Quick Summary:
- Bring a major credit card in the main driver’s name.
- Debit cards can be refused due to higher fraud and chargeback risk.
- Expect a pre-authorisation hold, not a charge, for the deposit.
- Check card limits, ID details, and supplier rules before arriving.
When you see “credit card only” on a California car hire listing, it is referring to the card type accepted for the security deposit at the rental counter. In most cases, the rental company will only place the deposit hold on a true credit card, issued by a bank or card provider with a revolving credit facility, and presented by the main driver at pick-up.
This matters because the deposit is usually taken as a pre-authorisation, sometimes called a hold. It reduces your available credit for a period, then releases after the vehicle is returned and the account is closed out. If you arrive with a debit card when the rules say credit card only, the counter may refuse to release the vehicle, even if you have already paid for the rental.
California airports and city locations can have slightly different policies, but the principle is consistent, the supplier wants a payment method that meets their risk and verification requirements. If you are collecting near San Francisco, you may notice this at counter desks serving travellers at San Francisco SFO car hire, where deposit rules are commonly enforced with little flexibility.
What rental companies mean by “credit card only”
“Credit card only” generally means all of the following must be true:
1) The card must be a credit card, not a debit card. Many cards look similar and may even say Visa or Mastercard, but the key difference is whether the account draws from a credit line versus your current account balance.
2) The card must be in the main driver’s name. Even if an additional driver is present, most suppliers require the deposit card to match the name on the driving licence and rental agreement.
3) The card must allow a pre-authorisation hold. Some cards, including certain prepaid and virtual cards, do not support the type of hold used for car rental deposits.
4) The card must have sufficient available credit. The hold can be higher than expected if you decline optional cover at the desk or if local fees are included in the deposit calculation.
In practice, “credit card only” is less about how you prefer to pay and more about how the supplier secures the vehicle against potential costs such as damage, tolls, late returns, fuel differences, cleaning charges, or administrative fees.
What counts as a credit card at the counter
A credit card is typically accepted if it is a major network card and behaves like credit under the hood. The most commonly accepted types are Visa and Mastercard credit cards, and sometimes American Express or Discover, depending on the supplier and location.
What often does not count, even if it has a Visa or Mastercard logo:
Debit cards linked to a bank account, including many UK and EU bank cards.
Prepaid cards that you top up, often used for travel budgeting.
Some “credit builder” or limited facility cards that restrict authorisations or are not accepted for high holds.
Virtual cards or app-based cards without a physical chip card, unless the supplier explicitly supports them.
If you are unsure, check your card’s account type in your banking app. If it is linked directly to your current account balance and shows transactions as immediate debits rather than a monthly statement, it is probably a debit card. When collecting at major hubs like Los Angeles, counter teams handling Los Angeles LAX car hire tend to follow the supplier’s policy strictly because of high volumes and standardised fraud controls.
Why debit cards are sometimes refused for deposits
Rental deposits are about risk management. Debit cards can be refused for a few common reasons:
Higher exposure if extra charges arise. With a credit card, the supplier can place a hold against available credit more reliably. With debit, available funds can fluctuate and may be harder to secure.
Dispute and recovery complexity. Some suppliers consider debit transactions more likely to be disputed or harder to collect against after the rental ends, especially for post-rental charges.
Identity and address verification. Credit cards often provide an additional layer of verification through issuing banks and credit checks, which some suppliers prefer for higher value assets like vehicles.
Local rules and historical fraud patterns. Airports and busy urban locations may apply stricter rules because they have seen more fraud attempts with certain card types.
Some companies do accept debit cards in specific cases, for example with additional ID, proof of return travel, a credit check, or a higher deposit. However, if your rental terms or the supplier’s conditions say “credit card only”, assume debit will not work for the deposit, even if you have sufficient funds.
Understanding the deposit, pre-authorisation, and timing
The deposit is usually taken as a pre-authorisation hold, not a charge. Here is what that means in everyday terms:
Pre-authorisation hold: The supplier requests a temporary authorisation for a set amount. The money does not leave your account as a completed payment, but your available credit reduces by that amount.
Completion or release: After you return the car and the agreement is closed, the hold is released. Your bank then updates your available credit. The release can be quick, but it can also take several business days, depending on the card issuer.
Final charges: If you owe additional costs, the supplier may charge those separately. Tolls and some admin fees can appear after the rental ends, depending on local processing.
