Car Rental Debit Card Policy

Using Debit Cards to Qualify for a Rental in the United States

Thrifty accepts American Express, MasterCard, Carte Blanche, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, China Union Pay and some debit cards. We may place an authorized hold on your credit/debit card to cover the estimated rental charges plus up to USD $200.00 for credit card and $500 for debit card for any additional charges that may be incurred. These funds will not be available for your use.



A valid driver’s license and credit card must be presented. A physical card must be presented as Digital Wallet Cards are not accepted.

Debit cards issued under VISA, MasterCard and Discover logo which draw funds directly from the cardholder's account may be used at the outset of a rental to qualify when the following requirements are met; 　

• Vehicle class reserved is Compact through Fullsize ONLY
• In most cases, a credit check will be performed for debit card customers to determine credit worthiness at the rime of rental. If Thrifty cannot secure credit approval and/or proper identification credentials are not supplied, Thrifty will decline  your rental.
• Thrifty Airport locations, the renter is required to provide proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental and present two (2) valid forms of identification.
  • Valid forms of identification are a valid United States or Foreign Country issued Driver’s License AND One (1) of the following forms:
    • An alternative valid credit or debit card embossed with the same name as the driver’s license;
    • A United States or Foreign Country Issued passport in the same name as the driver’s license and debit card;
    • United States or Foreign Country Issued Military Identification Card in the same name as the driver’s license and debit card;
    • Non-Government Form of ID, examples that may be accepted include: store membership card with photo (Costco, Sam’s, etc.) or a company ID badge with photo. Names on both forms must match driver’s name on license and debit card; or
    • A current month Utility statement which is addressed to the renter with the same name and address as present on the renter’s driver’s license (e.g., gas, electric, cable bill).

Other policy exceptions:

• Debit Card can be used if it is already in your Blue Chip profile, regardless of vehicle type.
• Debit cards are not accepted on Premium vehicles and above, including Convertibles.

An authorization amount including the estimated total for the rental charges and an incremental hold of $200 for credit card and $500 for debit card will be assessed for non-Blue Chip members, and Blue Chip members renting for the first time. These funds will not be available for your use until the end of the rental after charges apply. The above incremental hold will not be applied to established Blue-Chip members cards with a VISA credit or debit on their profile.

Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of your rental regardless of vehicle type rented. In most cases a credit check will be performed for debit card customers to determine credit worthiness at the time of rental. If Thrifty cannot secure credit approval and/or proper identification credentials are not supplied, Thrifty will decline your rental.

In the event the renter in unable to produce the above required documents, a credit card may be used to secure the rental.　Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of your rental regardless of vehicle type rented.　

By completing a Reservation, you agree that you have received, read, understand, accept and agree to the terms, conditions, disclosures and notices appearing in these Reservation Terms.　You also consent to the use of electronic records and validity of your electronic signature.