Quick Summary
- For most pay later bookings you can usually change the payment card at the counter, as long as the new card is in the main driver name and meets the same credit requirements.
- Prepaid or Pay Now deals are stricter, and if the original card is lost or replaced you may be asked to cancel and rebook so the supplier can reprocess payment correctly.
- To avoid being stranded, speak to Hola Car Rentals and your bank before you travel, travel with a backup card and understand how the security deposit will be held at pick up.
Why the card you bring matters at pick up
Picture the scene. You land at Orlando International after an overnight flight, ready to drive the I 4 towards the parks, and only then notice that the card you booked with was blocked after a fraud alert. The desk agent is asking for a physical credit card in your name and a deposit hold that could be several hundred dollars. At that moment, knowing whether you can change the payment card is the difference between a smooth start and a very expensive taxi into town.
When you book through Hola Car Rentals the supplier still needs a valid card at collection. Your booking, your insurance and even your Orlando car hire upgrade all rely on that payment method being accepted for both the rental charges and the security deposit. Understanding the rules before you travel keeps you in control if your card is lost or replaced at the last minute.
When you can usually change the card
For fully flexible, pay later bookings the card you typed in online is often only used to guarantee the reservation. At many US locations you can present a different eligible credit card when you arrive, as long as it is in the main driver name, carries a major network logo and has enough available credit to cover the deposit and estimated rental charges.
If your replacement card has arrived before you travel and the number has changed, treat it as a new card. In practice this means packing only the new card, plus any backup card, and making sure your bank knows you will be travelling in the United States. If your trip starts with a connection through South Florida, the staff at the Miami Airport pick up desks will simply run the card you hand over, not the one you originally reserved with, for most pay on arrival bookings.
Some suppliers also allow you to change the payment card at the end of the hire, closing the contract to one card and taking final payment from another. That can be helpful if you want to split costs between a personal and corporate card, but it is not guaranteed and the authorisation hold will still sit on the first card until the vehicle is checked in.
Why prepaid bookings are much stricter
Prepaid or Pay Now rates tend to come with tighter rules. Because the money has already been charged to your bank, the rental company may require the same card to be presented at pick up for security and fraud checks. If you arrive without it, staff could be forced to treat you as a walk up customer and ask you to pay again on a different card, with the original refund processed separately.
Terms vary between brands. Some insist the original card must be shown, others will accept any card in the driver name, and a few will ask you to cancel and rebook if the card has been reissued. Before you finalise a prepaid booking it is worth reading the payment section of your confirmation carefully, just as you would check the fine print for a busy airport such as your New York JFK booking details.
With Hola Car Rentals you can often choose between prepaid and pay on arrival options. The All Inclusive plus rates still keep maximum coverage, yet many allow Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up, which gives you time to rebook if your bank has to send a new card unexpectedly.
If your card is lost, stolen or replaced
Every bank handles card replacement differently, but a few practical steps help keep your trip on track.
- Ask your bank whether the existing authorisation will still be honoured on a new card number, and how long it will take for the replacement to reach you.
- If the card will not arrive before you fly, talk to Hola Car Rentals support about switching to a pay on arrival deal or moving the booking to a later date.
- Check whether any backup card in your wallet has enough available limit for the deposit and fuel, especially if you are planning a long motorway run.
- Carry extra identification such as your passport, since the desk agent may run additional checks if you turn up with a brand new card.
For US hires, the deposit hold can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than the value of the rental itself, depending on vehicle class and coverage. Making sure the right card is ready avoids awkward conversations at the counter.
Extra protections with Hola Car Rentals
Because Hola Car Rentals works with major brands such as Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz or Budget, you get access to mainstream payment rules with a layer of extra clarity. The All Inclusive plus packages add extensive damage cover and can include maximum liability coverage up to 300,000 dollars on selected itineraries, along with free travel insurance up to US$150,000 for many drivers.
For West Coast trips starting at LAX, it is worth building in a little margin between landing and your Los Angeles International driving plans. That way, if your bank places a temporary block on the card when the deposit is requested, you have time to call the number on the back of the card and get the hold approved without rushing.
Before you travel, log in to your Hola Car Rentals booking, review the payment and deposit notes, and confirm that the card you will bring is valid through the end of your trip. If anything changes, Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up makes it much easier to adjust your booking rather than trying to renegotiate at the desk.
FAQs
- Can I pay for my booking with one card and use another at pick up? In many cases yes, as long as the card you present at the counter is in the main driver name and meets the supplier credit criteria. The original card will be refunded separately if you prepaid, which can take several working days.
- What happens if the card I bring is declined for the deposit? The agent will usually try another card in your name. If none of your cards are approved for the hold, the rental company can refuse to release the vehicle, so it is wise to travel with a backup card and enough available credit.
- Will a digital wallet on my phone be accepted instead of a physical card? Some locations support contactless payments, but many still require a physical plastic card to be swiped or chip read for the deposit. Always plan to bring the actual card, not just a mobile wallet version.
- Can I change the card during the rental? A few suppliers can take final payment on a different card when you return the car, but the authorisation hold will normally stay on the original card until the contract is closed and any balance is adjusted.
When you are ready to travel, choose a flexible deal with Hola Car Rentals, keep your payment cards organised and enjoy driving away from the airport knowing your booking and deposit are fully under control.
