Mastercard Teams With Hertz To Allow Rentals With Debit Cards In Europe

To offer customers greater choice and convenience in time for the summer holiday season, Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty are welcoming debit cards at selected European locations. The new payment option provides customers with a Debit Mastercard or other recognized debit cards access to standard car and van rentals at key locations in Europe, according to an announcement.

“We know people’s choice of how to pay differs, so it’s essential we work together with partners like Hertz to broaden acceptance and give customers that choice in how to pay,” Mastercard Vice President of Merchant Partnerships Mauro Fiorentino said in the announcement. “Enabling Debit Mastercard acceptance at Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty is a major step forward, and it will improve the overall customer experience for our cardholders across Europe.”

The updated policy applies to locations in France, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Slovakia, the U.K. and mainland Spain. The majority of people renting cars today pay with a credit card, according to the announcement, but many people across Europe do not have access to one. Mastercard research also shows that people are increasingly using their debit cards. More than 70 percent of all card payment transactions in Europe were made with debit cards in 2016, according to the announcement, representing more than €2 trillion in card payments.

“A significant number of people do not have access to a credit card or simply prefer to use their debit card for certain transactions,” Hertz Europe Senior Vice President Tracy Gehlan said in the announcement.

“The new ‘pay your own way’ option is all about offering customers greater flexibility, convenience and choice in how they rent from us, putting them in the driving seat,” Gehlan added.

Customers who want to use debit cards need to have a Debit Mastercard or other recognized debit cards and will undergo the same driving license and identity checks before the vehicle rental. In addition, a pre-authorized deposit for the vehicle will be held on the customer’s account. The reserved amount will be released less any owed charges once the vehicle has been returned. It can typically take four to seven days for the customer’s deposit to appear back in his or her account, depending on the issuer of the card.