Can You Use a Revolut, Wise, or Cash App Card to Rent a Car?

The short answer: Generally, no. While you can almost always use a Revolut, Wise, or Cash App card to pay for your rental car online without any problems, most rental companies will reject these cards at the counter for the security deposit – which is mandatory with essentially every car rental company.

We have prepared a simple guide showing which cards different rental companies accept.

Which cards work for renting a car – online vs. at the desk

Card type	Paying online	Security deposit at the desk
Credit card	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted
Bank debit card (physical Visa/Mastercard)	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted1
Revolut / Wise physical card	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted1
Revolut / Wise virtual card	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted
Cash App card	✓ Accepted	Rarely accepted
Prepaid / gift cards	Sometimes	✗ Not accepted

Verified: July 2026. 1 Only at companies whose terms explicitly accept debit cards – see the regional tables below. The card must be physical and in the main driver’s name; a return ticket, credit check or full insurance may also be required. Cash App cards are often classified as prepaid at the terminal. Credit cards must also be in the main driver’s name; American Express is not accepted everywhere.

Renting in the USA & Canada – which cards work at the desk

Rental company	Bank debit card	Revolut / Wise / Cash App	Virtual cards	Prepaid cards	Deposit with a debit card
Hertz / Dollar / Thrifty1	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	Rental charges + up to $500 hold (vs. + $200 with credit)
Enterprise / National / Alamo2	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	Rental cost + $200-$850 by location & car class
Avis / Budget3	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	Rental charges + $200 hold (+ $350 at certain airports)
Sixt4	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	Rental + $200-$300 (min $500 premium; $2,500 sports & luxury)
Flex to Go5	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	$1,000-$2,000 ($500 with full insurance)

Verified: July 2026. 1 Renter 25+, booked 24h ahead, credit check; Compact-Full-size only; not at some metro locations (NYC, Boston, Atlanta). 2 Airports require a ticketed return itinerary; licence address must match. 3 Most US locations, 25+, credit check + second ID; no premium cars; excluded in NY Tri-State, Philadelphia, New Orleans; not accepted anywhere in Canada. 4 Return ticket in the renter’s name booked 24h+ before pickup; no Sports & Luxury classes; Revolut/N26 only as standard debit, not prepaid versions. 5 Debit only with full insurance purchased at the desk; card valid 6+ months past return. Corporate-location policies; franchises may differ – always confirm the terms of your specific booking.

Renting in Europe – which cards work at the desk

Rental company	Bank debit card	Revolut / Wise & similar	Virtual cards	Prepaid cards	Deposit with a debit card
Hertz / Dollar / Thrifty1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	Rental cost + deposit; €700-€1,500 typical (≈€300 with full coverage)
Enterprise / National / Alamo2	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	Rental + £200-£1,000 (UK); €500-€1,000 on the continent
Avis / Budget	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€300-€500 (credit card required)
Sixt3	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€1,000-€1,500 typical (≈€500 with full coverage)
Europcar / Keddy4	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	Rental + €300 standard; up to €1,500 Prestige (€100 with zero-excess cover)
Sicily By Car	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€200-€1,000 (€200-€500 with full coverage)
Maggiore	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€300
Locauto	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€0.01 card verification only – effectively no deposit
KeyNGo	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€200-€300
Goldcar	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€1,000-€3,500 (€300-€500 with full coverage)
Green Motion	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€1,000-€3,500 (€300-€500 with full coverage)
OK Mobility	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€1,000-€3,200 (€300-€500 with full coverage)
Record Go	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	€900-€1,800 (€300-€500 with full coverage)

Verified: July 2026. 1 Debit accepted at corporate locations in 10 countries only: UK, Germany, France, Italy, mainland Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Luxembourg; Compact-Full-size classes; franchises may refuse. 2 Debit accepted in the UK & Ireland only (larger vehicle classes and Dublin Airport still need a credit card); on the continent debit works for final payment, not the deposit. 3 Physical bank cards in the main driver’s name; Revolut/Monzo/N26 accepted as standard debit, not prepaid versions; France excludes Maestro, V PAY, Electron, Nickel. 4 A small number of branches accept debit – check your pickup station’s terms. Where a company shows “Not accepted”, a credit card in the main driver’s name is required for the deposit. Corporate-location policies; franchises may differ.

