Last Updated on August 4, 2026 by Elizabeth
Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay can be a convenient way to pay for many goods and services. But can you rent a car with a digital wallet? Don’t count on it.
Our advice: Always, always bring your physical credit card when picking up a rental car. We’ve heard from customers who’ve been burned by assuming they could pay at the counter with a digital wallet only to be turned away because they couldn’t produce their plastic.
Car Rental Policies On Digital Wallets
While some rental car companies say they accept tap-to-pay for some transactions, you can’t rely on it in practice. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are not universally accepted for all parts of the transaction. Even when major companies like Hertz say they accept digital wallets via tap-to-pay for final rental charges at participating counters, the vast majority of locations still require you to bring a physical credit card in the primary driver’s name to secure the mandatory security deposit and complete fraud checks.
Do Major Car Rental Companies Accept Digital Wallets?
Even those that say they sometimes accept digital wallets are iffy at best. As a general rule, counter staff frequently reject purely digital tokens or virtual card numbers for security holds because authorization holds require strict risk controls.
You must present a physical credit card or an approved debit card bearing a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover logo. The card will be swiped or inserted physically into the reader.
Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty: Accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay via tap-to-pay at select locations, but mandate a physical card if the digital option fails or is unsupported at that branch. They also require a physical card for security holds, which means you need to carry it.
Avis, Budget, Payless: None of these brands widely supports contactless tap-to-pay via digital wallets at counter terminals for security holds.
National, Enterprise, Alamo: Generally do not accept Apple Pay or Google Pay when picking up a rental car. If you are a National Emerald Club or Enterprise Plus member with a profile and physical credit card saved on file, your card must be active, and you may be asked to show the matching physical card upon request.
Sixt: Does not accept Google Pay, though Apple Pay may be used for select prepaid online bookings. Importantly, a physical card remains necessary at pick-up.
Related:
