Quick Summary:
- Expect Revolut or Monzo acceptance to vary by branch and payment type.
- Credit cards pass most deposit checks, prepaid and virtual cards often fail.
- Counter staff verify name, BIN type, chip, and authorisation capability.
- Bring a physical credit card plus licence, passport, and proof of address.
App-based cards like Revolut and Monzo are common for travel spending, but US car hire deposits are a different test than paying for fuel or hotels. At the counter, the rental company is not just taking a payment, it is placing a security hold and checking risk rules that depend on card type, card network, and whether the card can accept a high-value pre-authorisation.
This is where travellers get surprised. A Revolut or Monzo card can look and behave like a debit card in the UK, but in US car hire systems it may be treated as prepaid, “charge card”, or even rejected due to the card’s BIN range, funding source, or lack of certain verification features. The result can be anything from a larger deposit, to extra documents required, to a full refusal to release the vehicle.
If you are comparing options, Hola Car Rentals provides a starting point for policies by destination and supplier on its United States pages, including car rental United States and car hire United States. The key is understanding why app-based cards sometimes fail at the counter and what to bring so you are not stranded.
Why deposits are stricter than the rental price
In US car hire, the deposit is usually a temporary pre-authorisation (a hold) placed on your card at pickup. The rental company then charges the final amount at return, adjusted for fuel, tolls, extensions, damage, or extras. A hold requires the card to support authorisations and to have a bank behind it that will approve the request and keep the funds reserved.
Many prepaid or “e-money” products can take payments but have limited support for large pre-authorisations, offline authorisations, or certain merchant category settings. Even when a hold technically works, some rental companies restrict which card types they will accept because they have experienced higher dispute rates or cannot reliably recover costs after the rental.
This is why two people can have the same Revolut or Monzo card, use it successfully in shops, then get different outcomes at an airport counter depending on the supplier, location, vehicle group, and whether they are local or international visitors.
How Revolut and Monzo are classified at US car hire counters
Acceptance depends less on the brand name and more on the card’s underlying characteristics. Revolut and Monzo issue cards on major networks, usually Visa or Mastercard, and most are technically debit cards. However, US rental desks often use automated checks that classify cards by BIN and funding type. Typical outcomes include:
Debit: Often accepted for payment, but may trigger higher deposits, credit checks, or extra ID requirements. Some suppliers accept debit only at specific branches and not at airports.
Prepaid: Common reason for rejection. Many rental policies prohibit prepaid cards for deposits, even if they are chip-and-PIN and even if they have your name on them.
Virtual or single-use cards: Frequently rejected for deposits because the card must be presented physically, and the number must remain valid for the duration of any post-rental charges.
Credit: Most widely accepted for deposits with the broadest branch coverage and the smoothest verification process.
Revolut can issue different card types depending on your account setup and region. Monzo is usually a debit card. The important part is not what you call it, but what the terminal and the agent’s system sees when the card is swiped, inserted, or tapped and when the BIN is checked.
What verification checks happen at the counter
US car hire counters are designed to catch fraud and reduce chargeback risk. These are the checks that most commonly affect app-based cards:
Name match: The card must usually be in the main driver’s name. If your Revolut or Monzo card has a different name format, or is a spare card for another person, expect problems.
Physical card present: Many locations require chip insertion or a swipe for the deposit. A virtual card in an app, even if valid for online payments, typically fails this requirement.
BIN and funding source: The agent’s system can flag certain BIN ranges as prepaid or restricted. This can happen even when the card face says “debit”.
Authorisation capability: The deposit is a hold, sometimes hundreds of dollars or more. If the issuer declines a large hold, or if the card balance is insufficient, the rental cannot proceed.
Address and ID verification: Debit cards can trigger requests for additional proof, such as a return flight, proof of address, or secondary ID. Requirements can be stricter for one-way rentals or premium vehicles.
Local policy overrides: A brand may accept debit in general, but an individual airport or downtown branch may still require a credit card for certain car classes, late pickups, or after-hours returns.
These checks are also why acceptance can change between suppliers. Policies and system rules vary across brands, for example on pages like Enterprise car hire United States and National car rental United States, even before considering the specific branch you will visit.
What often gets rejected, even when the card looks fine
The most common rejections in US car hire deposits are consistent across many suppliers. If you are relying on Revolut or Monzo, watch for these scenarios:
Prepaid cards: If the system identifies your card as prepaid, the deposit may be refused. Some prepaid products also block car rental holds by default.
Virtual-only cards: If you only have the number in-app, or you plan to use Apple Pay or Google Pay for the deposit, expect a refusal at many counters. Contactless can work for small purchases, but deposits are different.
Cards without your name: If the card is unembossed or missing your printed name, an agent may decline it depending on local rules.
Insufficient available funds: Debit holds reduce your available balance. Travellers sometimes forget that the deposit can be larger than the quoted rental price, especially with insurance exclusions, younger driver fees, or larger vehicles.
