Do you know how to rent a car without a credit card? Renting a car is not always as simple as picking one up with a credit card. Sometimes, you need to rent cars without a credit card and that can be difficult because of the different methods of payment that car rental companies accept. This post will offer some tips on how to rent cars with different types of payment methods so you can rent your car without any problems!
What Are Car Rental Companies Looking For When Renting Cars Without A Credit Card?
To rent a car, car rental companies usually require proof of a major form of identification such as your passport or drivers license and they need to see some sort of deposit. They will most likely request another form of payment aside from cash (like debit cards) if you want to rent a car with no credit card.
Another thing car rental companies look for is good credit. Yes, if you don’t use a credit card most companies will run a credit check in order to see if they should rent the car to you or not. If you don’t have a credit card or a good credit score there is a good chance that you might be denied to rent a car. You should look into either increasing your credit score with a credit repair company or do it yourself through educational programs like The Credit Repair Blueprint or apply to open a credit card.
Payment Methods To Rent A Car
These are a few methods that you can use to rent a car with most major rental car companies. Some rental car companies might only require a credit card to secure your rental but you can use other forms of payment once your rental is over. To find out what payment methods rental car companies except read below or call small local companies to verify their information.
- Credit Cards
- Debit Cards
- Cash
- Money Order
- Gift Cards
Related: 10 Best Checking Accounts For Bad Credit
Requirements For Renting A Car Without A Credit Card
Before car rental companies accept your debit card as payment, there are often some requirements that you must meet. You will need to be at least 21 years old (sometimes 25) and have held a valid debit card for six months or more .
If the car is being rented in another person’s name, you will need a photocopy of that person’s ID. Some rental car companies might also run a credit check to see if you’re responsible before they rent you a car.
Finally, car rental companies may require you to have had some kind of car insurance for at least 30 days before they consider accepting the car as payment.
Related: What Is The Average Credit Score For An Auto Loan?
How To Rent A Car With A Debit Card
Car rental companies like Enterprise, Avis and Budget all accept debit cards as forms of payment to rent cars without credit cards . You may be required to put down an additional deposit in order for them to cover the full value of the car if it is damaged while you drive it.
Enterprise
You can rent a car at Enterprise with a debit card from a major bank that has a VISA, MasterCard or Discover logo. When you are at an Enterprise at an airport location debit card deposits are accepted as long as you have a return ticket travel itinerary.
If you do not have a return travel itinerary you will need to use a credit card to cover the cost of the rental plus an additional amount of between $200 to $400 which depends on rental location.
When you rent the car charges will be placed on the debit card which reduces the available funds in the account. If any overdraft fees are incurred because of this, the rental is responsible so make sure you have plenty of money available to avoid these extra charges.
Enterprise Requirements
- Driver’s License – name and address must match current home address (active duty military personnel are exempt from this requirement)
- Driver’s Allowed – only the renter, their spouse or domestic parter are allowed to drive the car.
Budget
To rent a car at Budget with a debit card you will need your driver’s license or ID as well as another form of identification such as your passport, airline ticket, insurance card, utility bill or bank statement. When you use a debit card you will need to have enough funds on your debit card to cover the estimated charges plus $300. This will show up as a hold until your rental period is over. The minimum hold amount is $100.
Some Budget locations might also require a credit check to determine your creditworthiness and if you have bad credit you might be denied. If you under 25 years old you will not be allowed to rent a car with a debit card and must use a credit card. Some budget locations will not accept debit cards so call your location to check.
Budget Requirements
- Driver’s License plus another form of ID (Passport, Travel Itinerary, Round-trip Airline Ticket, Vehicle Insurance Card, Copy of cell phone bill, home phone bill, utility bill or bank statement within the last 60 days
- Renter’s under 25 cannot use a debit card and must use a credit card
- Clean Driving Record
- Funds at Time of Rental- you will need funds available on your debit card to cover any estimated charges plus up to $300.
- Credit Check – depending on location
Hertz
Hertz Rental Car companies allows you to rent a car with a debit card with a VISA, MasterCard and Discover logo. You must also provide 2 forms of ID which can include a driver’s license, passport, military ID card, and current utility statement with the same name and address as your driver’s license.
When you use a debit card Hertz will authorize a hold to cover the rental charges plus $500 for any additional charges that may be incurred. You can not use a debit card to rent a premium vehicle including Dream Cars or for Prepaid rentals. You must use a credit card to rent those types of vehicles.
No matter what form of payment you use to rent the car you can always use your debit card to make the final payment at the end of your rental. Most Hertz locations will require a credit check when you use a debit card and can deny your rental if you do not have good credit or the correct identification.
