One question we’ve been asked is how to rent a car using a debit card. While I’m a believer that the best way to get the most from your spending is to use a credit card that earns miles or points, there are people who choose to not have or cannot get one of those cards. This post is for them.

Rental car companies like the security of having your credit card in case they need to charge you for not returning the car, damage to the car, or anything else they’d like to charge you for once you return the car. If you use a debit card, they’ll often put a large hold on your account that will prevent access to your funds until the hold is removed.

Looking through all these websites, there’s one thing that stands out among all of them. Car rental companies don’t want to rent to you if you’re using a debit card at the beginning of your rental. They’ll gladly accept a debit card as a payment when you’re finished but the security of a credit card, and the credit hold they can put on it, is what they want access to. If you’re against using credit cards, here’s one example where having one will make your life much easier. It makes sense to have a card with no annual fee like Chase Freedom Unlimited, Citi Rewards+, or Fidelity Rewards, as they can be used to guarantee your rental and you can still use your debit card to pay when you return your car. If your credit is not good enough to get a credit card, you can still get a secured credit card (you deposit money that is equal to the credit limit of the card) from several banks listed in this article.

Another way to use a debit card is to rent from Hertz, Thrifty or Dollar. They’ll let you use one if you have your debit card on file with them in your frequent renter account before you make your reservation. You can find the links to sign up for the rental car programs here.

Below are the policies, as listed on their respective websites, for using a debit card with the major car rental companies. Unless mentioned otherwise, the policies are for rentals to U.S. residents renting from airport locations when arriving on a flight. Rentals made from local area locations may have different policies. All policies were current as copied from the rental car websites at the time of writing this article. Check the respective websites for current policies before renting.

Advantage Rent A Car

Advantage has emerged from bankruptcy with seven airport locations in the US. No information can be currently found on the Advantage website about using a debit card for rentals.

Alamo Rent a Car

Debit/Check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, Mastercard® or Discover logo. Pre-paid cards or any other non-credit card without one of these logos is not accepted. (Discover not accepted in Canada at airports)

At airport locations, debit card deposits are only accepted at the time of rental if accompanied by a ticketed return travel itinerary. The name and address shown on the renter’s driver’s license must match their current home address. Active-duty military personnel are exempt from address requirements. Other than the renter’s spouse or domestic partner, no other additional drivers are allowed.  At the time of rental, charges will be placed on the debit card which reduces the available funds in the account associated with the card used. Renter is responsible for any overdraft fees incurred.

Disembarking passengers will be asked to provide a credit card or debit card with funds to cover the cost of the rental.

Renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary will need to provide a credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the estimated total amount for the rental and a deposit between $300-$400 depending on the rental location and class of vehicle rented.

Canadian locations will only accept US and International Debit Cards at the time of rental with a ticketed return travel itinerary; Canadian Debit Cards are NOT accepted at airport locations.

Debit Cards at Airport Locations

In addition to a credit or debit card, you might need to show a ticket or boarding pass as well as proof of a return flight to pick up at airport locations.

What Happens to My Debit Card Hold if I Extend My Rental Period?

It’s perfectly fine if you change your rental period. You just need to contact a Budget reservation agent at 800-527-7000 on or before the return date. We will assess a $10 service fee for the extended rental and place up to three additional holds on your card (depending on how long you keep the car) to cover expected rental charges. When you return the car, the holds will be released and you’ll be charged the actual rental costs.

If you choose to extend your rental, your original rental rate may no longer be available.

Dollar accepts American Express, MasterCard, Carte Blanche, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, China Union Pay and some debit cards. We may place an authorized hold on your credit/debit card to cover the estimated rental charges plus up to USD $200.00 for Credit and $500 for Debit, for any additional charges that may be incurred. These funds will not be available for your use. A valid driver’s license and credit card must be presented. Debit cards issued under VISA, MasterCard and Discover logo which draw funds directly from the cardholder’s account may be used at the outset of a rental to qualify when the following requirements are met;

• Dollar Airport locations, the renter is required to provide proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental and present two (2) valid forms of identification.
  • Valid forms of identification are a valid United States or Foreign Country issued Driver’s License AND One (1) of the following forms:
    • An alternative valid credit or debit card embossed/printed with the same name as the driver’s license;
    • A United States or Foreign Country Issued passport in the same name as the driver’s license and debit card;
    • United States or Foreign Country Issued Military Identification Card in the same name as the driver’s license and debit card;
    • Non-Government Form of ID, examples that may be accepted include: store membership card with photo (Costco, Sam’s, etc.) or a company ID badge with photo. Names on both forms must match driver’s name on license and debit card; or
    • A current month Utility statement which is addressed to the renter with the same name and address as present on the renter’s driver’s license (e.g., gas, electric, cable bill).

