Car Rental Deposit & Hold Amounts by Company (Credit vs Debit, 2026)
Last checked Nov 7, 2026 Reviewed by Dana Whitlock
A car rental deposit in the US is usually the estimated rental cost plus an extra hold on your card at pickup. With a credit card, an airport pickup and a return flight, Avis and Budget generally hold estimated charges and many rentals may add $200, Hertz adds up to $200, and Dollar, Thrifty and most Sixt US locations add $200.
- Credit, return flight
- Estimated charges at Avis and Budget, and many rentals may add $200. Plus $200 at Dollar, Thrifty and most Sixt US locations, and up to $200 for a car at Hertz (Los Angeles airport terms)
- Debit
- Plus $500 at Dollar and Thrifty, up to $500 at Hertz. Avis and Budget may add $200 for 1–3 days and $300 for 4 days or more
- No return ticket, on credit
- $300 or $400 at the Enterprise, National and Alamo locations we read, $850 for luxury and performance classes
- Release
- Up to two weeks at your bank for Avis and Budget debit and prepaid rentals. About 5 to 20 business days for Enterprise debit refunds
- Sixt
- Rental plus $200 for a standard car, or $300 at non-airport branches in six states. Larger SUVs and 7+ seaters at least $500, Sports & Luxury at least $2,500, credit card only
In this guide
- Deposit and hold amounts by company
- Do location pages show different amounts?
- How much money will a $300 rental tie up?
- How long does the hold take to come off?
- What if the hold is bigger than your credit limit?
- What changes if you rent with a debit card?
- Will they run a credit check if you use debit?
- When can the company keep the deposit?
- Frequently asked questions
- How this page was built
- How we checked
Enterprise, National and Alamo airport pages list no fixed deposit for card renters with a return ticket, but they do not confirm there is none, and Enterprise's FAQ says a deposit "is required". Debit can cost more: Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty list up to $500 against up to $200 on credit, and Avis and Budget may ask for $300 on debit rentals of 4 days or more. Sixt says its amount is the same on either card. Before pickup, find the deposit in your location's terms or confirmation email and check that your card has room for the rental plus the hold.
A hold reserves money on your card without charging it, so you cannot spend it until it is released. On debit, some companies take the money and refund it later: Enterprise says the rental cost and deposit are "charged to your checking account".
Deposit and hold amounts by company
Amounts vary by location, country and car class, and most companies print them in two places: a national help page and the terms of each location. "Not published" means the pages we read give no amount. No cell comes from a blog. Exact location figures are in the next section, and debit conditions are in the debit section.
| Company | Credit hold | Debit hold | Checked | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Rental plus $200–$850, no return ticket. Airport with ticket: not published | Deposit charged, then refunded. Philadelphia airport: $600, no return ticket | Nov 6, 2026 | Payment rules |
| National | Rental plus $300–$850, no return ticket. Airport with ticket: not published | Charges reduce your funds. Downtown Brooklyn: $300. Airports: not published | Nov 6, 2026 | Payment methods |
| Alamo | Rental plus $300–$850, no return ticket. Airport with ticket: not published | Charges reduce your funds. Amount not published | Nov 6, 2026 | Payment options |
| Hertz | Estimated charges plus up to $200 for a car, up to $900 by class | Estimated charges plus up to $500, by location, length and date | Nov 6, 2026 | LAX terms |
| Dollar | Estimated charges plus $200 | Estimated charges plus $500 | Nov 6, 2026 | General Policies |
| Thrifty | Estimated charges plus $200 | Estimated charges plus $500 | Nov 6, 2026 | General Policies |
| Avis | Estimated charges; many rentals may add $200. Prepaid: $250 | Estimated charges; may add $200 (1–3 days) or $300 (4+ days). Prepaid: $250 | Nov 6, 2026 | JFK terms |
| Budget | Estimated charges plus up to $200. Pay Now: $250 on top | Estimated charges; may add $200 (1–3 days) or $300 (4+ days). Prepaid: $250 | Nov 6, 2026 | Credentials, Boston terms |
| Sixt | Rental plus $200, or $300 off-airport in six states. Larger cars: $500+ | Same as credit. Larger cars need credit | Nov 7, 2026 | US deposits |
Sixt's figures are as published on its US help pages, which we read in a browser on Nov 7, 2026. The pages carry no date. The higher plus $300 applies at non-airport branches in Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana. Sixt bases the deposit on "the vehicle you drive, not the one originally booked", so an upgrade at pickup raises it. Full-size and premium SUVs, 7+ seaters and luxury cars need a credit card and a hold of at least $500, and Sports & Luxury cars at least $2,500.
