in the renter's own name with available credit.

Security deposit: When using a debit card, you'll often have to pay the full cost of the rental upfront. On top of that, an agency may hold additional funds as a security deposit.

The Hertz credit card authorization amount can vary, but if you're booking with a credit card, we will place an authorization amount of up to $200, and $500 for debit cards (plus any projected charges) onto your card.

Car rental with no credit check using a debit card

Some car rental companies do let you rent a car with a debit card without running a credit check. Enterprise, for example, allows you to use a debit card at airport locations. However, you need to prove you have a ticketed return travel itinerary.

Can I rent a car with a debit card and not a credit card? ›

Debit/check cards are any non-credit cards bearing the VISA®, Mastercard® or Discover® logo. Prepaid cards or any other non-credit cards without one of these logos are not accepted. At airport locations, debit cards are only accepted at the time of rental if accompanied by a ticketed return travel itinerary.

Credit and Debit Card Rules

THESE FUNDS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR USE. However, for insurance/service replacement rentals, tour and budget.com prepaid rentals, the minimum debit card authorization hold is $100. At select locations in the Northeast and North Central regions, the minimum authorization hold is $500.

Certain car rental suppliers will accept a third-party insurance policy instead of a deposit as a form of security. As long as the policy covers damage and liability for your rental car. If you can provide the necessary proof to them, you may be able to bypass the security deposit.

The renter of the vehicle must be present to sign the rental agreement and provide their credit card at the time of pick up. The renter cannot provide a credit or debit card belonging to someone else for their use.

After the authorisation has been received, a second acceptable card may be used to pay for additional charges (ancillaries etc.). There must be sufficient credit on your card to cover all charges.

Many US rental car offices place a hold on your credit card when you pick up your rental vehicle. Typically, this amount is equal to your estimated rental charges plus the greater of a fixed-dollar amount or a percentage—normally 15 to 25 percent—of the estimated rental charges.

While credit cards typically provide some insurance coverage for a rental car, debit cards do not. That means you may have to show that you have sufficient coverage or purchase more from the rental company. Undergo a credit check.

When you book a trip, you have to have a current, eligible payment method listed in your Turo account. We accept credit and debit cards, but not prepaid cards other than Revolut.

Generally, at the time of rental, we'll require a credit card hold of total estimated charges. However, many rentals may require an authorization hold of the estimated rental charges plus $200 USD. If you have prepaid with a debit card, the hold will be $250 USD.