Renting in Australia & New Zealand – which cards work at the desk

Rental company	Bank debit card	Revolut / Wise & similar	Virtual cards	Prepaid cards	Deposit with a debit card
Hertz / Dollar / Thrifty	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 500-1,000 by car class
Sixt	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 300-1,000 by car class
Europcar1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 200-500 by car class
Bargain Car Rentals1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 500-1,000 by car class
East Coast Car Rentals1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 1,000
Ace Rental Cars	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 100
Simba Car Hire	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 1,000
No Birds Car Rental1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 500
Alpha Car Rental	✓ Accepted	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 1,000
Yes Drive1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 1,000
EZU Rentals1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 1,000
Speedy Rentals1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 3,500 (300-500 with full coverage)
JUCY Rentals1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 500
SNAP Rentals1	✓ Accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	✗ Not accepted	AUD/NZD 2,000 (500 with full coverage)

Verified: July 2026. 1 Bank-issued debit cards only, in the main driver’s name – Revolut, Wise and similar fintech cards are rejected. All cards must be physical and in the main driver’s name. Corporate-location policies; franchises may differ.

Why Do Rental Companies Reject Revolut, Wise, and Cash App Cards?

The reason is actually quite simple.

With a traditional credit card, the rental company can place a relatively large pre-authorisation hold against your credit line. Revolut, Wise, and Cash App cards, on the other hand, are generally built around your real-time cash balance.

In other words, even if you don’t have enough of your own money available on a credit card, the rental company may still be able to hold a larger amount because your credit card provider has given you a credit line.

For example, let’s say that when you arrive at the rental desk, you have €1,000 or $1,000 available on your credit card, but the rental company needs to place a hold of €1,500 or $1,500. The additional €500 or $500 can go against your available credit limit.

This doesn’t work the same way with debit cards such as Revolut, Wise, or Cash App. The money comes directly from your available cash balance.

When you insert one of these cards into the payment terminal at the rental desk, it is typically classified as a debit card. And many rental companies either do not accept debit cards at all or impose additional restrictions on them because, from the rental company’s perspective, a traditional credit card offers more financial security (for them).

For example, rental companies may need to charge you after the rental for damage, traffic fines, missing fuel, or other additional costs. A credit card potentially gives them greater protection because charges can be made against the available credit limit rather than being limited only to the cash currently sitting in your account.

Online Booking vs. Counter Pickup: This Is the Important Difference

This is where many travellers get caught out.

Paying Online

Most online booking platforms will let you pay with a Revolut, Wise, or Cash App card online without any problems. In some cases, even virtual or temporary cards may work.

Some platforms will also allow you to prepay for the booking in full online too.

As long as your card has sufficient funds and is enabled for online payments, the payment may go through without any issue.

But that does not necessarily mean the same card will be accepted when you arrive to collect the car.

At the Rental Desk

When you arrive at the rental desk, the rental company will usually ask you to present a physical card in the main driver’s name so they can place a security deposit hold.

Depending on the rental company, location, vehicle type, insurance package, and other factors, the security deposit can range from around $200 to $3,500 – sometimes even more (economy cars generally have lower deposit requirements, while SUVs, premium vehicles, luxury cars, and larger vehicles may require significantly higher deposits).

And even if you have a physical Revolut, Wise, or Cash App card, you still risk being denied the car.

Why?

Because these cards are recognised as debit cards by the payment terminal.

Virtual cards and prepaid cards are even more difficult and are often a complete no-go for security deposits.

Already at the Rental Desk With the Wrong Card? Here’s What You Can Do

Let’s say you’ve already arrived at the rental desk and discovered that the rental company won’t accept your Revolut, Wise, Cash App, prepaid, or virtual card for the deposit.

Your first option is to ask whether they will accept the card you have if you purchase their most comprehensive insurance package.

Depending on the rental company and location, this may cost somewhere around $15 to $35 per day, although prices can be significantly higher in some destinations.