A second Sixt help article gives a different US scale: plus $200, $300 or $400 by location, with minimums of $500 for Mid-Range or Premium SUVs, $1,000 for Premium and $2,500 for Sports & Luxury. For US bookings, Sixt says the amount appears only in the confirmation email, not at the end of online booking, so check it there.
Hertz sets its credit card amount by class: up to $300 for a Small SUV, $400 for a Standard SUV, $500 for a Utility, $750 for a Large SUV, $850 for a Dream Car and $900 for a Prestige SUV. Every Hertz figure and rule on this page comes from those Los Angeles airport terms, which carry a 2024 footer and no revision date, so confirm them with your location.
Dollar's and Thrifty's policies are older than the rest, marked "Revised and Effective March 1, 2019". Both waive the extra hold for established members with a Visa on their profile: Dollar EXPRESS at Dollar, Blue Chip at Thrifty.
Enterprise's payment page gives two answers for renters without a return ticket: a deposit of $200–$850 in its credit card section and the rental cost "plus $200" in its airport debit section. Its deposit FAQ says the amount "varies based on factors including region, type of vehicle and more".
Outside the US, expect other numbers and rules. Budget lists Canadian holds at $750 CAD for the first day and $75 CAD for each extra day. Avis's Canadian locations do not accept debit cards as credit identification.
Do location pages show different amounts?
Yes. National help pages give a range or a ceiling, while a location's own terms often print the exact deposit, and at some locations a different formula. National's and Alamo's help pages say $300–$400, for example, yet National's Dallas/Fort Worth terms and Alamo's Orlando, Chicago O'Hare and Lubbock terms also list $850 for luxury and performance classes.
| Location | Applies to | Credit deposit | Debit deposit | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise, Los Angeles and Atlanta airports | No return ticket | $400, or $850 for listed classes | Debit needs a return ticket | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Enterprise, Seattle-Tacoma and Honolulu airports | No return ticket | $300, or $850 for listed classes | Debit needs a return ticket | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Enterprise, Philadelphia airport | No return ticket | $400, or $850 for listed classes | $600, after qualifying in person 48 hours before pickup | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Enterprise, Los Angeles Koreatown branch | All renters | $300, or $850 for listed classes | Same deposit, debit limited to smaller classes | Nov 6, 2026 |
| National, Dallas/Fort Worth airport | No return ticket | $400, or $850 for listed classes | Debit needs a return ticket | Nov 6, 2026 |
| National, Downtown Brooklyn branch | All renters | $300, or $850 for listed classes | $300 | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Alamo, Orlando, Chicago O'Hare and Lubbock airports | No return ticket | $400, or $850 for listed classes | Debit needs a return ticket | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Budget, Salt Lake City | All renters | Estimated charges plus $80 plus one extra day of charges, or $300 minimum, whichever is greater | Same, plus damage cover or a $1,500 damage deposit | Nov 6, 2026 |
"Listed classes" means luxury and performance cars such as Premium Luxury Sedan, Electric Luxury SUV and Corvette. Avis's Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles terms match its JFK wording, and Budget's New Haven terms match Boston, so at those brands the amounts look like standard wording with local exceptions. Budget's Salt Lake City page also still prints the general plus $200 and $300 wording, so ask that location which one applies.
Figures you may see elsewhere
At least one rental blog quotes numbers we could not find on the company pages we read:
- Budget at the greater of $200 or 25%: Budget's FAQ and its Boston, New Haven and Salt Lake City terms give no percentage for the hold.
- Enterprise Exotics at about 120% of the rental: the Enterprise pages we read give no percentage. Its Los Angeles airport Exotics page lists an authorization of $1,000 to $10,000 above the rental cost.
How much money will a $300 rental tie up?