Policy exceptions:

• Debit Card can be used if it is already in your Dollar EXPRESS profile, regardless of vehicle type.
• Debit cards are not accepted on Premium vehicles and above, including Convertibles.
• PayNow rentals, debit cards are not accepted and a major credit card must be presented to process the rental.

An authorization amount including the estimated total for the rental charges and an incremental hold of $200 for credit and $500 for Debit, will be assessed for all renters. These funds will not be available for your use until the end of the rental after charges apply. The above incremental hold will not be applied to established Dollar EXPRESS members cards with a VISA credit or debit on their profile.

Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of your rental regardless of vehicle type rented. In most cases a credit check will be performed for debit card customers to determine credit worthiness at the time of rental. If Dollar cannot secure credit approval and/or proper identification credentials are not supplied, Dollar will decline your rental.

Dollar franchise locations may set their own requirements for debit card acceptance. To see a list of franchise locations click here.

Hertz Car Rental

Using Debit Cards to Qualify for a Rental

At all Hertz locations, debit cards under a VISA, MasterCard and Discover logo which draw funds directly from the cardholder’s account may be used at the outset of a rental to qualify for the rental where the following requirements are met:

Vehicle class reserved is Compact through Fullsize ONLY;

• at Hertz Airport locations, you will be required to provide proof of a return airline flight to coincide with the rental and present two (2) valid forms of identification;
• at corporate-owned Hertz Local Edition locations, i.e., neighbourhood locations that are located off airports, debit cards may be used at the start of a rental. To qualify for a rental using a debit card, you will be required to make your reservation at least 24 hours in advance of your rental pick up date; must be at least 25 years old; have a Corporate Discount Plan (CDP) number listed in the reservation or proof of return trip travel ticket to coincide with the rental dates(airline or cruise); and present two (2) valid forms of identification.

You will be required to meet all age, driver and credit requirements. However, there are exceptions to this general policy:

• You can use a Debit Card if it is already included in your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards profile, regardless of vehicle type, or the rental is an Insurance Replacement rental.
• Debit cards are not accepted to qualify at time of rental on Premium vehicles and above, including Tesla, Dream Cars and Adrenaline Cars.
• Debit cards are not accepted for Prepaid (PayNow) rentals. A major credit card must be used.

Using Debit Cards as Payment for Your Rental

Debit cards and prepaid or store value cards are accepted for payment at the end of your rental.

In most cases, the location will perform a credit check for debit card customers to determine credit worthiness at the time of rental.  The customer must meet the minimum criteria to rent using a debit card. In addition, the acceptance of debit, prepaid or store value cards is contingent upon the card having available funds to cover the estimated charges plus an authorization of up to US$ 200.00 for credit card and US$ 500.00 for debit card given conditions depending on location, length and date of rental that will be outlined at time of rental. These funds will not be available for your use.

For debit card payment at airport locations, in addition to a valid United States or foreign-country-issued Driver’s License, you most present one of the following forms:

• An additional credit card or debit card with the same name as the driver’s license. The card is for identification purposes only;
• A Government issued ID, in the same name as the driver’s license and debit card:
  • Passport – United States or Foreign Country Issued
  • United States Military Identification Card
• Non-government form of ID, example that may be accepted includes photo store member card (Costco, Sam’s, etc.), a company ID badge with photo. Only acceptable if the photo and name matches the driver’s license and the debit card. Current month Utility statement in the renter’s name and the same address as on the driver’s license (e.g., gas, electric, cable bill).

 

Debit/Check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, Mastercard® or Discover logo. Pre-paid cards or any other non-credit card without one of these logos is not accepted. (Discover not accepted in Canada.)

