Many suppliers require a credit card hold of $200. In some cases, they may request a hold of the full estimated charges of the rental if this is greater than $200. The hold may be calculated as a percentage of the rental charges.

That’s an excellent question, as the hold (also called an “authorization” or “block”) is a crucial part of renting a car and can be a significant surprise if you’re not prepared.

The amount of the hold varies widely, but here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect and what factors influence it.

Typical Hold Amounts

As a general rule, the hold is usually the estimated rental charges plus a security deposit.

• Standard Expectation: Most major rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, etc.) will place a hold of $200 to $500+ on top of the estimated rental total.
• Luxury/Specialty Vehicles: For premium, luxury, or larger vehicles (like SUVs, minivans), the hold can jump to $500 to $1,000 or more.
• Debit Card Users: Be especially careful here. Holds for debit cards are often much higher, sometimes $500 to $750 as a minimum deposit in addition to the rental cost. Companies also perform credit checks for debit card rentals.
• Young Renters: Drivers under 25 typically face both a “young renter fee” and a significantly higher security hold.

What Factors Increase the Hold?

The hold isn’t a fixed number. It increases with these add-ons:

1. Additional Drivers: Adding an extra driver usually increases the hold by a set amount (e.g., $10-$15 per day or a flat fee).
2. Declining the Rental Company’s Insurance/Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): If you choose to