Mismatch between driver and payer: The person collecting the car must usually be the cardholder. Even if you are added as an additional driver, the deposit is often tied to the main driver’s card.
Multiple cards, multiple declines: Several failed authorisations can trigger fraud flags. If your first attempt fails, it is better to switch to a known-acceptable backup rather than repeatedly trying variants of the same card wallet.
When Revolut or Monzo can work for US car hire
It is not always bad news. Many travellers successfully use app-based cards in the United States, particularly when their card is a standard debit card, they have ample funds, and the branch accepts debit deposits under its policy.
Revolut or Monzo is more likely to work when:
You have a physical card and can insert the chip for the authorisation.
The card is recognised as debit rather than prepaid by the rental company’s BIN check.
You are renting a standard vehicle class rather than luxury, large SUV, or specialty models that demand credit cards.
You have supporting documents such as proof of onward travel and matching ID, especially at airport counters where policies can be strict.
You are prepared for a larger hold than you would see with a credit card deposit, and you can leave those funds untouched until after return.
Even with these in place, you should plan for variability. “Accepted in principle” can still become “declined” if the issuer blocks the hold, the terminal cannot complete verification, or the branch applies additional restrictions due to local risk.
Practical backups to bring so you do not lose the car
If you want to minimise pickup risk in United Estates, treat Revolut or Monzo as a convenient spending card, and bring a backup that is more consistently accepted for deposits.
1) A mainstream credit card in the main driver’s name
This is the single most reliable backup. Credit cards are widely accepted for deposits and usually require a smaller hold than debit. Ensure the card is active for overseas use, and that your credit limit can comfortably cover the deposit plus any extras.
2) A second physical card from a different issuer
Sometimes declines are issuer-specific. Having a second card reduces your reliance on one bank’s fraud engine or international authorisation rules.
3) Matching identity documents
Carry your driving licence and passport. Some branches may also ask for additional ID or proof of address if you are using a debit card. A digital-only document on your phone may not be sufficient.
4) Proof of travel and contact details
Debit-card pickups can trigger extra checks like return flight details. Keep your itinerary accessible offline in case reception is poor in the terminal.
5) Funds headroom if using debit
Plan for the deposit to reduce your spending balance. If your Revolut or Monzo card is your day-to-day travel wallet, ringfence funds for food, hotels, and emergencies so the hold does not leave you short.
What to do before you travel and at the counter
Before travel: Review the supplier and location policy, then confirm you have a deposit-ready card. On Hola Car Rentals, start with the broader United States pages and then narrow down by supplier if you have one in mind. If you are considering specific brands, note that debit acceptance and deposit rules can differ across providers, and even between airport and neighbourhood branches.
At the counter: Present the physical card you want to use for the deposit first, along with your licence and passport. If the agent says the card is coming through as prepaid or not allowed, do not argue about what it is called in your app. Ask what card type they will accept for the deposit at that location, then switch to your backup credit card.
During the rental: Avoid locking or freezing the deposit card in-app. A post-rental charge, toll processing fee, or fuel adjustment can come through days later. If the card is frozen or closed, you may create delays, extra admin fees, or disputes.
After return: The hold release timing varies. Debit holds can take longer to drop off than credit card holds. If you used Revolut or Monzo, watch your available balance rather than just your current balance.
Common misconceptions that cause deposit problems
“If it works online, it will work at pickup.” Online payment acceptance does not guarantee deposit acceptance. Deposits use different processing rules and risk settings.
“It is a Visa or Mastercard, so it must be fine.” Network logo is not enough. Funding type, BIN classification, and issuer behaviour matter.
“Apple Pay will solve it.” Many US car hire desks still require a physical card for the deposit, even if they accept contactless for final payment.
“Debit and prepaid are the same.” They are treated differently in many rental policies. A prepaid classification is one of the most common reasons for refusal.
FAQ
Will US car hire accept Revolut for the deposit?
Sometimes. If your Revolut card is a physical, standard debit card and the branch accepts debit deposits, it may work. If it is classified as prepaid or you only have a virtual card, it is likely to be rejected for the deposit.
Will US car hire accept Monzo for the deposit?
Monzo is typically a debit card, so acceptance depends on the supplier and the specific pickup location. Expect stricter requirements than with a credit card, including a larger hold and possible extra ID checks.
Why did the counter say my card is prepaid when my app says debit?
Rental systems often rely on BIN ranges and internal card tables to classify funding type. Some app-based issuers can be flagged as prepaid or restricted even if the card behaves like debit for everyday spending.
Can I use a virtual card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay for the deposit?
Often no. Many locations require a physical card inserted or swiped to place the deposit hold, and they may refuse virtual numbers because the card must remain valid for any post-rental charges.
What is the safest backup to bring for US car hire deposits?
A physical credit card in the main driver’s name is the most widely accepted option. Also bring a second card if possible, plus your licence, passport, and funds headroom for the deposit.
