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

SIXT places an authorization hold at pick-up to cover any potential additional charges — such as missing fuel on return, late return or chargeable extras. The exact amount is stated in your rental agreement.

Influencing factors

Vehicle category – higher-value cars, higher surcharge.

Note: The deposit only covers outstanding items from the rental agreement (e.g. fuel costs, late return, additional extras). It does not cover damage claims – the excess in case of damage depends on your chosen protection package and is handled separately.

Deposit amount by vehicle group

The deposit equals the rental amount plus the following fixed surcharge in the local currency (EUR / CHF / GBP / USD):

You can find the exact amount for your booking in the rental information on your local SIXT website

Exception USA: In the USA, different amounts apply – the surcharge is 200 or 300 USD depending on location for standard vehicles, with minimum amounts of 500 USD for Premium SUVs/Luxury 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 authorization is a hold — not a charge

• It is placed on your card at pick-up and released within one business day after return

• Your bank will clear the hold within 3–10 business days depending on your card type

Next step

View the authorization details for your booking on the SIXT website or in the SIXT app

Still need help? Find our contact options below.

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.

Still need help? Find our contact options below.

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.

Still need help? Find our contact options below.

SIXT in the USA accepts both debit and credit cards at most locations. However, additional requirements apply at airport branches and for certain vehicle categories. Prepaid cards, virtual cards, and cash payments at pick-up are not accepted. A physical card in the main driver’s name must be presented at pick-up.

Accepted payment methods

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

• UnionPay, AirPlus

• Debit cards: Visa and Mastercard/Maestro (additional requirements apply—see below)

• Apple Card

Not accepted

• Prepaid cards of any kind

• Virtual credit or debit cards (including Apple Pay and Google Pay)

• Cash at pick-up

• Checks

• Cards not in the main driver's name

• Chime cards at pick-up

Debit card specifics

Airport locations:

• A debit card is accepted only with a return flight, train, or bus ticket in the renter’s name, matching the rental return date and booked at least 24 hours prior to pick-up

Non-airport locations:

• A return travel ticket or two valid proof-of-address documents from the pick-up state are required

• Debit cards are not accepted for Sports & luxury vehicles or certain higher vehicle categories, regardless of documentation

• Always check the booking page for your selected vehicle for exact eligibility

Deposit

A security deposit is pre-authorized on your card at pick-up. The amount depends on the vehicle category driven and the pick-up location.

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.

Still need help? Find our contact options below.