What a deposit means on Localrent
Across the 36 destinations in this snapshot, the median share of Localrent cars with no deposit is 56%. The other cars ask for a deposit. The car card always shows its amount and how it can be paid.
A deposit is a sum the local rental company holds while you have the car. It is returned when the car comes back as agreed in the contract. Localrent is an intermediary that lists cars of local, independent companies. It does not own any cars, so each deposit rule belongs to the company behind the car.
This site is an independent guide built on a snapshot of public Localrent search results. It does not speak for Localrent. The methodology page explains how the snapshot was collected.
Advance, remainder and deposit are three different things
Three separate items appear in a Localrent booking. Mixing them up causes most of the confusion at the rental desk.
- The advance is paid online by bank card to confirm the booking. Cash is not accepted for the advance.
- The remainder of the rental is paid to the local company at pick-up. The accepted methods for that car are shown on its card.
- The deposit, if the car has one, is held separately. Its amount and payment methods are listed on the car card.
The rental contract is signed with the local company, not with Localrent. Your conditions, including any deposit, are written in your voucher. Keep the voucher on your phone or printed when you collect the car.
The full booking flow is covered in how Localrent works. A shorter overview of this topic sits in Localrent deposit explained.
Why some local companies take no deposit
Every company on Localrent sets its own deposit policy. Some ask for one on every car. Others drop it for part of their fleet or for all of it.
The reasons are rarely stated on the card. Small local firms often compete for the same travellers, and a simpler hand-over can help. Some companies may keep a deposit only for larger or newer cars.
The practical point is simple. Do not assume a whole destination works one way. Two companies in the same town can follow quite different rules, so the car card is the only reliable source.
How a cash deposit works at pick-up and drop-off
In this snapshot, the median share of cars that accept a cash deposit is 38.5%. The highest share, 100%, appears in Bangkok. The cash deposit table ranks every destination by this share.
A typical cash deposit follows a clear sequence. Your own voucher and contract always take priority over this outline.
- At pick-up, you sign the contract with the local company and pay the remainder.
- You hand over the deposit in the form stated on the car card.
- Ask for a written record of the deposit in the contract or on a signed receipt.
- Inspect the car together and take dated photos of every panel, the fuel gauge and the odometer.
- At drop-off, the company checks the car against the contract terms.
- If the terms are met, the cash is handed back at drop-off.
Timing matters for cash. An early flight from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) may mean a quiet desk. Agree a return time when staff can count and return your cash.
Keep the receipt until the cash is back in your hand. If anything is disputed, the contract with the local company is the document that counts.
Using the no deposit and no credit card filters
Localrent search has two filters that matter here. One is no deposit. The other is no credit card.
The no deposit filter shows only cars that need no deposit at all. It is the fastest way to see what is available on your dates. The no deposit table compares the share of such cars across all destinations.
The no credit card filter shows cars where a credit card is not required by the company. The median share is 100% in this snapshot. It ranges from 84% to 100%, with Georgia at the top.
One detail is easy to miss. Even with the no credit card filter, the advance is still paid online by bank card. The filter covers what happens at the rental desk, not the online confirmation.
You can combine both filters. Then check each result card for the remainder payment methods before you book.
How deposit shares differ by destination
The no deposit share varies widely. It runs from 0% in some destinations to 100% in others. The top spot belongs to Praslin.
Praslin is an island in the Seychelles, served by Praslin airport (PRI) and ferries from Mahe. Many travellers arrive at Seychelles International (SEZ) on Mahe first. Deposit rules can differ between the two islands, so check each car.
Georgia has the highest no credit card share, 100%. Cars there are collected at Tbilisi (TBS), Kutaisi (KUT) and Batumi (BUS). Thailand stands out for cash, led by Bangkok.
Other destinations sit somewhere between these extremes. Turkey, Cyprus, Albania and Madeira each have their own mix. Their pages show the current shares for each place.
For wider browsing, see the lists of Localrent countries and Localrent cities. All destination guides are also listed under destinations.
A short deposit checklist before you book
A few checks on the car card prevent most surprises at the desk.
- Deposit line: is there a deposit, and how can it be paid?
- Remainder methods: can you pay the rest at pick-up the way you plan to?
- Credit card need: does the company require one at the desk?
- Voucher: does it repeat the same deposit terms after booking?
- Return time: will staff be present to return a cash deposit?
The car card checklist covers the other fields worth reading. For a broader view of the service, see the Localrent review. More topics are listed in the guides section.