A $300 rental can tie up $500 to $800 at Avis, Budget, Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Sixt for a regular car, and $600 to $1,150 at Enterprise, National and Alamo with no return ticket. The $300 is our sample figure for the estimated total, and the rest is arithmetic from the tables above.
| Company and case | Rental | Extra hold | Tied up, at most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avis or Budget, credit, pay at counter | $300 | $200 | $500 |
| Avis or Budget, credit, prepaid | $300 paid | $250 | $550 |
| Avis or Budget, debit, 1–3 days | $300 | $200 | $500 |
| Avis or Budget, debit, 4 days or more | $300 | $300 | $600 |
| Avis or Budget, prepaid with debit | $300 paid | $250 | $550 |
| Hertz, credit, car | $300 | Up to $200 | $500 |
| Hertz, credit, Small SUV | $300 | Up to $300 | $600 |
| Hertz, debit | $300 | Up to $500 | $800 |
| Dollar or Thrifty, credit | $300 | $200 | $500 |
| Dollar or Thrifty, debit | $300 | $500 | $800 |
| Sixt, standard car, most US locations | $300 | $200 | $500 |
| Sixt, standard car, non-airport in six states | $300 | $300 | $600 |
| Sixt, larger SUV or 7+ seater, credit | $300 | $200, $500 minimum | $500 |
| Enterprise, National or Alamo, credit, no return ticket | $300 | $300 or $400 | $600 or $700 |
| Same, listed luxury or performance class | $300 | $850 | $1,150 |
| Enterprise Philadelphia, debit, no return ticket | $300 | $600 | $900 |
Prepaying can tie up more than paying at the counter, because the $250 hold sits on top of money already charged. On the published figures, that holds at any length on credit at Avis and Budget, where the counter extra is $200. On debit it holds only under four days, since the counter hold rises to $300 at four days and the prepaid hold stays at $250. Budget's FAQ also lists a $100 minimum hold for Budget.com prepaid rentals, which would tie up less. In our trip budget calculator, the rental goes in the total and only the extra hold goes in Car deposit.
How long does the hold take to come off?
On credit, the hold ends when you return the car, but your bank can take longer. Avis and Budget's credit card terms say only that "the bank may take time to post it back", and their prepaid terms say up to two weeks. On debit, their terms say "The hold may take up to 2 weeks to be released by your bank", so plan for that. Enterprise and Alamo say about 5 to 10 business days, though Enterprise's payment rules also say typically within 15 at airports and generally within 20 at non-airport locations.
| Company | What it says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise, credit | Authorization released at return | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Enterprise, debit | Refund FAQ: about 5–10 business days. Airport rules: typically 15. Non-airport rules: generally 20 | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Enterprise, cash or check | Check mailed within 20 business days | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Alamo, debit | Same-day refund, allow about 5–10 business days | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Avis | Debit and prepaid: up to two weeks at your bank. Credit: no time given | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Budget | Same as Avis. FAQ, on extended rentals: up to two weeks | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Dollar, Thrifty | Funds unavailable until the rental ends. No bank time given | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Hertz, National | Not published on the pages we read | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Sixt | Released by your card provider within up to 28 days. US page: allow 3–5 business days | Nov 7, 2026 |
Twenty business days is about four weeks, so keep a debit trip's spending money somewhere else until the refund lands. Sixt's help pages give different times: within up to 28 days in its release article, 3–5 business days on its US debit page, and 3–10 or 5–10 business days in its general deposit articles. For the same problem at check-in, see how long hotel card holds last.
The hold has not come off: what to do
Once the company's window has passed, find out whether the hold was released or turned into a charge. Enterprise tells debit renters to call the branch if nothing has arrived after 10 business days, and Sixt asks renters to contact it if a card hold is still there after 28 days.
- Check the final receipt. It should show the rental as closed and the final amount. Enterprise calls the rental receipt the best way to see why a refund is smaller than expected, and Sixt lets you download the final invoice under My Bookings.
- Ask the location to confirm the release. Ask for the date the authorization was released, and the amount.
- Give that confirmation to your card issuer. Sixt tells renters to ask the bank to look for its authorization by amount and date. The issuer can see whether the hold dropped or became a charge.
- Dispute a wrong charge in writing. If a credit card was charged a wrong amount, the FTC's guide says to write to the issuer's billing inquiries address. The letter must reach the issuer "within 60 days after the first bill with the error was sent to you."
That dispute process comes from the Fair Credit Billing Act, which the FTC says covers credit cards and revolving charge accounts. On a debit card, ask your bank how it handles errors.
What if the hold is bigger than your credit limit?
If the rental plus hold exceeds your available credit, the card can fail at the counter, so fix the gap before pickup. Enterprise, National and Alamo ask renters without a return ticket for "sufficient available credit", Sixt says the card "must have sufficient available credit at pick-up", and Hertz makes debit acceptance "contingent upon the card having available funds". Without a card that covers it, you may be asked for another one or lose the car.
- Add it up. Take the estimated total on your reservation, then add the deposit from the tables or from the location.
