Quick Summary
- Most US suppliers are happy to use a corporate credit card as long as it is in the main driver’s name.
- The name on the card must usually match the driving licence and the Hola Car Rentals booking, even if your employer pays the bill.
- Hola Car Rentals explains card rules clearly so business travellers know whether their company card will work at the counter.
Why the card type matters for business renters
Business trips to the United States often involve tight schedules, evening arrivals and early morning returns. At the desk, the agent has to place a security hold for the vehicle on a card that can be safely authorised. For most corporate travellers that means using a company credit card that still shows their own name, rather than a generic card that only displays the business name. Suppliers use this match between the driver’s identity and the payment method to manage risk and to comply with their insurance rules.
Name on the card versus name on the booking
When you arrive at the desk, the agent will compare the name printed on your passport, driving licence and payment card. If your corporate card shows your personal name alongside the company name, it is normally treated just like any other credit card. If the card only shows the company name, the supplier may treat it as a lodge card that is not intended for face to face use, and they may refuse it for the deposit. Policies differ between brands and locations, which is why it is safer to assume the main driver’s name must appear on the card.
Even when your employer has made the booking for you, the person who signs the rental agreement is treated as the contracting party. That driver is responsible for the vehicle and for any extra charges. Using their own corporate card keeps the paperwork tidy and avoids slow conversations at the counter about alternative payment methods.
Practical tips for corporate credit cards
Before you leave, check the expiry date and credit limit on your company card, and confirm that international transactions and US dollars are enabled. Ask your finance team whether the card is intended for in person use or only for online expenses. It is also wise to travel with a second personal credit card as backup in case the main corporate card is declined or accidentally blocked for security reasons.
If your trip involves toll roads or long motorway stretches, let your employer know that suppliers may pre authorise a higher amount to cover these extra costs. Keeping receipts and toll statements will make it easier to reconcile the expense report when you return to the office.
How Hola Car Rentals supports business travel
If your business trips often take you across several states, reserving your US car rental through Hola Car Rentals keeps all the payment rules in one clear place. Frequent travellers can tap into partners’ corporate friendly stations such as the Enterprise business traveller network without having to search multiple sites for card policies. Flying into New York on a tight agenda, you can choose suppliers with convenient opening hours at New York airport desks, while West Coast meetings are easier when your vehicle is ready at Los Angeles airport locations.
Hola Car Rentals offers Maximum liability coverage on selected itineraries, helping to protect both you and your employer if something unexpected happens on the road. With no additional fees and savings of up to sixty per cent, your travel budget can stretch further. Cashback on tolls and the option to include fuel and extra protection in an All Inclusive+ Rate also make expense claims simpler after the trip.
FAQs
Can my employer book and pay if the card is not in my name? Many companies use centralised booking tools or travel agents to reserve vehicles, but the person at the desk normally still needs a card in the main driver’s name for the deposit. Some suppliers accept vouchers or direct billing arrangements that replace the need for a personal card, but these need to be set up in advance. Hola Car Rentals works on a retail basis rather than direct billing, so you should expect to present a card in your name at pick up.
Is a virtual corporate card enough? Virtual or app only cards are convenient for online orders, but some terminals at US rental desks still expect a physical plastic card that can be inserted or swiped. Even where digital wallets are accepted, staff may insist on seeing the physical card to verify the name. For that reason it is safer to carry the actual company card with you, and to have a second card available as backup.
Can my manager’s card be used while I drive? Policies vary between suppliers, but most contracts state that the payment card should belong to the main driver. Some locations allow a manager to be named as the payer while another person is registered as driver, yet this often involves extra checks and is not guaranteed. The simplest and quickest option is for the person who will drive most of the time to present a card in their own name.
Planning ahead with the right corporate card, enough credit limit and a clear understanding of supplier rules makes business travel to the United States far smoother. Hola Car Rentals is ready to help you match your company’s travel policy with the right vehicle, protection and payment set up so you can focus on the meetings that matter.
