Guide to Renting a Car Without a Credit Card in 2025
Think you need a credit card to rent a car? Not necessarily. While it’s true most rental car companies say they require a credit card to secure your payment, if you dig deeper, you’re likely to discover a few alternatives to credit card car rental.
In this guide, I’ll explain how you can rent a car using a debit card. Whether you’re worried about credit limits or simply don’t have a credit card, these trade tricks will highlight how to rent a car with alternative payment methods.
More from The Penny Hoarder: Are you a frequent traveler? Check out our list of Best Travel Credit Cards of 2025.
Can You Rent a Car Without a Credit Card?
Yes, it is possible to rent a car without a credit card — but it might require a bit more research and preparation. Most rental car companies don’t advertise other options, but once you read the fine print, you’ll find many do allow you to use alternative payments like a debit card. You might have to jump through a few hoops to use non-credit card options, so just be prepared to provide additional documentation or sign up for stricter rental terms.
Rental Car Companies that Allow Non-Credit Card Payments
Renting a car is a tricky process for the, uh, credit-impaired.
Some companies simply don’t allow you to rent without a credit card in your name. Practically no one will rent to you for cash or check anymore.
But many companies do allow you to rent a car with a debit card — with a few caveats.
Most rental car companies will run a credit check, and many will require additional identification for renting with a debit card (versus a credit card). Check with your rental car company ahead of time to ensure you show up with all the required information.
You’ll always be required to show a valid driver’s license and your charge card to rent a car. And some companies may charge a larger security deposit (we’re talking an additional $200 to $400) when paying for a rental car with a debit card.
Additional ID required for car rental without a credit card might include:
- A return airline ticket or itinerary
- U.S. passport or military ID
- Current vehicle insurance card
- A copy of your phone or utility bill or bank statement from within 60 days
As of January 2025, these companies allow you to rent a car with a debit card (some with certain requirements — check ahead of time):
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Alamo (return ticket or itinerary required; no credit check at some locations)
- Avis
- Budget
- Hertz
- Enterprise (return ticket or itinerary required)
- National
For most companies, you must be at least 25 years old to rent a car with a debit card. But Dollar allows drivers under 25 to rent with a debit card.
Another Way to Rent a Car Without a Credit Card
Instead of handing over my bank debit card to cover the deposit for a rental car, I use my PayPal debit card. With this trick, the deposit never leaves my account.
How to Get a PayPal Debit Card
First, you have to have a PayPal Business MasterCard debit card. If you don’t already have one, here’s how to get it:
1. Create a PayPal Account
If you don’t already have an account, go to PayPal.com to sign up for free.
2. Upgrade to a Balance or Business Account
Set this up when you open your account, or upgrade your existing account to Balance or Business. (Upgrading to either is free, and they both come with features not available to a personal account.)
Basically, if you know you’ll use PayPal for online business or freelance work, upgrade to a Business account. For personal use with the additional banking features, Balance should have you covered.
3. Apply for a PayPal Business MasterCard Debit Card
Plan well in advance if you want to use your debit card for a particular trip! If you’re new to PayPal, you’ll want to apply for the Business MasterCard at least three months in advance. Even if you’ve had a PayPal account for a while, give yourself at least a month.
Note: This is NOT the same as a PayPal Prepaid MasterCard, which is also a physical card you can get from PayPal. The Prepaid card is loaded like a gift card, while the Business debit card works like your bank debit or ATM card.
3. Set Up a Backup Funding Source
Select a backup funding source for your Business debit card. This is a different process from selecting a backup funding source for your PayPal account, so make sure you attach it specifically to the card.
Your backup funding source will be either your checking account or another debit card (or both).
When you pay for something using your PayPal debit card, any funds in your PayPal account are used first. The backup will cover the purchase if the amount exceeds your PayPal balance.
Warning: Your backup will cover a purchase that exceeds your PayPal balance, whether or not you have the funds in the backup account. Watch the balance on both accounts to avoid an overdraft fee.
How to Rent Car With a PayPal Debit Card
When you travel, use your PayPal debit card to cover your rental car deposit.
