What's the difference between a debit card and credit card deposit?

SIXT places a deposit when you pick up the vehicle to cover potential additional costs — for example, missing fuel at return, a late return, or paid extras. You'll find the exact deposit amount in your rental agreement.

Note: The deposit only secures open items from the rental agreement (e.g., fuel costs, late return, added extras). It does not cover damage claims — your deductible in the event of damage depends on your chosen protection package and is handled separately.

What determines the amount

The deposit equals the rental amount plus a fixed surcharge based on the vehicle group, in the local currency — the higher the vehicle class, the higher the surcharge.

You'll find the exact amount for your booking on the SIXT website and in the SIXT app at the end of the booking process, below the total, as well as in your confirmation email. Please note: For bookings in the USA, Canada, and Ireland, you'll find the amount only in the confirmation email.

Exception USA: In the USA, different amounts apply: the surcharge is 200, 300, or 400 USD for standard vehicles depending on location, with minimums of 500 USD for Mid-Range / Premium SUV, 1,000 USD for Premium, and 2,500 USD for Sports & Luxury.

Exception for commercial vans: For all van and truck groups, a reduced surcharge of + 200 in the local currency applies in most European countries. In Switzerland, the surcharge is CHF 300.

When the authorization is placed and released

The deposit is an authorization — a hold, not a payment. It's placed on your card at pick-up and released within one business day after return. Your bank clears the hold within 3–10 business days, depending on your card type.

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With a credit card, the authorization amount is held against your card limit and released after the rental. With a debit card, the amount is debited directly and refunded after the vehicle is returned in the agreed condition. The amount is the same in both cases and depends on the vehicle group.

Credit card authorization (Mastercard, Visa, Amex, etc.)

• The amount is held against your card limit — not debited

• Before the rental starts, the expected total including the authorization amount is held

• After the rental ends, the amount is adjusted and any difference is released automatically

• Does not affect your day-to-day liquidity, provided your card limit is sufficient

• Release typically takes 5–10 business days depending on your bank

Debit card deposit (Maestro / V PAY)

• The deposit amount is debited directly and blocks your available account balance

• Visible in your banking app as unavailable until the refund is processed

• Refunded after the vehicle is returned in the agreed condition

• Refund typically takes 5–10 business days depending on your bank

What the authorization covers

• Potential additional costs arising from the rental agreement — such as missing fuel on return, late return or chargeable extras

• The exact amount is stated in your rental agreement and in the Rental Information on the SIXT website

Next step

Check the authorization amount for your upcoming booking on the SIXT website or in the SIXT app.

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Apple Pay and PayPal are accepted at SIXT for prepaid bookings online and at selected branches. At pick-up, a valid credit or debit card in the main driver's name is also required for the authorization.

Apple Pay

• Accepted for prepaid bookings and digital checkout at selected branches

• The card stored in your wallet must be a credit card — debit or prepaid cards are not accepted via Apple Pay

• A physical credit or debit card is also required at pick-up for the authorization

PayPal

• Accepted for prepaid bookings at selected branches

• A physical credit or debit card is also required at pick-up for the authorization

Google Pay

Not currently accepted — please use Apple Pay, PayPal or a credit/debit card instead.

Prepaid and virtual cards

• Prepaid cards, gift cards and virtual cards are not accepted

• Cards from providers such as Revolut, Monzo and N26 or similar are only accepted if they are standard debit cards — not prepaid versions. Please check your card type in your banking app before pick-up

• France only: Visa Electron, Nickel, Maestro and V PAY are also excluded

Note: For country-specific payment rules, check the Rental Information on the SIXT website.

Next step

Check accepted payment methods on the SIXT website or in the SIXT app.

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Yes, SIXT in the USA accepts debit cards at most locations, but additional requirements apply for debit cards and certain vehicle categories. A physical card in the main driver’s name, valid for the entire rental period, must be presented at pick-up. Prepaid cards, checks, and cash aren’t accepted.

Accepted payment methods

• Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard/Maestro, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, AirPlus

• Debit cards, with additional requirements (see below)

• Cards from online banks, if you present the physical card

• PayPal and Apple Pay for prepaid bookings only (see below)

Card requirements

• Cards must have a chip, except UnionPay

• The credit card used must have sufficient available credit at pick-up

• A PIN may be required

Not accepted

• Prepaid cards of any kind

• SIXT Express cards (Advantage Circle)

• Cash and checks

• Cards not in the main driver’s name

• Chime cards at pick-up (accepted only for payment at the end of the rental, once the vehicle is returned)

• Apple Pay at the counter (except at select pilot locations)

Debit card requirements at airport locations

• A booked return flight, train, or bus ticket in your name, matching your rental return date and booked at least 24 hours before pick-up

• Not accepted for Sports & Luxury vehicles and certain higher vehicle categories

• International renters can present a debit card issued in their country of origin, accepted for all vehicle categories except Sports & Luxury

Debit card requirements at downtown locations

• A booked return ticket (same requirements as at airports) or two current proof-of-address documents from the pick-up state

• Accepted documents: utility or cable bills, a lease agreement, or a credit card statement matching the name and address on your driver’s license

• Digital copies are accepted if downloaded from the official source

• Not accepted for Sports & Luxury vehicles and certain higher vehicle categories, regardless of documentation

Always check the booking page for your selected vehicle for exact eligibility. State-specific rules, location-specific requirements, and deposit amounts by vehicle category are listed in the Rental Information.

PayPal and Apple Pay

• PayPal: prepaid bookings at select locations only, and you must be the PayPal account holder

• Apple Pay: prepaid bookings made on the SIXT website or app, with a credit card selected in Apple Wallet (debit and prepaid cards aren’t accepted)

• For both, you must still present a valid physical payment card in your name at pick-up for the security deposit and any add-ons or additional charges

Deposit
At pick-up, your card is pre-authorized for the rental price, additional charges and extras, plus a security deposit. The deposit amount depends on the vehicle category driven and the pick-up location. These funds won’t be available to you during the rental.

The deposit is released after the vehicle is returned in the same condition. Please allow 3–5 business days for the funds to reflect in your account, depending on your bank.

Next step
Check the booking page for your vehicle, then bring your physical card and any required documents to pick-up.

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