Sometimes, purchasing the rental company’s full insurance package can reduce the required security deposit considerably or eliminate it altogether.

There is absolutely no guarantee that the rental company will agree to this, but it is worth asking.

If they still say no, you may have no choice but to walk away and find another rental company.

And if you prepaid online through a broker or booking platform, you may then need to try to recover your money separately. Depending on the booking terms and circumstances, that could mean contacting the booking platform, rental provider, or, as a last resort, disputing the charge through your bank or card provider.

The good news is that there are ways to rent a car successfully without a traditional credit card.

How to Successfully Rent a Car Without a Traditional Credit Card

1. Look Specifically for Rental Companies That Accept Physical Debit Cards

More and more rental companies worldwide now explicitly accept physical debit cards.

This is the wording you need to look for in the rental terms and conditions:

“Debit cards accepted.”

That’s the key.

But read the full conditions carefully, because there may still be additional restrictions. For example, the rental company may require:

• A higher security deposit
• Additional identification
• Proof of return travel
• A specific type of debit card
• The purchase of additional insurance

Some rental companies may also advertise a zero-deposit or zero-excess policy. Depending on the exact terms, this can mean that no security deposit is required or that the deposit is significantly reduced.

If you only have a virtual card and no physical debit card, your chances of renting a car are much slimmer.

In that situation, look specifically for rental offers mentioning:

Zero deposit

or

Zero excess

And, again, always check the full terms before booking.

2. Consider Purchasing the Rental Company’s Most Comprehensive Insurance

Sometimes, purchasing the rental company’s fullest insurance package directly at the desk can significantly reduce the required security deposit.

In certain cases, it may eliminate the deposit requirement altogether.

This can make it possible to rent using a debit card that otherwise wouldn’t have been accepted for a large deposit.

The key word here is sometimes. Every rental company has its own rules, so never assume this will work automatically.

The Reality of Renting a Car With Revolut, Wise, or Cash App

In reality, if you give yourself enough time to search, there are plenty of rental companies that now accept debit cards.

The problem is that there is no single universal rule.

One company may accept your Revolut card without any problem. Another company at the same airport may refuse it completely. A third may accept it only if you buy additional insurance or leave a higher deposit.

All of these requirements should be explained in the terms and conditions of the specific rental provider.

That’s why reading the payment and deposit terms before you book is so important.

If you’re looking for a car at the last minute, your options will usually be much more limited, and there’s a higher chance that you’ll end up paying a premium.

One More Important Thing: The Deposit Is Your Actual Money

There’s another important difference between using a debit card and a credit card.

If you’re using a debit card such as Revolut, Wise, or Cash App, the security deposit placed by the rental company is effectively locked against your actual cash balance.

That money will not be available for you to spend during the rental.

And it may remain unavailable even after you return the car.

Many reputable rental companies release the deposit within a few days or around a week after the car is returned. However, depending on the rental company, payment network, and your bank or card provider, it can sometimes take up to 30 days or even longer for the funds to become available again.

So, if you’re travelling on a budget, take this into consideration.

A $1,000 security deposit on a debit card can mean $1,000 of your actual spending money is temporarily unavailable.

Don’t Get Burned at the Rental Counter

Every rental provider has different rules regarding debit cards, credit cards, virtual cards, prepaid cards, and security deposits.

And this is exactly where many renters get caught out.

You successfully pay online, receive your booking confirmation, arrive at the rental desk – and then discover that the card in your wallet isn’t accepted for the deposit.

A relatively simple technical detail like this has caused a lot of travellers serious problems. And because, technically, it is your responsibility to make sure you meet the rental company’s payment requirements, both the rental company and the rental broker, if you used one, may refuse to issue a refund.

That is why it is so important to make sure that the rental provider you choose will accept your payment method and won’t give you a hard time at the desk.

If you want to make the whole booking process simpler, contact us at [email protected], and we will help you find a rental company that matches your specific needs (or, submit your rental application here – getcheaprentals.com).

Furthermore, we can help you reduce the price of your rental through hidden discount codes and automatic price-drop alerts. If the price of your booking drops, we will alert you so you can potentially update the booking and get the difference refunded back to your bank card.

Safe travels!