Requirements:
- Airport Locations: proof of return travel ticket and 2 forms of ID
- Non-Airport Locations: reservation made one day in advance, 25 years old or older, 2 forms of ID and proof of return travel ticket
Thrifty
Just like all the other major rental car companies Thrifty allows you to rent a car with a debit card that has a VISA, MasterCard and Discover logo.
Thrifty will place a hold on your debit card for any charges plus $500 for any additional charges that may incur. You can only rent a compact to full size car only when using a debit card. A credit check may also be required at some locations when using a debit card.
Thrifty Requirements:
- 2 Forms of ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID, current utility statement with your name and address.
- Proof of return ticket
Can You Rent A Car With Cash?
Mostly every major rental car company will not allow you to rent a car with cash for security reasons. You can use a credit card or debit card to secure the car and once your rental is over some rental car companies will allow you make the final payment with cash or money order.
Thrifty allows you to apply for a Cash Deposit Identification Card in order for you to use cash. To get this identification card you must be 20 years old or older (18 in Michigan and New York). The application process can take up to 30 days and a non-refundable $15 fee which will offset the cost of a modified credit check.
To find out which locations will take cash as a form of payment for when your rental is over call and ask to make sure before you arrive.
Related: 13 Best Banks Who Don’t Use ChexSystems
Can You Rent A Car With A Gift Card?
Most large rental car companies will not allow you to secure a rental car with a gift card. However, some companies like Enterprise, Thrifty and Budget allow you to use a VISA, MasterCard or Amex gift card as a form of payment at the end of your rental.
Best Credit Cards For Renting A Car
If you rent a car frequently, one of the best options is a car rental credit card that offers rewards and incentives . If you do find yourself renting a vehicle, make sure to choose a credit card that offers a level of car rental insurance as part of their incentives. These are some of the best credit cards that offer rental coverage:
– American Express Business Platinum
Related: 10 Best Rewards Credit Cards
3 Benefits Of Renting A Car With Credit Card
Renting a car with your credit card can come with several benefits:
- car rental companies will often waive the deposit or hold fee if you use a credit card to pay for your car rental.
- car rentals paid with a credit card can be settled directly through the car rental agency rather than going through a bank, which makes transactions simpler . In addition, it is easier and faster for your money to be refunded to your account.
- car rental companies require less paperwork when you pay with a credit card.
Can I Rent A Car With Someone Else’s Credit Card?
No, mostly all rental car companies will not allow you to rent a car with someone else’s credit card. However, some places might makes exceptions to this rule as long as you have all the proper paperwork, identification needed, and authorization. Call your local rental car company to find out, but this might be a rare exception.
The renter must be the one who pays for the rental and has a credit card or debit card with their name on it. The person with the credit card can be the primary renter and can add someone else as a driver but the primary renter needs to be present in order to get the rental car.
What Credit Score Is Required To Rent A Car?
If you plan on using a debit card or another form of payment that is not a credit card you might need to pass a credit check in order to rent the car. Most rental car companies have a credit check as a requirement if you use a debit card but will not publicize what minimum credit score is needed. For your best chances you should have a credit score minimum of 670 or higher. A FICO score of 670 to 739 is considered a good credit score.
If your credit score is below 670 you still might get approved but your chances of being denied a rental car are greater. When you don’t have a credit card due to bad credit you can apply for the Chime Credit Builder VISA card which you can use to rent a car, it doesn’t require a credit check to apply and it can help you increase your credit score.
To use the Chime Credit Builder Visa Card make sure you have enough money if your account to cover all rental expenses plus $200 to $500 for any additional charges. You can also increase your credit score by hiring a credit repair company or taking an easy to follow Credit Repair Course that teaches you how to repair your credit for life all on your own.
Related: How Does Chime Credit Builder Work?
Conclusion
You don’t need a credit card to rent a car however it is an easier process to do so. To rent a car with a debit card you will need to have enough funds in your account to cover all rental expenses.
You will also need an additional $200 to $500 for additional expenses that might arise. Make sure that you have a good credit score as most rental companies will do a credit check. This is required if you rent a car with any other payment than a credit card.
Do you have bad credit, no credit, or want to learn how to become a credit expert?
Signup for the #1 DIY Credit Repair Course
The Credit Repair Course includes:
- How to find your credit report and your ACTUAL Credit Score
- A breakdown of how your credit score is calculated
- How to increase your credit score in each category
- The best tools to increase your credit score fast
- How to dispute negative items from your credit report
- Credit dispute letter templates and when to send them
- The best credit cards for your credit score
- How to use credit cards to leverage your money and business
- How to use credit cards to get free travel, bonuses and rewards
Learn how to fix your credit for life by enrolling in The Credit Repair Blueprint today!
