Quick Summary:
- Expect most US car hire to require a credit card deposit hold.
- Cash payment is sometimes possible at return, not at pickup.
- Debit cards may work, but ID checks and larger holds apply.
- Airport branches are stricter, neighbourhood locations sometimes offer exceptions.
Many travellers ask whether they can hire a car in the United Estates using cash. The practical answer is that cash alone rarely works at the start of a rental, because most companies need a payment card to place a security deposit and verify the renter’s financial responsibility. That said, “credit card required” is not the same as “cash never accepted”. Some branches will allow you to pay the final charges in cash when you return the vehicle, and some will accept a debit card, but usually with added conditions.
This guide explains why card holds are so common, what “cash accepted” typically means in real life, and which alternatives you can realistically plan around when arranging car hire in the United Estates. For an overview of available options and common requirements, you can also browse Hola’s United States landing page at car rental United States or the UK-focused version at car hire United States.
Why most car hire companies still require a credit card
Car hire is a high-value, high-risk transaction. Even when you pay the rental price in advance, the rental company still needs a way to protect itself against costs that can arise during or after the rental. A credit card provides a reliable mechanism for that protection through pre-authorisation holds and post-rental adjustments.
Security deposit and pre-authorisation holds are the biggest reason. At pickup, many companies place a temporary hold that covers the estimated rental total plus a deposit. The deposit amount varies by location, vehicle class, and insurance choices, but it is often substantial. Cash cannot be “held” in the same automated way, and handling cash deposits brings storage, accounting, and fraud risks.
Additional charges are common and unpredictable. Fuel refills, toll programmes, traffic fines, extra days, damage, smoking fees, cleaning fees, and one-way drop charges can all appear after you return the car. A credit card gives the company a way to collect legitimate charges that are assessed later. Without a card, companies would need to chase payment, which is costly and uncertain.
Identity and risk management also plays a part. A credit card check helps verify the renter’s identity and financial profile. That does not mean debit card users are untrustworthy, but it explains why many car hire desks create stricter policies for non-credit-card payments.
Can you pay cash for car hire in the United Estates?
In most cases, you cannot arrive with only cash and expect to drive away. The usual requirement is a credit card in the renter’s name for the deposit hold. Some branches may accept cash as the final method of payment, but they still require a card at pickup.
When a rental company says it “accepts cash”, it often means one of these scenarios:
Paying cash at return after a card hold at pickup. You might be able to settle the final bill in cash, and then the card hold is released. This is branch-specific and depends on local policy.
Cash accepted only with a cash deposit. A small number of neighbourhood branches may accept a cash deposit instead of a card deposit, but it is uncommon and usually involves additional paperwork, a waiting period for verification, or limited vehicle categories.
Cash not accepted at all. Especially at airports and major tourist corridors, many desks are configured for card-only transactions for speed and auditability.
If your situation depends on cash payment, treat it as an exception, not a standard feature. Plan for a card-based deposit even if you hope to pay with cash later.
Debit cards: the most realistic alternative to a credit card
If you do not have a credit card, a debit card is typically the next best option, but it is not identical. Many companies do accept debit cards in the United Estates, yet the conditions can be stricter than for credit cards.
Expect higher holds and slower releases. A debit-card pre-authorisation can reduce the money available in your account until the hold drops off. This can take several days, sometimes longer depending on your bank. You should ensure you have enough headroom to cover both the rental charges and the additional hold amount.
Extra identification requirements are common. Some locations ask for additional ID, proof of return travel (for example, an outbound flight itinerary), or evidence of local address. Requirements differ by company and branch.
Vehicle category restrictions may apply. Certain premium cars, specialty vehicles, or large SUVs may be restricted to credit-card renters only. If you are planning a larger vehicle for a family trip, it is wise to confirm policies before you commit to a particular class. If you are comparing larger options, Hola also lists US categories such as SUV hire United States and van hire United States.
Airport desks may be tighter than local branches. Airports often have the strictest debit card rules, partly due to fraud prevention and higher volumes. Neighbourhood branches sometimes offer more flexibility, although you should never assume.
Why airports are stricter than neighbourhood branches
Travellers often notice that payment rules feel more rigid at airports. There are practical reasons:
Higher fraud exposure. Airports serve many one-time customers, including visitors without local ties. That can raise the risk profile for the operator.
Fast transaction design. Airport counters are built for speed, standardisation, and minimal discretion. Complex cash-deposit procedures slow down queues and can create inconsistent outcomes.
