Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car with a Debit Card

As an elder millennial who has lived in pedestrian-friendly cities since graduation, I might not have ever rented a car before.

I tried Kyte three years ago, but until last month, I had never reserved a rental car in my name.

Being somewhat new to the car rental process, I was taken aback to discover that major rental companies make it challenging to rent a car with a debit card.

Here’s the essential information for using a debit card when renting a car.

Additional Requirements for Using a Debit Card

First, be aware that the policies for renting a car with a debit card differ by company and location, so it's advisable to contact the specific rental location and company you intend to use to confirm their policies in advance.

I wish I had done that instead of discovering we couldn't use a debit card at Enterprise's Seattle Lake City branch.

Most major car rental companies, such as Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget, typically require at least one of the following to accept a debit card:

• A supplementary deposit
• Various forms of identification beyond just your driver's license, including a passport or a utility bill
• Insurance verification

For instance, Enterprise requires debit card renters to pay a deposit ranging from $200 to $850 at the time of rental to "cover potential extra charges under the rental agreement." The deposit amount depends on the rental location and the type of vehicle.

Furthermore, Enterprise mandates that debit card users at most non-airport locations fulfill the following requirements:

• The name and address on the renter's driver's license must correspond with their current home address.
• A renter's residence must be within 50 miles of the rental branch, or their driver's license should be issued from the same state as the rental location.
• Renters need to provide a utility bill without any overdue balance or disconnect notice.
• Additionally, renters must present one of the following: a cellular phone bill, a paycheck, or the original declaration page from an active auto insurance policy. The bills must be the original documents, dated within the last 30 days, and must include an address that matches the renter's current home address.

If you weren't aware of these policies ahead of time, it's likely you won't have the necessary documents during your trip. Even if you do carry them, the additional paperwork can complicate the overall process.

You may need to navigate some extra requirements, such as undergoing a credit check prior to renting, and some rental car companies at airport locations may ask for proof of a return ticket. It's important to note that rental agencies do not accept prepaid cards.

Further limitations: Age, location, vehicle type

While you can typically rent a car in the U.S. at 21 by paying a "young driver" surcharge, some companies have raised the minimum age for debit card rentals to 25. Additionally, certain companies may prevent debit card users from taking a rental car out of state and limit the types of vehicles available to them.

Further advantages of using a credit card for car rentals

As you've likely realized, rental car companies often make it challenging to use a debit card. Opting for a credit card can also be more advantageous for various reasons.

Utilizing the appropriate card ensures your rental car is protected in the event of issues like theft, damage, injury, or even potential fatalities. Generally, credit cards offer higher coverage limits than the insurance provided by rental companies. However, keep in mind that most cards provide secondary insurance, which activates after your primary coverage has been utilized.

Secondary insurance is only applicable once other insurance types, such as travel insurance or personal auto insurance, have been claimed. After those claims, secondary insurance covers any outstanding expenses, including deductibles from those policies. Both insurance types have maximum coverage limits, so confirm that the coverage meets or exceeds the rental car's total value.

Additionally, some credit cards provide benefits at specific rental car agencies. For instance, The Platinum Card® from American Express grants automatic National Emerald Club Executive status, Avis Preferred Plus status, and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President's Circle status, among other perks (enrollment required for select benefits).

Holders of a United Club℠ Infinite Card enjoy complimentary Avis President's Club status, which includes free upgrades of up to two car classes, guaranteed vehicle availability when reserving at least 24 hours in advance, and expedited rental service.

Top credit cards for renting a car

Some of the finest travel rewards cards offer car rental insurance that includes a collision damage waiver when you use the card for booking. This waiver can cover incidents such as rental car accidents, theft, or damage.

The following cards provide primary car rental insurance on most rentals and also earn rewards on travel expenditures, making them excellent choices for car rentals:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
• United℠ Explorer Card
• United Quest℠ Card
• United Club Infinite
• United℠ Business Card
• Any American Express card enrolled in the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program

If you don't require primary insurance, consider using one of the following cards that provide secondary car rental insurance:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Freedom Flex®
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Amex Platinum
• American Express® Gold Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Most American Express cards provide secondary car rental insurance.

Several of our top travel cards allow you to earn points or miles when booking car rentals through credit card travel platforms, including:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals when booking travel through Chase Travel℠
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: Earn 2 points per dollar on travel purchases
• Capital One Venture X: Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

In conclusion

Although you can rent a car with a debit card, the process tends to be much more complex, and you miss out on the advantages of using a credit card, such as the potential to earn bonus points and miles.

For this reason, we suggest utilizing one of the credit cards mentioned above to maximize your car rental experience. This approach ensures you have insurance coverage while also allowing you to earn points or miles on your purchase.

For Capital One products mentioned on this page, some benefits may be offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and can vary by product. Refer to the respective Guide to Benefits for specifics, as terms and exclusions apply.