Hertz will not accept debit cards or prepaid cash cards as a form of payment or guarantee at the time of reservation, or time of pickup. You must present a valid and accepted charge card mentioned above, at the beginning of the rental. Debit cards may be used for payment upon return.

In 2026, Hertz generally does not accept prepaid debit cards (such as those from Netspend, Bluebird, or store-bought "gift" cards) to initiate a rental or secure a vehicle at the start of the transaction. Their policy requires a "valid credit card" or a "standard debit card" linked directly to a checking account (bearing a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover logo). To use a standard debit card, you must often be at least 25 years old, provide proof of a return flight, and undergo a "soft" credit check. However, Hertz does allow you to use a prepaid card for final payment at the end of your rental period once the vehicle is returned. If you attempt to use a prepaid card at the counter for the initial deposit, you will likely be denied because these cards do not allow the airline-style "authorization holds" ($500+) required to cover potential damages or late fees.