Quick Summary
- Most US suppliers will accept major foreign credit cards, as long as they are in the main driver name and have enough available credit for the rental and deposit.
- Your hire is charged in US dollars, so your bank handles the currency conversion and may add its own foreign transaction fee on top of the rental price.
- Booking with Hola Car Rentals helps you understand deposit amounts and coverage in advance, so you can choose a card that keeps your limit, insurance and travel budget comfortable.
Arriving with a foreign card at a US counter
Imagine landing at Miami and heading straight for the freeway out to the Keys. You roll your suitcase into the rental hall, hand over your passport and driving licence, then pass across a credit card issued back home. The agent types a few details, runs a security hold and, as long as the card checks pass, you are on your way towards US 1 without worrying about the currency printed on the card.
For most visitors, paying for US car hire with an overseas card is straightforward. Hola Car Rentals works with large international brands, and they are used to seeing cards from Europe, Latin America and beyond. The key details are the name on the card, the network logo and the available limit, not the country where the account was opened.
Which foreign cards usually work
At US locations the safest option is a mainstream credit card from a major network. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, with American Express and Discover also recognised at many airport sites. Some depots now accept JCB or UnionPay branded cards, but acceptance is not universal, especially away from the main tourist gateways.
When you book a Florida fly drive break, it is worth checking that your chosen supplier accepts your card network in both city branches and at the airport. Hola Car Rentals lets you compare options at hot spots like Miami car hire options, so you can pick an offer where the payment rules and coverage feel comfortable before you commit.
The card must normally be in the main driver name, even if someone else paid the deposit back home. Additional drivers are rarely allowed to leave their own card for the security hold, and prepaid debit cards are often declined altogether at US locations.
How currency conversion and fees are handled
Even though your bank account might be in pounds, euros or another currency, the rental company charges your card in US dollars. Your own bank then converts that charge into your home currency at its exchange rate. Many banks add a foreign transaction fee on top, often around a small percentage of the transaction, so the final amount on your statement will be a little higher than the dollar figure on the rental invoice.
Some terminals offer to bill you in your home currency instead of dollars, a service known as dynamic currency conversion. It looks convenient, but it almost always uses a weaker exchange rate than your own bank. For a two week tour along the Pacific Coast Highway up towards San Francisco, that difference can add up. In most cases you are better off choosing to pay in US dollars and letting your own bank handle the conversion.
Deposit holds and foreign card limits
Alongside the rental price, the supplier will place a security hold on your card at pick up. This is not a charge, but it reduces your available limit until the vehicle is returned and the contract is closed. In the United States, that hold can be several hundred dollars or more, especially for premium vehicles or if you decline the supplier own insurance.
If your first drive is from Orlando towards the Gulf Coast, the desk at Orlando Airport deposit rules will be explained when you sign the agreement. Make sure the card you present has enough headroom for fuel, hotels and everyday spending after the hold is applied. If the bank declines the hold, you will not be able to leave with the car, even if the rental itself was prepaid online.
Hola Car Rentals makes this easier by highlighting All Inclusive plus deals that bundle in maximum coverage, reduce excess and keep deposit amounts clearer. Many of these offers come with No additional fees and savings of up to 60 percent against standard desk prices, so you do not need an enormous limit just to feel protected.
Extra documents and checks for overseas visitors
US rental desks will usually ask for a passport, a driving licence and your foreign credit card. If your licence is not written in Roman letters, or if your home licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit may also be required. Some states and suppliers ask to see proof of a return flight when you use a foreign card, particularly when you collect at a major airport.
At popular gateways such as San Francisco, checking the deposit, opening hours and pick up details for your San Francisco road trip plans before you travel avoids surprises on arrival. In cities known for casino weekends or large conventions, like Las Vegas, it is also wise to expect stricter fraud screening and slightly higher deposit levels, so factor that into the limit on your card.
Benefits of booking with Hola Car Rentals
When you reserve through Hola Car Rentals you not only see clear prices in your own language, you also gain access to benefits designed for international travellers. Many rates include Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up, All Inclusive plus cover with roadside assistance and maximum liability protection up to 300,000 dollars on selected routes. Some itineraries even add free travel insurance up to US$150,000, which is especially valuable when you are far from home.
Heading into the desert from Nevada, a flexible booking from Hola Car Rentals can start right from the strip thanks to Las Vegas weekend driving plans that are tailored for fly in trips. With the right card and the right coverage, you can focus on the drive rather than the deposit.
FAQs
- Can I use a foreign debit card instead of a credit card? Some US locations will accept debit cards, but rules are much stricter, especially for overseas visitors. You may be asked for extra ID, proof of a return ticket and a higher deposit, and some premium vehicles are not available on debit at all.
- Will my bank charge a fee for a US car hire? Many banks charge a foreign transaction fee when your card is used in another currency. Check your card terms before you travel and factor that percentage into your total trip budget.
- Do I need to tell my bank I am travelling? It is a good idea. A large deposit hold at a US rental desk can trigger automatic fraud checks on some accounts, so letting your bank know your dates and destinations reduces the risk of a decline at pick up.
- Can I split the rental cost across two foreign cards? The deposit and main charges normally go on a single card in the main driver name. Some suppliers can take an additional payment from another card at the end of the hire, but the security hold will stay on the first card until the contract is closed.
If you plan a US road trip and only have foreign cards, compare offers with Hola Car Rentals, choose a deal that suits your limit and enjoy a smooth start to your journey from the very first mile.
