Rental car companies that accept prepaid debit cards

Dollar Payment Policies: How to Rent without a Credit Card

Looking to rent a car without a credit card? Dollar makes it easy by providing a variety of payment options so that you can pay for your rental using whatever payment method works best for you and your family. To learn more about renting a car with a credit card, renting a car with a debit card, and cash car rentals, browse the detailed sections below.

Car Rental with a Debit Card

At U.S. corporate Dollar locations, you can rent a car with a debit card.

Debit cards issued under a VISA, MasterCard or Discover logo which draw funds directly from a cardholder’s linked bank account may be used at the outset of a rental if the reservation for the rental was made 24 hours prior to vehicle pick-up.

If the reservation was not made 24 hours prior to vehicle pick-up OR you are renting a luxury, premium or convertible car class, a debit card may still be used where the following two (2) requirements are met:

    • Show a valid driver’s license and one other form of identification.
    • Show proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental (airline or cruise).

Car Rental with a Credit Card

To rent a car with Dollar by using a credit card, it’s easy too: provide a credit card at the time of rental. Although you pay for your rental car at the time you return your vehicle, a hold will be placed on your credit card at the time of rental. For more information, see Dollar’s Policies Page.

Here are the credit cards currently accepted as payment for Dollar:

  • American Express
  • MasterCard
  • Carte Blanche
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Visa
  • China Union Pay

Debit Card FAQs

Are debit cards accepted as payment for car rentals for Dollar Express Rewards members?

Yes, debit cards are accepted for Dollar Express Rewards members using a debit card in their profile or as an Insurance Replacement rental. See Debit Card Policy page for more information.

Does Dollar perform a credit card check for rentals paid for with a debit card?

No, Dollar will not perform a credit check. However, the acceptance of such debit card is contingent on meeting the requirements noted above and upon the debit card having available funds to cover the estimated charges plus an authorization of USD 200.00. These funds will not be available for your use.

What are the two (2) proper forms of identification required for renting a Dollar vehicle with a debit card if your reservation was NOT booked 24 hours in advance?

Two proper forms of identification include:

  1. A valid United States or Foreign Country issued Driver's License.
  2. And one of the following:
    • An alternative valid credit or debit card embossed 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 credit card.
    • Passport: United States or Foreign Country Issued.
    • Military Identification Card: United States or Foreign Country Issued.
    • Non-Government Form of ID, examples that may be accepted include, store membership card with photo (Costco, Sam's, etc.), a company ID badge with photo. Only acceptable if the photo and name matches the driver's license and debit card. Current month Utility statement in the renter's name and the same address on the driver's license (e.g., gas, electric, cable bill).

For more information regarding Dollar’s debit card policies, click here

Car Rental with Cash

If you prefer to pay for your Dollar car rental in cash – you can.

Cash rentals – which do require an up-front deposit – are accepted from Dollar car rental customers who have obtained a Cash Deposit Identification (ID) Card. Applications for a Cash Deposit ID Card are available here. Applicants must be 20 years of age or older (18 years of age in Michigan and New York). This application process can take approximately thirty (30) days except as otherwise required by law. Please note that there is a United States $15 non-refundable processing fee which offsets the cost to have a modified credit check performed on the applicant.

For more information, check out our Policies FAQs and/or General Policies.

Have any additional questions about Dollar’s payment policies? Contact your local Dollar car rental for more information. You can search locations here.

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Does Budget Allow Car Rental with a Debit Card?

Can you rent a car with a debit card?

Yes, you can rent a car with a debit card if you are at least 25 years old and are prepared to have an authorized hold placed on your account for the duration of your reservation. Be aware that some locations don’t accept debit cards at the time of reservation but do accept them at the time of payment. 

What credit, charge and debit cards do you accept?

 Our corporate-operated locations accept the following major credit cards: 

  • American Express

  • Budget Charge Card

  • Budget International

  • Discover 

  • JCB/Japan Card

  • MasterCard 

  • Optima 

  • Visa

Please note that acceptance of these cards may vary at locations outside of the U.S. and at our licensee-owned locations. Contact your pickup location for details.

At some locations, debit and prepaid charge cards are not accepted at rental pickup time, but are accepted for payment at time of car return. See required credentials for information on required rental pick-up holds.

How to Rent a Car Without a Credit Card

Making a car rental with no credit card can seem complicated, but it is possible with Budget.

If you plan to use a debit card, you need to be at least 25 years old. You should also check the location’s rules first (see instructions below) because some locations don’t accept debit cards at the time of car pickup. 

When you come to pick up your car, you’ll be asked to present a debit card or credit card. At this point, Budget will place a hold on some of the funds in your account. The typical hold is equivalent to the total estimated cost of the rental, but it may be higher or lower. For example, the minimum debit hold is $100, and that hold amount usually applies to insurance replacement rentals or prepaid rentals. Be aware that a debit card hold limits the funds available in the attached account.

The hold on the account will be removed after the car is returned and all fees are paid. 

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. 

Paying for Your Rental Car with a Debit Card

Renters have the option to prepay for a rental online with a debit card. Some locations may require a credit card at the time of pickup, but you can still pay for the rental with a debit card.

Does My Rental Location Allow Renting with a Debit Card?

We recommend checking the debit card policies at your pickup location in advance, just to be sure. You can do this by searching for the location's page on Budget.com, scrolling down to “Terms & Conditions,” and clicking on “Debit Card Policies.”

Do rental car companies take prepaid debit cards?

Debit/check cards are any non-credit cards bearing the VISA®, Mastercard® or Discover® logo. Prepaid cards or any other non-credit cards without one of these logos are not accepted. At airport locations, debit cards are only accepted at the time of rental if accompanied by a ticketed return travel itinerary.

Which car rental companies allow prepaid debit cards?

Major rental car companies—including Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz—all permit rentals on a debit card.

Can I use a prepaid card at Enterprise?

Enterprise accepts pre-paid gift cards with a Visa, Mastercard® or Amex symbol as a form of payment at the end of a rental. We do not accept gift cards to secure a rental*. Payment is never required when making a reservation.

Does Hertz accept prepaid debit cards?

Hertz will not accept debit cards or prepaid cash cards as a form of payment or guarantee at the time of reservation, or time of pickup. You must present a valid and accepted charge card mentioned above, at the beginning of the rental. Debit cards may be used for payment upon return.