Hertz Deposit Amount Explained: How Much, How Long & When You Get It Back (2025 Guide)
PUBLISHED ON Jun, 14 2023
UPDATED ON Apr, 01 2025
Renting a car from Hertz? One of the biggest concerns for travelers is the deposit and credit card hold required at pickup. In this guide, we’ll break down Hertz’s deposit policy, how much you should expect to be charged, and how to get your deposit refunded faster.
Why Does Hertz Charge a Deposit?
Hertz, like most car rental companies, requires a security deposit to protect against potential rental car damage, unpaid fees, or late returns. Hertz car rental deposit serves as a financial guarantee that customers will return the vehicle in good condition and pay any outstanding charges.
Understanding Hertz Rental Car Deposit Requirements
Hertz deposits can range from $200 to $500 or more, depending on your rental details. Here’s a breakdown of key deposit policies:
| Payment Method | Standard Deposit Amount | Luxury & Specialty Cars | Estimated Hold Time |
| Credit Card | $200–$500 | Up to $1,000 | 7–14 business days |
| Debit Card | $500 – $850 | Not always accepted | Up to 30 days |
| Cash | Not accepted at most locations | N/A |
Factors Affecting Your Hertz Deposit
- Rental Location: Airport locations may have stricter policies.
- Rental Duration: Longer rentals typically require higher deposits.
- Car Class: Luxury or specialty vehicles often come with larger deposit holds.
- Insurance Coverage: If you decline rental car excess insurance, Hertz may require a higher deposit as additional security.
👉 Pro Tip: To minimize the Hertz deposit amount, consider using a credit card instead of a debit card, as many locations impose stricter deposit requirements for debit card users.
Hertz uses a credit card authorization hold rather than an immediate charge. This means the deposit is temporarily frozen in your account rather than debited outright. However, this Hertz credit card hold can affect your available balance until the refund is processed.
See How Much You Can Save on Your Hertz Insurance
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Hertz Security Deposit Refund Process: How and When You’ll Get Your Money Back
Once you return the rental car in good condition and settle any outstanding charges, Hertz will initiate your rental car deposit refund process. The timeline for the refund depends on your payment method:
- Credit Card: Refunds typically take 24 hours, but with some banks it may take up to 10 days.
- Debit Card: Refunds can take up to 30 days, depending on your bank’s policies.
Additional Fees: If Hertz finds new damage or additional charges (such as toll violations or refueling fees), they will deduct these costs before processing the refund.
To get your deposit back from Hertz as quickly as possible:
- Return the car on time and in the same condition.
- Keep all rental agreements and receipts.
- Monitor your credit card statement for the refund.
- Contact Hertz customer service if the refund takes longer than expected.
Regardless of how you paid for your rental car, contact Hertz at 800-654-4173 if you don’t receive your security deposit back within the anticipated time limit.
Avoiding Extra Charges: Tips for Managing Your Hertz Rental Deposit
To avoid high rental car deposits and unexpected fees, follow these steps:
- Use a Credit Card Instead of a Debit Card
- Many rental companies place higher holds on debit cards.
- Using a credit card can result in a lower Hertz deposit amount.
- Purchase Rental Car Excess Insurance in Advance
- Third-party providers like CarInsuRent offer comprehensive coverage at lower rates than Hertz’s in-house insurance options.
- This coverage can prevent unexpected charges for minor damages.
- Inspect the Car Thoroughly Before Driving Off
- Take photos or videos of the vehicle’s condition at pickup.
- Report any existing damage to the Hertz representative before leaving the lot.
- Refuel the Car Before Returning It
- Avoid costly refueling fees by filling up at a nearby gas station.
- Track Your Transactions and Follow Up
- Keep an eye on your bank or credit card statement.
- Contact Hertz immediately if your refund hasn’t been processed within the expected timeframe.
By following these strategies, you can reduce your rental deposit, expedite refunds, and avoid unnecessary charges, ensuring a smooth rental experience.
Final Thoughts
Hertz 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. Hertz offers various insurance and protection products to its customers, including Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP). However, should something happen to your rental car, you are financially responsible for this excess. To avoid unexpected costs, consider exploring our comprehensive car rental insurance options, which provide coverage for various scenarios, including damage and theft. By opting to car hire excess insurance, you can significantly reduce your financial liability in case of an incident with your Hertz rental car, as the excess amount can be eliminated and reduced to zero for as low as $6.49 per day* to $94.90 for an annual car hire excess insurance policy.
For travelers concerned about high Hertz deposit holds and potential out-of-pocket expenses when renting a car in Europe, purchasing car hire insurance Europe policy can be a smart way to reduce financial risk. This insurance helps cover the excess amount you might otherwise need to pay for damages or theft beyond the deposit. By opting for car hire excess insurance Europe, you can enjoy added peace of mind without worrying about the substantial deposit hold that Hertz may apply.
