When planning a trip, renting a car is often one of the easiest ways to explore your destination. However, payment methods and the security deposit are among the most common sources of confusion for travellers.

Understanding how these procedures work before you arrive at the rental desk can help you avoid unpleasant surprises. While many car rental companies require the credit card used for the security deposit to be in the name of the primary driver, others allow you to use a third party’s card under specific conditions.

In this guide, you’ll learn when it’s possible to rent a car using someone else’s credit card, which documents may be required, and the most common mistakes to avoid.

Can you rent a car using someone else’s credit card?

The short answer is yes, but only under specific conditions that vary from one rental company to another.

This is one of the most common questions customers ask when renting a car—and one of the main reasons for disputes at the rental desk. Understanding how rental companies manage payment guarantees and what options are available can save you time and prevent your vehicle from being refused at collection.

Renting a car with someone else’s credit card: at a glance

Situation	Is it generally possible?	What should you check?
Credit card in the driver’s name	Yes	Check accepted card networks and the required security deposit
Spouse’s credit card	It depends	Review the rental company’s payment policy
Parent’s credit card	It depends	The cardholder may need to be present at the rental desk
Company credit card	Yes, in many cases	Additional company documentation or authorisation may be required
Friend’s credit card	It depends	Check whether the rental company accepts a third-party guarantor

Why would someone use another person’s credit card?

Requests to use a credit card belonging to someone else are far more common than many people realise, and in most cases they have nothing to do with trying to bypass the rental company’s rules.

For example, a parent may pay for their child’s rental car during a holiday, one spouse may use the other’s credit card, or a company may provide a corporate card for a business trip. In other situations, the driver simply doesn’t own a credit card or prefers not to use their available credit limit.

These are all perfectly common scenarios, but it’s important to remember that not every rental company handles them in the same way. That’s why it’s essential to check the company’s policy before collecting your vehicle.

How the car rental industry usually works

Many car rental companies require the credit card used for the security deposit to be in the name of the primary driver, although the specific card requirements can vary depending on the rental provider.

This policy exists because the credit card is not only used to pay for the rental itself, but also serves as a financial guarantee covering potential costs such as:

• insurance excess in the event of damage or theft;
• missing fuel if the vehicle is not returned according to the fuel policy;
• toll charges, traffic fines or unauthorised rental extensions.

For travellers who don’t have a traditional credit card—or simply prefer to use alternative payment methods—these requirements can sometimes become an obstacle.

The key difference between paying for the rental and the security deposit

One of the most common misunderstandings is confusing the rental payment with the security deposit. Although both involve payment methods, they serve completely different purposes.

Rental payment is the amount you pay for the service itself, including the daily rental rate, optional extras and any additional insurance cover you choose.

The security deposit (sometimes referred to as a pre-authorisation) is a temporary financial guarantee held by the rental company for the duration of the rental.

How does a pre-authorisation work?

When a credit card is used, the security deposit is normally not charged. Instead, the amount is temporarily blocked on the available credit limit. Once the vehicle is returned in good condition and the rental agreement has been completed, the hold is released.

When using debit cards, prepaid cards or other payment methods, the way the deposit is handled may vary depending on the rental company, the card network and the issuing bank. In some cases the amount is temporarily blocked, while in others it may be charged and later refunded after the vehicle has been inspected.

What to check before booking

If you plan to use a credit card that belongs to someone else, it’s worth checking a few important details before confirming your reservation.

Make sure you know:

• who must be the cardholder for the security deposit;
• which payment methods the rental company accepts;
• whether the cardholder must be physically present when collecting the vehicle.

If you’re unsure, the safest approach is to contact the rental company before booking. A quick confirmation can help you arrive at the rental desk with the correct documentation and avoid unnecessary delays or unexpected issues.

Which payment methods can you use?

The car rental industry is becoming increasingly flexible, and many rental companies now offer customers a wider range of payment options.

Here are the most common methods available:

• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express): the most widely accepted payment method across the industry.
• Debit cards (Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit, Maestro): these allow rental costs to be charged directly to your bank account without the need for a credit facility.
• Prepaid and rechargeable cards (such as Revolut, Postepay and similar products): increasingly popular solutions that offer greater control over spending.
• Cash: a relatively uncommon option in the car rental industry, but still accepted by some companies for customers who prefer not to use electronic payments.

As acceptance policies vary between rental providers, it’s always advisable to check which payment methods are available before making a reservation.

Why do rental companies prefer the cardholder and driver to be the same person?

From both a legal and contractual perspective, the credit card used during a rental is much more than a payment method—it’s the company’s primary financial guarantee.

When the cardholder and the primary driver are different people, several potential issues may arise.

Liability

If the vehicle is involved in an accident, damaged, stolen or used to commit a traffic offence, the rental company must clearly identify who is contractually responsible.

Insurance cover

Some insurance policies linked to the rental agreement may impose specific requirements regarding the relationship between the person providing the financial guarantee and the person driving the vehicle.

Fraud prevention

If a third party’s credit card is used without the cardholder’s direct involvement, the payment may later be disputed through a chargeback procedure.

For these reasons, many international car rental companies require the credit card holder to be the same person as the primary driver and may refuse to release the vehicle if this requirement is not met.

The most common mistakes to avoid

Many of the problems customers experience at the rental desk can be avoided by carrying out a few simple checks before travelling.

