The deposit hold catches people off guard not because it's hidden, but because it's on top of everything else. The rental cost, the deposit, and whatever else you need your card for during the trip all compete for the same available balance simultaneously. For a week-long trip with a $400 rental, you might need $600–$700 of available credit just to get the keys.
Every major supplier handles this differently — the amounts, the rules for debit cards, and how quickly the hold releases all vary. The table below is pulled from published rental terms, not estimates.
What the hold actually means
An authorization hold is not a charge. The supplier asks your card network to reserve a block of your available credit (or checking account balance) for the duration of the rental. That block reduces what you can spend elsewhere, but the money doesn't move to the supplier. When you return the car with no outstanding charges, the supplier releases the hold and your available balance restores — after your bank processes the release, which is a separate step with its own timeline.
The hold covers more than just damage. Suppliers include it to cover any charges that might arise: fuel shortfall, late return fees, toll violations processed after you leave, or a cleaning charge. Even if you've purchased full coverage and your damage liability is zero, the hold still applies. Those other charges remain possible.
One practical consequence: the hold and the final rental charge are separate transactions. When you return the car, the supplier charges the rental cost and releases the hold. On your statement, the hold disappears and the actual charge appears — typically within a day or two on credit cards, longer on debit.
How much each supplier holds
These figures come from published rental terms at US airport locations, accessed July 2026. The deposit is always added on top of the estimated rental charges unless otherwise noted. Exact amounts can vary by location, vehicle class, and booking type — the table shows what's published in official terms as the applicable range or ceiling.
| Supplier | Deposit hold | Risk | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | Up to $200 (credit) / Up to $500 (debit) | Medium | Hold placed on top of estimated rental charges at pickup. Debit accepted at most locations but requires a credit check. Adrenaline and Dream Collection vehicles: debit not accepted at time of rental. |
| Avis | +$200 (credit, under 4 days) / +$300 (credit, 4+ days) / $250 flat (debit prepaid) | Medium | One of the few suppliers to publish tiered credit card hold amounts by rental length. Debit accepted with credit check and second ID at locations that permit it. Prepaid charge cards not accepted for the hold. |
| Budget | Estimated charges + 25% or +$200, whichever is greater (credit) / $500 minimum at select Northeast and North Central locations | High | The 25% formula kicks in when it exceeds $200 — a $1,000 rental triggers a $250 extra hold instead of the flat $200 floor. Prepaid and tour rentals: $100 minimum hold. Debit accepted with credit check at locations that permit it. |
| Enterprise | Rental cost + $200–$850 depending on location and vehicle class (credit) / $200–$400 flat (debit, with return itinerary) | High | Enterprise does not publish a single nationwide percentage — the deposit is set per location. Debit cards only accepted at airport locations with a ticketed return travel itinerary. Without a return itinerary, credit card required. |
| National | $300–$400 without return itinerary (standard vehicles) / $850 for premium, luxury, and EV classes | High | Deposit is a flat amount on top of the rental, not a percentage. The $850 class list is broad and includes mid-size sport luxury, electric luxury SUVs, and Corvette. Debit only accepted with return itinerary. |
| Alamo | Estimated rental total (credit) / Estimated total + $300–$400 (debit, with return itinerary) | Medium | Credit card renters with a return itinerary: hold equals the estimated total with no extra deposit on top. Debit renters pay the estimated total plus a flat deposit. Without a return itinerary, credit card required. |
| Sixt | Estimated charges + up to $200 (credit and debit) | Low | Sixt applies the same deposit ceiling across credit and debit, which is unusual. Exact amount confirmed at booking and shown in your reservation. Prepaid debit and store value cards not accepted. |
Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and National published rental terms, July 2026. Alamo and Sixt from official location terms. Amounts are at-pickup holds on top of estimated rental charges unless noted.
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Debit cards and the deposit
Debit is accepted at most major US suppliers, but the conditions are stricter than with credit — and the holds are higher. The core difference: with a credit card, the hold reduces your available credit line. With a debit card, it reduces the actual cash in your account. Suppliers treat that as a higher-risk scenario, so the safeguards are more involved.
The most consequential rule applies to Enterprise Holdings brands (Enterprise, National, Alamo): at airport locations, debit is only accepted if you present a ticketed return travel itinerary at pickup. No itinerary means the counter agent won't release the vehicle on a debit card. A credit card is required instead. Hertz and Avis accept debit at most locations without an itinerary requirement, but they run a soft credit check and ask for a second form of ID. Full supplier-by-supplier debit policies are covered in car rentals without a credit card.
Budget's rules vary by location — some locations don't accept debit at all for the deposit, while others do with a credit check. The minimum hold at select Northeast and North Central Budget locations is $500 regardless of the rental cost.
How long before the hold releases
Two things have to happen before your available balance restores: the supplier releases the hold, and your bank processes that release. The supplier's side is usually fast — most release within 24 hours of return, assuming no outstanding charges. The bank side is where the wait comes in.