At airport locations, debit card deposits are only accepted at the time of rental if accompanied by a ticketed return travel itinerary. The name and address shown on the renter’s driver’s license must match their current home address. Active-duty military personnel are exempt from address requirements. Other than the renter’s spouse or domestic partner, no other additional drivers are allowed.  At the time of rental, charges will be placed on the debit card which reduces the available funds in the account associated with the card used. Renter is responsible for any overdraft fees incurred.

Disembarking passengers will be asked to provide a credit card or debit card with funds to cover the cost of the rental.

Renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary will need to provide a credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the estimated total amount for the rental and a deposit between $300-$400 depending on the rental location and class of vehicle rented.

Canadian locations will only accept US and International Debit Cards at the time of rental with a ticketed return travel itinerary; Canadian Debit Cards are NOT accepted at airport locations.

Payless Car Rental

We accept debit cards at all SIXT airport locations when the following requirements are met:
– Customer presents a Driver’s License from a state different than the pick-up state, or
– Customer presents a flight, train, or bus roundtrip itinerary matching the pick-up and return dates of SIXT rental and made at least 24 hours prior to pick-up, and
– vehicle category is an Economy through Full-size sedan, a Compact through Intermediate SUV, a Pick-up truck, or a Van.

Domestic Credit/Debit cards are required to have a Chip, if that is not the case additional documentation might be required.

The amount that will be authorized includes the rental price as well as all additional charges and extras.

In general, an authorization of a minimum of $200 plus the amount due for the rental will be taken as authorization against the payment method for security purposes. For Debit Cards, a deposit of $200 plus the cost of the rental will be taken as deposit from the Debit Card. The deposit for high-value vehicles may be higher. These funds will not be available to you during the rental. If the authorization amount for the rented vehicle is higher, then the higher amount is taken.

Some vehicles have a higher authorization or deposit amount and may require the use of a credit card.

Thrifty Car Rental

Thrifty accepts American Express, MasterCard, Carte Blanche, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, China Union Pay and some debit cards. We may place an authorized hold on your credit/debit card to cover the estimated rental charges plus up to USD $200.00 for credit card and $500 for debit card for any additional charges that may be incurred. These funds will not be available for your use. A valid driver’s license and credit card must be presented. A physical card must be presented as Digital Wallet Cards are not accepted. Debit cards issued under VISA, MasterCard and Discover logo which draw funds directly from the cardholder’s account may be used at the outset of a rental to qualify when the following requirements are met;

• Vehicle class reserved is Compact through Fullsize ONLY
• In most cases, a credit check will be performed for debit card customers to determine credit worthiness at the time of rental. If Thrifty cannot secure credit approval and/or proper identification credentials are not supplied, Thrifty will decline your rental.
• Thrifty Airport locations, the renter is required to provide proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental and present two (2) valid forms of identification.
  • Valid forms of identification are a valid United States or Foreign Country issued Driver’s License AND One (1) of the following forms:
    • An alternative valid credit or debit card embossed with the same name as the driver’s license;
    • A United States or Foreign Country Issued passport in the same name as the driver’s license and debit card;
    • United States or Foreign Country Issued Military Identification Card in the same name as the driver’s license and debit card;
    • Non-Government Form of ID, examples that may be accepted include: store membership card with photo (Costco, Sam’s, etc.) or a company ID badge with photo. Names on both forms must match driver’s name on license and debit card; or
    • A current month Utility statement which is addressed to the renter with the same name and address as present on the renter’s driver’s license (e.g., gas, electric, cable bill).

Other policy exceptions:

• Debit Card can be used if it is already in your Blue Chip profile, regardless of vehicle type.
• Debit cards are not accepted on Premium vehicles and above, including Convertibles.

An authorization amount including the estimated total for the rental charges and an incremental hold of $200 for credit card and $500 for debit card will be assessed for non-Blue Chip members, and Blue Chip members renting for the first time. These funds will not be available for your use until the end of the rental after charges apply. The above incremental hold will not be applied to established Blue-Chip members cards with a VISA credit or debit on their profile.

Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of your rental regardless of vehicle type rented. In most cases a credit check will be performed for debit card customers to determine credit worthiness at the time of rental. If Thrifty cannot secure credit approval and/or proper identification credentials are not supplied, Thrifty will decline your rental.

In the event the renter is unable to produce the above required documents, a credit card may be used to secure the rental.　Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of your rental regardless of vehicle type rented.