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SIXT US rental rules

SIXT: debit card, deposit, age and IDP rules

SIXT publishes US debit routes, but the stored airport evidence contains unresolved acceptance conflicts. Confirm the applicable branch and booking terms before depending on debit.

Choose your SIXT airport policy

11 airport research profiles. Each policy page has the full field-by-field evidence, review dates and unresolved conditions. Source-reviewed does not mean your rental is approved.

Other airport research coverage

No reviewed SIXT branch profile is available for these destinations. A link is not a claim that this supplier operates there.

SIXT's published US qualification route

National guidance reviewed 2026-09-30; exact airport evidence keeps its individual source dates.

Age
US rental generally starts at 21, with age and vehicle exceptions. The US help article states no minimum licence-held period; that does not remove the valid-original-licence requirement.
Debit card
The US rental information has an airport debit route with supporting documents and travel conditions. A contradictory applicable branch statement remains Conflict until reconciled; a return ticket alone cannot resolve it.
Foreign licence and IDP
Original unexpired licence and identity documents; a non-Latin document may require an IDP or official translation. Follow the US rental information and exact branch terms.

The US agreement describes a deposit that can scale with estimated charges and sets larger authorization limits for luxury/executive vehicles. General guidance cannot give an exact hold for your vehicle, dates or prepaid booking.

SIXT US payment instruments and prepaid bookings

Network guidance does not approve a local debit rental. Match the airport's acceptance, age, vehicle, itinerary and physical-card requirements separately.

Credit networks: Visa, Mastercard/Maestro, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, AirPlus, Apple Card. Debit networks: Visa, Mastercard/Maestro. Rejected at pickup: Chime, prepaid cards, virtual cards, cash, checks, cards in another name.

  • Apple Pay must be funded by a credit card for supported prepaid bookings; PayPal is available at selected branches. Either route still requires a qualifying physical card in the main driver's name for pickup authorization; prepayment does not establish debit eligibility.

The travel ticket must be booked at least 24 hours before pickup, in the renter's name and matching the rental return date. This refers to ticket booking, not rental booking. Formal terms separately describe international renters presenting a debit card issued in their country of origin; its class restrictions still apply.

National guidance referenced in MCO, MIA, FLL, LAX, LAS, JFK, EWR, SFO, DFW, ATL, BOS profiles. Country evidence dates: itinerary 2026-10-19; cardholder 2026-10-19; debit 2026-10-19. Exact branch decisions keep their own evidence dates.

Payment / document source 1Payment / document source 2Payment / document source 3

SIXT national authorization guidance and its limits

Standard airport categories
Rental amount + $200 · exact vehicle codes: Codes not listed in the higher groups. Listed standard categories only; qualifying debit requires additional documents.
Listed higher / premium SUV groups
Greater of $500 total or rental amount + $200 · exact vehicle codes: G***, R***, U***, PF**, FF**, JT**, O***, X***, L***, WEA*, **S*. Use the supplier's exact category/code; credit is required, with a separately published international-debit exception.
Listed premium / elite groups
Greater of $1,000 total or rental amount + $200 · exact vehicle codes: W***, UF**, GFS*, LFS*, SFS*. Only the listed groups qualify for this total floor; a credit card is required.
Listed sports / luxury groups
Greater of $2,500 total or rental amount + $200 · exact vehicle codes: FEL*, FTL*, GF*E, WES*, UFL*, W*L*, RTL*, RFL*, GFLR, GC*Y, GE*P, GE*Y, UCLE, UCSE. Includes specified Sports & Luxury labels, not every car called luxury; a credit card is required.

SIXT's formal U.S. Rental Information lists airport authorization guidance by exact vehicle code: standard categories use rental amount + $200; higher listed groups use the greater of $500, $1,000 or $2,500 total and rental amount + $200. The higher figures are total authorization floors, not extra surcharges. Separate non-airport location groups use +$300 or +$400. The vehicle driven, including an upgrade, determines the group. Generic vehicle categories cannot identify its exact code, so authorization and available funds remain unconfirmed. The confirmation email and rental agreement control; long-term agreement series have separate payment conditions.

