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If you are like most people, you probably assumed renting a car without a credit card is impossible. In fact, I recently rented a car in Bulgaria and watched the customer ahead of me get turned down because they didn't have a credit card on hand to rent the vehicle. But while that's a common requirement, it's not always the case.
Many rental companies do allow customers to rent using a debit card, and some even accept other forms of payment in certain situations. However, renting without a credit card will most likely come with additional requirements, larger security deposits, and fewer vehicle options.
Before arriving at the rental counter, here's what you should know about renting a car without a credit card.
Why Rental Companies Prefer Credit Cards
When you rent a vehicle, the rental company isn't just collecting payment for the reservation. It's also trusting that you'll return the vehicle in one piece and pay for any additional charges that could come up after the rental. This can be for things like:
- Damage to the vehicle
- Fuel charges
- Tolls
- Traffic violations (Ask me how I know about this one!)
- Extra rental days
- Cleaning fees
Credit cards make it easier for rental companies to place an authorization hold and collect those charges if it comes down to it. Debit cards, on the other hand, draw directly from your checking account. If you don't have the funds available, the company can't get their money, making them a greater financial risk for the rental company.
Renting a Car With a Debit Card
The good news is that renting with a debit card is more common than it used to be.
Many major rental companies including Budget, Avis, Sixt, Enterprise, and more accept debit cards at participating locations. The exact requirements vary by company — and sometimes even by individual rental office.
Alamo
Alamo accepts qualifying Visa-, Mastercard-, and Discover-branded debit cards at many North American locations. At airport locations, renters generally must provide a ticketed return itinerary, and the name and address on the driver’s license must match the renter’s current home address.
Avis
Avis accepts debit cards at many locations, though additional requirements often apply. Depending on the location, you may be subject to a credit check, additional identification requirements, or restrictions on vehicle classes. Some locations may not accept debit cards at all, so it's best to verify the policy before your trip.
Budget
Budget's policy is similar to Avis since both brands are part of the same company. Debit cards are accepted at many locations, but renters may encounter authorization holds, credit checks, age restrictions (25 and older), and limitations on certain vehicle classes. Always check the location-specific policy before booking.
Enterprise
Enterprise accepts debit cards at many U.S. locations, but the requirements vary. At airport locations, renters generally must present a ticketed return travel itinerary, and individual neighborhood locations may have their own payment and deposit rules.
Hertz
Hertz accepts Visa-, Mastercard-, and Discover-branded debit cards at many locations. Debit-card renters may undergo a credit check, be limited to certain standard vehicle classes, and need to provide two forms of identification. Airport locations may also require proof of return travel. Hertz will place an authorization hold on the card for the estimated rental charges and potential additional costs.
National
National accepts debit cards at many airport locations when the renter presents a ticketed return travel itinerary. Renters without one may need to provide a credit card and a location-specific deposit instead.
Sixt
Sixt accepts debit cards at most U.S. locations, though additional requirements apply at some airport branches and for certain vehicle categories. The renter must present a physical card in the main driver’s name and have enough funds available for both the rental and security hold. Depending on the location, renters may also need a return travel itinerary or proof of address.
Be Prepared for a Larger Security Hold
One of the biggest differences between renting with a credit card and a debit card is the authorization hold.
Rental companies typically place a temporary hold on your payment method to cover potential additional charges. When you use a credit card, that hold simply reduces your available credit until it's released.
With a debit card, however, the hold ties up money in your checking account.
For example, if your rental costs $350 and the rental company places a $400 authorization hold, you may temporarily have $750 unavailable until the hold is removed. Depending on your bank and the rental company, those funds could stay unavailable for several days after you return the vehicle.
You May Have Fewer Vehicle Choices
Even when a rental company accepts debit cards, not every vehicle may be available.
Some agencies restrict customers paying with debit cards from renting luxury vehicles, premium SUVs, high-performance cars, specialty or exotic vehicles, and any other particularly expensive vehicle.
If you're hoping to reserve a specific vehicle class, check the payment requirements before booking.
Don't Forget About Rental Car Insurance
One of the biggest advantages of using a travel rewards credit card for your rental is that many cards include rental car collision damage coverage. Depending on the card, this may come in the form of primary or secondary rental car collision damage coverage, which can reimburse you for damage or theft to the rental vehicle when you decline the rental company's collision damage waiver.
If you rent with a debit card instead, you generally won't have access to these credit card protections. Before picking up your rental, it's worth reviewing whether your personal auto insurance provides coverage or whether purchasing the rental company's protection makes sense.
Some debit cards do actually offer rewards or limited travel benefits, but they're the exception rather than the rule. If your debit card includes rental car coverage, make sure to thoroughly review the benefit guide before relying on it. Most travelers will find that travel rewards credit cards offer stronger rental car protections and more valuable rewards.
The Best Credit Cards With Rental Car Insurance
Some of the best credit cards with the strongest rental car protections include:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® includes primary rental car collision damage coverage when you charge the entire rental to the card and decline the rental company’s collision coverage.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card includes primary rental insurance when you charge the entire rental with the card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers primary rental car collision damage coverage on eligible rentals, subject to the card’s benefit terms.
$795Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
$95Rates & Fees
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
$395
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Additionally, if you're renting a car for business purposes, a handful of small business credit cards come with great rental coverage:
- Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offers primary rental car collision damage coverage when renting for business purposes and paying with the card.
- Capital One Venture X Business includes primary rental car collision damage coverage on eligible rentals, subject to the card’s benefit terms.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card includes primary rental car collision damage coverage for business rentals paid for with the card.
$795Rates & Fees
- 8X points on all Chase Travel℠ purchases
- 5X total points on eligible Lyft rides through 9/30/2027
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on advertising purchases made with social media platforms and search engines
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
$395
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Business Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment
- 5X miles per $1 on flights booked via Capital One Business Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Business Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on other eligible purchases
$95Rates & Fees
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Besides the insurance benefits, paying with a travel rewards credit card also lets you earn points, miles, or cash back on your rental. If you're already planning to rent a car, those rewards are essentially free. Just don't forget to pay your balance in full.
Can You Rent a Car With Cash?
Although it's uncommon, some rental companies do actually allow cash rentals in limited situations. But more often than not, you'll only be able to pay with cash when you return the vehicle but still need a credit or debit card to pick it up.
If you hope to rent a car using cash alone, contact the rental location well before your trip. Policies vary widely, and many locations don't allow cash rentals at all.
Tips for Renting a Car Without a Credit Card
Renting without a credit card doesn't have to be difficult if you plan ahead.
Before your trip:
- Review the rental location's payment policy. Requirements often vary by location, even within the same rental company.
- Bring any required documentation. Additional identification or proof of travel may be required.
- Budget for the authorization hold. Make sure you'll still have enough available funds during your trip.
- Review your insurance coverage. Understand what protection your personal auto insurance — or any eligible benefits — provides before you arrive.
- Reserve early. If debit card rentals are restricted to certain vehicle classes, booking early can improve your chances of getting the vehicle you want.
Bottom Line
Even if a rental company accepts debit cards, using a credit card is probably going to be the simpler option. Perks and protections like rental car collision damage coverage and the ability to earn rewards can really add up the savings.
However, while credit cards remain the preferred payment method for most rental companies, they're not the only option. Many rental agencies allow customers to rent with a debit card, though doing so may require additional verification, larger authorization holds, and/or restrictions on available vehicles.
Before your trip, take a few minutes to review the rental location's payment policy and make sure you have the necessary documentation and funds available. A little planning can go a long way in helping ensure your rental experience goes smoothly — even without a credit card.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (Rates & Fees), and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