- Check available credit, not your limit. Other holds and charges on the card count against it.
- Ask the location for the exact deposit. Check the location's page first: Enterprise, National and Alamo print a "Deposit Amount" section in the terms, and Avis and Budget print their holds there too. Enterprise also says to contact the location, and Budget's Fastbreak terms refer to the amount "as stated on signs at the location".
- Use the card with the most room, or pay the balance down a few days before you travel.
- Pick a smaller car. Hertz, National, Alamo and Enterprise all tie the deposit to vehicle class.
- Leave room for a longer rental. Budget may place up to three more holds if you extend, and Hertz and Avis take further authorizations when a car comes back late.
Declining counter cover can raise the deposit, at least at one location we read. Budget's Salt Lake City terms give debit renters three options: buy the Loss Damage Waiver, leave a $1,500 damage deposit, or show insurance that transfers to the rental. If you plan to skip the rental company's waiver, ask the location whether the deposit changes. Enterprise, National and Alamo location pages also ask for proof of a transferrable policy on some luxury classes, at airports if you have no return ticket, and Enterprise branches may ask debit renters for proof of insurance.
What changes if you rent with a debit card?
Debit works at all nine brands we read, at least at some locations, with more conditions and with your own money on the line. At Enterprise the rental and deposit are "charged to your checking account", and Avis and Budget hold funds in your account. Either way, you cannot spend that money until it comes back.
| Company | Credit check | At the airport | Other locations and limits | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Not mentioned | Most airports: ticketed return, license address matches home | Some branches take debit and may ask for bills, a pay stub, references | Nov 6, 2026 |
| National, Alamo | Not mentioned | Ticketed return, license address matches home | Check the location's terms | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Hertz | In most cases | Proof of return flight, two IDs | Book 24 hours ahead, age 25+, two IDs | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Dollar, Thrifty | In most cases | Return ticket, two IDs | Book a day ahead, age 25+, two IDs, return ticket or corporate discount number | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Avis | Yes | Return ticket | Most US locations, age 25+ (18 in New York). Some areas refuse debit at pickup. Avis may ask for a higher hold | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Budget | Yes | Return ticket, though its FAQ says you "might need" one | Some locations only, age 25+ (18 in New York) | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Sixt | Not mentioned | Return ticket booked 24+ hours before pickup | Downtown: return ticket or two proofs of address. No Sports & Luxury | Nov 7, 2026 |
Other limits to check before you book:
- Age: Avis, Budget and off-airport Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty locations require age 25, and Avis and Budget allow 18 in New York. See what renters under 25 pay.
- Car class: Dollar and Thrifty stop at Fullsize. Sixt needs a credit card for full-size or premium SUVs, 7+ seaters and luxury cars. Avis and Budget stop at Full-size cars and Standard SUVs. Hertz bars debit on Large SUV, Prestige SUV, Adrenaline and Dream Collection cars at pickup.
- Prepaid rates: Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Alamo do not take debit for PayNow or Advance Pay rates. Budget lets you prepay online with debit, though some locations may require a credit card at pickup.
- Overdrafts: Enterprise, National and Alamo say the renter pays any overdraft fees. Avis and Budget's Fastbreak terms disclaim responsibility for them.
- Prepaid cards: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, Alamo and Sixt will not take them to start a rental.
You can often secure the rental on a credit card and settle on debit. Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Avis accept debit for payment when the car comes back, and Budget locations "will generally accept" it.
Will they run a credit check if you use debit?
Yes at many counters. Hertz says the location will perform a credit check "in most cases", Dollar and Thrifty use the same words, and Budget says locations taking debit at pickup "will perform a credit check". Avis's location terms say "You will be subject to a credit check". Enterprise, National, Alamo and Sixt mention no credit check on the pages we read, though Enterprise non-airport branches may ask for utility bills, a pay stub and two personal references.
A frozen credit file can stop the rental at Avis and Budget. Their terms say that if your file is frozen with Equifax, you must lift the restriction before the rental. None of these pages says whether the check is a hard or soft inquiry, so ask the location if that matters to you.
When can the company keep the deposit?
The company can take money from the deposit for charges you ran up during the rental. Enterprise says it refunds the deposit in full "unless there are additional unplanned charges", and names fuel replacement, vehicle damage and a late return. Avis says the further authorizations it takes from a debit account when a car is not returned as agreed may include cleaning fees and extension fees.