Country scope · checked 2026-10-03 · referenced in MCO, MIA, FLL, LAX, LAS, JFK, EWR, SFO, DFW, ATL, BOS. This guidance does not establish an exact authorization for every booking.

Official authorization source 1

SIXT pickup requirements by reviewed branch

Matching condition lists are shown once. Each airport retains its own evidence state and date; a listed Unknown or Conflict profile does not become approved through this grouping.

MCO

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.
  • U.S. guidance accepts Apple Card as a physical credit card; Chime, prepaid cards, virtual cards, cash and checks cannot secure pickup.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official MCO pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • National guidance lists physical Visa or Mastercard/Maestro debit, subject to additional requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Chime, prepaid and virtual cards cannot secure pickup.
  • Confirm directly with the MCO branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official MCO pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Confirm directly with the MCO branch; the ticket requirement does not resolve the debit Conflict.

Prepaid card

  • A prepaid card cannot secure pickup. A prepaid booking paid with an eligible method is a separate concept.
  • Apple Pay (funded by a credit card) and PayPal may pay for selected prepaid bookings; availability depends on the booking channel and branch. Google Pay is not accepted.
  • Prepaying the booking does not replace the qualifying physical card in the main driver's name needed for pickup authorization. Airport debit acceptance remains subject to the branch conflict.

MIA

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.
  • U.S. guidance accepts Apple Card as a physical credit card; Chime, prepaid cards, virtual cards, cash and checks cannot secure pickup.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official MIA pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • National guidance lists physical Visa or Mastercard/Maestro debit, subject to additional requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Chime, prepaid and virtual cards cannot secure pickup.
  • Confirm directly with the MIA branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official MIA pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Confirm directly with the MIA branch; the ticket requirement does not resolve the debit Conflict.

Prepaid card

  • A prepaid card cannot secure pickup. A prepaid booking paid with an eligible method is a separate concept.
  • Apple Pay (funded by a credit card) and PayPal may pay for selected prepaid bookings; availability depends on the booking channel and branch. Google Pay is not accepted.
  • Prepaying the booking does not replace the qualifying physical card in the main driver's name needed for pickup authorization. Airport debit acceptance remains subject to the branch conflict.

FLL

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.
  • U.S. guidance accepts Apple Card as a physical credit card; Chime, prepaid cards, virtual cards, cash and checks cannot secure pickup.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official FLL pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • National guidance lists physical Visa or Mastercard/Maestro debit, subject to additional requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Chime, prepaid and virtual cards cannot secure pickup.
  • Confirm directly with the FLL branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official FLL pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Confirm directly with the FLL branch; the ticket requirement does not resolve the debit Conflict.

Prepaid card

  • A prepaid card cannot secure pickup. A prepaid booking paid with an eligible method is a separate concept.
  • Apple Pay (funded by a credit card) and PayPal may pay for selected prepaid bookings; availability depends on the booking channel and branch. Google Pay is not accepted.
  • Prepaying the booking does not replace the qualifying physical card in the main driver's name needed for pickup authorization. Airport debit acceptance remains subject to the branch conflict.

LAX

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.
  • U.S. guidance accepts Apple Card as a physical credit card; Chime, prepaid cards, virtual cards, cash and checks cannot secure pickup.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official LAX pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • National guidance lists physical Visa or Mastercard/Maestro debit, subject to additional requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Chime, prepaid and virtual cards cannot secure pickup.
  • Confirm directly with the LAX branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official LAX pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Confirm directly with the LAX branch; the ticket requirement does not resolve the debit Conflict.

Prepaid card

  • A prepaid card cannot secure pickup. A prepaid booking paid with an eligible method is a separate concept.
  • Apple Pay (funded by a credit card) and PayPal may pay for selected prepaid bookings; availability depends on the booking channel and branch. Google Pay is not accepted.
  • Prepaying the booking does not replace the qualifying physical card in the main driver's name needed for pickup authorization. Airport debit acceptance remains subject to the branch conflict.

