Navigating Cash Payments for Car Rentals in Hawaii

Are you exploring the Hawaiian islands and needing a rental car but not a credit card? You’re not alone. While the majority of travelers rely on credit cards, there’s a segment that prefers or lacks plastic convenience. Dive into our comprehensive guide to understand the nuances of renting a car in Hawaii using cash. Discover which rental companies accept money, the requirements you’ll need to meet, and the ins and outs of the Cash Deposit Identification Card. Whether you’re a U.S. citizen or an international traveler, we’ve got you covered in seamlessly navigating the cash payment process.

Paying Cash to Rent a Car

It’s uncommon for people not to have a credit card. However, there are those who either don’t enjoy traveling with their credit card or who just don’t have one. When it comes to finding a rental car company that allows you to pay cash you may have some trouble finding one.

When Can You Pay Cash For a Rental Car?

Most rental car companies allow you to pay cash for a final payment option, but you will need a credit card more often than not to take the rental off the company’s property. The reasoning behind this is straightforward: cash-only rentals are a risky trade-off for rental companies. The potential for the rental car company to lose money is higher with these types of rentals versus those that only allow credit cards to secure the transaction.

Do Any Companies Accept Cash-Only Transactions when picking up a rental car?

Only Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz (and Enterprise at some locations) allow you to pay cash when renting a car. Advantage, Avis and Budget do not.

Companies such as Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty allow cash car rentals but only with a Cash Deposit Identification Card – Cash rentals – which require an up-front deposit of cash – are accepted from customers who have obtained a Cash Deposit Identification (ID) Card. Applications for a Cash Deposit ID Card are available. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older (18 in Michigan and New York) and the application process can take approximately thirty (30) days – except as otherwise required by law. There is a non-refundable processing fee which offsets the cost to have a modified credit check performed on the applicant.

• Dollar Cash Deposit ID Card application
• Thrifty Cash Deposit ID Card application
• Hertz Cash Deposit ID Card application
• Enterprise allows cash car rentals at only some locations but restrictions apply.
• Advantage, Avis and Budget do not allow cash up front to rent a car.

Are There Requirements for Cash Payments?

Certain cash qualification requirements must be met before a customer is allowed to pay cash. The renter must meet all the requirements, including age requirements, to qualify for a prepaid voucher. The customer must also show their airline ticket or current itinerary, which must contain their name, date of flight, destination information, and flight number.

Customers who are not citizens of the U.S., Mexico, or Canada must show a passport and a license from their home country that includes their name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date.

Additional information a renter should have includes a hotel itinerary or voucher, hotel phone number and if they are staying at a private condo or residence, they must provide the phone number at that location. Those who are camping will not qualify for a cash voucher.

I have a credit card . Can I pay cash at the end?

All the car rental companies accept cash as final payment at the counter when you return the rental. However, when you pick up your rental, unless you have a cash pre-payment voucher, you will need to present a valid credit card with the same name that is on your valid driver’s license. See more detailed information about paying with a credit card, debit card, prepaid card, gift card, credit card holds, deposits and final payments in cash.

If I pay cash when I return the car, can I still reserve a car through this website and get your corporate discount rates, waivers and bonuses?

YES. Anytime you reserve through this website, you are entitled to our special rates, discounts, bonuses and waivers. You can pay cash when you return the car.

Can I pay with cash to rent a car in Hawaii?
 

I DO NOT have a credit card. I want to pay cash. Can I pay cash for my rental car?

Yes, but restrictions apply.

Companies such as Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty allow cash car rentals but only with a Cash Deposit Identification Card – Cash rentals – which require an up-front deposit of cash – are accepted from customers who have obtained a Cash Deposit Identification (ID) Card. Applications for a Cash Deposit ID Card are available. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older (18 in Michigan and New York) and the application process can take approximately thirty (30) days – except as otherwise required by law. There is a U.S. $15 nonrefundable processing fee which offsets the cost to have a modified credit check performed on the applicant.

• Dollar Cash Deposit ID Card application
• Thrifty Cash Deposit ID Card application
• Hertz Cash Deposit ID Card application
• Enterprise allows cash car rentals only at some locations but restrictions apply.
• Advantage, Avis and Budget do not allow cash up front to rent a car.

Is there a minimum age requirement in order to qualify to pay cash?

Yes. It’s usually 21, but some companies want you to be 25. Please call the company you’re thinking of renting from to ask about their minimum age requirements.

Will I be charged extra at the counter when I get the car?

Perhaps. You will be asked for an additional mandatory cash deposit at the counter to pay for any charges that you may possibly incur. If there are no additional charges when you return the car, any unused money will be refunded. The items you may need to pay a deposit for can be such things as, but not limited to, the following:

• Gasoline – if you don’t bring the car back with a full tank
• Overtime charges – if you bring the car back late
• Additional days over your original reservation period
• Optional insurance coverage
• Damage to the rental car
• Additional driver charge
• Child safety seats
• GPS Navigation
• Satellite Radio
• Drop fees
• Additional Hawaii taxes and fees on the above

Cash Qualification Requirements

• Cash Pay Renters must meet age requirements in order to rent a car and present some or all of the following or even more:
  • Airline ticket with flight number
  • Date of flight (must coincide with return date of car)
  • Destination information (originating/arriving cities)
  • Proof of insurance
  • Two current utility bills
  • Most recent paycheck stub
  • Driver’s license issued from the rental state
  • A minimum deposit plus the entire cost of the rental at the time of pickup
  • Personal references
• If the renter is not a U.S., Canadian or Mexican citizen, renter must have a valid passport and a valid country driver’s license. Must be able to read the following on the license:
  • Renter’s name.
  • Date of birth.
  • The expiration date of driver’s license.
  • Driver’s license number.
  • If the renter has an International Driver’s License, it must be accompanied by a valid driver’s license from a foreign country.