2

I have a Revolut Virtual Credit card, and I'm wondering if I will be able to use it to hire a car.

I understand that to hire a car you usually need a credit card (as opposed to debit card) to cover deposits and stuff like that, however any research I put into this question gives me two sort-of answers.

  1. It is possible to hire a car with a credit card, including Revolut. [but physical card is often mentioned]

  2. It is usually not possible to hire a car with a Revolut virtual card

However from reading explanations of the second answer, it usually goes on the assumption that it's a pre-paid "debit" style virtual card that they don't like. Whereas I want to know about a Revolut virtual credit card.

komodosp
  • 507
  • 4
  • 8
  • 2
    Rules, terms and practices vary a lot from one location to the next even within the same brand of rental agency. I highly doubt there is a "one size fits all answer" and chances are the answer is "some do, some don't". Your best shot is to call the location office you are considering and ask. – Hilmar Jun 13 '25 at 11:36
  • 2
    You often need a physcal card because of the need to pre-authorise (but not actually charge) a deposit for damages etc, which for some reason can't be done with NFC cards. – CMaster Jun 13 '25 at 12:00
  • 4
    @CMaster It can definitely be done through a card-not-present transaction (I didn't exactly try a virtual card but I did hire a car just last week without ever presenting the physical card). – Relaxed Jun 13 '25 at 12:29
  • 2
    @CMaster It can be done, but not all vendors have hardware which supports it. – MJeffryes Jun 13 '25 at 12:41
  • There are lots of existing questions on renting a car without a credit card e.g. this, this. this. It will depend on what country you want the rental in; typically you might pay a cash deposit. – Stuart F Jun 13 '25 at 15:49

1 Answers1

5

It depends. Sorry for a not useful answer.

From experience last month in Greece: the car rental required a physical card (and a card linked to the online booking). Not sure if it was a real requirements, or just staff didn't know well revolut (and virtual credit cards in general). OTOH you cannot argue too much, they may prefer to err on "their" safe side (I think it is not a good or well-paid job).

So, you should either have (and book) with a physical credit card (and within a well know network): the usual safe option; or you should ask a more specific questions (possibly directly to them) on specific cards (e.g. virtual, network, or just no-card). In such case, print the emails: it would help staff (and reassure you). Note: most on cheap rental: do not expect they can handle many cases (e.g. virtual cards): they are cheap because "efficiency" (less "special cases" and less options).

Giacomo Catenazzi
  • 10,120
  • 27
  • 43