If you book a rental car online, you almost always have to enter a credit card immediately. That’s why we want to show you in this article how you can book a rental car without a credit card and what you need to consider!
Depending on which provider you want to book a rental car with, there are different payment options. Therefore, we want to show you the most popular car rental companies if a rental car reservation without a credit card is possible.
Car rental without credit card with Sunnycars
Sunny Cars has been one of Europe’s leading car rental intermediaries for years. They therefore do not own cars themselves but conclude contracts worldwide with car rental companies that meet their high standards of quality and service. These are large car rental companies such as Alamo, Budget Rent a Car or Europcar, but also local specialists.
Sunny Cars offers several credit card alternatives: PayPal, SEPA direct debit, cash deposit. The amount to be paid is debited 14 days before the rental. Attention! Except for “No-Deposit” offers, credit card must be presented for deposit due. The cash deposit must be paid in part in addition to a lump sum for the tank.
However, caution is advised with Sunny Cars, if you take a closer look at the supplier’s reservation policy, you will see that no credit card is required for the reservation, but you will have to pick up the rental car . Credit card is required for deposit. Without a credit card, there is only one case. Sunny Cars offers a chargeable “No-Despoit-Package”, which can be chosen at the time of booking. In this case, no deposit is required. However, this package is only available for bookings in the Balearics and the Canary Islands.
Car rental without credit card with Europcar
Another major rental car provider is Europcar. Some rental cars can also be rented here without a credit card. This includes vehicles up to the upper middle class. Europcar accepts booking by EC card as an alternative means of payment. However, this is only possible with flexible rates, advance booking rates can only be booked by credit card.
However, payment by EC bank card is only possible in Germany with Europcar. In all other countries you need a credit card to rent a car. If you book in Germany and wish to pay with a debit card, all costs will be deducted from your account with Europcar. This includes rental costs, extras costs, taxes and fees as well as a deposit, which is usually 300 euros. For certain vehicle categories, Europcar also allows cash payment of these costs – but only in Germany.
As soon as you return the car in perfect condition, the deposit will be credited to your account. In the meantime, the amount is debited and not just reserved as is the case with credit cards. So make sure there is enough money in your account or contact Europcar for cash payment.
What is however possible in France is to book by SEPA Direct Debit. The amount to be paid will be debited by direct debit 28 days before the rental.
Alamo: Car Rental Without Credit Card in North America
If you need a rental car in North America, you can hardly avoid the credit card. As already mentioned, even outside of Germany it is extremely difficult to book a rental car without a credit card. With Alamo USA and Canada, rental cars can be reserved without a credit card. This is not possible with a debit card, but in cash. Please note, however, that the hire of such a bar should always be requested in advance. Your Alamo will contact you by phone or email with sufficient notice.
If you agree with your plan, you can pay the rental price plus extras, taxes and fees on site in cash. You can also pay the deposit in cash. The deposit is 25 US dollars (or CAN dollars) per day or 100 US dollars (CAN dollars) per week. However, once the vehicle has been returned in perfect condition, the deposit will not be returned to you in cash. Instead, you will receive a crossed check when registering from home, which you must cash at your bank in your home country. Please note any bank charges and exchange rate fluctuations, which will be your responsibility.
Conclusion on booking a rental car without a credit card
It is usually possible to book a rental car without a credit card. However, this is often associated with certain drawbacks. For example, you cannot get reduced rates. Also the criterion of deposit on site brings disadvantages with it. You have to pay them immediately, which means the money is gone. With a credit card, the amount is simply reserved, but not debited directly from your account. Although the ways shown will help you to book a rental car without a credit card, we still recommend that you apply for a (free) credit card in the future – it is (also) particularly worthwhile to book a rental car!
