Avis places a hold on your credit card at pickup, not a charge
When you rent a car from Avis, the company places a hold on your credit card for an amount larger than your quoted daily rate. This hold is not a charge — it is a temporary block of funds that your card issuer sets aside. The hold typically releases within 3 to 7 business days after you return the car, though the exact timing depends on your bank.
The hold amount varies based on the car class you rent, your location, and your payment method. Avis does not publish a fixed hold amount, so you cannot know the exact figure before you arrive at the counter. What matters is that the hold is separate from your actual rental bill — you will only pay for the days you rented, fuel, and any extras or damage.
Understanding how this hold works prevents the common mistake of thinking your card has been charged when it has only been frozen. Many renters arrive at the counter with a card that has insufficient available credit to cover the hold, even though they have enough to pay the final bill.
Key Takeaways
- Avis places a hold on your credit card at pickup that is typically 1.5 to 2 times your estimated rental cost, but the exact amount varies by car class and location.
- The hold is not a charge — your card issuer freezes those funds temporarily, and the hold releases after you return the car.
- You need available credit on your card equal to the hold amount, not just the final rental cost, or your reservation may be declined at pickup.
- The hold usually releases within 3 to 7 business days after return, though some banks take longer to process the release.
- Paying with debit instead of credit may result in a higher hold or additional requirements like a deposit, depending on Avis location policies.
Why Avis places a hold instead of charging upfront
The hold protects Avis against damage, fuel overages, late fees, and toll charges that you might incur during the rental. Avis cannot know in advance whether you will return the car on time, with a full tank, or with new dents. The hold ensures the company has access to funds to cover these unknowns without having to contact you after the fact.
From your bank's perspective, the hold reduces your available credit but does not remove money from your account. If your credit limit is $5,000 and Avis places a $1,500 hold, you can still spend $3,500 on that card elsewhere. Once Avis releases the hold, your full $5,000 becomes available again.
Typical hold amounts by car type
Avis does not may provide a specific hold amount, but renters report that holds typically range from $200 to $2,500 depending on the vehicle. Economy cars usually result in lower holds than SUVs or premium vehicles. A week-long economy rental might trigger a $400 to $600 hold, while a luxury sedan could result in a $1,200 to $2,000 hold.
The hold also depends on your rental location. Airport locations and high-cost cities tend to place higher holds than suburban or rural branches. Your reservation confirmation does not list the hold amount — Avis calculates it at pickup based on the specific car you receive and current location policies.
If you need to know the approximate hold before you arrive, call the Avis location where you will pick up the car. The staff can give you a rough estimate based on the car class you reserved, though they cannot may provide the exact figure until you are at the counter.
How the hold affects your available credit
Your available credit is the amount you can spend on your card right now. If your credit limit is $3,000 and you have a $500 balance, your available credit is $2,500. When Avis places a $1,000 hold, your available credit drops to $1,500 — even though no money has left your account.
This matters if you plan to use the same card for other purchases during your rental. If you need to book a hotel or buy gas with that card, make sure you have enough available credit left after the Avis hold. Many renters discover this problem when a second transaction is declined at checkout.
If your available credit is lower than the hold amount, Avis will decline your reservation at pickup. You can resolve this by using a different card, paying down your balance before you arrive, or requesting a credit limit increase from your bank before your rental date.
When the hold releases and why it sometimes takes longer
Avis typically releases the hold within 3 to 7 business days after you return the car. The release happens in stages: Avis first processes your final bill and charges only what you actually owe, then signals your bank to release the remaining hold. Your bank then removes the hold from your available credit, which usually takes 1 to 3 additional business days.
If you returned the car on a Friday, the hold might not release until the following Wednesday or Thursday because banks do not process holds over weekends. If you incurred damage or fuel charges that Avis is investigating, the release may take longer — sometimes up to 14 days — while the company documents the charges.
If the hold has not released after 10 business days, contact Avis customer service with your rental agreement number. Provide them with your return date and ask them to confirm that the hold has been released to your bank. If Avis confirms the release but your bank has not processed it, contact your bank directly — they can sometimes expedite the removal.
Debit card holds and additional requirements
Avis may place a higher hold on a debit card than on a credit card, or may require an additional cash deposit. Debit card holds are riskier for rental companies because the funds come directly from your bank account and are harder to recover if you damage the car or incur unexpected charges.
Some Avis locations require a separate security deposit if you pay with debit — typically $200 to $500 in addition to the hold. This deposit is refundable and is released separately from the rental hold, but it means you need even more available funds at pickup.
If you plan to rent with a debit card, call ahead to ask about the hold amount and whether a deposit is required. Using a credit card instead eliminates the deposit requirement at most locations and usually results in a lower hold.
What happens if you return the car late or with damage
If you return the car late, Avis charges you for the additional days at the daily rate you agreed to, or at a higher rate if you exceeded the rental period significantly. These charges are deducted from the hold before the remainder is released. The hold amount is usually large enough to cover a few days of late fees, but if your charges exceed the hold, Avis will charge your card for the overage.
If the car has damage, Avis documents it and may charge you a repair cost. Depending on the damage and your insurance coverage, this charge could be substantial. Avis deducts damage charges from the hold and releases the rest. If damage charges exceed the hold, you will be charged the difference.
You have the right to dispute damage charges if you believe they are incorrect or if the damage existed before your rental. Request photos and a damage report from Avis, and contact your credit card company if you believe the charge is fraudulent. Your card issuer can dispute the charge on your behalf while you work with Avis to resolve the disagreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid card or gift card for an Avis rental?
Most Avis locations do not accept prepaid cards or gift cards as the primary payment method because they cannot place a hold on them. You need a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) or a debit card linked to a bank account. Some locations may accept a prepaid card if you also provide a cash deposit, but this varies by location.
What if my credit card has a low limit and I cannot cover the hold?
Contact your card issuer and request a temporary credit limit increase before your rental date. Many banks can approve an increase within 24 hours. Alternatively, use a different card with a higher available credit, or ask Avis whether they accept payment from multiple cards — some locations will split the hold between two cards if you ask at pickup.
Does Avis charge interest on the hold amount?
No. A hold is not a charge, so your bank does not charge interest on it. You only pay interest on the actual rental charges that appear on your bill. However, if the hold reduces your available credit and you carry a balance on your card, you may have less room to make purchases without increasing your overall debt.
Why is my hold still showing after I returned the car two weeks ago?
Your bank may be processing the release slowly, or Avis may not have released it yet. Contact Avis with your rental agreement number and ask them to confirm the hold has been released. If Avis confirms the release, contact your bank and ask them to manually remove the hold — they can sometimes do this within 24 hours if the rental company has already processed the release.
Can I get the hold amount reduced if I pay a deposit upfront?
Some Avis locations will reduce the hold if you pay a cash deposit at pickup, but this is not may provide and varies by location. Call the specific Avis location where you will rent and ask whether they offer this option. A deposit does not eliminate the hold entirely — it typically reduces it by the deposit amount.