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Credit Cards and Deposit FAQs
Please be aware that you will need to leave a security deposit when picking up your car. To this end, you are likely to be asked to provide a credit card at the time of pick-up, which will be used by the car hire supplier to block the deposit amount for the entire duration of the rental. You must be able to provide a physical version of your credit card. A minority of car rental suppliers will accept a debit card which will be charged at the time of pick up and the deposit will be returned less any amounts due to the car rental supplier after rental drop off.
Security deposit payment
We strongly advise you to find out more about the payment, deposit and deposit restrictions in the terms and conditions of the car rental company during the booking process. All important information can easily be found under the blue 'Info Icon' under 'Important information - Mandatory Deposit Information'. You can also check your reservation voucher after the reservation has been completed.
Not all credit cards are accepted by all car rental suppliers. Please check your voucher to determine the deposit amount and which payment methods are accepted by the rental company. We recommend the use of Visa or Mastercard, which are widely accepted by suppliers worldwide. Please ensure you know the PIN number for the card. Note also that this card must be in the name of the main driver indicated in the voucher and have enough credit to cover the deposit amount. It does not have to be the same card used to pay for the booking.
Debit cards are not accepted by most car hire suppliers. If you are unsure whether your card is a credit or a debit card, start by checking the surface of the card. Many cards indicate, either on the front or back, whether they are credit or debit. When in doubt, and if no such information is present, please check with your bank.
In the absence of a valid credit card in which to block the deposit amount, some suppliers will not permit the rental to proceed, whereas others will require the payment of additional insurance to reduce or eliminate the excess amount.
Frequently asked questions about credit cards and the deposit
Do I need a credit card to hire a car?
All car hire suppliers accept credit cards. Under some circumstances, some suppliers also accept debit cards. The card presented, whether credit or debit, must be in the name of the main driver stated on the voucher and must have enough credit to cover the deposit. Car hire companies are unlikely to accept prepaid cards. Please check your voucher to determine the deposit amount and which payment methods are accepted by the rental company.
What is the deposit?
The local car rental company requires a deposit to be blocked on the main driver's credit card when the car is picked up. This deposit is held by the car rental company against any damage done to the vehicle, or in case the vehicle is stolen.
Is a deposit required if I have booked Full Damage & Theft Protection?
Yes. Full Damage & Theft Protection is a product offered by Auto Europe, not by the local car rental company. In case of damage, you will still be required to pay the excess to the car rental company, but can make a claim for refund from Auto Europe after the rental, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.
How much is the deposit?
The deposit is generally made up of the sum of the insurance excess (also called deductible), the value of a full tank of fuel, and any optional charges you pay locally (extra insurance, equipment, one-way fees etc.). The deposit amount is displayed on the right-hand side on the payment page. In addition, you may also find the excess amount noted in the Terms and Conditions, which you must read and accept before you finalise and pay for the booking. Always read the Terms and Conditions fully before payment.
When will the blocked amount be released?
When the rental car is returned in the same condition as it was picked up in, the deposit will be released. How quickly this blocked amount will be at your disposal again depends on your credit card company, and can usually take up to two weeks, or longer in some cases.
How can I get more information?
Our FAQs and General Business Terms have useful information regarding credit cards, the deposit and excess protection. If you have a specific question about a current or future booking, please contact us for assistance.
To ensure that your car hire pick-up is as smooth as possible, we strongly advise you to find out more about the payment, deposit and deposit restrictions in the terms and conditions of the car rental company during the booking process. All important information can easily be found under the blue 'Info Icon' under 'Important information - Mandatory Deposit Information'.
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