LAS

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.
  • U.S. guidance accepts Apple Card as a physical credit card; Chime, prepaid cards, virtual cards, cash and checks cannot secure pickup.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official LAS pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • National guidance lists physical Visa or Mastercard/Maestro debit, subject to additional requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Chime, prepaid and virtual cards cannot secure pickup.
  • Confirm directly with the LAS branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official LAS pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • If the branch accepts debit, bring a return flight, train or bus ticket in the renter's name, matching the rental return date. The travel ticket must have been booked at least 24 hours before pickup; this is not the rental reservation's booking time.
  • Confirm directly with the LAS branch; the ticket requirement does not resolve the debit Conflict.

Prepaid card

  • A prepaid card cannot secure pickup. A prepaid booking paid with an eligible method is a separate concept.
  • Apple Pay (funded by a credit card) and PayPal may pay for selected prepaid bookings; availability depends on the booking channel and branch. Google Pay is not accepted.
  • Prepaying the booking does not replace the qualifying physical card in the main driver's name needed for pickup authorization. Airport debit acceptance remains subject to the branch conflict.

JFK

Credit-card pickup

  • Bring a qualifying physical chip card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The exact vehicle code, selected rate and authorization must be confirmed.

Debit with return itinerary

  • Formal SIXT U.S. terms accept eligible debit at all airport locations. Present a qualifying physical chip card in the main driver's name.
  • The travel ticket must be booked at least 24 hours before pickup, in the renter's name and matching the rental return date. This refers to ticket booking, not rental booking. Formal terms separately describe international renters presenting a debit card issued in their country of origin; its class restrictions still apply.
  • Excluded ACRISS groups and Sports & Luxury vehicles require a credit card; a broad category does not verify the booked vehicle code.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The ordinary airport debit route requires a matching return ticket booked at least 24 hours before pickup.
  • The formal terms separately allow international renters to present a debit card issued in their country of origin, with vehicle restrictions. These inputs do not establish card-issuance eligibility; obtain branch confirmation before relying on that exception.

Prepaid card

  • Prepaid and virtual cards do not qualify at pickup under the reviewed U.S. guidance.

EWR

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official EWR pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance separately describes qualifying airport debit acceptance with a matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the EWR branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official EWR pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance describes an airport debit route only with a qualifying matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the EWR branch before relying on a debit card.

Prepaid card

  • Prepaid and virtual cards do not qualify at pickup under the reviewed U.S. guidance.

SFO

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official SFO pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance separately describes qualifying airport debit acceptance with a matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the SFO branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official SFO pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance describes an airport debit route only with a qualifying matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the SFO branch before relying on a debit card.

Prepaid card

  • Prepaid and virtual cards do not qualify at pickup under the reviewed U.S. guidance.

DFW

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official DFW pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance separately describes qualifying airport debit acceptance with a matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the DFW branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official DFW pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance describes an airport debit route only with a qualifying matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the DFW branch before relying on a debit card.

Prepaid card

  • Prepaid and virtual cards do not qualify at pickup under the reviewed U.S. guidance.

ATL

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official ATL pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance separately describes qualifying airport debit acceptance with a matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the ATL branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official ATL pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance describes an airport debit route only with a qualifying matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the ATL branch before relying on a debit card.

Prepaid card

  • Prepaid and virtual cards do not qualify at pickup under the reviewed U.S. guidance.

BOS

Credit-card pickup

  • The exact page lists a credit card in the main driver's name and a valid original licence.
  • The selected vehicle category and exact authorization still require confirmation.

Debit with return itinerary

  • The official BOS pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance separately describes qualifying airport debit acceptance with a matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the BOS branch before relying on a debit card.

Debit without return itinerary

  • The official BOS pickup page lists a credit card among the pickup requirements.
  • SIXT's current U.S. guidance describes an airport debit route only with a qualifying matching return ticket.
  • Confirm directly with the BOS branch before relying on a debit card.

Prepaid card

  • Prepaid and virtual cards do not qualify at pickup under the reviewed U.S. guidance.

