Can You Rent a Car with Cash Only?

When renting a car, it's usually best to use a credit card. Some companies only accept credit cards as payment methods when renting vehicles. 

However, not everyone can get a credit card due to a recent bankruptcy, a lower credit score, or other various reasons. Some people simply prefer not to have one.

Are you in this situation? If so, you may be doubting whether you can rent a vehicle. 

Thankfully, many rental car companies offer alternative payment methods to credit cards. Debit cards are commonly accepted but with additional stipulations, such as two government-issued forms of identification and proof of sufficient funds. 

If you want to rent a car with cash only instead of a debit card, it's crucial to check out rental car company policies before booking. 

In this article, we will review some of the most common policies for renting a car with cash or money orders. Then, we'll go through the steps involved if you want to rent a car without a credit card. So, stay tuned for more information!

Do All Rental Companies Accept Cash or Money Orders?

Not all rental companies accept cash or money orders when renting a car.

Even if they take cash as a final payment when returning the vehicle, they may require you to have a credit card on file before or by the time of pickup. Moreover, the card usually has to be in the renter's name, so it cannot be issued to a family member or friend. 

Still, it is possible to find companies that allow a renter to pay in cash. Policies vary from company to company, so let's look at some of them to help you decide which rental car company to use. 

AVR 

At Airport Van Rental, we accept debit cards as a form of payment for a rental vehicle. If you go this route, we may require an additional security deposit and extra documentation to prove your identity. 

We also accept cash payments when returning a rental. So if you are near any of our airport locations, AVR rentals are a great choice! 

Enterprise

Enterprise Rent-A-Car states that some locations accept cash or money orders. In these situations, they ask for additional documents, proof of insurance, and personal references. 

However, each Enterprise location may have its own requirements, so check with the one you’re interested in renting from by phone!

Dollar, Hertz, and Thrifty

All of these sister companies accept cash deposits. However, they require you to complete an application for a cash deposit identification card first.

This process carries a nonrefundable $15 fee and involves a credit check. If the company deems you eligible for a cash deposit ID card, you will receive notice of approval within 30 days.

Avis

Avis also lets customers rent a car without a credit card. They must be over 25 years of age, have a good credit score, a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and additional identification. You can pay with internet bank transfers, cash, and gift cards if you meet these requirements.

Alamo

Alamo is another good option since they accept cash and prepaid gift cards when customers can't pay with a credit or debit card. However, these prepaid cards must be Visa, Mastercard, or Amex (not Discover). 

Sixt

Companies like Sixt Rent a Car are a bit more strict and only allow customers to use credit or debit cards. Further, those who use debit cards are limited to certain class vehicles. So, if you need a 15 passenger van rental, Sixt is probably not an option. 

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How to Rent a Car with Cash Only

Now that you're familiar with some of the most popular rental car companies' policies, it's time to learn how to rent a car with cash or money orders. The following steps can help no matter which company you are interested in using!

Contact the Rental Company

After finding a rental agency that operates in your desired location, look at the FAQs on their website and review their other policies about payment options. They may mention whether they accept cash or money orders for rentals and, if so, what information they require. 

If the website only mentions card payments, your best bet is to contact the company directly. Calling the office of the rental location may also be helpful if you would like to double-check the information you found online or want more specific information. 

Remember that although you can rent cars with cash at some rental companies, they may not allow this for a truck rental or an SUV rental. So if you are interested in renting a larger vehicle, be sure to specify that before the time of rental.

Prepare for Additional Fees

Most companies prefer credit cards over debit cards, cash, prepaid cards, or money orders for insurance and security reasons. If you have an accident or return the vehicle with scratches and dents, they need to know they can charge you for these damages and that you have the funds to cover them.

When customers pay with cash, rental companies don't have the same security. Thus, they often require you to pay extra fees or steeper deposits before renting a car, especially larger models like a 7 passenger minivan.

You should keep this into account, and even if the rental company makes no mention of additional fees upfront, carry extra cash just in case. That way, you'll be covered if your bill is higher than expected when returning the car. 

However, you can usually avoid unpleasant surprises by reading the rental terms and conditions and speaking to a representative before you pick up the vehicle. 

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Provide Adequate Information

When rental car companies have customers that pay with cash, they often require additional documentation. The information they request helps them determine whether or not you are responsible. It also allows them to confirm your identity. 

So, what will you need to rent a car with cash? Here are some documents you should bring with you, just in case. 

• Proof of insurance

• A valid driver's license

• Your most recent paycheck stub

• Utility bills, such as cable, internet, or electric (these should be in your name and current)

Some car rental companies also ask for personal references from two or three individuals. They must be able to vouch for you by confirming your full name and address since the rental company may contact them by phone or email. 

Make Car Rental Payment Easy with AVR

If you don't have a credit card, there's no need to worry! There are plenty of ways to get a rental vehicle without one. 

As long as you have a valid driver's license, AVR makes renting a car near airport locations easy with your debit card. Plus, we take cash payments at the end of the rental period, so you can rent a car with cash only. 

Contact us today for more information or if you need help navigating the process of cash car rentals. And, don't forget to use this AVR van rental discount code if you would like to save big bucks on the cost of the rental!