In the United States and Canada, debit or check cards can be used at the end of the rental for payment of rental charges. Prepaid debit/gift cards are also accepted as a form of payment at time of car return.

For a 2026 car rental, using a prepaid card to secure a vehicle is almost universally impossible at major agencies like Hertz, Enterprise, or Avis. Rental companies require a form of payment that allows them to place a significant "hold" or potentially charge for damages, which prepaid cards (not linked to a bank account) do not support. While some locations might allow you to use a prepaid card to pay the final bill upon return, you must provide a valid credit card or a traditional bank-issued debit card at the time of pickup. Even with a standard debit card, you may face stricter requirements: a credit check, a much larger security deposit (often $500+), and a requirement to show a ticketed return travel itinerary if renting from an airport. For a smooth 2026 rental experience, a major credit card remains the "gold standard" to avoid these hurdles and ensure you aren't turned away at the counter.