Hertz places a hold on your credit card at pickup, not a charge
When you rent a car from Hertz, the company puts a temporary hold on your credit card for an amount larger than your actual rental cost. This hold is not a charge — it is a authorization hold, which means Hertz is reserving that money in case you damage the car, rack up tolls, or return it late. The hold disappears after you return the vehicle and Hertz processes your actual bill, usually within three to seven business days.
The hold amount depends on the car type, your location, and your payment method. A compact car might trigger a $200 to $400 hold, while a luxury or SUV rental could result in a $500 to $1,500 hold. If you pay with a debit card instead of a credit card, Hertz often places a larger hold because debit transactions are riskier for the company to reverse. The hold can temporarily reduce your available credit or available balance, which matters if you are close to your limit or running low on cash.
Key Takeaways
- Hertz holds between $200 and $1,500 on your card at pickup depending on the vehicle class, location, and whether you use credit or debit.
- The hold is temporary and releases after Hertz processes your final bill, which usually takes three to seven business days after you return the car.
- Debit card holds are typically larger and take longer to release than credit card holds because banks process them differently.
- The hold amount counts against your available credit or available balance, so plan ahead if you are near your limit.
- Declining optional insurance or damage waivers does not reduce the hold amount — Hertz holds the same reserve regardless.
Why Hertz places a hold instead of charging you upfront
Hertz does not know your final bill until you return the car. You might incur extra charges for fuel, tolls, late fees, or damage that were not part of your original reservation. The hold acts as a safety net — it guarantees Hertz can cover those costs if they occur. Without the hold, a customer could return a damaged car with insufficient funds, leaving Hertz unable to collect.
The hold also protects Hertz if you return the car late. Most rental agreements charge a per-hour or per-day overage fee, and Hertz needs to know the money is available before releasing the car from their system. Once your actual charges are calculated and your bill is finalized, the hold is released and only the real amount is charged.
How hold amounts vary by car type and location
Hertz does not publish a fixed hold schedule, so amounts vary. Economy and compact cars typically see holds of $200 to $400. Mid-size sedans usually trigger $300 to $600 holds. SUVs and larger vehicles often result in $500 to $1,000 holds. Premium or luxury rentals can see holds of $1,000 to $1,500 or more.
Your location also affects the hold. Airport rentals often have higher holds than off-airport locations because airport facilities charge Hertz higher fees, and damage claims are more common in high-traffic areas. International rentals or rentals in certain states may also carry larger holds due to local regulations or higher insurance costs. The exact amount is determined at the counter when you complete your rental agreement, not when you make your reservation.
Credit card holds versus debit card holds
If you use a credit card, the hold reduces your available credit but does not remove money from your bank account. Once Hertz releases the hold, your available credit bounces back when ready. The entire process is electronic and reversible.
If you use a debit card, the hold actually removes money from your checking account. Hertz often places a larger hold on debit cards — sometimes 20 to 30 percent more than a credit card hold for the same rental. The money stays locked until the hold releases, which can take seven to ten business days or longer depending on your bank. During that time, you cannot spend it, and it may affect your ability to cover other expenses. Many rental companies prefer credit cards for this reason and may require a larger deposit or refuse debit cards altogether.
When the hold is released and how long it takes
Hertz releases the hold once your rental agreement is fully processed and your final bill is calculated. This usually happens within three to seven business days after you return the car. The timeline depends on when Hertz processes the return in their system and when your bank or credit card company processes the release.
If you paid with a credit card, the release is usually faster — often two to three business days. If you paid with a debit card, the release can take five to ten business days because banks process debit transactions more slowly and cautiously. Weekends and holidays extend the timeline. If you do not see the hold released after ten business days, contact Hertz customer service with your rental agreement number and ask them to confirm the return was processed and the hold was released on their end. If Hertz confirms the release, contact your bank or credit card company to ask why the hold is still showing.
How to minimize the impact of a hold on your finances
Plan for the hold when you book your rental. If you are using a credit card, make sure your available credit is at least $500 to $1,000 higher than the hold amount. If you are using a debit card, may support your checking account has enough cash to cover the hold plus your other expenses for the next week or two.
Use a credit card instead of a debit card whenever possible. Credit card holds are smaller, release faster, and do not lock up your actual cash. If you must use a debit card, ask Hertz at the counter what the hold amount will be before you complete the rental, so you know exactly how much will be unavailable.
Avoid renting during peak travel times if you are tight on cash. Holds are sometimes larger during holidays and summer months because damage claims are more common. Renting on a weekday rather than a weekend may also result in a slightly lower hold, though this is not may provide.
What happens if the hold exceeds your available credit or balance
If the hold amount is larger than your available credit or available balance, Hertz will decline the rental at the counter. You will not be able to complete the transaction. This happens most often with debit cards when someone has limited funds or with credit cards when someone is near their limit.
If this occurs, you have a few options. You can ask Hertz if they accept a second form of payment — some locations will split the hold between two cards. You can increase your credit limit by calling your credit card company before you arrive at Hertz. You can deposit more money into your checking account if you are using a debit card. Or you can cancel the rental and book with a different company or on a different date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the hold amount count toward my credit utilization?
Yes. A hold reduces your available credit, which increases your credit utilization ratio. If you normally use 30 percent of your credit limit and a $500 hold brings you to 50 percent, that higher ratio is reported to credit bureaus while the hold is active. This can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points, but the effect disappears once the hold releases.
Can I get the hold amount reduced?
Not usually. Hertz sets the hold amount based on the vehicle type and location, and the amount is not negotiable at the counter. You cannot reduce it by declining insurance or damage waivers. Your only option is to use a different payment method or rent a less expensive car class.
What if Hertz charges me more than the hold amount?
If your final bill exceeds the hold amount — for example, because of damage or a long overage — Hertz will charge your card for the difference after the hold releases. The original hold covers part of the bill, and the additional charge covers the rest. You will see both transactions on your statement.
Does the hold release if I dispute the rental charges?
The hold and the charge are separate. The hold releases on its normal timeline regardless of whether you dispute the charges. If you dispute the final bill with your credit card company, that is a separate process that happens after the hold has already released.
Why is my debit card hold still showing after two weeks?
Banks sometimes take longer than expected to process debit card holds, especially if the rental was processed on a Friday or before a holiday. Contact Hertz first to confirm they released the hold on their end. If they did, contact your bank and ask them to manually release it. If your bank cannot release it, ask for a supervisor — holds should not remain longer than ten business days.