Car Hire with a Debit Card
Avis accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards and Hertz accepts Visa or Mastercard debit cards at pickup locations that take them, but both require a physical card and place a security hold. Avis does not accept prepaid, reloadable, travel money or EFTPOS cards, so check the terms of the company and depot you book with.
Updated
Key facts
- Avis debit acceptance
- Visa and Mastercard debit cards are accepted
- Avis card exclusions
- Prepaid, reloadable, gift, travel and EFTPOS cards not accepted
- Physical card
- Avis requires the physical payment card at pickup
- Avis debit hold
- Rental amount shown on the agreement plus $200 for passenger vehicles ($400 for commercial vehicles)
- Hertz card
- Physical credit or debit card in the renter's name required on pickup
- Deposit questions
- Ask the amount, when it can be forfeited and when it is refunded
Can you hire a car with a debit card?
Yes, with some providers. Avis accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards, and Hertz accepts a physical credit or Visa or Mastercard debit card that is accepted at the pickup location. Hertz requires the card to be in the renter's name.
Which debit cards may be refused?
Avis does not accept prepaid or reloadable stored value cards, travel money cards or EFTPOS cards, although some locations may accept them as final payment at the end of the rental. It also requires the physical card, so a phone wallet or contactless payment alone will not satisfy its pickup rule.
What happens to the bond?
A pre-authorisation is a temporary hold, not the final rental charge. For a passenger vehicle paid for at the counter with a debit card, Avis holds the amount shown on the rental agreement plus $200. After return the final amount is charged and the hold is released, which may take 5 to 10 business days to show back in your account depending on your bank.
What should you check before paying?
Confirm the card type, name match, hold amount and release terms against the actual rental. The ACCC suggests asking in what circumstances the company will charge your card, what amounts can be charged and when the security deposit will be refunded.
Compare cars at Sydney Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
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Questions people ask
Can I rent a car in Australia with a debit card?
Some companies accept Visa or Mastercard debit cards, subject to the booking conditions. Avis and Hertz both do.
Can I use an EFTPOS or prepaid card?
Not with Avis, which does not accept prepaid, reloadable, travel money or EFTPOS cards at pickup.
Is a bond charged on a debit card?
A hold or deposit is taken. Avis applies a pre-authorisation, and Hertz reserves the estimated rental cost plus a security bond.
When is a rental car bond released?
Avis releases the hold after return once the final amount is charged, and it may take 5 to 10 business days to appear back in your account depending on your bank.