Quick Summary
- Almost every US supplier places a temporary security hold on your card when you pick up a vehicle, even if the booking was prepaid.
- Completely deposit free rentals are rare; more often, extra insurance or different payment methods simply change how large the hold is and when it is released.
- Hola Car Rentals focuses on showing expected holds up front, with All Inclusive+ cover and clear terms so you can plan your trip and cash flow calmly.
It is a familiar moment at the desk in Los Angeles, Miami or New York: the agent asks for your card and mentions a hold of a few hundred dollars on top of the hire price. If you are travelling with a tight budget or a low limit, that can feel worrying. This guide explains how deposits and holds work, whether you can avoid them and how Hola Car Rentals helps you keep them predictable.
What is a security deposit or hold on a vehicle?
In most US locations the deposit is not an extra fee, but a temporary authorisation on your payment card. The supplier blocks a sum to cover fuel, potential damage and unpaid extras, then releases it once the vehicle comes back on time and in the agreed condition. You will not usually see this as a separate charge on your statement, but the blocked amount reduces the available balance on your card until it is released.
The size of the hold varies by company, vehicle type, coverage and payment method. A compact paid with a major credit card may attract a lower hold than a premium SUV on a debit card, for example. Because providers change their policies over time, it is important to check the conditions attached to your specific booking rather than assuming a fixed figure.
Can you ever rent without a deposit?
Truly deposit free rentals are uncommon in the United States. Even when marketing mentions “no deposit”, there is often still some form of authorisation or a rolling charge structure that covers the same risk from the supplier’s point of view. Local off airport operators that accept only cash or prepaid vouchers may feel more flexible, but they usually build that risk into higher base prices or stricter damage rules.
Insurance products can sometimes reduce the hold, especially when they lower the excess that you would pay after an incident. However they rarely remove the hold entirely. When you book through Hola Car Rentals you will normally see the estimated deposit or hold amount before you pay, so you can decide whether that matches your card limit and comfort level.
How Hola Car Rentals keeps deposits transparent
Hola Car Rentals works with leading brands such as Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Payless, Avis and Budget across the United States. When you browse Los Angeles options and choose your car hire from LAX, you will see the typical security hold range in the booking conditions, alongside information about fuel, mileage and additional driver rules.
If you are starting your trip on the East Coast, you can compare New York options on our JFK overview page, then decide whether to use the same card for both flights and vehicle or split your spending across two cards. Travellers heading to Florida may look at our Miami hire desk overview to balance hold amounts, insurance and route plans before they confirm.
For a deeper dive into typical amounts and timelines, Hola Car Rentals also publishes a detailed deposit guide that follows the full journey of a hold from pick up to release. Combined with our All Inclusive+ rate on selected itineraries, which can include enhanced liability cover and free travel insurance up to US$150,000, this helps you choose a booking that fits both your itinerary and your financial comfort zone.
Tips to reduce the impact of a deposit
While you may not be able to avoid a hold altogether, you can often make it easier to live with. Using a credit card dedicated to travel means the blocked amount does not interfere with day to day spending from your main account. Keeping a sensible buffer on that card before you fly also prevents awkward declines when you check in or pay for fuel.
Choosing a smaller vehicle category, avoiding unnecessary extras at the desk and bringing documents that satisfy identity or address checks can also help keep holds on the lower end of the possible range. With Hola Car Rentals you can read these requirements long before you reach the counter, so you turn up prepared rather than negotiating under time pressure.
FAQ
Is the deposit an extra cost on top of my hire?
In most cases the deposit is a temporary authorisation, not a permanent charge. Provided you return the vehicle on time, with the correct fuel level and without new damage, the supplier should release the hold. Your card issuer then frees up that balance again after their own processing time.
How long does it take for the hold to disappear from my card?
Release times vary between banks and card networks, but many travellers see the hold disappear within a few working days. In some cases it can take a week or more. Booking through Hola Car Rentals means you know in advance which supplier you are dealing with so you can check their typical timelines if needed.
Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card for the deposit?
Many suppliers accept debit cards, especially at airports, but they often apply stricter checks, higher holds or extra documentation requirements. If you plan to use a debit card, make sure you have enough cleared funds to cover both the hold and your planned spending, and read the conditions carefully before confirming.
Does buying extra insurance remove the need for a deposit?
Extra protection can sometimes reduce the size of the hold, but most suppliers still keep some form of security on your payment method until the vehicle is returned. Hola Car Rentals highlights both coverage and deposit details together, so you can see exactly what mix of price, protection and temporary hold works best for you.
While you are unlikely to find a completely deposit free vehicle in the United States, understanding how holds work and planning ahead makes them far less intimidating. By booking with Hola Car Rentals, choosing the right card and reading your conditions before you travel, you can enjoy the freedom of the road without unpleasant surprises at the desk.
