Many travellers find out at the rental desk that the card in their wallet is the wrong kind. They have a booking, a licence and a passport, but the company wants a credit card in the main driver’s name, and a debit card is not enough.
Here is why that rule exists, what to check before you book, and how renting works at Family Car, where no credit card is needed.
Why rental companies ask for a credit card
Most rental companies ask for a security deposit. With a credit card it is often not a payment but a block: the company reserves the amount on your card without actually taking the money.
The European Consumer Centre in France explains the difference in its guide to renting a car in Europe (updated 5 May 2026). A card marked CREDIT is debited on a deferred basis, so the company can block the deposit “without actually cashing it in”. With a card marked DEBIT this is not always possible, and if the block fails, the company has to take the money from your account. That is why, as the guide puts it, many rental companies prefer to refuse cards that are marked as debit.
The same guide notes that the deposit usually corresponds to the insurance excess, so the higher the car category, the higher the deposit.
What the rental terms usually say
The rules are set by each company, so read the terms of the company that will hand you the keys, not only those of the booking site.
As an example, Europcar’s Alicante Airport page says the main driver must provide a major credit card in their own name, which is used to pay the deposit and must be shown on arrival. Cash, prepaid cards, debit cards, electronic cards and credit cards belonging to someone else are not accepted.
Things to check before you book:
- Card type. Is a debit card accepted at all, and for which car categories?
- Whose name. Must the card belong to the main driver?
- Deposit amount. How much will be blocked or charged, and is the amount linked to the insurance excess?
- Release. When will the deposit come back, and what can be deducted from it?
The European Consumer Centre adds one more point: if the terms say a credit card in the main driver’s name is required, you have no recourse if the desk refuses your debit card. Check this before you travel, not at the counter.
Renting a car with Family Car without a credit card
Family Car does not use cards for the deposit at all.
- Payment. Before the rental begins, you pay the full rental amount and provide a deposit. Payment is accepted in cash or by bank transfer from your own account to the company account. No credit card is required.
- Deposit amount. It depends on the car and is shown in the details of each car in our fleet (Learn More) and in the FAQ.
- Return of the deposit. Your deposit is returned immediately when you return the car. There is no bank hold to wait for.
- What can be withheld. Part of the deposit may be withheld for smoking in the car or damage to the interior.
The specific car is agreed when you book
At Family Car you choose a specific model, and that car is agreed with you when you book. We do not replace the car you chose without your knowledge.
What to bring
- your original passport or ID card;
- a valid driving licence that allows you to drive within the EU.
The minimum driver age is 27 years, and the minimum driving experience is 1 year.
How to book
- Choose a car in our fleet.
- Send a request through the booking form.
- Our manager will contact you to confirm the booking and agree on all details.
No prepayment is required, and cancellation is free of charge. Please let us know at least 3 days before the rental start date.
Sources
Checked on 12 October 2026:
- European Consumer Centre France, Renting a car in Europe, updated 5 May 2026.
- Europcar, Car and van rental at Alicante Airport.
- Family Car terms: FAQ and rental procedure on our homepage.
