Quick Summary:
- Apple Pay and Google Pay may pay charges, but deposits often need a card.
- Bring the physical card and matching ID, even if you paid digitally.
- Expect name matching rules, the renter must be the cardholder.
- Ask about prepaid, debit, and deposit options before travelling to Los Angeles.
Apple Pay and Google Pay are brilliant for everyday spending, but car hire collection rules work a bit differently. In Los Angeles, many drivers can use a digital wallet to pay some or all of the rental cost, yet still be asked for a physical payment card at the counter for verification and the security deposit. The short version is that digital wallets can help, but they do not always replace a card when you actually pick up the keys.
This matters because the main stumbling block is rarely the rental price. It is the deposit (also called a security hold or pre-authorisation). A deposit is a temporary hold placed on a payment method to cover potential extra costs, such as fuel, tolls, late return, or damage excess. Many suppliers still require that hold to be taken on a physical card in the lead driver’s name.
Hola Car Rentals aggregates multiple suppliers, and each supplier sets its own collection requirements. That is why two counters at the same airport can have different rules on Apple Pay, Google Pay, debit cards, and deposits. If you are comparing locations, these guides may help you understand how pick-up processes can vary across the US, such as car rental at Dallas DFW or National car rental in Orlando MCO.
Do Apple Pay and Google Pay count as “a card” for car hire?
Apple Pay and Google Pay are digital wallet services that tokenise a payment card, meaning the merchant receives a device-specific token rather than the full card details. From a customer perspective, it feels like paying by card, but in rental terms it may be treated as “card-present” only if the supplier can both charge and take a deposit using that wallet, and can link it reliably to the cardholder and card type.
Some rental desks accept Apple Pay or Google Pay for the rental charges because they can process it like a contactless card payment. The more difficult part is the deposit. A supplier may insist on swiping, inserting, or otherwise validating the physical card, or may require a traditional pre-authorisation that their system does not support via a digital wallet token.
So, does a Los Angeles car hire let you collect using Apple Pay or Google Pay instead of a card? Sometimes you can pay with a wallet, but you should not assume you can collect without presenting a physical card, especially for the deposit.
Why the deposit usually drives the decision
Car hire deposits are risk management. The supplier needs a payment method they can place a hold on, and if needed, charge after the rental for agreed extras. Digital wallet transactions can be processed as one-off payments, but not every supplier can place or manage a deposit hold through Apple Pay or Google Pay in the same way they do with a physical credit card.
In practical terms, you may see these common outcomes at pickup:
1) Wallet accepted for payment, card required for deposit. This is very common. You can tap your phone to pay for the rental, but the desk still asks for a credit card to pre-authorise the deposit.
2) Wallet accepted for both payment and deposit. This happens with some suppliers and setups, but it is not universal. You still usually need the wallet-linked card to be in the lead driver’s name, and the staff may ask for additional verification.
3) Wallet not accepted at counter. Some desks only accept physical cards, either due to hardware limitations or policy. In that case, arriving with only Apple Pay or Google Pay can lead to a refused pickup.
If you are travelling and want to understand how airport desks can differ, it is useful to compare typical requirements at other hubs too, for example car hire at Phoenix airport (PHX) or SUV hire at Chicago O’Hare (ORD).
What you should bring to collect a Los Angeles car hire
Even if you intend to pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay, it is wise to arrive prepared for standard counter checks. Most failed collections are caused by payment method mismatches rather than driving licences.
Bring the following as a baseline:
A physical credit card in the lead driver’s name. This remains the safest option for a deposit. Some suppliers accept debit cards, but conditions can be stricter, and deposits can be higher.
Your driving licence. If you are visiting from outside the US, ensure it is valid for the full rental period. Some suppliers ask for an International Driving Permit depending on your licence language and country.
Passport or additional ID. Many airport locations check passport details for international renters, and the name must match the reservation and payment method.
The phone used for Apple Pay or Google Pay, plus a backup. If your battery dies, your wallet may be unusable. A power bank helps, but it still does not replace a physical card if the desk requires one.
Proof of address may be requested in some cases. This is more common with debit card rentals or local renters, but it can come up. Having a recent statement available digitally can help, as long as it is acceptable to the supplier.
Name matching and who must pay
Most suppliers require the person collecting the vehicle, usually the lead driver, to be the cardholder for the deposit. Even if Apple Pay or Google Pay is used, the underlying card typically needs to be in the same name as the renter, and the reservation name must match your ID.
This is especially important if you are travelling with a partner or colleague. Paying with someone else’s phone, or a corporate card not in the driver’s name, can be rejected unless the supplier specifically permits it and the account holder is present with ID. If you want to avoid delays, align the booking name, driving licence name, and payment card name.
