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    FAQ for Credit Cards and Car Hire Deposits

    Please be aware that you will need to leave a security deposit when picking up your car. To this end, you are likely to be asked to provide a credit card at the time of pick-up, which will be used by the car hire supplier to block the deposit amount for the entire duration of the rental. While a small number of car hire suppliers accept debit cards, they are still a minority. In cases where debit cards are accepted, the deposit amount is charged and later returned at the end of the rental.

    Security deposit payment

    We strongly advise you to find out more about the payment, deposit and deposit restrictions in the terms and conditions of the car rental company during the booking process. All important information can easily be found under the blue 'Info Icon' and below the 'Book your car rental' under 'Important information'. You can also check your reservation voucher after the reservation has been completed.

    Not all credit cards are accepted by all car rental suppliers. Please check your voucher to determine the deposit amount and which payment methods are accepted by the rental company. We recommend the use of Visa or Mastercard, which are widely accepted by suppliers worldwide. You must be able to provide a physical version of your credit card. Please ensure you know the PIN number for the card. This card must be in the name of the main driver indicated in the voucher and have enough credit to cover the deposit amount. It does not have to be the same card used to pay for the booking.

    Debit cards are not accepted by most car hire suppliers. If you are unsure whether your card is a credit or a debit card, start by checking the surface of the card. Many cards indicate, either on the front or back, whether they are credit or debit. When in doubt, and if no such information is present, please check with your bank.

    Where to find out if you card is a credit or debit card

    In the absence of a valid credit card in which to block the deposit amount, some suppliers will not permit the rental to proceed, whereas others will require the payment of additional insurance to reduce or eliminate the excess amount.

    Frequently asked questions about credit cards and the deposit

    Do I need a Credit Card?

    All car hire suppliers accept credit cards. Under some circumstances, some suppliers also accept debit cards. The card presented, whether credit or debit, must be in the name of the main driver stated on the voucher and must have enough credit to cover the deposit. Car hire companies are unlikely to accept prepaid cards. Please check your voucher to determine the deposit amount and which payment methods are accepted by the rental company.

     

    What is a deposit and why do I need to leave it?

    The car rental supplier will ask that you provide a deposit to cover the Collision Damage Waiver and a tank of fuel. This amount is held on a credit card as a form of security, should the vehicle be damaged or stolen whilst in your care. The deposit amount is displayed on the right-hand side on the payment page. In addition, you may also find the excess amount noted in the Terms and Conditions, which you must read and accept before you finalise and pay for the booking. Always read the Terms and Conditions fully before payment.

     

    What if I choose the Auto Europe Full Damage Protection package, would I still need to leave a deposit?

    Yes, the deposit is for the supplier. By taking out our Full Damage Protection Product, the amount of the damage is covered by us in the event of any damage. You would pay the supplier the excess amount and we would then refund this to you. This is as long as you adhere to the refund rules and you can find more information here.

     

    When do I get the deposit back?

    The supplier will release the funds back onto your credit card once the vehicle has been returned and as long as no damage has been caused. This is immediate, however please do bear in mind that it will also need to be processed by your card provider/bank so it may take up to 7-10 working days for the amount to be available.

     

    How do I find out more information?

    Throughout the online booking process you will be provided with this information. We do understand that there is a lot to take in which is why we do also print the information on your car hire voucher. You can view our FAQs, our General Business Terms.

    Because we’d like your car hire to go as smoothly as possible, we recommend you make yourself fully informed of the payment policies adopted locally by your chosen supplier. Familiarise yourself with the payment procedure, payment types and any special conditions adopted by the supplier. This can be viewed during the booking and on the car hire voucher’s terms and conditions. All the important information can be viewed by clicking the info button during the booking.

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