Payment and Credit Card Pre-Authorization Guide for Car Rentals

Payment methods and credit card pre-authorization in car rental are among the topics that first-time renters are most curious about and sometimes anxious about. Questions like "How much will be charged from my card?", "When will the blocked money be returned?", "Can I pay in cash?" are completely justified. In this guide, as Fores Car Rental, we explain step by step, with reassuring clarity, how the payment and pre-authorization process works when renting a car in Ankara.

Our aim is to ensure there is no ambiguity at the payment stage. Once you understand that pre-authorization is not an actual charge but merely a security mechanism, the process becomes much smoother. We cover all options for both individual and corporate customers one by one.

The logic behind deposits and security holds

Car rental means the company entrusts you with a high-value asset for a certain period. Therefore, taking a security deposit against possible damage, missing fuel, late return, or traffic fines that may occur during the rental period is a standard and reasonable industry practice.

This security usually takes two forms: a pre-authorization (temporary hold) placed on a credit card, or in some cases a cash/bank transfer deposit. The purpose of the security is not to make money from you, but to guarantee that the vehicle is delivered and returned safely. When the vehicle is returned without any issues, the security is returned to you in full.

How does credit card pre-authorization (hold) work?

Pre-authorization is not a withdrawal of money from your credit card; it is the temporary reservation, or "blocking," of a certain amount from your card's available limit. During this period, you cannot use that amount for other expenses, but it also does not leave your account.

In practice, it works as follows:

When you pick up the vehicle, a pre-authorization is placed on your card, depending on the vehicle segment and the excess amount.
This amount may appear on your statement as "hold/pre-authorization," but it is not a charge item.
When you return the vehicle without any issues, the pre-authorization is released and your limit becomes available again.

Important distinction: the rental fee itself (the hire charge) is an actual charge; the pre-authorization is only a hold for security purposes. These two should not be confused.

When is the pre-authorization released?

This is the most frequently asked question. The release of the pre-authorization is a two-stage process: the rental company releases the hold after the return, and then the reflection of this transaction on your card depends on the bank's processes.

The company's release of the hold usually occurs as soon as the vehicle is returned without any issues. However, the appearance of this release on your card account may take a few business days, depending on your bank's processing speed. So the delay is often not from the rental company but from the bank's pre-authorization closing times. If there is no damage, fine, or missing fuel, the pre-authorization is returned in full. You can also check our deposit and security guide, where we cover this topic in more depth.

Which cards are accepted?

For the pre-authorization process, a credit card in the renter's own name is generally preferred, because the pre-authorization mechanism works with the credit card's limit-hold feature. With debit cards, there is often a direct charge instead of a hold, so a credit card is more suitable for the security process.

Points to clarify regarding the card:

The card must be in the renter's name (a third party's card is generally not accepted).
The card must have sufficient available limit to cover the pre-authorization.
Some premium/VIP segment vehicles may require a higher limit.

Since the required limit may vary depending on the vehicle you will use, it is a good idea to ask about the pre-authorization condition for the segment you choose when reviewing our vehicle fleet.

Payment by cash and bank transfer

Many customers want to pay in cash or by bank transfer/EFT. Paying the rental fee in cash or by transfer is possible in most cases. However, there is an important distinction: paying the rental fee in cash may not automatically eliminate the need for a security (pre-authorization).

Because the purpose of the pre-authorization is not to collect the rental fee, but to provide security against situations like damage/fines that may occur during the rental period. For customers paying in cash, it is necessary to clarify in advance how the security will be taken (cash deposit or still a card pre-authorization). As Fores Car Rental, we listen to your payment preferences and together determine the most suitable and transparent method for your situation.

Corporate payment, open account and invoicing

For companies, the payment process may work differently than for individual use. For corporate customers who rent regularly, open account arrangements, periodic invoicing, and payment by bank transfer are common. This alleviates the burden of a separate pre-authorization for each rental and simplifies accounting processes.

In corporate rental, matters such as invoicing, expense recording, and VAT are important for your business; these items are invoiced regularly and transparently. Especially for companies operating on a fleet scale, the open account model provides significant operational convenience. For your corporate needs, you can review our corporate fleet rental service.

International cards and foreign customers

Foreign customers coming to Ankara for business or tourism can also rent with credit cards issued abroad. In this case, things to note: the card must be open to international pre-authorization, the bank must approve the transaction, and exchange rate differences may be reflected by the bank.

For international cards, the pre-authorization and release processes may take slightly longer than for domestic cards due to interbank processes. Along with our services such as meet-and-greet and VIP transfer from Esenboğa Airport, we strive to make the payment process as easy as possible for our foreign guests. For our airport services, you can take a look at our transfer page.

Tips to simplify the payment process

Before renting, ask about the pre-authorization amount according to the segment of the vehicle you have chosen, and plan your card limit accordingly.
Remember that pre-authorization is a hold, not a charge; it is released after the return.
Before returning, refuel the vehicle and deliver it in the conditions specified in the contract so that the pre-authorization is released in full.
If you are a corporate user, discuss the open account and invoicing option from the outset.
If you will use an international card, make sure your bank is open to international transactions.

To see current payment conditions and prices, our article on 2026 Ankara car rental prices is a useful starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pre-authorization money withdrawn from my card?

No. Pre-authorization is a temporary hold placed on your card's available limit; no money leaves your account. When the vehicle is returned without any issues, this hold is released.

Why does it take time for the pre-authorization to be released?

Even if the rental company releases the hold immediately after the return, its reflection on your card account depends on your bank's pre-authorization closing times and may take a few business days. The delay is mostly due to the bank.

Can I rent with a debit card?

Since the security process works with the credit card's limit-hold feature, a credit card is generally preferred for pre-authorization. In the case of a debit card, it is necessary to clarify in advance how the security will be taken.

If I pay in cash, do I not need to provide a pre-authorization?

You can pay the rental fee in cash, but the purpose of the pre-authorization is not to collect the rent but to provide security against possible damage/fines. Therefore, even with cash payment, a security (cash deposit or card pre-authorization) may be required.

Fores Car Rental for clear and secure payment

Payment and pre-authorization, when explained correctly, are a source of confidence, not worry. As Fores Car Rental, since 2006 we have been transparently explaining every step of the payment process to our customers in Ankara; we clarify the pre-authorization amount, the release process, and payment options from the outset. Whether you are an individual or a corporate customer, we together determine the most suitable and clearest payment method for you.

To learn about payment conditions and make a reservation, you can reach us by phone or WhatsApp at +90 533 468 64 44, or if you prefer, you can create an online request from our contact page. With Fores Car Rental, you always know exactly what is happening in the payment process.