How to Rent a Car if You Don’t Have a Credit Card

Most products on this page are from partners who may compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how they appear on the page. However, opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain.

If you need to rent a car but don't have a credit card or prefer other payment methods, you are in luck. Most car rental companies allow customers to reserve a rental car using a debit card. The rental process, though, is a bit more involved than when using a credit card and could mean more time spent in the car rental office before hitting the road. That's because rental companies take more risk when accepting debit card payment types. They put stiffer policies in place for renters using a debit card as payment in order to protect themselves. 

Do You Need a Credit Card to Rent a Car? 

No, you don't need a credit card to rent a car with most car rental companies, but it can make the process easier. While many car rental companies may prefer credit card payments, they will allow other payments in many situations, including debit cards, cash, and money orders.  

Keep in mind that airport locations may differ from other rental company locations due to the type of customer base they work with typically. Policies can also vary depending on whether you are local, from out of state or an international customer. 

Recommended Credit Cards

Credit Card	Rewards Rate	Annual Fee	Bonus Offer	Learn More
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Apply Now	1x- 5xPoints More Info Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.	$95	60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)	Apply Now
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card Apply Now	1x - 2xPoints More Info Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.	$69	$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent:	Apply Now
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Apply Now Rates & Fees	2%Cashback More Info Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.	$0	$200Cash Bonus More Info Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.	Apply Now Rates & Fees
Citi Custom Cash® Card Apply Now Rates & Fees	1% - 5%Cashback More Info Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.	$0	$200Cash Bonus More Info Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.	Apply Now Rates & Fees

Paying With a Credit Card vs. Debit Card

Why do rental companies prefer credit card payments? Accidents happen, and there's not much that rental companies can do to prevent them once you leave the rental lot. The same goes for when customers run up charges on the rental, like tolls. If you used a credit card for payment, the car rental company could charge your card for damages and other expenses without you being present. 

Unlike credit cards, debit cards require you to be present and enter a pin number, which makes it difficult for a rental company to add extra charges after you leave the lot. Essentially, credit card payments provide more protection for car rental companies and allow them to cover expenses incurred by rental car drivers. 

If you're looking for a travel credit card to make the most of your travel spending and rewards, check out the current best travel credit card bonuses or take a look at the best credit card sign-up bonuses right now.

Related Article

How to Get Free or Cheap Rental Cars

Read More

What to Know When Renting a Vehicle With a Debit Card

Here are some additional things you may need to know about the car rental process and what rentals may ask from you when using a debit card to reserve your vehicle.  

• Trip disclosure: Rental companies may ask you to disclose travel plans when using a debit card for payment, especially at airport rental locations. For example, you may be asked to provide proof of ticketed return travel itinerary at all airport locations when using a debit card.
• Deposit: One of the primary ways rental companies reduce risk is by requiring renters to pay a deposit when using debit cards or cash. The car's value is more than they would charge for a deposit, but charging a deposit creates more incentive for the renter to use precaution when driving. Barring any red flags during the return inspection, you should receive your deposit after assessing the final charges. 
• Credit check: Car companies may also run a credit check to verify your financial background. They use your creditworthiness to assess whether a customer is a rental risk.
• Additional forms of identification: Some car rental airport locations require two forms of identification when paying with a debit card. In addition to a driver's license or other government-issued ID, you'll need a credit or debit card, military ID, passport, a company ID badge or other select non-government issued IDs. Also, the name on your secondary identification must match your driver's license. 
• Car dropoff policies may vary:  Select car rental locations only accept debit cards for payments made when returning the car. If you need to pay charges upfront, you'll need to use a credit card.
• Car type restrictions: Some car rental companies restrict the type of vehicle you can rent using a debit card. For example, premium or luxury vehicle rentals may require a credit card to reserve. 
• Age restrictions: Most car companies restrict renters under 25 years of age from using a debit card.
• Holds on your bank account: When using a debit card, the car rental company places a hold on your account for the estimated rental amount. The funds won't be accessible during your rental. The hold is released when you return the vehicle, although it could take a few days for your bank to lift it. Make sure you have enough funds in your account to cover the rental cost and any other expenses during the rental period. You, not the rental company, are responsible for any charges levied by your bank if you overdraft. 

Another thing to note is some car rental companies restrict the type of debit card you can use to rent a car. Some car rentals, for example, only allow debit cards with the Mastercard or Visa logo on them. That probably covers a large range of the debit cards out there but may exclude some. 

Car Rental Companies That Accept Debit Cards

While they don't come out and say it, rental car companies prefer credit cards to other forms of payment. You can see that clearly when comparing rental policies using a credit card versus a debit card. That said, most of the prominent car rental companies accept debit cards. 

Here's a look at a few companies that may allow you to book a rental car with a debit card. 

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Dollar
• Enterprise
• Hertz

Policies can change and vary greatly between each company. Often it's the local rental office that sets these policies. Contact your car rental company to confirm that they accept debit card payment before booking a rental.

Can You Pay for a Rental Car In Cash? 

Are you out of luck renting a car if you don't have a credit or debit card? Not at all. Many car rental companies accept cash payments to secure a rental car. In some cases, you can even pay with a money order. If you thought using a debit card to rent a car was complicated, it's more so when using cash. 

If you are paying for a rental car with cash, typically, you'll need to provide a sizable deposit upfront in addition to the rental fees. You may still need some type of payment card, though. Budget, for example, lets customers pay in cash but must provide a deposit using a credit or debit card. So, in some cases, you'll still need access to a credit or debit card even if you're paying cash. 

For example, renting a car using cash at Enterprise is very involved. To do so, customers need to provide:

• Current utility bills
• Most recent paycheck stub
• A cash deposit and the entire rental cost upfront
• Proof of insurance
• Personal references

Other car rental companies, like Hertz and Thrifty, allow cash payments, but only for customers with a cash deposit identification card. Receiving a cash deposit ID card requires submitting an application and paying a processing fee. Don't wait until your rental date to apply if you plan to use cash. The process includes a credit check and may take up to 30 days to complete. Once approved, you can rent a car through those rental companies with an upfront cash deposit. 

Should You Use a Debit Card to Rent a Car?

If you're OK with the extra steps involved, you do have the option of renting a car using a debit card or cash. However, using a debit card could leave customers missing out on valuable benefits and protections when paying with a credit card.

Credit cards typically offer better fraud protection. You can also dispute charges later through a credit card issuer if you run into any complications or were mistreated by a rental company. Some credit cards also come with primary or secondary car rental insurance coverage. To access this coverage, use your credit card for payment and decline the rental company's insurance when offered. 

One of the more enticing benefits to using a credit card is the rewards you earn when you rent a car. You'll earn points or miles for spending with the rental company, which you can redeem for many other perks. While you can use a debit card to rent a car, you may be leaving a lot of value on the table. 

FAQs

• Can I use a prepaid debit card to rent a car?

  Yes, most rental car companies will accept prepaid debit cards as payment provided that there are enough funds to cover the transaction. But each company is different, so check with your rental company ahead of time to ensure they accept your form of payment.

• Can I use my credit card to book a rental car for someone else?

  Yes, you can book a rental car for someone else using your own credit card, but be sure to add the driver's name and their age when checking out so they are authorized to pick up the vehicle. They will also need to meet the requirements of an additional driver.

  Keep in mind that the car rental company may require the driver present a credit card when picking up the vehicle, and some companies may still require the primary driver show up to sign the paperwork. Ask the rental company first so you know exactly what to expect.

• What happens if you don't have a credit card for car rental?

  You can use other forms of payment for a car rental, such as a debit card, cash, or prepaid gift card.