Debit cards get refused
Debit cards are refused at most rental desks across the United States.
In the United States, no credit card means no rental car.
RentalCard is the travel card that lets you pick up the car and check in at hotels even without a traditional credit card. With cashback on what you spend during your trip.
Request your card
We contact you to complete the request before you leave.
- No payment details collected here
- Built for travelers from Italy
- Cashback from 2 to 5 percent in the USA
RentalCardTravel
DestinationUSA
2-5%cashback
The problem
The worst time to find out is at the rental desk.
A deposit frozen for days
They hold a large deposit on your account and it stays frozen for days.
You risk being stranded
You risk being stranded at the last moment, right at the desk, with the trip already booked.
How it works
Three steps, no surprises at the desk.
Request access
It takes thirty seconds. Leave your email and answer a few questions.
We get you ready before the flight
We sort everything out before you leave, no surprises at the desk.
Pick up the car and go
Grab the car and drive. With cashback from 2 to 5 percent on US spending.
2 to 5%cashback on travel spending in the United States
FAQ
What everyone asks before they leave
Short, honest answers about renting a car in the USA without a credit card.
Can I rent a car in the USA without a credit card?
It depends on the company and the location. Many US desks ask for a credit card in the driver name to hold the deposit. Some accept a debit card under stricter conditions, others refuse it. RentalCard is built to get you to the counter with something that is accepted, without surprises.
Why do you need a credit card to rent a car?
The company holds a security deposit to cover damage, fines or missing fuel. A credit card lets them hold that amount without taking it from your account. That is why a debit card is often treated differently or refused.
Can I use a debit or prepaid card for the rental?
Sometimes yes, but with limits: a higher deposit, extra checks, excluded car classes, and rules that change between locations. A generic prepaid card is refused almost everywhere at pickup. Better to arrive prepared than to find out at the desk.
How does the rental security deposit work?
At pickup the company holds an amount on the card, usually a few hundred dollars, sometimes more on larger cars. It stays held for days and is released after you return the car. With a debit card that hold actually leaves your available balance.
Do I also need a credit card for hotels in the USA?
Often yes. Many US hotels ask for a card to cover incidentals and hold a deposit at check in. Same logic as the rental: with a debit card the hold reduces your available balance for days. RentalCard helps you handle this too.
Renting a car in the USA without a credit card, how it really works
Almost every rental desk in the United States asks for a credit card in the driver name. It is used to hold the rental deposit, often a few hundred dollars. With a debit card the rules change from one company to another, and in many cases renting without a credit card is refused at the counter.
For a US road trip, from a coast to coast to a weekend in California, that is a real risk: you book everything, you reach the desk, and you are stranded. Many US hotels also ask for a credit card to hold the deposit at check in. RentalCard exists to take this problem out of your trip.
Access request
Request your RentalCard card
Leave your email and tell us how you travel. We contact you to complete the request before you leave.