SIXT credit vs debit authorization examples

Credit card

Standard: rental + $200 / $300 / $400; higher-group total floors $500 / $1,000 / $2,500

Published national range · Formal US rental information: exact vehicle codes and location groups

Airport and other standard locations use rental plus $200. Listed non-airport states use $300 or $400. Higher groups authorize the greater of the rental-plus-local-extra and their total floor; $500/$1,000/$2,500 are not universally extra deposits. The driven vehicle, upgrades and agreement control; 28-day-series long-term rentals have a separate exception.

Formula example: if your confirmed airport vehicle group has a $500 total minimum and rental charges are $400, compare $400 + $200 = $600 with $500. The higher amount is $600. This illustrates the formula; the actual vehicle code and agreement must match.

Use the source’s full authorization formula; do not add this figure to the rental price twice.

Official credit evidenceSupporting source 1Checked 2026-09-30

Debit card

Eligible standard groups: rental + $200 / $300 / $400

Published national range · Formal US rental information: debit-eligible vehicle codes only

The standard location amounts apply only where debit is accepted. US airport debit requires a matching renter-name return flight, train or bus ticket booked at least 24 hours before pickup. Higher groups generally require credit, with limited international-document exceptions. Do not apply the higher-group floors as a universal debit surcharge.

Additional to the rental charges that remain due, subject to the stated scenario.

Official debit evidenceChecked 2026-09-30

An authorization figure does not establish card acceptance or the total funds required by every booking.

Compare deposit scenarios across all nine suppliers

SIXT national evidence and exceptions

These country-scoped conditions are maintained here once. They do not establish an unreviewed branch's acceptance; the airport profiles retain local and selected-offer restrictions.

minimum age

Current formal U.S. terms substantively rechecked for minimum age; exact reservation conditions and known limits remain applicable.

Country scope · verified · checked 2026-10-19

Official national source

itinerary

Current formal U.S. terms substantively rechecked for itinerary; exact reservation conditions and known limits remain applicable.

Country scope · verified · checked 2026-10-19

Official national source

cardholder

Current formal U.S. terms substantively rechecked for cardholder; exact reservation conditions and known limits remain applicable.

Country scope · verified · checked 2026-10-19

Official national source

deposit/hold

Current formal U.S. terms substantively rechecked for deposit/hold; exact reservation conditions and known limits remain applicable.

Country scope · verified · checked 2026-10-19

Official national source

vehicle class

Current formal U.S. terms substantively rechecked for vehicle class; exact reservation conditions and known limits remain applicable.

Country scope · verified · checked 2026-10-19

Official national source

additional driver

SIXT publishes presence, licence, age/tenure, agreement-listing, and fee requirements for additional drivers.

Country scope · verified · checked 2026-09-06

Official national source

license/ID

Current formal U.S. terms substantively rechecked for license/ID; exact reservation conditions and known limits remain applicable.

Country scope · verified · checked 2026-10-19

Official national source

debit

Formal U.S. terms explicitly cover debit at airport locations with ticket/card/vehicle conditions and a separate international-issued-card exception. Current JFK branch wording no longer contradicts this route.

Country scope · verified · checked 2026-10-19

Official national source

Which terms should you confirm with the branch?

Give the operating location the rental dates, age at pickup, licence issuing country and language, current residence, card type, vehicle and return itinerary. Ask it to identify any missing or conflicting rule and the total pickup authorization for that exact setup.

Keep national guidance, branch evidence and a selected-rate capture distinct. A return itinerary can satisfy one payment condition without approving a restricted vehicle; a prepaid rate can pay the price without approving the card required for the hold.

If another person will drive, verify their age and original licence, permitted relation and additional-driver charge. Cardholder-name checks still apply to the main renter. An extra driver or relative's booking payment does not automatically permit a different pickup card.

Check the actual tripCardholder-name rulesForeign licence and IDP guide

SIXT official sources

Use the airport policy directory for locally reviewed evidence. Report an applicable new rule with its official source and exact branch or reservation scope.

Report a SIXT policy correction

SIXT rules by topic

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