Rental car deposit hold not released?
The short answer
Most deposit holds drop off within about 3 to 10 business days after the rental is closed. Credit cards are usually quicker; debit cards are slower, because the money actually left your account and has to be sent back. Enterprise, for example, says a debit card refund usually takes 5 to 10 business days, depending on your bank. If it's been longer than that, the rental may not be closed yet, or a toll or fuel charge is keeping it open.
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Key takeaways
- Most rental deposit holds drop off within about 3 to 10 business days after the rental closes.
- Debit card holds take longer than credit card holds, because the money has to be refunded.
- Dollar releases a credit card hold within 24 hours of return; Enterprise says debit refunds take 5 to 10 business days.
- A zero-balance receipt with the release date is what gets your bank to drop the hold.
If this is you right now
You dropped the car off days ago. The receipt looked fine, but your banking app still shows a few hundred dollars “pending” from the rental company, and that's money you need for the rest of the trip.
Is a deposit hold the same as a charge?
No. A hold reserves part of your credit limit or balance so the rental company can collect it if something goes wrong. Nothing is taken unless the company turns the hold into a charge. When the rental closes, the company releases the hold and your bank removes it. On a credit card it simply stops using up your limit. On a debit card the money usually left your account when the hold was placed, so it has to come back as a refund, which is why it takes longer.
How much do rental companies hold, and when do they release it?
| Company | What they hold | When it's released |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | A deposit of $200 to $850 on top of the rental cost, depending on location and car | On a credit card, at return. On a debit card, usually 5 to 10 business days, depending on your bank |
| Hertz | Generally up to $200 on a credit card and up to $500 on a debit card, more for SUVs and premium cars | After the rental is closed; your bank sets how fast it shows |
| Thrifty | The estimated rental plus $200 on a credit card or plus $500 on a debit card in the US; estimate plus CA$350 in Canada | After the rental is closed; your bank sets how fast it shows |
| Budget | The estimated rental cost, and the counter can ask for more. Prepaid rentals have a minimum $100 hold. Extending the rental can add up to three more holds | After the rental is closed; your bank sets how fast it shows |
| Avis | The estimated rental cost, and the counter can ask for more | After the rental is closed; your bank sets how fast it shows |
| Dollar | The estimated rental plus $200 on a credit card or plus $500 on a debit card | On a credit card, within 24 hours of return. On a debit card, it depends on your bank |
| Alamo | At airports, a debit card is only accepted with a return travel ticket. Without one, a credit card covering the estimated rental plus a $300 to $400 deposit, depending on location and car | On a debit card, the refund is processed the same day; allow about 5 to 10 business days for it to reach your account |
From each company's own website, checked 23 October 2026. Amounts vary by location, car and card, so the figure on your rental agreement is the one that counts.
Renting with National, Sixt or another company? Leave your number and we'll check it for your booking.
Why does a credit card hold release faster than debit?
On a credit card, the hold only blocks part of your limit, and releasing it is a message from the rental company to your bank. On a debit card, the money usually left your account, so the rental company sends a refund and your bank has to process it as a deposit back to you. Some banks also keep their own copy of a hold for a few days even after the rental company has released it.
What can keep a deposit hold open?
- The rental isn't closed yet. A car returned after hours or to a key drop is checked in later, sometimes the next business day.
- A fuel charge. If the tank wasn't recorded as full, the refueling charge is taken from the deposit. See fuel charged after filling up.
- Tolls. Toll charges can arrive weeks later. They're usually charged separately, but they can delay the final bill. See toll fees by company.
- Extending or swapping the car. Each change can add a new hold on top of the old one.
- A damage review. If the car came back with a mark, the company may hold off closing the rental while it looks into it.
Still pending after a week? What to do
- Confirm the rental is closed. Ask the rental company whether the agreement is closed and on what date.
- Get a zero-balance receipt. Ask for the final receipt showing nothing more is owed, and the date the hold was released.
- Call your bank with that receipt. Ask them to release any hold they're still keeping on their side. Banks can often drop a hold once they see the release.
- Only then, dispute. If the money was actually charged and the receipt says nothing is owed, a card dispute is your next step. Disputes have time limits, so don't leave it.
Getting passed between the rental company and your bank? Leave your number and we'll check it for your booking.
Calls we hear about deposit holds
- “I returned it on Friday night and it's still pending on Wednesday.” Usually the car was checked in after the weekend, so the clock only started on Monday. A closed-date receipt settles it.
- “They took the deposit twice.” Often the rental was extended or the car swapped, and each change added a hold. The older one should drop off once the agreement closes.
- “The rental company says it's released, the bank says it isn't.” The release has to travel from one to the other. The zero-balance receipt with the release date is what moves the bank.
- Our team includes people who've worked car-rental reservation calls, so we know which question to ask on which side.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to get a rental car deposit back?
Usually about 3 to 10 business days after the rental is closed. Credit card holds tend to drop off sooner; debit card refunds take longer. Enterprise says 5 to 10 business days for debit, depending on your bank.
Is a rental car deposit hold a charge?
No. It reserves part of your limit or balance. Nothing is taken unless the company turns it into a charge, for example for fuel or damage.
Why is my rental car deposit still pending?
Usually because the rental isn't closed yet, a fuel or damage charge is being worked out, or your bank is still holding its own copy. Ask the rental company for a zero-balance receipt with the release date.
How much is the deposit on a rental car with a debit card?
It depends on the company. Hertz says generally up to $500 on a debit card, and Thrifty in the US says the estimated rental plus $500. Your rental agreement shows your figure.
How much is the Dollar rental car deposit?
Dollar holds the estimated rental plus $200 on a credit card or plus $500 on a debit card. It says a credit card hold is released within 24 hours of return; on a debit card it depends on your bank.
How much is the Alamo deposit with a debit card?
At Alamo airport locations, a debit card is only accepted with a return travel ticket. Without one, you need a credit card covering the estimated rental plus a $300 to $400 deposit, depending on the location and car. Alamo says debit refunds are processed the same day and take about 5 to 10 business days to reach your account.
What is the Thrifty deposit hold amount?
Thrifty holds the estimated rental plus $200 on a credit card or plus $500 on a debit card in the US, and the estimate plus CA$350 in Canada.
Can I dispute a deposit hold with my bank?
A hold that's still pending usually can't be disputed. Ask your bank to release it once you have a zero-balance receipt. If the money was actually charged and nothing is owed, a dispute is the next step.
Related help
- Card declined at the counter
- Charged after you returned the car
- Charged for fuel after you filled up
- Rental car toll fees, company by company
OneCall Rental is an independent service and is not affiliated with any rental company or travel site.
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