Some of the most common mistakes include:

• booking a rental online using someone else’s credit card without checking the company’s collection policy;
• assuming that paying for the booking online automatically covers the security deposit requirements;
• arriving at the rental desk without the cardholder when the rental company requires their presence;
• assuming that all debit or prepaid cards are accepted;
• failing to read the payment terms and conditions before confirming the reservation.

Spending just a few minutes reviewing the rental conditions can help you avoid delays, unexpected costs or, in the worst-case scenario, being refused the vehicle at collection.

Three practical ways to rent a car using someone else’s credit card

If the credit card belongs to a family member, friend or colleague, there are generally three possible solutions.

1. Make the cardholder the primary driver and add an additional driver

This is the standard solution adopted by many rental companies.

The cardholder signs the rental agreement as the primary driver and presents their credit card at the rental desk. The person who will also drive the vehicle is then added to the contract as an additional driver, usually for an extra fee.

This ensures that both drivers are covered under the rental agreement while the financial guarantee remains fully compliant with the company’s policy.

2. The cardholder is present at the rental desk as the financial guarantor (Ellepi’s solution)

At flexible rental companies such as Ellepi Car Rental, it is possible for the actual driver to remain the primary driver while using another traveller’s credit card, provided that the following conditions are met:

• the credit card holder must be physically present when collecting the vehicle;
• they must present a valid original identity document;
• they must sign the rental agreement, accepting responsibility as the financial guarantor for the security deposit and any authorised charges related to the rental.

This solution allows the main driver to remain unchanged while ensuring that the rental company has the necessary financial guarantee.

3. Corporate credit cards and business rentals

If you’re travelling for business and intend to use a corporate credit card, different situations may apply.

If the card displays both the company name and the employee’s name, the transaction can usually be processed without any issues.

However, if the card only shows the company name—or the name of another authorised person—the rental company may require additional documentation, such as:

• a company authorisation letter on official letterhead;
• the signature of the company’s legal representative;
• a copy of the cardholder’s identification document.

Corporate rental procedures vary from one company to another, so it’s advisable to confirm the requirements before your journey.

Booking online with someone else’s credit card

One of the most common misunderstandings occurs when someone books and pays for a rental car online using another person’s credit card—for example, when a parent pays for their child’s holiday or a friend makes the reservation on someone else’s behalf.

Many travellers assume that once the online payment has been accepted, everything is settled. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

During the online booking

Most booking systems accept payment from a third-party credit card for the rental fee itself.

At the rental desk

When you collect the vehicle, the rental company will usually ask for a valid payment method to cover the security deposit.

If the driver cannot provide a payment method that complies with the company’s policy—and the cardholder is required but not present—the rental company may refuse to release the vehicle. Depending on the booking terms, the reservation may also be non-refundable.

For this reason, always make sure that the payment method used during the online booking is compatible with the rental company’s requirements for the security deposit at vehicle collection.

Minimum requirements and documents needed to rent a car

In addition to meeting the payment requirements, you’ll also need to satisfy the rental company’s age and documentation requirements before the rental agreement can be completed.

1. Age requirements and Young Driver surcharge

Most rental companies apply minimum age requirements based on driving experience.

For example:

• Minimum age: 21 years old.
• Driving licence: held for at least two years.
• Drivers aged 21–24: may be required to pay a daily Young Driver surcharge, which reflects the higher insurance risk.
• Drivers aged 25 and over: generally qualify for the standard rental rate without any age-related surcharge.

As these policies vary between rental companies, always check the applicable terms before booking.

2. Documents required at the rental desk

When collecting the vehicle, the primary driver—and any additional drivers—must present the required documents in their original form.

Photocopies, screenshots or digital images of documents are generally not accepted.

You will normally need:

• a valid passport or national identity card;
• a valid driving licence that remains valid throughout the rental period.

To avoid any issues when collecting your vehicle, make sure your driving licence meets the following requirements:

• it must be clearly legible and in good condition;
• it must not be damaged, altered or tampered with;
• it must display a recognisable photograph and the holder’s signature.

International Driving Permit (IDP)

Drivers holding licences issued outside the European Union may also be required to present an International Driving Permit (IDP) together with their original driving licence, depending on the country of issue and the destination country’s regulations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent a car using my spouse’s credit card?

It depends on the rental company’s policy. Some companies require the credit card to be in the name of the primary driver, while others allow the use of a spouse’s card provided certain conditions are met.

Can I use my parent’s credit card?

Yes, if the rental company allows it.

Some companies require the cardholder to be present when the vehicle is collected, while others may request additional documentation before accepting a third-party credit card.

Can I pay for the booking with one card and leave the security deposit with another?

In many cases, yes.

However, payment policies vary from one rental company to another, so it’s important to check which payment methods are accepted both for the rental fee and for the security deposit before making your reservation.

Can I use a corporate credit card?

Generally, yes.

However, if the card is not issued directly in the driver’s name, the rental company may request additional documentation or written authorisation before releasing the vehicle.

What happens if I arrive at the rental desk without an accepted payment method?

If your payment method does not meet the rental company’s requirements, the vehicle may not be released.

For this reason, it’s always advisable to verify the payment conditions before travelling rather than discovering a problem at the rental desk.

Ready to Explore Sardinia?

Planning your trip shouldn’t become a bureaucratic headache.

By understanding the payment requirements in advance and choosing a transparent and reliable car rental company, you can collect your vehicle with confidence and start enjoying your holiday without unnecessary stress.

Whether you’re arriving at Olbia Airport for a business trip or a holiday around Sardinia, taking a few minutes to check the payment policy before booking can save you time, inconvenience and unexpected surprises when you collect your rental car.