👉 Pro Tip: Learn more about the benefits of car hire insurance in Europe here.
FAQs
Does Hertz require a deposit when renting a car?
Yes, Hertz does require a deposit when renting a car. The deposit amount varies depending on the vehicle type.
How much is Hertz deposit on my credit card?
Hertz can place a hold of up to US$200 for credit cards and US$500 for debit cards on your account. This amount includes the estimated rental charges and additional costs that may occur during the rental period.
When will Hertz return my deposit?
Hertz will return your deposit once you return the car in good condition, on time, and with the appropriate amount of fuel. The release time can vary; if you used a credit card, the hold on the deposit would be released within 24 hours. If you used a debit card, the release time depends on your bank’s policy.
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CarInsuRent Team
i HAVE NOT HAD MY DEPOSIT RETURN, I SEEM TO BE GOING ROUND AND ROUND IN CIRCLES TRYING TO GET IT BACK
ITS A JOKE 975830800
Absolute bullshit. The hold on my credit card was € 325 (about $ 350) and it was not released until 3 days after I returned the car. Moreover, in spite of the fact that I returned the car in time, there were no damages, and the fuel tank was full, an amount of $ 50 was deducted for rather unclear extra charges. A complete disappointment.
Very disappointed with Hertz, I rented a car from them and driving to the hotel the check engine light went on. I tried calling customer service and was never able to speak to someone or leave a message, the mail boxes were full and was told I couldn’t leave a message. Very poor customer service. The next day check engine light went off but on the 4th day of rental in the evening it went on again.
I returned a car Tuesday, and haven’t received my deposit back yet. I was charged $60 something dollars for an extended day, but, had already paid via credit card to extend, when I returned the car I was charged again. Where’s my money.
Dear Erez Martin,
I suggest that you contact Hertz directly in order to resolve this
The CarInsuRent Team
I didn’t rent a car from Hertz, and my credit card was charged. 2500.00 I am going to sue if this matter is not resolved
We hope this will be finalized to your satisfaction.
The CarInsuRent Team
I read this website posts very carefully. There is no wrong information, very useful information is given here.
Thanks for sharing this with our audience.
The CarInsuRent Team
STILL WAITING ON MY REFUND FOR 500.00 WHICH I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET BACK FROM THEIR REPRESENTATIVE.
Thanks for sharing this.
How much time elapsed since you returned the rental vehicle?
The CarInsuRent Team
My husband still has not received his $500 deposit back from Hertz. It’s been 2 weeks and customer service won’t even speak to you, only an automated message saying that it’s the bank’s responsibility to release the hold which is incorrect. The bank has investigated and they said Hertz is hasn’t released it and they have tried to get Hertz to respond without any response. They are the worst car rental company, very dishonest. Everywhere people are complaining that they haven’t got their money back. People should avoid them.
After two weeks of renting a car, I haven’t received my money back. They charged me $226.18 for the rental and then $100, $100, $426 for something else…where is my money?
Did you contact the rental car company?
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I found this article very informative and helpful.
I recently rented a car from Hertz and was wondering about the deposit and hold on my credit card. It’s good to know that Hertz requires a deposit and places a hold
on the card to cover potential charges. I also appreciate the information about the refund process and the different amounts for credit and debit cards. Thanks for sharing this valuable
information.
Regarding the comments from some users about not receiving their deposits back, I would recommend contacting Hertz directly to resolve any issues.
It’s also a good idea to keep track of the rental agreement and any charges to ensure a smooth refund process. Overall, I think it’s important to understand the financial aspects of renting a car to avoid any surprises or difficulties.
Thanks again for the helpful article.
This article provides a clear and concise explanation about Hertz’s deposit policy.
Definitely a helpful resource for anyone renting from Hertz!
It’s great to know that they can place a hold of up to $200 on credit cards and up to $500 on debit cards, which includes estimated rental charges. It’s helpful to understand that this hold is temporary and should be released within 24 hours after the car is returned.
This article provides an excellent explanation of how Hertz handles deposits and credit card holds. It would be useful to include tips on how to minimize the deposit amount or alternative payment methods for those without credit cards.
Need my deposit back for rental wasn’t able to receive any services
I didn’t even make the purchase card was replaced after I received the notification from Hertz of a pickup..
That is a really well written article.
Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
I always found the deposit and credit card hold policies confusing, but this guide makes it much easier to understand. Knowing what to expect from Hertz regarding the deposit amount and how long the hold lasts really helps in planning my trips better.
Thanks for the clear explanation
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Hertz car rental is scamming customers on rental deposits. It’s been over 30 days and still no $200 deposit back to my line of credit. Hertz takes your deposits and never return it. I called 800-654-4173 Hertz customer service Automated line and you can’t reach a live representative. Hertz has scammed me twice on deposit and I will write the President of the company and State Attorney Office. This is unlawful act. I’ve read similar comments and now we must take action.