Credit card holds typically clear in 3–7 business days after the supplier releases. Debit card holds take longer — commonly up to 10–14 business days. Some banks process faster; some take the full window. The hold amount stays frozen until it clears, which matters if you need that balance for the flight home or the first days of the next trip.
Post-rental charges can generate new holds after the original deposit releases. A toll violation processed two weeks after your return, or a damage claim filed after the car is re-inspected, can result in a new charge appearing on the card you used. Keeping your signed rental agreement and a photo of the car at return is the only reliable protection against a disputed post-return charge.
The verdict
If you haven't booked yet: The deposit isn't a reason to avoid any particular supplier, but it's a reason to know your available credit before you commit. On a multi-day rental, Budget's 25% formula can produce a larger hold than the flat $200 you might be budgeting for. Enterprise and National don't publish a single number — the deposit is set per location, and the only way to know the exact amount is to check the location's terms during booking or call ahead. Sixt is one of the more consistent options if a predictable hold matters to you.
If you're already booked: Check your card's available balance before pickup day. Make sure you have room for the estimated rental charges, the deposit on top of that, and enough buffer for everyday spending during the trip. If you're using a debit card at an Enterprise, National, or Alamo airport location, have your ticketed return itinerary ready. Bring a credit card as backup either way.
If the hold hasn't released: Start by confirming with your bank that the hold hasn't already cleared but just hasn't updated in your app. If the hold is genuinely outstanding more than 14 days after return, contact the supplier in writing with your rental agreement number and ask for written confirmation the hold was released on their end. If a charge appears that you didn't expect — not a hold but an actual charge — dispute it with your credit card issuer, with your signed rental agreement and return photos attached.
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- The hold reduces your available credit, not just your cash. Budget accordingly — you'll need the rental cost, the deposit, plus room for everyday spending during your trip.
- Debit card renters at Enterprise, National, and Alamo must present a ticketed return travel itinerary at airport locations. No itinerary means no debit — bring a credit card as backup.
- Budget's 25% formula produces a larger hold than the flat $200 on longer rentals. On an $800 week-long rental, the extra hold is $200 — on a $1,000 rental it's $250. The flat $200 only applies when 25% comes in below it.
- The deposit releases when you return the car, but your bank controls how fast it clears. Credit card holds typically free up within 3–7 business days. Debit card holds can take up to 10–14 business days.
- Post-rental charges (a damage claim filed after return, a toll violation) can generate a new hold or charge after the original deposit releases. Keep your receipt and document the car at return.
- Prepaid and store value cards are not accepted for the deposit at any major US supplier. Major debit cards with Visa or Mastercard logos are accepted at locations that permit debit.
Frequently asked questions
Is the car rental deposit a charge or a hold?
It's a hold — an authorization that reduces your available credit or account balance but isn't a completed charge. When you return the car with no additional costs, the supplier releases the hold. Your bank then processes the release, which can take 3–14 business days depending on the bank and payment method.
How much is a typical car rental deposit?
For a standard economy or mid-size car paid by credit card, most major US suppliers add $200–$300 on top of the estimated rental cost. Hertz and Sixt cap the extra hold at $200. Budget uses 25% of the estimated rental or $200, whichever is greater. Enterprise and National set the deposit per location and vehicle class, with ranges from $200 to $850. Debit card holds are higher across the board.
Can I use a debit card for the rental car deposit?
At most major suppliers, yes — but with conditions. Hertz and Avis accept debit at most locations with a credit check and second ID. Enterprise, National, and Alamo only accept debit at airport locations if you present a ticketed return travel itinerary. Budget varies by location. Prepaid and store value cards are not accepted for the deposit at any major supplier.
I already have a booking — what should I check before pickup?
Check your card's available credit or account balance at least a day before pickup. You need room for the rental cost plus the deposit, with some buffer for everyday spending. If you're using a debit card at an Enterprise, National, or Alamo airport location, confirm your ticketed return travel itinerary is on hand. Bring a backup credit card regardless.
How long does it take to get the deposit back?
The supplier typically releases the hold within 24 hours of return, provided there are no outstanding charges. Your bank then processes the release — credit card holds usually clear in 3–7 business days, debit card holds in up to 10–14 business days. If the hold hasn't released after two weeks, contact the supplier with your rental agreement number and ask for written confirmation the hold was released.
The supplier kept my deposit — what are my options?
First, confirm with the supplier in writing why the hold was not released — ask for the specific charge it was applied to. If they cite damage, request the damage report and photos. If the explanation doesn't match your rental agreement or return condition, dispute the charge with your credit card issuer. File the dispute with your signed rental agreement, the return receipt, and any photos you took at return.
Does paying for insurance affect the deposit?
Buying the supplier's full coverage (LDW/CDW waiver) reduces your liability but doesn't eliminate the deposit hold in most cases. The hold covers potential non-damage charges too — late return fees, fuel, tolls — so the hold remains even when your damage liability is zero. Some third-party platforms like DiscoverCars offer a separate low-deposit option that reduces the hold amount.
