Car Rental debit card rental policies are specific to the car rental company you rent from.
This page will outline policies for 8 companies -- Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
Always verify a policy when making a reservation. When booking a car online, review rental terms and conditions, as some car rental debit card terms, may be location-specific.
Note: Policies can change at any time; I try to maintain up-to-date info, but always check with an individual company to verify any policy.
Car Rental with Debit Card for
ALAMO
Debit/check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card logo only.
When renting in the U.S., you must show proof of a round trip travel ticket (airline, cruise ship or train) at time of rental.
For pick-ups in the United States, without proof of roundtrip ticket, debit or check cards are only accepted when returning the rental car. A major credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pick-up.
In Canada & Puerto Rico, a credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pickup. Debit/check cards are only accepted for payment at time of return.
No Gift/Prepaid Card that has the Visa, MasterCard or American Express logo are accepted as deposit; Alamo only accepts gift cards for final payment when you return your rental car. Gift Cards are not accepted by Alamo in Latin America or the Caribbean.
Virtual Credit Cards: -- an online-only, virtual credit card or any other type of "single-use" or one-time use credit card number -- are not accepted.
For Alamo.com, debit card rental policies listed no information as to the amount of hold required on the debit card. You would have to contact either an Alamo.com reservation rep through Alamo's toll free line 1(877) 222-9075 for information on debit card deposit requirements.
Avis.com (opens in a new window)
debit card rental policies state that Most U.S. locations will accept bank debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo as credit identification at the time of pickup of your rental.
At an airport location you must also show:
A round trip airline ticket, e-ticket, or travel itinerary to or from the airport location of rental; it must show the renter's name and a return date
A valid U.S. passport or current U.S. military identification card with the same name as on the renter's U.S. issued driver's license
A current vehicle insurance card. The name and address must match the name and address on the renter's driver license; OR you can show a current copy (within the last 60 Days) of your cell phone bill, home telephone bill, bank statement or utility bill (must show your name and current address). The name and address must match those on your U.S. issued driver's license, which provides the renting location with proof of an accurate address.
Renting at an Off-Airport location you must show:
A current copy (within the last 60 days) of your cell phone bill, home telephone bill, bank statement or utility bill which shows your name and current address. The name and address must match your U.S. issued driver's license in order to provide the renting location with proof of an accurate address OR a valid U.S. passport or current U.S. military identification card. Your name must match the name on the your U.S. issued driver's license.
Debit card rental policies state that many locations require a credit check in order to rent with a debit card. You can check a location's debit card policy either by contacting Avis at 1-800-331-1212 or by checking Debit Card Policy information for a reservation (a link to policy info is given after a reservation is booked.. you can find it on your reservation confirmation page).
Debit card rental policies for Avis state that they may perform Debit Card authorization hold that will be more than the estimated rental charges. When using a debit card at Avis there is a minimum hold of $200 PLUS the full amount including all taxes and surcharges, of your rental. these funds will be frozen in your account; you will not have access to them during the period of your rental.
The unused extra hold amount will be released at the end of the rental.
Note: Some locations do not accept Debit cards. Currently, debit cards are not acceptable as credit identification at the time of rental at locations in the Metropolitan NY Tri-State area, Hartford, CT, Philadelphia area, Mississippi or Louisiana locations as well as other locations across the country.
Prepaid debit/gift cards are not accepted to pick up a car at any Avis agency. Prepaid debit/gift cards are allowed to be used as a form of payment... but only at the end of the rental when you return the vehicle.
Budget.com (opens in a new window)
policies state when using a debit card, some Budget locations will check your credit with a national credit verification bureau. Their debit card rental policies state that some Budget locations might not check your credit, but will require you to present a third form of identification, such as:
For debit card customers renting at an airport location, one of the following will be accepted as a third form of identification in addition to a driver’s license and debit card:
A round-trip airline ticket, e-ticket, or travel itinerary to or from the airport of rental, that shows a return date and the renter's name
A valid U.S. passport or current U.S. military identification card
A current vehicle insurance card
A current copy (within the last 60 days) of the customer's cellular phone bill, home telephone bill, bank statement or utility bill
For debit card customers renting at an off-airport location, one of the following will be accepted as a third form of identification in addition to a driver’s license and debit card:
A valid U.S. passport or current U.S. military ID card
A current vehicle insurance card
A current copy (within the last 60 days) of the customer's cellular phone bill, home telephone bill, bank statement or utility bill
Debit card rental policies for Budget state that they will generally require a hold of the total estimated charges of the proposed rental PLUS 25% or $300, whichever is the greater amount. At some Budget locations in the Northeast and North Central regions, the minimum authorization hold is $500.
Budget suggests that customers look at the terms and conditions on your reservation confirmations for the deposit required at your specific rental location.