Here’s how:
1. Deposit $1 Into Your PayPal Account
A few days before you travel, deposit a small amount into your PayPal account. I always stick with just $1.
Depending on your bank, a deposit could take a few days to hit your PayPal account. Mine usually takes two or three days.
If you need it more quickly, you can coordinate with a friend or family member to transfer money directly from another PayPal account, which happens almost instantly.
Make sure you keep the balance low. If you already have a higher balance in your PayPal account, transfer most of it into your bank account.
Any available funds in your PayPal account will be held for the deposit, so the less money available when the card is swiped, the better.
2. Look for a Hold on the Available Balance
When the rental car company swipes your card, the deposit will take your available $1.
The authorization will be valid because the charge sees your backup funding and reads that as sufficient funds for the charge, regardless of your checking account’s balance.
Your checking account will not be charged, because the transaction will not be completed.
You can also subsequently receive payments or otherwise deposit money to your PayPal account and have access to it. That won’t be tied up in the hold.
3. Return the Car and Remove the Hold
When you return the rental car, you’ll pay the rental fee. You can charge it to the PayPal card on file (and, subsequently, to your backup funding source), or if it’s allowed, pay with a different card or cash.
When you return the car, the hold is removed from your card, and you’ll never be out the money from the deposit.
Note that if you rack up any charges beyond the car rental fee, like for smoking in the car or damaging it, your PayPal card and/or backup funding source will be charged.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Car Without a Credit Card
In most cases, renting a car with a credit card is more ideal than renting a car with a debit card. It’s more straightforward, plus you’ll get access to more rental car options and cheaper rates. However, if you don’t have a credit card, renting with a debit card has a few obvious benefits.
Pros
- Accessibility: If you don’t own a credit card, paying with a debit card may be the only way for you to have access to a rental car.
- Avoid credit card debt: Paying with a debit card ensures you avoid credit card debt (and the high fees/interest rates that come along with it).
- No credit score impact: A pricey rental car could negatively affect your credit utilization, causing a dip in your credit score.
Cons
- Stricter requirements: Renting a car with a debit card typically means stricter requirements. For instance, you may need to provide additional documentation, get a credit check or pay a hefty deposit.
- More expensive: Renting a car with a debit card is usually more expensive than renting with a credit card because there can be higher deposits, holds, and daily rates.
- Limited availability: Some rental car companies restrict the type of vehicles you can rent with a debit card, making the experience less convenient and comfortable for travel.
What You Need To Rent a Car Without a Credit Card
Requirements vary from one rental car company to another, but here’s what you’ll typically need to rent a car without a credit card:
- Two valid forms of ID
- A valid debit card with the same name as the driver’s license
- A balance to cover the cost of the rental charges and a hold of $200-500
- To be prepared for a credit check
- To potentially provide proof of a return travel ticket (at airport locations)
Tips for Renting a Car Without a Credit Card
As I mentioned before, renting a car without a credit card may require some extra steps. Here are some tips to streamline the process:
- Call ahead: Every rental car company has a slightly different booking process, so it’s smart to call ahead to confirm policies.
- Check for hidden fees: Using a debit card may increase the overall costs of renting a car. Read the fine print and talk through the contract with the rental car company to understand all associated fees.
- Get rental insurance: Rental car insurance is included with some credit cards, but you won’t have that option if you’re using a debit card. Consider purchasing insurance for additional security — in fact, some companies may require it.
- Use a third party: Sometimes third-party rental car companies have more flexible payment options and less steps for renting a car without a credit card.
- Prepay for your rental: If the rental car company allows it, consider prepaying for your rental car online with a debit card. This will streamline the pickup process and could reduce the deposit required.
Now that you know how to rent a car without a credit card, you have the flexibility to choose the best option for your needs. Renting a car without a credit card can be more expensive and involve more hurdles — but if you know what to expect, it will ease the process and ensure a seamless rental experience.
Contributor Dana Miranda is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance® who has written about work and money for publications including Forbes, The New York Times, CNBC, Insider, NextAdvisor and Inc. Magazine. Freelance writers Timothy Moore and Kent McDill contributed to this report.
