North America Car Rental Payment Options

Alamo offers several flexible payment options for customers including credit and debit card, and pre-payment. 

Renting a Car with a Credit Card

A credit card must be presented with available credit, in the renter's name. The signature must match the name imprinted on the card and the signature on the car rental agreement. For online reservations, the number and name printed on the card presented must match the name and number stored
for the online reservation.

• Credit Cards accepted: American Express®, Mastercard®, VISA® and Discover® Network
• Credit Cards accepted in Canada: American Express®, MasterCard®, VISA®, and Discover® Network at airport locations only.
• Credit Cards accepted in Puerto Rico: American Express®, Mastercard®, VISA®, Diners Club® and Discover® Network.

Renting a Car with a Debit Card

Debit/Check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, Mastercard® or Discover logo. Pre-paid cards or any other non-credit card without one of these logos is not accepted. (Discover not accepted in Canada.)

At airport locations, debit card deposits are only accepted at the time of rental if accompanied by a ticketed return travel itinerary. The name and address shown on the renter’s driver’s license must match their current home address. Active-duty military personnel are exempt from address requirements. Other than the renter’s spouse or domestic partner, no other additional drivers are allowed.  At the time of rental, charges will be placed on the debit card which reduces the available funds in the account associated with the card used. Renter is responsible for any overdraft fees incurred.

Disembarking passengers will be asked to provide a credit card or debit card with funds to cover the cost of the rental.

Renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary will need to provide a credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the estimated total amount for the rental and a deposit between $300-$400 depending on the rental location and class of vehicle rented.

Canadian locations will only accept US and International Debit Cards at the time of rental with a ticketed return travel itinerary. ; Canadian Debit Cards are NOT accepted at airport locations.

Does Alamo Accept Gift Cards?

Alamo accepts pre-paid gift cards with a Visa®, Mastercard® or Amex® symbol as a form of payment at the end of a rental. We do not accept gift cards to secure a rental*. Payment is never required when making a reservation.

*Alamo does not issue gift cards and will never ask you for credit card or other payment information over the phone. For more information, visit our pre-paid gift card alert page.

Renting a Car with Cash

Cash is not accepted as a deposit at the beginning of a rental at any location. For security reasons, many locations do not accept cash at any time.

Note: Some tour customers are exempt from certain cash rental restrictions due to the pre-paid nature of their travel packages.

Note: For rentals in Canada, only customers on a pre-paid tour or renting on corporate accounts that have negotiated the option to use cash are allowed to use cash to qualify for a rental.

Prepaying for Rental Car (Pay Now)

Alamo offers car rental discounts for customers who take advantage of pre-payment options.  Since your car rental reservation is prepaid, you'll spend less time at the rental counter and get on the road faster! Your credit card will be charged at time of reservation and the Pre-Pay discount will automatically be applied to your rate. This discount is 5% off.

Note: Debit cards are not accepted for Advance Pay reservations.

To qualify for Pre-Pay:

A major credit card and a valid driver's license in the name of the renter will be required at the time of rental. The credit card presented must be the same credit card used to pre-pay for the reservation.

Alamo does not accept online-only, virtual credit cards or any other type of "single-use" card number security product or one-time use credit card number that may be provided by credit card companies for online use.

Advance reservation is required (generally 24 hours) to take advantage of pre-payment options.

Prepay is not available at all locations, all of the time. If available, the pre-pay option will appear when selecting a vehicle during the online rental process.

Additional Driver: Additional charges will apply for additional drivers. Additional driver fees must be paid for at the rental counter at pick-up.

Standard Cancellation Fee: If the reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the car rental pick-up time, a $50 USD/$65 CAD (or cost of rental, whichever is less) cancellation fee will be assessed. If the reservation is cancelled within 24 hours of the pick-up or is not picked up at all, a $100 USD/$135 CAD (or cost of rental, whichever is less) no-show fee will be assessed.

Any optional insurance or CDW product selected at the time of reservation may be cancelled at the counter at the time of rental without incurring a cancellation fee.