William Lipovsky
Although your security deposit is refunded to you after your return a rental car, it can still be inconvenient to have to pay a deposit upfront before you can rent a car.
Most of the major rental car companies in the U.S. require renters to provide a deposit. It minimizes the risk of allowing customers to drive off in a vehicle that could end up lost, damaged, or stolen.
The places where you are most likely to find a company willing to rent a vehicle with no deposit are international vacation destinations like Ibiza, Majorca, The Canary Islands, Greece, and Portugal.
In the U.S., you should expect to pay a security deposit almost any time you rent a car, though there may be some flexibility in how you make the security deposit.
Options for Making a Security Deposit
Credit cards remain the most common way to place a security deposit for a rental vehicle, though some companies now allow people to use a select number of debit cards and even cash when making a deposit.
Keep in mind, though, that using an alternative form of payment other than a credit card often comes with a number of time-consuming and potentially expensive conditions. It may be more convenient and cost-effective to simply use a credit card to make the deposit.
The typical security deposit that is charged by the leading car rental companies is $200, and it is refunded after you return the car, undamaged and at the appropriate time.
Below, we explain the security deposit requirements at most of the major rental car companies in the U.S., starting with the best overall options.
What We Recommend
Avis, Sixt, and Rent-A-Wreck only require a deposit of between $150 and $250, though Sixt may require customers paying with a debit card to present a return airline ticket at airport rental locations and two forms of government-issued ID.
If you’re paying with a credit card, Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar Rent-A-Car charge up to $200 for a security deposit. If you prefer to pay with cash, Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar Rent-A-Car are your best bet as long as you have a Cash Deposit ID Card to present.
Deposit Policies by Rental Company
1. Avis
- Deposit amount: $250 at the time of reservation[1]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards, as well as Mastercard and Visa debit cards[2][3]
- Details: If you pay with a debit card, a hold will be placed on the card for at least the estimated cost of the rental.[3]
- Book online
2. Hertz
- Deposit amount: Up to $200 with a credit card and $500 with a debit card at the time of reservation[4]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards, Visa and Mastercard debit cards, and cash with a Cash Deposit ID Card.[5]
- Details: When making the security deposit using a debit card, you must also provide proof of a return airline flight to coincide with the rental and present two valid forms of government-issued identification.[4]
- Book online
3. National
- Deposit amount: Varies by payment type, vehicle class, and location[6][7]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards, as well as Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit cards[8]
- Details:Without proof of round-trip travel, you must provide a credit card with enough credit available to cover the rental amount as well as a $300 to $400 deposit. These funds will be released after the car is returned.[7]
- Book online
4. Sixt Rent a Car
- Deposit amount: $200 at the time of reservation[9]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards, as well as debit cards at some locations[9]
- Details: At many locations, people wishing to rent a car without a credit card must provide a return airline ticket upon pick-up at an airport rental location. Customers without a credit card may also be required to present two forms of government-issued ID that match the name and address on the driver’s license.[10]
- Book online
5. Alamo
- Deposit amount: Ranges from $400 to $850 depending on vehicle class[11]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards and Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit cards (Note that some locations accept cash payments for rentals, but cash is never accepted for deposits)[12]
- Details: Security deposit and payment must be made by a valid credit card (unless at a location where debit is accepted), and the name on the card must match the name of the person renting a vehicle.[12]
- Book online
6. Thrifty
- Deposit Amount: $200 with a credit card and $500 with a debit card at the time of reservation[13]
- Payment Method(s): Most major credit cards, as well as Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit cards.[13]
- Details: Thrifty also accepts cash if you have a Cash Deposit ID Card. The company will still perform a credit check, even if you are not paying with a credit card.[14]
- Book online
7. Dollar Rent-A-Car
- Deposit amount: Up to $200 with a credit card and $500 with a debit card at the time of reservation[15]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards and debit cards; you can make a deposit in cash if you have a Cash Deposit ID Card.[16]
- Details: At airport locations, people using a debit card to make a security deposit will be required to provide proof of a return airline flight and two pieces of government-issued ID.[17]
- Book online
8. Enterprise
- Deposit amount: Varies by location[18][19]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards and Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit cards[20]
- Details: You cannot make a security deposit in cash. The preferred method of paying a security deposit is a valid credit card.[20]
- Book online
9. Budget
- Deposit amount: 25% of the rental or $200, whichever is greater, when paying with a credit card; the minimum hold is $500 in some locations.[21]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards, and debit cards at some locations[21]
- Details: Debit cards are accepted online but may or may not be accepted for paying the deposit hold in person.[22]
- Book online
10. Rent-A-Wreck
- Deposit amount: $150 to $250, depending on the location[23]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards, as well as debit cards with proper identity and insurance verification[23]
- Details: Deposit amounts will increase for additional drivers. You cannot pay a security deposit in cash.[23]
- Book online
11. U-Save
- Deposit amount: Starting at $200; exact amounts will vary by location.[24][25][26]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards; debit card acceptance varies by state and rental office.[27]
- Details: Some locations require proof of a return airline ticket to receive unlimited mileage.[28][26]
- Book online
12. Fox Rent-A-Car
- Deposit amount: $150 to $1,000, depending on the rental location and method of payment[29]
- Payment method(s): Most major credit cards[29]
- Details: Cash and debit cards are not accepted forms of payment.[29]
- Book online
I have been renting cars for 30 years and have never had a deposit of any amount. Last time i rented was August 2017 and no deposit.
Hi Wiener,
Thanks for sharing your experience. A lot of times, car rental agencies charge the security deposit in the form of a hold on your card — once you return the car, the hold is removed, without any money actually being deducted from your account.
Where do you rent a car with no deposit? You musy have excellent credit then?
Always Avis. Years ago Enterprise. Yes i do have excellent credit but no one has ever told me a deposit might be necessary. I only asked the question because my 28 year old son and his girlfriend rented a car and were charged a deposit.
Me either. I just rented through Alamo today and no deposit or hold on my card. They said the deposit depends on the location.
Use UHaul. They charge for mileage and it is not the cheapest way to go, but the pickup or van is ok to drive and there is no deposit.
The customer service people are nicer too.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers! While we don’t usually think of u-haul as a car rental company, this is excellent advice for people who are looking to rent a moving pickup, van, or trailer and with no deposit.
But it should appear somewhere on the receipt i would think. I always use credit card not debit card.
I’ve never had to put down a deposit when renting from Alamo or Thrifty.
Hi Joe,
The company may choose not to hold the deposit for certain drivers or certain payment methods. Thrifty, for example, says “Often times, rental car companies place a hold on the account linked to your card. It’s basically a deposit that they’ll hold until you return the vehicle.” And for Alamo, the $200 deposit applies when you pay by credit card. You may have rented from these and fallen into an exception to the usual rule that they will hold a deposit. Thanks for your comment, we’ve updated the article to reflect that the deposits are not required all of the time from these two companies.
I just tried today and Alamo now charges a deposit. It’s 15% if using visa and $200 dollars for all other cards. Okay