Because the hold affects available credit, it is worth planning your travel spending. If you are relying on the same card for hotels or other large authorisations, you can run into a situation where everything is “approved” but you have limited headroom once the car hire deposit is held.
What to prepare in advance for a smoother pick-up in California
Preparation is mostly about matching names, documents, and funds to the supplier’s rules. Before you travel, do the following:
Check the main driver name matches the card. The driver who signs the contract should present the credit card used for the deposit. If you plan to share driving, set the primary driver accordingly.
Confirm your card supports international authorisations. If you are visiting from abroad, ensure your card is enabled for US transactions and that your bank will not block a large hold.
Increase available credit temporarily if needed. Some banks can raise limits for travel. The goal is not only to cover the rental cost, but also the deposit hold.
Bring required ID. A full driving licence is essential, and international visitors may need additional documentation depending on licence format and supplier requirements.
Plan for timing around the release. If you are returning the vehicle and immediately need credit for another large hold, allow for the fact that banks may take time to remove the authorisation from your available credit.
If you are picking up in the Sacramento area, it can help to compare supplier expectations across locations like Hertz at Sacramento SMF, as deposit rules can vary by brand even within the same region.
Common misconceptions about “credit card only”
“My debit card says Visa, so it is a credit card.” The logo indicates the payment network, not whether it is credit. The counter system often detects the card product type.
“I paid in advance, so they should not need a deposit.” Prepayment typically covers the rental charges, not the security deposit. The deposit is about potential additional costs during or after the rental.
“They can just take cash instead.” Cash deposits are uncommon at airport counters and are often not accepted at all, especially for standard car hire products.
“A screenshot of my card in an app is fine.” Many suppliers require a physical card with chip and PIN, and they may require the cardholder to be present.
Does “credit card only” affect how you pay for the rental?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Many suppliers require a credit card specifically for the deposit, but may allow other methods for paying the rental charges. However, some apply “credit card only” to both payment and deposit, particularly for higher risk categories, one-way rentals, or premium vehicles.
To avoid counter issues, assume the safest approach is to have a credit card available for both deposit and any remaining balance. If you intend to pay with a different method, confirm the policy ahead of time through the rental terms for your specific booking.
Special cases: vans, larger vehicles, and younger drivers
Deposit requirements can increase based on vehicle type and driver profile. For example:
Vans and larger vehicles may require higher deposits because the vehicle value and potential repair costs are higher. If you are arranging a larger vehicle in Southern California, review conditions carefully for products like van rental in San Diego SAN.
Younger drivers may face stricter payment rules or higher deposits due to higher insurance and risk assumptions. Even if a supplier accepts debit cards for some customers, they may still require a credit card for younger drivers.
Additional drivers do not usually change the deposit requirement, but they can change who should be listed as the main driver. The deposit card normally must match the main driver, not an additional driver.
How to reduce surprises at the desk
The best way to avoid surprises is to read the payment and deposit section of the rental conditions, then align your documents accordingly. For California car hire, also watch for these items that can change the deposit amount:
Fuel policy. A “full to full” policy is usually simpler. If you choose a prepaid fuel option, it can change how charges are handled.
Insurance and cover choices. Declining certain cover can increase the amount held, because the supplier is securing a larger excess.
Local toll handling. Many California routes use electronic tolling. Some suppliers charge admin fees for toll programmes, and these can appear after return.
Return time and location. Late returns, after-hours drop-offs, or one-way rentals can affect deposit or post-rental charges.
If you want a clearer sense of how policies can differ by brand and counter setup, browsing location pages such as Thrifty at Santa Ana SNA can help you understand the kind of supplier-specific rules you may encounter.
FAQ
Do I always need a credit card to pick up a car in California? Not always, but if the terms say “credit card only”, you should expect the deposit must be secured on a credit card in the main driver’s name.
Can I use a debit card if I have plenty of money in my account? You may still be refused if the supplier requires a credit card. The decision is based on card type and policy, not just available funds.
Is the deposit taken from my account or just held? Usually it is a pre-authorisation hold, which reduces available credit temporarily. The release timing depends on your card issuer after the rental is closed.
How much is the deposit likely to be? It varies by supplier, location, vehicle class, and cover choices. It can be higher if you decline optional cover or rent a larger vehicle.
What should I do if the main driver does not have a credit card? Adjust the booking so the person with a suitable credit card is the main driver, if they meet licence requirements and will be present at collection.