The deposit is not a cap on what you can owe. Enterprise's location terms say extra amounts "may be deducted from Renter's deposit amount" or charged to your payment method. Budget's Fastbreak rental terms say it may charge your card for amounts above the reserve, and that it may still charge you after it releases the hold.
If less comes back than you expected, Enterprise says to check your rental receipt first, then call the branch. Take photos of the fuel gauge and the car at return, so you have something to compare against the receipt.
How this page was built
On Nov 6, 2026 we read the national payment and deposit pages of Enterprise, National, Alamo, Avis and Budget, Hertz's Los Angeles airport terms, Dollar's and Thrifty's General Policies, Budget's Fastbreak terms and 18 location pages. Hertz's figures come from a terms page with a 2024 footer, because its newer help pages would not load for us. Sixt's help pages block automated requests, so on Nov 7, 2026 we read its three US help articles in a browser. We recheck this table every quarter and update the date in each row.
Frequently asked questions
Can you rent a car with no deposit?
We found no zero-hold option at the companies we could read. Enterprise's FAQ says a deposit "is required" to rent in the United States, while its payment page says one "may be required". Budget's lowest published hold is $100, for insurance replacement, Budget.com prepaid and tour rentals. Without a card, Hertz takes cash from holders of a Cash Deposit ID Card: a $15 non-refundable fee, about 30 days to apply, and a minimum deposit of $200 or 150% of estimated charges, whichever is greater.
Do you get your car rental deposit back?
Yes, minus any charges from the rental. Credit card holds drop off, while debit deposits may come back as a refund. On debit and prepaid rentals, Avis and Budget say your bank may take up to two weeks. Hertz and National publish no refund time on the pages we read, so ask the location, and check your rental receipt if the amount looks short.
How much is the Hertz car deposit?
Hertz lists up to $200 on top of estimated charges for a car on a credit card, up to $900 for a Prestige SUV, and up to $500 on a debit card. The figures come from its Los Angeles airport terms, and Hertz says conditions are outlined at the time of rental.
How much does Enterprise hold on your card?
The full rental cost, plus a security deposit that varies by location and vehicle. The airports we read list $300 or $400 for renters without a return ticket, and $850 for luxury and performance classes, inside a national range of $200–$850. The Los Angeles Koreatown branch lists the same $300 or $850 for all renters. For any other case, Enterprise says to start a reservation or contact the location.
How we checked
We read the sources below, copied the published figures and dated them.
- Enterprise: What forms of payment are accepted for renting a car?, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: How do rental car deposit refunds work?, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: How much is a rental car deposit?, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: Los Angeles International Airport location terms, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: Atlanta airport location terms, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: Seattle-Tacoma airport location terms, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: Honolulu airport location terms, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: Philadelphia airport location terms, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: Los Angeles Koreatown branch terms, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Enterprise: Los Angeles airport Exotics location terms, enterprise.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- National: Payment methods, nationalcar.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- National: Dallas/Fort Worth airport location terms, nationalcar.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- National: Downtown Brooklyn branch terms, nationalcar.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Alamo: Credit, debit and payment options, alamo.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Alamo: Refund information, alamo.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Alamo: Orlando airport location terms, alamo.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Alamo: Chicago O'Hare airport location terms, alamo.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Alamo: Lubbock airport location terms, alamo.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hertz: Rental Qualifications and Requirements, Los Angeles airport terms, hertz.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Dollar: General Policies (revised and effective March 1, 2019), dollar.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Thrifty: General Policies (revised and effective March 1, 2019), thrifty.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Avis: Debit card policy, avis.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Avis: Requirement for renting FAQ, avis.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Avis: JFK airport location terms, avis.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Avis: Fort Lauderdale airport location terms, avis.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Avis: Los Angeles airport location terms, avis.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Budget: Required rental credentials, budget.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Budget: Rent a car with a debit card, budget.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Budget Fastbreak Rental Terms and Conditions, United States and Canada (PDF, v.1.7, 7/27/26), budget.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Budget: Boston Logan location terms, budget.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Budget: New Haven location terms, budget.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Budget: Salt Lake City location terms, budget.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sixt: How much deposit does SIXT take in the USA?, sixt.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sixt: Can I rent with SIXT in the USA without a credit card? (with the deposit and debit card articles on the same page), sixt.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sixt: When will my SIXT deposit be released?, sixt.com, checked Nov 7, 2026
- FTC Consumer Advice: Using Credit Cards and Disputing Charges (May 2022), consumer.ftc.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
Reviewed by Dana Whitlock, editor at Pilot Travel Deals. How we check