Rental-car deposits and counter rules
The reservation is not
the car.
You can prepay the rental and still be stranded at the counter because the card, hold, credit check, return ticket, address, age or vehicle class fails a rule buried after checkout.
Compare the national brands ↓THE POOR TAX, CALCULATED
What must survive the counter?
The rental price is only one pile of money. The hold is frozen; fuel and tolls still have to come from somewhere.
The $300 hold is not usable money until the issuer actually releases it.
NATIONAL BRAND STARTING POINT
Counter-risk matrix
Use this to eliminate obvious failures. Then open the exact pickup location’s terms and call that counter.
| Brand | Debit at pickup | Hold starting point | Off-airport / local barrier | Credit check | Prepay trap | Release warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnterpriseEnterprise HoldingsEnterprise deposit FAQs ↗ | Conditional | Varies by branch, region and vehicle | Branch terms control | Location-specific | Not a universal pickup credential | Debit refunds typically 5–10 business days |
| AlamoEnterprise HoldingsAlamo payment policy ↗ | Conditional | Rental cost plus additional amount; $300–$400 when no return itinerary and a credit card is used | Location payment policy controls | Not stated as universal | Advance Pay requires a major credit card | Debit refund may take about 5–10 business days |
| NationalEnterprise HoldingsNational payment methods ↗ | Conditional | Rental cost plus additional amount; $300–$400 when no return itinerary and a credit card is used | Location payment policy controls | Not stated as universal | Gift/prepaid cards cannot secure pickup | Bank timing controls availability |
| HertzHertz GlobalHertz forms of payment ↗ | ConditionalDebit generally limited to compact through full-size and small SUVs. | Estimated charges plus up to $500 on debit | Reserve 24h ahead; 25+; extra qualification | May be performed | Debit not accepted for Pay Now pickup | Bank timing controls availability |
| DollarHertz GlobalDollar payment methods ↗ | ConditionalDebit excludes many larger, premium and specialty vehicles. | Additional $500 deposit with debit | Reserve one day ahead; 25+; extra ID/card | May be performed | Does not replace pickup qualification | Bank timing controls availability |
| ThriftyHertz GlobalThrifty support ↗ | Verify locationNo single national counter rule is safe to promise from the public support summary. | Selected location and reservation terms control | Confirm the exact location | Confirm the exact location | Pay Now still requires a qualifying card for deposit and extras | Bank timing controls availability |
| AvisAvis Budget GroupAvis location terms ↗ | Conditional | Often estimated charges + $200; 4+ days may be +$300; prepaid debit hold may be $250 | Second ID / address documents may be required | Common for debit renters | Prepay does not guarantee debit acceptance at pickup | Published location terms may warn up to 2 weeks |
| BudgetAvis Budget GroupBudget rental requirements ↗ | ConditionalRenters under 25 generally may not use debit. | Corporate locations: estimated charges + greater of 25% or $200; some locations use $500 minimum | Location terms control | May apply by location | May not qualify for the pickup hold | Bank timing controls availability |
| SIXTSIXTSIXT US payment rules ↗ | ConditionalDebit is not accepted for sports, luxury and some higher vehicle classes. | Standard vehicles: rental amount + $200 or $300; higher classes $500 to $2,500 minimum | Return ticket or two proofs of in-state address | Not stated as universal | Physical qualifying card still required | Card provider may take days; SIXT says investigate after 28 days |
Prepaid, virtual, Cash App, Chime and other cards can be classified differently by the counter’s system. The name and address may need to match your license. A reservation agent’s promise is not stronger than the pickup location’s written terms.
WHAT COMES NEXT
Location-level reports.
National brands are the map. The useful evidence is the exact counter: what card worked, what was held, which documents were demanded, which vehicle class was allowed, and when the money became usable again.
Send us a counter report →