Dollar Payment Policies: How to Rent Without a Credit Card
Looking to rent a car without a credit card? Dollar makes it easy by providing a variety of payment options so that you can pay for your rental using whatever payment method works best for you and your family. To learn more about renting a car with and without a credit card, renting a car with a debit card, and cash car rentals, browse the detailed sections below.
Car Rental with a Debit Card
At select Dollar locations you can rent a car with a debit card. In order to complete a car rental with a debit card, you will be required to follow a few extra steps and may be subject to certain restrictions.
At qualifying Dollar locations, debit cards issued under a VISA or MasterCard logo which draw funds directly from a cardholder’s linked bank account may be used at the outset of a rental to qualify for the rental where the following requirements are met.
- At Dollar Airport locations: you will be required to
- Provide proof of a return airline flight to coincide with the rental.
- Show a valid driver’s license and one other form of identification.
- Pass a credit inquiry through Equifax.
- At Dollar Off-Airport locations: you will need to
- Be at least 25 years old.
- Show a valid driver’s license and one other form of identification.
- Pass a credit inquiry through Equifax.
And show one of the following:
- Provide a valid Corporate Discount Plan (CDP) number.
- Show proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental (airline or cruise).
Car Rental with a Credit Card
In terms of simplicity, renting a car with a credit card is the best way to go. To rent a car with Dollar by using a credit card, it’s easy: provide a credit card at the time of rental. Although you pay for your rental car at the time you return your vehicle, a hold may be placed on your credit card at the time of rental. For more information, see Dollar’s Policies Page.
Here are the credit cards currently accepted as payment for Dollar:
- American Express
- MasterCard
- Carte Blanche
- Diners Club
- Discover
- JCB
- Visa
- China Union Pay
Dollar Car Rental with Debit Card FAQs
Are there any states where Dollar does not allow car rentals with debit cards?
Debit cards are not accepted at the outset of a rental to qualify for rentals in the New York Metropolitan Tri-State Area (NY, NJ, CT), areas of Hartford, CT, areas of Philadelphia, PA, areas of Boston, MA, areas of Manchester, NH, and areas of Detroit, MI.
Are debit cards accepted as payment for car rentals for Dollar Express Rewards members?
Debit cards are accepted for Dollar Express Rewards members using a debit card in their profile or as an Insurance Replacement rental. See Debit Card Policy page for more information.
Does Dollar perform a credit card check for rentals paid for with a debit card?
When you reserve your car using a debit card, the car rental company (Dollar, in this case) will perform a debit card check and credit inquiry screening through Equifax (one of the companies that issue credit reports and the all-important credit score).
Note: If you’re reserving a car with a debit card, keep in mind that when the company performs a credit check, it WILL show up on your credit report and may have an effect on your credit evaluation.
If your credit score/report doesn’t meet certain criteria, you won’t be allowed to rent a car unless you have a credit card in your name that you can use to reserve your car. At the end of the rental agreement you may, however, use your debit card to pay for your rental without being subject to a credit check.
In addition, the acceptance of such debit cards is contingent on meeting the requirements noted above and upon the debit card having available funds to cover the estimated charges plus an authorization of up to USD 350.00 or 15% of the estimated rental charges, depending on the rental location and card used. These funds will not be available for your use.
What are the proper forms of identification required for renting a Dollar vehicle with a debit card?
Two proper forms of identification include:
- A valid United States or Foreign Country issued Driver's License.
- And one of the following:
- An alternative valid credit or debit card embossed with the same name as the driver’s license. The card is for identification purposes only.
- A Government issued ID, in the same name as the driver’s license and credit card.
- Passport: United States or Foreign Country Issued.
- Military Identification Card: United States or Foreign Country Issued.
- Non-Government Form of ID, examples that may be accepted include, store membership card with photo (Costco, Sam's, etc.), a company ID badge with photo. Only acceptable if the photo and name matches the driver's license and debit card. Current month Utility statement in the renter's name and the same address on the driver's license (e.g., gas, electric, cable bill).
For more information regarding Dollar’s debit card policies, click here
Car Rental with Cash
If you prefer to pay for your Dollar car rental in cash – you can.
Cash rentals – which do require an up-front deposit – are accepted from Dollar car rental customers who have obtained a Cash Deposit Identification (ID) Card. Applications for a Cash Deposit ID Card are available here. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older (18 years of age in Michigan and New York). This application process can take approximately thirty (30) days except as otherwise required by law. Please note that there is a United States $15 non-refundable processing fee which offsets the cost to have a modified credit check performed on the applicant.
For more information, check out our Policies FAQs and/or General Policies.
Have any additional questions about Dollar’s payment policies? Contact your local Dollar car rental for more information. You can search locations here.
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