Quick Summary:
- Most US desks require the deposit card matches the main driver’s name.
- Supplementary cards can fail verification, even with identical numbers and limits.
- Bring a primary credit card, plus a second card as backup.
- Confirm debit card acceptance and deposit amounts before you travel.
At United Estates car hire pick-up counters, the deposit process can be more strict than many travellers expect. A common problem is arriving with a supplementary credit card, sometimes called an additional or authorised user card, and being told it cannot be used for the security deposit. Even if the card is linked to the same account as the main cardholder, desks frequently treat supplementary cards as unacceptable for deposit purposes.
This guide explains why that happens, what desk staff are trying to protect against, and the practical alternatives you should bring so your car hire check-out is smooth.
If you are comparing providers and requirements for car hire in the United States, it helps to understand how payment verification typically works at the counter, because it affects not only payment but also who is allowed to be the main driver.
What is a supplementary credit card, and why does it matter?
A supplementary credit card is issued in a second person’s name but sits under someone else’s credit account. For example, a partner or family member is added as an authorised user, and the bank issues them a card with their name on it. The spending is billed to the primary account holder, who remains responsible for the balance.
For car hire deposits, that distinction matters. Car hire companies are not only taking payment, they are setting aside a security deposit, sometimes called a pre-authorisation, to cover potential charges such as damage excess, fuel, toll administration fees, late return, or unpaid fines processed later.
Because the deposit is linked to risk, the desk wants a clear, enforceable connection between the renter, the driving licence presented, and the payment instrument being used for the deposit.
Can you use a supplementary card for the deposit at US car hire pick-up?
Sometimes, but you should plan as if the answer is no.
Many United Estates car hire desks will only accept a credit card where the cardholder name matches the main driver named on the rental agreement. If the supplementary card is in the main driver’s name, it can be accepted, but there are still situations where staff may reject it if their policy requires the “primary cardholder” rather than “authorised user”, or if the card fails certain verification steps.
The more common scenario is this: the main driver arrives with a card that is not in their own name, or the driver is an additional driver while the card belongs to someone else. In that case, most desks will reject it for the deposit, even if the cardholder is present.
Why many desks reject supplementary cards
Desk staff generally follow a rule set that is designed to reduce chargeback risk, confirm identity, and ensure the contract is enforceable. Here are the main reasons supplementary cards get refused.
Name matching and identity verification
The simplest reason is name mismatch. The rental agreement is a legal contract with the main driver. If the deposit card does not match the driver’s name, the company may have weaker standing to pursue additional charges later, or may face a higher chance of card disputes.
Even when the supplementary card does show the driver’s name, it can still be flagged because the bank relationship is not the same as a true personal credit line. Some rental systems and staff training materials refer to “cardholder must be the renter” and interpret that as the primary cardholder, not an authorised user.
Higher chargeback and fraud risk
Car hire deposits are a frequent target for disputes because travellers do not always recognise pre-authorisations, partial releases, or later adjustments. A supplementary card can increase perceived risk because the legal liability for repayment sits with the primary account holder, while the person collecting the vehicle might not be that person.
If a damage claim occurs, the hire company wants to be sure that the payment method belongs to the contracting party, minimising the likelihood of a chargeback based on “I did not rent this vehicle.”
System limitations at the counter
Front desk systems can be rigid. Some point-of-sale and rental platforms require the agent to capture and validate ID details and cardholder details that match exactly. If the card is coded or recognised in a way that suggests it is not a standard consumer credit card in the renter’s name, agents might not have an override option, or may not be allowed to use it.
Insurance, liability, and local policy alignment
In the United Estates, rental policies can vary by brand, location, and franchise rules, even within the same company. Some locations align deposit acceptance to insurance and liability processes. Where there is a strict requirement that the renter is financially responsible, they will enforce the payment method rules very closely.
If you are checking brand-specific notes while planning, you can compare details on pages like Hertz car hire in the United States or National car hire in the United States, then confirm the payment policy for your exact pick-up desk and vehicle group.
What counts as an acceptable deposit card?
While policies vary, most United Estates car hire desks prefer a standard credit card in the main driver’s name. Commonly accepted card types are major credit cards such as Visa or Mastercard, and sometimes American Express, depending on the desk.
Key points the desk is usually checking:
The cardholder name matches the main driver’s driving licence. Even a small mismatch, such as missing middle name or different surname format, can lead to extra questions.
The card is physically present. Many locations do not accept virtual cards, mobile wallets alone, or card details written down.
Sufficient available credit. The pre-authorisation can be much higher than the rental cost. It is not unusual for the deposit to exceed the weekly hire price, especially with larger vehicle classes.
The card supports pre-authorisation. Some products that look like credit cards do not behave like them for deposits, particularly certain travel cards or prepaid products.
