Hiring a car: Can you use a debit card to rent a car?

For many travellers, being able to hire a car is a key part of their holiday. The most common payment method used to hire cars is a credit card. A credit card is the preferred payment method of car rental firms because it helps to reduce the inherent risk in the transaction. The only trouble is that not everyone has a major credit card.

Thankfully, most car rental firms do accept other payment types. Some rental car companies accept debit cards but attach certain conditions to the transaction. At Expedia, we work with the most reputable car hire firms that offer a range of payment methods. In this guide, we’re going to identify some of the rental car companies that accept debit cards and the pitfalls you may encounter with this payment type.

01

Why do car hire companies prefer credit cards?

Renting a car to someone with no credit card presents an additional risk for rental companies. Not only does the lack of a credit card suggest the customer could be a credit risk, but it also opens up the car hire company to a potential loss. Rental car companies that accept debit cards could find a car is returned with a scratch or damage that the renter’s insurance policy doesn’t cover. If there is not enough cash left on the debit card to pay for the damage, the hire firm could be in trouble. The same could happen if a car is returned without a full tank of fuel. But car hire companies do want your business, which is why some offer debit card payments.

02

Which rental car companies accept debit cards?

If you want to use a debit card to pay for your car rental, there will be a few more hoops to jump through. The exact details of the additional requirements vary from company to company, and even location to location, so in many cases it’s not until you make your booking that you’ll know exactly what those requirements will be. Rental car companies that accept debit cards in some of their locations include:

1. Sixt
2. Advantage
3. Enterprise
4. Hertz
5. Thrifty
6. National
7. Avis

03

Obstacles you may encounter

Policies differ from company to company, but if you pay by debit card you may also have to:

1. Undergo a credit check: Many rental car companies will choose to carry out a credit check. If your score is low you may be refused a rental.
2. Have a hold placed on cash in the debit account: The rental car company will want to lock up the entire rental amount in advance and may put a hold on your account for an additional amount to cover any damage. Barring any issues, the extra money will be released back to you at the end of the rental, but note that it can take up to three weeks.
3. Present extra forms of identification: If you cannot present a credit card you may be asked for a second or even a third form of ID such as a passport or utility bill.
4. Buy or show proof of insurance: The car hire company may want to check your insurance is adequate to cover any potential damage. If it’s not, they may insist you buy additional cover from them.
5. Show evidence of return travel: Some car hire firms may ask to see a return travel ticket with your name on it.
6. Expect vehicle exclusions: There may be some classes of vehicle, usually the most expensive, that you won’t be able to hire with a debit card.
7. Satisfy additional age restrictions: Drivers under the age of 25 may be refused a debit card rental.