Quick Summary:
- Assume Revolut and Monzo may be refused for deposit holds.
- Bring a physical credit card in the main driver’s name.
- Match booking name, driving licence, and passport exactly at pick-up.
- Avoid prepaid, virtual-only cards, and cards without sufficient deposit headroom.
Fintech cards such as Revolut and Monzo are brilliant for day-to-day spending, but car hire deposits in New York work differently from ordinary purchases. At the rental desk, the company usually takes a temporary authorisation, also called a “hold”, to cover the deposit plus any estimated charges. That hold relies on card type, issuer rules, and how the merchant category is set up, which is why you can pay in shops perfectly well yet still be declined at pick-up.
This guide explains when Revolut or Monzo can work, why they are often refused for deposits in New York, and what to bring as a backup so your car hire runs smoothly. Policies vary by provider and sometimes by location, but the refusal patterns are consistent across major airport and city branches.
How deposits work for car hire in New York
Most New York rental desks pre-authorise a deposit on the main driver’s payment card. A pre-authorisation is not a completed transaction, it is a temporary hold that reduces your available balance or credit limit. Once the vehicle is returned and the final bill is known, the hold is released and any actual charges are captured. Release times depend on the bank, and can take several business days even if the rental company releases it immediately.
For car hire, the deposit is often higher than people expect because it may include a buffer for fuel, tolls, extra days, upgrades, or potential damage excess. The exact amount varies by vehicle group and cover chosen. In New York airports, deposits can be higher due to higher average rental values and the additional complexity of tolling around bridges and tunnels.
If you are collecting near major airports, check the location rules early. For context on pick-up environments that often enforce strict payment checks, see car rental at New York JFK and Payless car rental at New York JFK. Similar controls are common at Newark, too, including locations listed under car rental at Newark EWR.
Can you use Revolut for a car hire deposit?
Sometimes, yes, but you should not assume it. Revolut offers different card products and regional setups, and rental desks do not assess “Revolut” as a brand, they assess the underlying card type and the ability to place a hold. A physical Revolut card that is a true credit card is more likely to be accepted for a deposit than a debit or prepaid product, but availability depends on what you hold and where it was issued.
Where people get caught out is that many fintech cards are debit cards, and some are treated by the rental company’s payment system as prepaid or “cash-like”. If the merchant terminal flags the card as prepaid, some rental desks will refuse it automatically for deposits, even though the card can pay for the rental once the car is returned.
If you plan to try Revolut, reduce risk by bringing a second card that is clearly a major-network credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex where accepted) in the main driver’s name. Also ensure the Revolut card is physical rather than virtual-only, because many desks require chip-and-PIN or chip-and-signature with the card present.
Can you use Monzo for a car hire deposit?
Monzo’s standard cards are typically debit cards. In New York, debit cards can be accepted for car hire deposits at some locations, but they are more frequently restricted, especially at airports and for certain vehicle classes. Even when a debit card is accepted, the deposit amount may be higher, and the desk may require extra checks such as proof of return travel, additional ID, or evidence of address.
A key point is that a debit card authorisation ties up actual funds in your account. If the deposit is large and your available balance is tight, you can be declined for insufficient funds even though you could afford the rental price itself. If you rely on Monzo as your primary spending account, keep a larger buffer than you think you need, including room for currency swings, tips, and any unexpected changes to the deposit size.
Because rules vary, a practical approach is to treat Monzo as useful for day-to-day spending during the trip, and use a traditional credit card for the deposit. This is particularly important for one-way rentals, late-night arrivals, and higher groups such as large SUVs, which often carry bigger holds. If you are comparing vehicle types, the deposit expectations tend to rise with size and value, including categories shown on SUV rental at New York JFK.
Common reasons Revolut or Monzo can be refused at pick-up
1) The card is classified as prepaid or not eligible for authorisations. Many fintech products behave like debit cards, or are flagged by the payment processor as prepaid. Some rental desks do not accept prepaid cards for deposits under any circumstances.
2) Virtual cards and “single-use” numbers. Virtual cards are great online, but a desk may require a physical card and may also require that the card can be swiped or inserted and verified against the renter’s identity. If the virtual number rotates, it can complicate refunds or deposit releases.
3) Name mismatch across documents. If the booking is in “Sam Taylor” but the card reads “Samuel Taylor”, or if you have a middle name on one document and not another, some desks will stop the transaction. New York locations can be strict because chargebacks and fraud controls are tightly managed.
4) Insufficient headroom for the full hold. A deposit authorisation can exceed the rental base price. If your available balance or credit limit cannot cover it, the terminal will decline. This is common when travellers budget only for the rental cost and forget the hold and toll buffers.
