Car Rentals That Accept Prepaid Cards (Debit/Credit) + Those That Don’t

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Verified & Updated Sep 18, 2020

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There are several companies that accept prepaid cards for payment when you return your rental car. However, many still require you to present a credit or debit card at the time of reservation. Most companies will place a hold on your card for the estimated costs of your rental, and they will release these funds when you return the vehicle. You will not be able to use the funds while the hold is in place. Some companies also require a deposit, to be released when you return your rental, in addition to the estimated costs. Below, we explain the policies at the major U.S. rental car companies.

Keep in mind that if a company allows you to book a reservation with a prepaid card, it will require you to do so at a rental office location. You must have a credit card or bank debit card to make a rental reservation online.

What We Recommend

The best overall rental option in our list is Avis — it accepts prepaid debit and credit cards, and it is also the only rental company that does not require an initial deposit (though it may still place a hold on your account).

NextCar and Rent-A-Wreck also accept prepaid debit and credit cards for rental payment, and they also accept these types of cards for initial reservation deposits.

The List

Below, we list the car rental companies that take prepaid debit and credit cards, starting with the best overall options. Note that the companies listed below accept prepaid cards as payment for a rental, but they do not allow you to book a reservation with a prepaid card, unless otherwise noted. You can compare your rental options based on their prices and policies using our car rental selection tool.

1. Avis Rent a Car

2. NextCar

Note: NextCar accepts prepaid cards for in-person reservations, but only those with the renter’s name printed on them.

3. Rent-A-Wreck

Note: Most locations accept prepaid cards for reservations, as long as you also provide identity and insurance verification.

4. Hertz

5. National Car Rental

  • Rental deposit: Varies by location and payment type; typically $200[5]
  • Other payment forms accepted: Credit card, bank debit card (with proof of round-trip travel), cash or money order (at time of return only)[5]
  • Get rates online or find a National location

6. Thrifty Car Rental

7. Dollar Car Rental

8. Budget Car Rental

Note: Budget only accepts prepaid cards at some franchised locations; you can contact your preferred rental location to find out whether or not it accepts prepaid cards at the time of payment.

  • Rental deposit: 25% of estimated charges plus $200, whichever is greater; minimum $100 deposit for prepaid rentals online[8]
  • Other payment forms accepted: Credit card, bank debit card (only accepted at some locations), cash (at time of return only)[8]
  • Get rates online or find a Budget location

9. Payless Rent a Car

10. U-Save Car and Truck Rental

  • Rental deposit: Varies by location; can be up to $1,500 for young renters[10]
  • Other payment forms accepted: Credit card, bank debit card (must have proof of full coverage insurance), cash (must fill out an application for a cash rental)[10]
  • Get rates online or find a U-Save location

11. Fox Rent A Car

  • Rental deposit: $150 to $1,000[11]
  • Other payment forms accepted: Credit card, bank debit card (certain conditions must be met; see the Fox Rent A Car FAQ page (linked below) under “How Can I Pay For My Rental?”), cash (at time of return only)[11]
  • Get rates online or find a Fox location

Want more information on paying for a rental? See our research on car rental companies that take cash deposits, as well as getting a car rental without a deposit.

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Car Rental Companies That Don’t Take Prepaid Debit/Credit Cards

In the course of our research, we found that the following car rental companies don’t take prepaid debit or credit cards:

  1. https://www.avis.com/en/help/usa-faqs/debit-card-policy[↩][↩]
  2. https://nextcarrental.com/rental-requirements.htm[↩][↩]
  3. https://www.rentawreck.com/rental_requirements.htm[↩][↩]
  4. https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation/reviewmodifycancel/templates/rentalTerms.jsp?KEYWORD=PAYMENT&EOAG=MSPT11[↩][↩]
  5. https://www.nationalcar.com/en/support/car-rental-faqs/payment-methods.html[↩][↩]
  6. https://www.thrifty.com/CustomerCare/content/~/link.aspx?_id=F8A96559ED3B4F868E4C893464D51166&_z=z[↩][↩]
  7. https://www.dollar.com/AboutUs/GeneralPolicies.aspx[↩][↩]
  8. https://www.budget.com/en/customer-care/faqs/global/requirements-for-renting[↩][↩]
  9. https://www.paylesscar.com/en/customer-service/faq/global/requirements-for-renting[↩][↩]
  10. https://www.usave.com/LocationMapSearch.aspx[↩][↩]
  11. https://www.foxrentacar.com/en/faqs.html[↩][↩]
  12. http://www.acerentacar.com/LocationsUs.aspx[↩]
  13. https://www.enterprise.com/en/help/faqs/forms-of-payment.html[↩]
  14. https://www.getaround.com/terms[↩]
  15. https://www.sixt.com/#/?page=carrentalfaqs[↩]
  16. https://support.turo.com/hc/en-us/articles/203991120-Paying-for-your-trip[↩]
  17. Zipcar customer service (866) 494-7227[↩]
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