Renting a car in Canada is convenient and stress-free – if you have a credit card. However, not everyone has access to a credit card or may not want to use one when renting a car. Good news – you can rent a car in Canada without a credit card, although it may prove difficult. In this article, we’ll discuss the requirements and options available to help you navigate the process successfully.
Understand car rental requirements in Canada
Before you start looking for car rental options, let’s take a look at the requirements for renting a car in Canada. Generally, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driving license. However, different car rental companies may have different age restrictions and driving license requirements. As a result, we recommend that you take the time to contact the company directly before planning your trip.
Age restrictions and driving license requirements
Most car rental companies in Canada require drivers to be at least 21 years old, but some companies set the bar at 25 years or older. Additionally, some car rental companies may limit the type of driving license you have. For example, some companies may only accept Canadian driver’s licenses, not international ones. For peace of mind, contact the company before booking your rental.
If you are under 25, you may be charged an additional fee called a ‘young driver fee’. This daily fee can range from $10 to $25, depending on the car rental company. Some companies may also require you to have a driving license for a certain period of time before you can rent a car.
Insurance options
When renting a car in Canada, you will need insurance to protect you from potential accidents and damages. Typically, car rental companies offer insurance as an additional option. However, many people dismiss this as many credit card issuers provide car rental insurance coverage as part of their cardholder benefits. However, if you do not have such a credit card, you may consider purchasing insurance from the rental company
More importantly, determine what type of insurance you have when renting a car. Some car rental companies offer collision insurance, which covers damage to your rental car in the event of an accident. However, this insurance may not cover damage to other vehicles or property. In addition, some car rental companies may offer additional liability insurance; this additional protection covers damage to other people’s property or injuries to other people in an accident.
Additional fees and commissions
When booking a rental car in Canada, you may incur additional fees and charges. These include a deposit or daily fee for an additional driver. First of all, read the rental agreement carefully and ask the representative in advance about any additional fees.
Some car rental companies may require a deposit when renting a car. Typically, you secure this with your credit card and get your money back when you return the car in its original condition. The amount of the deposit may vary depending on the car rental company and the type of car rented.
If you plan to have additional drivers, some car rental companies may charge a daily fee for each additional driver. This fee can range from $10 to $25 per day, depending on the car rental company.
Once you know all the fees associated with renting a car in Canada, you’ll avoid any surprises when it’s time to pay.
Alternatives to credit cards for car rentals
Although credit cards are the most common method of paying for a car rental, there are several other options. These options become important if you don’t have a credit card due to poor credit or personal preference.
Debit cards
Debit cards or Visa debit cards are a popular alternative to credit cards for car rentals. Many car rental companies in Canada accept debit cards as a form of payment, but not for booking a rental. Some of them, however, will charge a deposit from the card and return it later. Of course, this saves you the time and hassle of having to contact the rental company before booking.
If you decide to use your debit card to rent a car, first check your bank account balance. Ideally, you will have enough funds in your account to cover your rent and any additional fees that may apply.
Prepaid cards
Prepaid cards also allow you to rent a car in Canada without a credit card. However, not all car rental companies accept prepaid cards as a form of payment, so please check in advance. If you decide to use a prepaid card, load enough funds onto it first. Thanks to this, you can easily cover the rent and any additional fees.
Please note that some prepaid credit cards in Canada may have restrictions that may affect your ability to rent a car. For example, some cards may have lower daily spending limits than the cost of renting a car. On the other hand, they may not accept international cards. Inquiring in advance will give you peace of mind.
Cash deposits
For those who avoid plastic payments, some car rental companies may accept cash deposits instead of credit card. However, this option may require a larger deposit than when using a credit card. Moreover, you may not receive your deposit back immediately after returning the car.
Additionally, some businesses may only accept cash payments in certain locations. Please check with the rental company in advance to make sure your chosen location accepts cash payments.
Choosing a car rental company that allows you to rent a car without a credit card
There are several reputable car rental companies in Canada that offer a wide range of safe vehicles to get you where you need to go. They have different rules for paying for rent. As a result, we’ve put together this helpful guide to help you avoid surfing all of their sites.
Once you decide which one suits you best, you can book your trip and enjoy your trip. With so much to plan for your trip, you’ll be able to take one more item off your to-do list.
Canadian car rental companies and their payment policies
Once you have determined your car rental needs, it is extremely important to research and compare different car rental companies. Prices can vary significantly between suppliers, so thorough research and comparisons are a key part of the process. Pay attention to things like the range of vehicles available, the credibility of the company, and any hidden or additional fees that may apply.
Moreover, if you do not have a credit card, it is important to check which companies take into account such circumstances. Some rental agencies accept debit cards or cash deposits, but these options often come with greater restrictions or requirements. Here are the payment policies of several car rental companies in Canada:
Undertaking
With 482 locations across Canada, Enterprise is within reach of most Canadians looking for a set of temporary wheels. You can easily find your payment options on our Payment Methods FAQ page:
- Only accepts debit and check cards with the VISA, Mastercard or Discover logo.
- At airports, debit cards are only valid if you have a return ticket and a driving license.
- This company accepts prepaid gift cards with the Visa, Mastercard or American Express logo at the end of the rental.
- Some sites accept final payment in cash or postal order at the end of the rental.
Alamo
Alamo offers rentals in 25 locations, including 18 at airports. The others are located at major train stations in Toronto and Halifax, as well as in Calgary, Banff and Montreal.
To rent from Alamo, you must use the following payment options:
- Only accepts VISA and Mastercard debit cards, but not at airports.
- At airports, you can use your debit card to pay a deposit, but not to pay a deposit, if you have a return ticket and a driving license.
- Does not accept debit cards for final payment at airports.
- Alamo accepts prepaid Visa, Mastercard or Amex gift cards at the end of the rental, but not for security purposes.
- Accepts cash as a deposit at the start of your rental at any location, but not all.
- Alamo does not accept prepaid credit cards.
National
National rents cars in 90 Canadian cities and towns. As you will see, this company’s payment methods have a lot in common with other companies:
- Accepts VISA and Mastercard debit and check cards.
- At airports, you can only use a debit card for a deposit, but not for a down payment.
- At the time of rental, you can pay the deposit by debit card to reduce the final cost. With this card you can also pay off your bill at the end of your trip, but not at airports.
- National accepts prepaid Visa, Mastercard or Amex gift cards at the end of the rental, but not for security purposes.
- Does not accept cash as deposit anywhere. Some locations do not accept cash at all, except for prepaid tours or corporate accounts by prior arrangement.
Car Rental Canada
This smaller player has three locations in Quebec and has been offering car rentals for over 30 years. It has a simple rental policy with or without a credit card, although certain conditions apply. For more information on how no credit card is required, see the rest of the article.
Learn about payment options through customer reviews
Certainly, the experiences of previous customers can give you insight into how they paid for their rental. Reading customer reviews can help you gauge how companies treated customers who showed up with a prepaid card or cash.
Reviews can be found on any company’s website, as well as on independent review sites. Look for reviews that specifically mention customer service or alternative payment options.
Please contact rental companies directly for information
Searching for car rental companies online can be helpful, but it will be quicker to contact them directly for more information. This will help you better understand the rental processes and any fees and restrictions that may apply to your rental.
When contacting your car rental company, ask about payment options, additional fees and policies related to fuel and insurance. This will help you avoid surprises when it’s time to pick up your rental car.
By browsing car rental companies, you can find one that accepts the type of payment you have on hand. Then you can plan your trip with one less thing to worry about.
