Rental Terms, Qualifications and Requirements (2024)

FAQs

Does Hertz run a credit check? ›

Hertz. Hertz will run a credit check when a debit card is the form of payment used for the rental. There are also stricter account hold requirements. In addition to the estimated charges, Hertz places an additional $500 hold on the account, meaning you cannot use those funds during the rental.

For each driver you add to a rental agreement (aside from the primary driver), you will be charged an additional driver fee. The Hertz additional driver fee is charged on a per day, per person basis. With Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, you may be able to add a free additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner.

Hertz vehicles are always provided with a full tank of fuel and must be returned with a full tank of fuel, or a local refuelling charge will apply.

While secured credit cards require you to provide a security deposit that usually establishes your spending limit, they can be used to cover many of the same transactions as unsecured credit cards, including renting a car.

Credit cards:

The name you specify when making your reservation must match the name on the credit card you pay with. The same credit card also needs to be presented at the location, when you pick up your rental car. You can use most credit cards. Debit cards need to be connected to VISA or MasterCard.

Your additional driver will need to present a valid license at the rental counter, proving that they are 25 years or older. In addition to these requirements, the additional driver will need to have a clean driving record. You can add up to two extra drivers to a reservation.

No, you cannot rent a car for someone else. The person who has reserved the rental is the one who needs to pick it up. However, you may be able to add a driver onto your rental contract. Avis requires the additional driver to sign a form before allowing them to drive the rented vehicle, and there may be added fees.

One thing you must never do is return a rental car with an empty tank if you haven't purchased a fuel plan. If you do that, you'll not only have to pay the inflated gas price but also a service fee for the staff to fill 'er up.

Fuel Policy at Airport Car Rental Locations:

You may refuel the vehicle to the same fuel level you received when you picked up the vehicle, or if you choose not to refuel the vehicle to the same fuel level, you will be charged the local Enterprise rate which is typically above the local pump price.

You can let us refuel for you and we'll charge you gas at pump price plus a flat $6.99 refueling fee per transaction. Pump rate/retail priced is based on average retail price in local area as periodically updated. Taxes and Concession Fees, where applicable, are extra.

Can I rent a car with a $500 credit limit? ›

So if you have a $500 credit limit and the rental company puts a $300 hold on your card, you only have $200 in available credit. Trying to charge more than your available credit line during your trip could result in an overdraft or declined transactions, which could put a big damper on your plans.

Renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary will need to provide a credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the estimated total amount for the rental and a deposit between $300-$400 depending on the rental location and class of vehicle rented.

Generally, a corporate rental agency will have no trouble renting an economy car to someone with a credit score ranging from 550-600. The higher the credit score, the more likely it is that you will be granted access to a wider range of vehicles at more competitive prices.

Dollar. Dollar car rental has slightly more lax rules for renting a car without a credit card. You won't undergo a credit check, and the company accepts debit cards for non-premium or luxury rentals as long as you book your car 24 hours before pick-up.

Many car rental agencies perform a credit check prior to approving your application and may require a minimum score for approval. The good news is that the exact minimum credit score to rent a car can vary from company to company, but generally you'll need at least a fair or average credit score.

At the time of rental, an authorization hold will be secured on the credit/debit card provided, to cover the estimated rental charges and any additional charges that may be incurred. These funds will not be available for your use.

Depending on the service used, these screenings might result in a hard inquiry, which temporarily dings your credit score, or a soft inquiry, which doesn't. You might avoid a hard inquiry by asking your landlord upfront how they plan to screen you and offer to provide a credit report yourself.