A plain-English rundown of which U.S. brands rent on a debit card, what they ask for, and how to avoid a big deposit hold. Policies vary by location — always confirm at pickup.
| Company | Debit at pickup | Proof of return | Credit check | Typical hold / deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sixt Sixt USA debit-card help ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | No | Security deposit pre-authorized at pickup; amount varies by vehicle class and location |
| Enterprise Enterprise US forms of payment ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | Sometimes | Rental total + a security deposit that varies by location and vehicle class; refund typically 5-10 business days |
| Alamo Alamo US payment options ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | No | Rental total + a security deposit that varies by location and vehicle class |
| National National US payment methods ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | No | Rental total + a security deposit (commonly around $300-$400, varies by location/vehicle) |
| Hertz Hertz debit-card policy ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | Sometimes | Rental total + an authorization of up to ~$500 on a debit card (vs up to ~$200 on credit) |
| Avis Avis US debit-card policy ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Sometimes | Sometimes | Authorization hold for at least the estimated rental cost; extra value may be requested at Avis's discretion |
| Budget Budget US card help ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | Yes | Authorization for at least the estimated charges, or the posted deposit amount at that location |
| Dollar Dollar general policies ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | Yes | Estimated charges + up to $500 on a debit card (vs up to $200 on credit) |
| Thrifty Thrifty debit-card policy ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | Yes | Estimated charges + up to $500 on a debit card (vs up to $200 on credit) |
Often the most flexible debit options. Some can reduce or waive the deposit when you add a full-coverage package, but terms vary by location and a few still require a credit card to hold the deposit — confirm before booking.
| Company | Debit at pickup | Proof of return | Credit check | Typical hold / deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easirent Off-airport Easirent USA rental terms ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
With conditions | Yes | No | Deposit can be waived with the Insurance Excess Waiver package; otherwise a deposit (around $250+) applies |
| NU Car Rentals Off-airport NU Car sample location policy ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
Varies by location | Sometimes | No | Deposit required; many locations require a credit card to hold it and accept debit only for final payment |
| Routes Car Rental Off-airport Routes terms (Allied) ↗ · checked Jun 2026 |
Varies by location | No | No | Deposit (commonly $250+ for standard vehicles, more for luxury/commercial); a credit card is usually required to hold it |
How we source this: each row links to the rental company's own published debit-card / deposit policy, with the month we last checked it. These policies change often and vary by location and vehicle class, so treat the figures as a guide and always confirm the current terms with your pickup location before you book or travel.