Avis Rental Car Deposit: All You Need to Know

When it comes to renting a car, understanding the deposit requirements is crucial to managing your finances effectively. Avis Car Rental, like most rental companies, requires a deposit to secure your reservation, commonly referred to as the Avis credit card hold.

Avis Credit Card Hold

An Avis credit card hold is a security measure to guard against late returns, additional fuel charges, or other potential incidents¹. Let’s delve into what this entails:

• The hold equals the cost of the rental plus a security deposit.
• If you pay with a credit or debit card, Avis will place a hold of $200 plus the estimated rental charges.
• The funds held are not available to you during the rental period.

Avis Policy on Debit Cards

While credit cards are commonly accepted, Avis policy on debit cards is slightly different:

• Avis does not accept debit cards in some city locations.
• At certain airport locations, the debit card hold will be the estimated rental charges plus $350.
• Avis will put a hold on your bank account tied to your debit card for the full cost of the rental plus the security deposit, typically $200.

Avis Deposit Amount

The Avis deposit amount varies depending on the method of payment and pick-up location:

• When you rent a car with a debit card, the typical Avis deposit amount is $200.
• For credit card rentals, the deposit consists of the full cost of the rental plus a security deposit.
• In some specific airport locations, if you pay with a debit card, the hold will be the estimated rental charges plus $350.

Does Avis Require a Deposit?

Yes, Avis does require a deposit. Here’s what you need to know:

• The deposit equals the cost of the rental plus a security deposit.
• When you return the vehicle, Avis will refund your deposit in full if there were no additional charges.
• The return of the deposit can take up to two weeks to be posted to your account by your bank.

Avis Security Deposit

An Avis security deposit is a sum of money held as insurance against possible additional charges¹. Here are the specifics:

• The security deposit is part of the hold placed on your credit or debit card.
• The amount of the security deposit depends on several factors, including your method of payment and the pick-up location.
• Upon returning the vehicle, Avis will return any unused portion of the hold.

Final Word

The deposit requirement is a standard practice in the car rental industry, including Avis. Understanding how the Avis credit card hold, Avis deposit amount, and Avis security deposit work can help you budget effectively for your car rental and avoid any unexpected financial surprises.

Avis Car Rental’s deposit serves as a financial security measure, ensuring that there are available funds to cover the cost of the rental and any additional charges that may occur, such as potential damages during the rental period. Avis offers various insurance and protection products to its customers, including Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP). The CDW is not insurance per se but waives the renter’s responsibility for all or part of the cost of damage to, loss or theft of, the vehicle, provided no actions that invalidate the waiver are taken. This means that if the CDW is purchased and the vehicle is damaged, the renter might not be held financially responsible, and therefore the deposit may not be used to cover these damages. However, should something happen to your rental car, you are financially responsible for this excess. If you purchase CarInsuRent car hire excess insurance, the excess amount can be eliminated and reduced to zero for as low as $6.49 per day* to $94.90 for an annual policy.

FAQs

What is the typical Avis deposit amount?

The typical Avis deposit amount is $200 plus the estimated rental charges.

Does Avis require a deposit for all rentals?

Yes, Avis requires a deposit equal to the cost of the rental plus a security deposit.

How does the Avis security deposit work?

The Avis security deposit is a portion of the hold placed on your credit or debit card. Upon returning the vehicle, Avis will return any unused portion of the hold.