Credit card vs debit card vs digital wallet in Los Angeles
Credit cards are the most widely accepted for deposits. They also tend to have smoother pre-authorisation handling, and releases can be quicker depending on your bank.
Debit cards may be accepted, but suppliers often apply conditions, such as higher deposits, extra ID requirements, or restrictions on vehicle categories. In some cases, debit cards are only accepted if you have a return flight ticket, or if you purchase additional cover. Policies vary widely.
Apple Pay and Google Pay can be treated as a way of presenting a card, but they are not always accepted for deposits. They also introduce practical issues, such as whether the terminal supports contactless, whether the staff are trained on wallet transactions, and whether the system can identify the card type behind the token.
Prepaid bookings and “pay at counter” differences
When you arrange car hire through an online platform, some bookings are prepaid and others are pay at counter. If you prepaid, you may think payment is done, but you can still be required to present a qualifying card at pickup for the deposit. Prepaying reduces what you owe at the desk, but it rarely removes the deposit requirement.
If your booking is pay at counter, Apple Pay or Google Pay might be useful to settle the rental charges, subject to supplier acceptance. Still, the deposit question remains.
Common reasons digital wallets fail at pickup
Digital wallet payments can fail in Los Angeles car hire collection for reasons that are not obvious until you are standing at the desk:
The terminal does not support tap-to-pay. Some counters have older equipment or a process that expects chip-and-PIN or swipe for authorisations.
The supplier policy excludes wallet payments. Even if the hardware supports contactless, policy may require a physical card.
The deposit cannot be taken via wallet token. The system may be able to charge, but not place a compliant hold.
The wallet card is not a credit card. Some cards in wallets are debit or prepaid, and the supplier may require a credit card for the deposit.
Name mismatch. The renter name, Apple Pay card name, and driving licence must align.
What to do if you only have Apple Pay or Google Pay
If you are travelling to Los Angeles and do not have a physical card available, take steps before you fly. In many cases, arriving without a qualifying card means you cannot collect the vehicle, or you may be pushed into a more expensive or restrictive option.
Practical steps include:
Check whether you can obtain a physical card before travel. If you have a card in a wallet, your bank may be able to issue a physical version or a replacement quickly.
Confirm deposit and payment rules for your chosen supplier. You want clarity on whether Apple Pay or Google Pay is accepted for deposits, not just for charges.
Consider how your card type is classified. Some cards that look like credit cards behave like debit cards for rentals. Your bank can confirm the product type and how it appears to merchants.
Plan for tolls and incidentals. Even if the rental is paid, you may need a payment method on file for toll programmes or extras.
If you are mapping out a multi-city trip, it can also help to review policies at other airports you might use, such as Dollar car hire at Miami MIA.
How long does a deposit hold last?
After you return the car, the supplier finalises the rental and releases the deposit hold. The time it takes to show in your account depends mostly on your bank, not the rental desk. Some banks release holds quickly, while others can take several business days. If you used a debit card, holds can feel more painful because the money is ring-fenced from your available balance.
If you paid using Apple Pay or Google Pay, the release timing usually follows the underlying card’s rules. That means the wallet does not necessarily make the hold disappear faster.
Tips to make Los Angeles car hire pickup smoother
Use one consistent identity. Keep the booking name identical to your driving licence and card.
Bring the physical card even if you love tap-to-pay. It is the simplest way to satisfy deposit requirements.
Allow extra time at the counter. Wallet payments can take longer if the agent needs a supervisor override or alternative steps.
Keep a backup payment method. A second card can save a trip if the first is declined for deposit holds.
Understand optional cover and excess. Some suppliers reduce deposit amounts if you take their cover. Make sure you understand the cost and what it changes.
FAQ
Can I collect a Los Angeles car hire using only Apple Pay? Sometimes you can pay with Apple Pay, but many suppliers still require a physical card for the deposit, so “only Apple Pay” is risky.
Is Google Pay accepted for the security deposit? It depends on the supplier and their system. Many desks can charge via Google Pay but cannot place a deposit hold through it.
If I prepaid online, do I still need a card at pickup? Yes, usually. Prepayment often covers the rental cost, but the supplier still needs a card for the deposit and incidentals.
Will a debit card in Apple Pay count as a credit card? No. A debit card remains a debit card even when added to Apple Pay, and some suppliers restrict debit cards for deposits.
What happens if the desk refuses my digital wallet payment? You may need to present an acceptable physical card in the lead driver’s name, or the rental may be declined depending on the supplier’s policy.
