Can you rent a car with a debit card?
Yes, at many locations, but not everywhere and not on the same terms as a credit card. Enterprise, Hertz and Avis all accept Visa, Mastercard or Discover debit cards at a lot of US branches. They usually ask for more in return: extra ID, proof of a return flight at airports, a bigger hold on your account, and at Avis a credit check. Prepaid cards are generally refused at pickup.
The details change by country, branch and car class. Read the terms on your booking confirmation, and check with the pickup location if anything is unclear.
What do Enterprise, Hertz and Avis require for debit cards?
The table below summarises the published US policies of three large brands. Each brand's own policy pages say that individual locations can differ.
| Enterprise (US) | Hertz (US) | Avis (US) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accepted cards | Debit cards with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover logo | Debit cards with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover logo that draw funds directly from the account | Most locations accept Visa or Mastercard debit |
| Airport pickup | Ticketed return travel itinerary needed | Proof of a return flight plus two forms of ID | Proof of a return airline ticket |
| Extra checks | Name and address on licence must match current home address | Book at least 24 hours ahead; renter 25 or older; two forms of ID | Credit check at most US locations; second form of ID; 25 or older |
| Excluded | Prepaid cards | Larger vehicle classes (see below) | Premium and Select Series cars need a credit card |
Sources for the table are the brands' own pages: Enterprise counts any non-credit card with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover logo as a debit card and does not accept prepaid cards. At airports it accepts debit only with a ticketed return itinerary, and the name and address on the licence must match the renter's current home address.
What are Hertz's debit card rules?
Hertz's rental terms say that to qualify with a debit card you must book at least 24 hours in advance and be at least 25, and at airport locations you must show proof of a return airline flight and two valid forms of identification.
Vehicle class matters too. A Hertz support article says debit cards are accepted only for sub-compact through full-size sedans and a small SUV, and not for standard SUVs or larger, minivans or premium categories. That article notes it applies to US locations only.
What are Avis's debit card rules?
Avis is the one most likely to run a credit check. Its terms say most US locations will perform a credit check for debit card renters. A location-specific Avis page adds that you must also present a second form of current identification, and that airport locations also require proof of a return airline ticket.
Avis's help page also warns that some locations do not accept debit cards at the time of rental for any vehicle, and that a credit card is required for the Avis Select Series and certain other premium vehicles.
How big is the hold on a debit card?
A hold (also called an authorisation hold or security deposit) is money the company reserves on your card to cover extras such as fuel, tolls or damage. It is not a charge, but you cannot spend it. Hertz states that these funds will not be available for your use.
Published figures for debit cards vary by brand:
Hertz: its terms give USD 500.00 for debit card rentals, in addition to the estimated charges.
Avis: a location page says many rentals may require an authorization hold of the estimated rental charges plus $200 USD. A copy of a standard Avis agreement quoted on a credit-scoring forum mentions a different, higher minimum, so amounts clearly depend on location and date.
Enterprise: The Points Guy reports that Enterprise charges debit card users a deposit of $200 to $850, and that the amount varies by rental location and vehicle class.
Before you travel, work out whether your account can cover the rental price plus the hold. If the balance is too low, the transaction may be declined.
How long until the hold is released?
The rental company releases the hold after you return the car, but your bank decides when the money shows again. Avis's location terms say the company will process the reversal but the bank may take time to post it back to the account. Hertz and Avis do not give one guaranteed timeframe for debit cards, so leave a buffer if the money matters for the rest of your trip.
Why do rental companies treat debit cards differently?
The companies' policies are built around risk. A municipal Columbus, Ohio information page about Enterprise explains it this way: debit cards lack the fraud protection of credit cards, so the company takes on more risk and often adjusts the deposit. That is one reading of the practice. The rental brands' own policy pages describe the requirements but say less about their reasoning.
Does the card have to be in my name?
Yes. Enterprise's UK page says all cards must have the main driver's name on them. Hertz asks for a card in the renter's own name. Avis adds that the card presented at the counter must be identical to the one used for a "Pay Now" reservation.
A partner's or parent's card will not work, and that applies whether you booked directly or through a comparison site.
What changes outside the US?
Rules differ. Enterprise's UK page says it accepts debit or credit cards in the name of the renter, but a credit card is required for People Carrier, Compact Elite, SUV, Premium, Luxury or Executive vehicles. Avis notes that Canada locations do not accept bank debit cards as a form of credit identification.
In many other countries, the deposit hold and the credit-card requirement are set by the local rental company, so do not assume US rules apply.
What should you check before you get to the counter?
The pickup terms. Look at the payment section of your confirmation, not only the brand's general FAQ.
The car class. Larger or premium categories often require a credit card.
Your paperwork. Bring your licence, a second photo ID such as a passport, and a return flight itinerary if renting at an airport. Utility bills or bank statements are sometimes requested for address checks.
Your balance. Have the rental cost plus the hold available.
The card type. A prepaid or gift card is unlikely to be accepted at pickup.
Your age. Hertz and Avis both cite 25 as the minimum for debit card rentals.
You can compare pickup locations and see the payment notes attached to each offer using live price search. For how deposits and extras fit into the total, see how rental pricing works. Cars Renta only lists offers. Bookings are completed with DiscoverCars, and the pickup supplier sets the payment rules.
Is a credit card easier?
Generally, yes. Kayak's guide says most rental car companies require a credit card in the renter's name at pickup. If you have one, it is usually the simpler route. If you don't, a debit card can work if you prepare for the extra steps.