5) Card not present, damaged chip, or magstripe issues. Some desks will not key in card numbers. If the chip fails, acceptance becomes uncertain. A backup physical card avoids a ruined pick-up.
6) Debit card restrictions at airports. Airport branches often require a credit card, especially for out-of-state or international renters, premium vehicles, or rentals outside standard hours. If your arrival is late, options to visit another branch can be limited.
7) Fraud and risk scoring. Fintech issuers sometimes trigger extra checks for US merchant category codes or large authorisations. If your app prompts you to approve the transaction and the desk tries multiple times, some issuers may temporarily block further attempts.
What can be refused besides the card itself?
When travellers ask what can be refused, it helps to think beyond the payment method. At a New York car hire desk, you can be refused if any of the required conditions are not met, even if you have money available.
Booking holder and main driver details. The main driver usually must be the person presenting the card for the deposit. If you booked under one name but another person shows up with their card, the desk may refuse to release the vehicle.
Unacceptable card types. Prepaid cards, some debit cards, and certain fintech products can be refused for the deposit. Some desks may accept them only for the final payment, not the hold.
Inadequate ID. International visitors typically need a passport plus driving licence. Depending on your licence, an International Driving Permit may be recommended or required by policy. If the documents do not satisfy the provider’s rules, they can refuse the rental.
Address verification issues. Some providers want evidence of your home address when using a debit card. If you cannot show it, you may be refused even though the card works.
Vehicle class and coverage assumptions. If you arrive expecting to use a debit card but the chosen class requires a credit card, the desk may only offer a downgrade or refuse entirely. Similarly, declining certain protections can increase the required deposit and cause a decline if you lack headroom.
What to bring as backup for a smooth New York pick-up
A physical credit card in the main driver’s name. This is the single best backup. Ideally it is not close to its limit and is enabled for international authorisations. If you have two, bring both, because a second attempt on a different bank can save a lot of time.
Your Revolut or Monzo card, if you plan to use it for payment. Even if it is refused for the deposit, it can still be useful for paying the final amount, fuel, parking, and daily expenses. Keep in mind that policies differ, so do not rely on it as your only card.
Valid driving licence and passport. Ensure they are in good condition and not close to expiry. If your UK licence is recently renewed, double-check the issue and expiry dates are clearly legible.
Proof of address. A recent bank statement or utility bill (digital may be accepted, but do not assume) can help if the desk asks for address verification, especially when a debit card is involved.
Flight details and itinerary. Some desks, particularly at airports, may ask for evidence of a return flight when using a debit card. Having the confirmation accessible offline can speed things up.
Budget headroom. Keep extra available funds above the expected deposit. Also consider that toll roads and congestion charges around New York can take time to post, which can affect the final settlement timing.
Practical tips specific to New York
Expect tolling complexity. Bridges and tunnels around New York rely heavily on electronic tolling. This can lead to post-rental charges if tolls are processed later. The desk may pre-authorise extra to cover anticipated tolls or admin fees, depending on the provider and plan chosen.
Airport desks can be stricter. JFK and Newark counters handle high volumes and enforce policy consistently, including payment rules. If you are collecting at Newark, you can compare providers and location specifics, for instance Avis car rental at Newark EWR, but keep the same principle, arrive with a credit card backup.
Do not assume contactless solves it. Tap-to-pay is convenient, but some deposits require chip insertion and signature verification. A fintech card that works contactless in shops might still fail the desk workflow.
Check app controls before you travel. For Revolut or Monzo, ensure magstripe (if available), international payments, and high-value transactions are enabled. If your app has a “merchant locations” or “online payments” toggle, set it appropriately. Then still bring a second card.
FAQ
Can I rely on Revolut or Monzo as my only card for car hire in New York? It is risky. Some desks accept them, but fintech and debit products are more likely to be refused for deposit holds. Bring a physical credit card as backup.
Why does my card work for purchases but fail for the deposit? A deposit is usually a pre-authorisation hold, not a standard purchase. Some issuers or card types do not support large holds reliably, or are classified as prepaid.
What is the most common reason for refusal at the counter? The top issues are an unacceptable card type for the deposit, insufficient available funds or credit limit for the hold, and the card not being in the main driver’s exact name.
Will a debit card be accepted at New York airports? Sometimes, but airport locations often restrict debit cards, require extra verification, or set higher deposits. A credit card remains the most dependable option.
How long does it take for the deposit hold to be released? The rental company may release it quickly after return, but your bank controls when funds become available again. It can take several business days.