Dollar.com (opens in a new window)says the If a renter presents a debit card at the beginning of rental to qualify to rent, Dollar will perform a debit card check and credit inquiry screening through Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
Their website debit card rental policies include a statement that a credit check allows them to
"...screen out customers who present a greater driving risk to us, using a standard set of criteria. The credit inquiry is posted on the customer's credit report and may have an effect on the customer's credit evaluation."
If a renter doesn't meet debit card criteria, they would have to provide a major credit card in their own name in order to rent.
Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of rental without a credit inquiry. Debit cards are not accepted at Dollar locations in Canada except for payment at the end of rental.
Renters should refer to the Local Policies link on their online rate quote, for specific information on the acceptance and usage of debit cards, and the amount of deposit required where you intend to rent. You can find links to these local policies when researching rates on Dollar.com
Debit Cards: Debit/check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, MasterCard Logo only.
The Debit Card must be in the name of the renter.
Not all Enterprise locations accept Debit Cards. The debit card rental policies can be found for the specific location when booking a reservation on Enterprise.com.
Airport Locations
When renting in the US, Debit Cards will be accepted as long as you also show proof of a round trip travel ticket (airline, cruise ship or train) at time of pick up of the rental vehicle.
Without proof of roundtrip ticket, debit or check cards are only accepted as a method of payment when returning the vehicle
For car rental pick-ups in Puerto Rico, a credit card in the name of the renter must be used. Debit/check cards are only accepted for payment at the end of the rental. (Exception: San Juan, PR Airport will accept a debit card with proof of round trip travel and if all other qualifications are met).
In Canada, a credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pickup. Debit/Check cards are not accepted. For payment at the end of the rental only cash, money orders, traveler's checks, or a major credit card are accepted.
Non-Airport Locations:
Renters who would like to use a debit card for their deposit may need to complete a cash qualification process.
You should always contact the local branch to determine what is required for the cash qualification process.
The branches may require:
Two current utility bills
Most recent paycheck stub
Driver's license issued from the rental state
A minimum deposit plus the entire cost of the rental will be debited from the renter's account at the time of pickup.
Deposit amount varies by location from $100 to $300 plus the actual cost of rental. You should contact the rental branch directly to find out the exact amount that will be required.
Proof of insurance
Personal references
Any hold amount owed back to renters will typically be credited back to their account within 15 business days.
Many Enterprise branches do not accept cash payments, however some branches may accept cash or a money order using the above "cash qualification" process for customers who do not have a debit or check card.
Requirements for these types of rentals MUST be verified directly with the branch you wish to rent a vehicle from. It is strongly recommended that you check with the branch about cash qualification and debit card rental policies before attempting to pick up a rental car.
According to FoxRentaCar.com (opens in a new window), debit cards are only accepted for deposit if the renter is also able to show their return flight segment of a round trip airline ticket for airport location where the car is being rented.
Debit cards may only be used when renting an economy through fullsize car or a minivan.
When using a debit card for deposit, the counter must be able to authorize (freeze) on the card the total estimated rental charges, plus a deposit of an extra $400.
At most Hertz locations, debit cards (sometimes called check cards) that are issued with a VISA or Mastercard logo are accepted.
Debit cards used for rental pickup, must have enough available funds to cover the estimated total amount of the rental charges plus up to an additional $140.
Hertz will also perform a credit check if you wish to use a debit card.
The credit scoring process is done through Equifax; similar to the type of credit checks that are done when a person applies for credit. This credit check is done at the rental location when you arrive to pick up your vehicle.
Prepaid or stored value cards are not accepted as credit identification to rent a car.
Debit/check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card logo only.
According to debit card rental policies researched on National's website Nationalcar.com,
When renting in the U.S., proof of a round trip travel ticket (airline, cruise ship or train) will be required at the time of pickup.
For pick-ups in the United States without proof of roundtrip ticket, debit or check cards are only accepted when returning the vehicle. A credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pick-up.
In Canada & Puerto Rico, a credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pickup. Debit/check cards are only accepted for payment at time of return.
No information was provided about the deposit required when using a debit card; renters must check with either a National reservation representative 1-877-222-9058 or by calling their preferred National location directly.
Debit card rental policies for PaylessCar.com (opens in a new window) state that most locations will accept debit cards. The use of debit card for deposit requires a hold of the full amount of the estimated rental charges, plus an extra security deposit.
Renters must check policy specifically for the location that they wish to rent from to see if debit cards are allowed, and what the amount of hold required on it would be.
Thrifty.com (opens in a new window) states that generally, renters must show a major credit card at the time of rental. However, when renting from many US locations, you may be allowed to use a debit or check card to rent.
If the customer presents a debit card at the beginning of rental to qualify to rent, Thrifty will perform a debit card check and credit inquiry screening through Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of rental without a credit check.
Debit cards may not be accepted in Canada.
Since the credit requirements vary by location, you should refer to the location's Terms & Conditions for specific information on the acceptance and usage of debit cards and Thrifty's debit card rental policies for where you intend to rent. You can find these terms when researching rates on Thrifty.com
