Last Updated on October 6, 2024 by Kristin
If you rent a car from Payless Car Rental, the company will put a temporary hold on your credit or debit card in addition to the amount you’ll pay for the reservation. This deposit is common in the industry, and designed to cover any unexpected charges like a late return or an additional fuel charge. The amount Payless holds on your card depends on several factors. Here’s what you need to know.
When Does Payless Return Your Deposit?
So when do you get your money back? It could take up to two weeks, depending on your bank. That’s why it’s a good idea to plan ahead and understand the total amount Payless will charge to your card at the rental counter.
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If you pay with a credit card, expect this security deposit amount returned within 2-5 business days. When renting with a debit card, it can take up to 14 days to receive the amount.
How Much Does Payless Hold as a Security Deposit?
As long as you don’t incur extra charges, Payless will return the security deposit at the end of the reservation. The process length depends on the payment method, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.
Renting with a credit card vs. debit card
Payless will typically hold $200 on your credit or debit card in addition to the full cost of the rental.
For debit cards, Payless will hold $200 in addition to the full cost of the rental as a deposit. Payless will return the extra hold amount in the days after you return the rental car.
Renters who pay with a debit card may undergo a credit check. If for some reason your debit card proves to be ineligible, Payless will ask for a credit card.
Prepaid rentals
If you pay for the cost of your Payless rental in advance, the reservation will still be subject to a hold. When you choose the “Pay Now” option, you’ll be required to pay a $200 credit card hold. In this situation, you can use a debit card to pay the prepaid amount, but will need a credit card for the hold.
When Does Payless Return Your Deposit?
Payless should release the hold amount on your card at the end of the rental, but it can still take up to 14 days for those funds to be available for use again. When you pay with a credit card, the authorization amount will appear as a pending charge and should drop off of your card after you return the vehicle.
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For debit cards, Payless releases the hold on funds after customers return the vehicle. However, it warns that it could take up to a full two weeks before those funds are available to use again, and that will depend on your bank.
3 Tips for Monitoring Your Rental Car Transaction
To avoid any financial issues during your reservation, follow these tips before your trip:
- Remember that Payless will charge $200. Add this amount on top of what you expect to pay for the rental reservation itself. Remember that you will not have access to these funds during the time of the rental and a period thereafter. When in doubt, call Fox to confirm the security deposit amount.
- If you are about to hit your credit card limit, call the number on the back of your card to make a quick payment before picking up the vehicle. Make sure you have a buffer on top of that to account for any other charges you may incur before arriving at the rental car office.
- Check your Payless receipt carefully after dropping off the vehicle to make sure there are no unexpected charges. Continue to check your bank and credit card balances in the days ahead to ensure you receive the full amount back.
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