Practical alternatives to bring if you only have a supplementary card
If your travel wallet is built around supplementary cards, you can still prepare for a successful car hire pick-up by bringing one or more of these alternatives.
1) A primary credit card in the main driver’s name
This is the strongest option. Make the person with the qualifying primary credit card the main driver, if that fits your trip, and ensure their driving licence and passport match the booking details. If someone else must drive, add them as an additional driver rather than trying to put the deposit on their supplementary card.
If you are still selecting your vehicle type, note that larger cars can mean higher deposits. A people carrier or family-sized vehicle can have a different deposit band, so it is worth checking expected costs when researching minivan hire in the United States.
2) A second credit card as a backup
Even if you believe your supplementary card will be accepted, bring a second acceptable card in the main driver’s name if possible. This protects you against unexpected issues such as:
Card verification failures, contactless limits, fraud blocks due to overseas usage, or insufficient available credit because other travel holds have reduced your limit.
3) Debit card, only if the desk explicitly accepts it
Some United Estates car hire desks accept debit cards, but the rules are often stricter. You might face one or more of the following:
A larger deposit amount, additional ID requirements, proof of return travel, or limitations on vehicle categories. Some locations also require a credit check or will not accept debit for certain premium groups.
If you intend to use debit, confirm acceptance for your exact pick-up location and time, not just the brand in general. “Debit accepted” can mean “debit accepted only with conditions.”
4) Reduce the deposit by changing coverage, where appropriate
Deposits often relate to the excess and to the desk’s risk. Depending on what is included in your rental and what options you choose at the counter, the amount held may change. The key is to avoid relying on this as your only plan, because the desk still needs an acceptable card and still requires the main driver name match.
Focus first on having the right payment method, then consider whether your deposit can be lowered by selecting a rental option that fits your needs and budget.
How to avoid being turned away at the counter
The most effective approach is to treat deposit requirements as part of trip planning, not a detail to handle after landing. Use this checklist before you fly.
Check the main driver details on the booking
Make sure the person who will present the deposit card is listed as the main driver, and their name is spelled exactly as on their driving licence. If a different person needs to drive most of the time, add them as an additional driver, but keep deposit responsibility aligned with the main driver’s payment method.
Call your card issuer before travel
Ask whether your card supports international pre-authorisations and whether the merchant category for car hire deposits is likely to be blocked. Also ask the issuer to confirm whether your supplementary card is treated differently for verification, because some banks mark them distinctly.
Bring physical cards, not just digital wallets
Many desks will not accept Apple Pay or Google Pay for the deposit even if they accept it for payment in other contexts. A physical chip card with the main driver’s name is the safest option.
Know your likely deposit amount and available credit
Remember that hotels, airlines, and fuel stations can also place holds. If your credit limit is tight, you can arrive with a card that is technically acceptable but fails because there is not enough available credit left for the pre-authorisation.
Keep expectations realistic with low-cost brands
Value brands can be perfectly legitimate, but they may apply strict counter rules and have less flexibility with overrides. If you are comparing cost-focused providers, it helps to review car hire basics and what to bring for pick-up when looking at options such as Payless car hire in the United States.
What if the supplementary card is in the main driver’s name?
If the supplementary card shows the main driver’s name, you have a better chance, because it passes the visible name match test. However, acceptance can still vary by location and policy. Some desks are trained to accept any card in the renter’s name, others insist on a card where the renter is the primary account holder.
If this is your situation, prepare as follows: bring another card in the same name if possible, have your bank confirm that the card can handle pre-authorisations, and ensure your booking name matches your ID exactly.
Does it ever work to use someone else’s card if they are present?
Occasionally, but it is not something you should rely on. Many desks still refuse because the person signing the rental agreement must be the one providing the deposit card. Even if the cardholder is standing next to you, they might require that person to become the main driver, which can disrupt your plans if they are not eligible or do not want to be responsible.
FAQ
Why does the desk insist the deposit card matches the main driver? Because the rental agreement is in the main driver’s name, and the company needs a clear link between the renter, ID, and the security deposit to manage risk and disputes.
Is a supplementary card ever accepted for United Estates car hire deposits? It can be, especially if the supplementary card is in the main driver’s name, but many locations reject supplementary cards due to policy or verification limits.
Can I pay the rental cost with one card and the deposit with another? Often yes, but the deposit card still usually must be a credit card in the main driver’s name. Always expect the deposit rule to be stricter than the payment rule.
Do debit cards work for deposits in the United Estates? Sometimes, but conditions commonly apply, such as higher deposits, more documentation, or vehicle class restrictions. Confirm acceptance for your exact pick-up desk.
What is the safest way to avoid being refused at pick-up? Make the person with a primary credit card the main driver, bring a backup card in the same name, and ensure names match passport and driving licence exactly.
