Guides for renting and traveling in the USA
Credit cards, security deposits, car rental and hotels: everything you need to know before leaving for the United States.
Do you need a credit card to rent a car in the USA?
In the USA a credit card in the driver's name is almost always the instrument expected to rent a car. You can try to do without one, but it is harder than it looks: a regular debit card is often refused, or accepted only on heavy conditions. Here is how it really works and how to reach the counter without risking being stranded.
Read the guide →Car rental deposit in the USA: how the hold works
When you pick up a rental car in the United States, the company places a security deposit hold on your card. Understanding how much it is, how it is held and when it is released saves you surprises at the counter and on your account during the trip.
Read the guide →Do you need a credit card for hotels in the USA?
It is not just car rentals. Many hotels in the United States also ask for a card at check-in to hold a deposit for incidentals. Here is when you really need a credit card and what you risk with a debit card.
Read the guide →Renting a car for a USA road trip: the guide
A road trip across the United States, from a coast to coast to a California loop, lives on your rental car. Planning the card, the deposit and insurance before you leave is the difference between a smooth trip and a surprise at the counter.
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