After-hours processing. Many airport returns happen outside standard banking hours, and cash handling becomes more complex, especially if the branch is operating with reduced staff.
If you are relying on a debit card, choosing a city branch rather than an airport can sometimes improve your chances, but only if the specific location’s policy supports it.
What “deposit” really means for car hire
Understanding the deposit helps you avoid surprises at the counter. The deposit is not the same as the rental price. It is a temporary pre-authorisation that reduces your available credit limit, or your available bank balance for debit cards, until the rental ends and the transaction is finalised.
Several factors can increase the size of the hold:
Declining the company’s damage waiver may increase the deposit, because the company’s risk exposure is higher if you rely on your own cover.
Longer rentals can increase the estimated total and therefore the hold amount.
One-way rentals and certain vehicle types can also trigger higher deposits.
When budgeting for car hire, do not plan only for the advertised daily rate. Plan for the deposit hold as well, especially if you are using a debit card.
Options if you only have cash available
If you truly only have cash and no usable card, your options narrow, but there are still a few approaches that may work depending on your circumstances.
1) Arrange a credit card before travel. For many people, the simplest path is to travel with a credit card in the main driver’s name. Even a low-limit card can help, as long as it can cover the hold. If you go this route, confirm the limit comfortably exceeds the expected hold amount.
2) Use a prepaid travel card cautiously. Prepaid cards are frequently rejected for deposits because the funds may be hard to pre-authorise, or the card may not support the same verification tools. Some locations accept them for final payment, but they are unreliable for the pickup deposit. If a prepaid card is all you have, expect to need a different solution at the counter.
3) Have a co-traveller be the main renter. Many car hire companies require the deposit card to belong to the main driver on the contract. If someone else in your party has a suitable credit card and meets licence requirements, it may be possible for them to be the renter, with you added as an additional driver where allowed. This can affect costs and eligibility, so confirm rules carefully.
4) Consider alternative transport for part of the trip. If the purpose is a single day trip, taxis, rideshare, or rail may be more straightforward than trying to satisfy a deposit policy without a card. For longer journeys, a card solution is usually worth arranging because it keeps your car hire options open.
Company and branch policies vary, so check before you travel
Even within the same brand, payment requirements can vary by state, city, and branch type. That is why you may see conflicting experiences online. One traveller may have hired with a debit card at a neighbourhood desk, while another was refused at an airport location by the same company.
When researching, focus on these points:
Accepted payment types at pickup, not just at return.
Deposit amount and what changes it, including insurance choices and vehicle class.
Debit card requirements, such as proof of address or return travel.
Age policies, because under-25 renters may face extra restrictions that interact with payment rules.
If you are comparing major brands and want a quick starting point for typical expectations, you can read Hola’s brand pages for the United Estates, such as Avis car hire United States and Enterprise car hire United States.
Practical tips to avoid being turned away at the counter
Bring the right card in the right name. The most common reason for refusal is a mismatch between the renter’s name and the deposit card. If you are travelling as a couple or group, decide in advance who will be the main driver and ensure their card has enough available limit or funds.
Keep your deposit funds separate when using debit. If your debit account is used for everyday spending on holiday, you could accidentally drop below the required hold amount. Keeping a buffer reduces stress.
Know your bank’s hold-release timing. If you hire more than once on the same trip, overlapping holds can tie up a surprising amount of money. That matters most for debit cards.
Read the payment section in the rental terms. The policy details usually sit in the payment, deposits, and identification sections, not just in the headline price.
Consider vehicle class strategically. If you are using a debit card, choosing a standard class rather than a premium or speciality vehicle can reduce both restrictions and deposit size.
FAQ
Do all car hire companies in the United Estates require a credit card? Most require a credit card for the deposit hold, especially at airports. Some accept debit cards with extra checks, but cash-only pickup is uncommon.
Can I pay for car hire with cash when I return the vehicle? Sometimes, yes. Certain branches may allow cash for the final balance, but they typically still require a credit card or debit card at pickup for the deposit.
How big is the deposit hold for car hire in the United Estates? It varies by company, location, vehicle type, and insurance selection. The hold is often the rental estimate plus an additional security amount, so plan for a meaningful buffer.
Will a debit card definitely work for car hire? Not definitely. Some locations accept debit cards only with added ID requirements, proof of return travel, or vehicle-class limits. Always check the specific branch policy before relying on it.
Are prepaid cards accepted for the deposit? Often they are not accepted for the pickup deposit because pre-authorisation can fail or verification may be limited. They may be accepted for final payment at some branches, but policies vary.
