How to Rent a Car in Dubai Without a Credit Card: Easy and Convenient Options

Dubai is one of the best cities for driving, and the car rental industry is thriving here. It is common for visitors of the emirate to rent cars for the duration of their trips, although it is not convenient for everyone to make the payment via a credit card.

The situation becomes even more inconvenient when it comes to booking a rental car in advance. Leaving a deposit online is not something every traveler is willing or able to do. Car rent for 1 day is popular in the city, and the best way to rent a car for a day is definitely not 

The good news is that there are many car rental services in Dubai that operate without a deposit, and there are many companies that accept payment methods other than credit cards.

Why Renting Without a Credit Card is Possible

The demand for hiring car rentals without using credit cards has been increasing alongside the popularity of the emirate among tourists. Car rental industry in Dubai is very competitive, so the dealers are willing to provide the visitors with alternatives to stand out from other companies in the niche.

There are no laws in the UAE that require the rental companies to take deposits specifically via credit cards, so as long as the dealership is ready and capable of accepting other payment options, there is nothing standing in the way.

Alternatives to Credit Card Payments

There are four main banking methods available for car rent in Dubai without a deposit via a credit card. The alternatives are:

• debit cards;

• cash;

• cheques;

• cryptocurrencies.

Debit Cards

Debit cards are the most obvious alternative to credit cards, as most dealerships in Dubai accept both these payment options. The transactions work in the same way, so this option might not be suitable for all visitors of the emirate. This suggestion is only applicable to specific cases where the travelers have some specific reasons to use debit cards but not credit cards.

Cash

Cash is a much more viable option that solves the problem for most people who are not willing or not able to use credit cards for car hire in Dubai. Every rental company accepts cash for deposit, enabling the visitors to easily pay for it on the spot. The visitors can easily exchange their national currency for AED, and many companies even accept payments in dollars.

The only downside to using cash is that it does not always allow you to hire a car online. In case the rental company requires a payment in advance for online bookings, it is obviously not possible to do it with cash. Thankfully, many companies will still allow you to book the vehicle and make the deposit when you arrive to pick it up.

Cheques

Cheques are not as popular as the payment methods mentioned above, but they are still accepted by many car rental companies in Dubai. Of course, for non-residents of Dubai, it is important to discover in advance whether their bank supports such operations internationally.

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are also not widely accepted yet, but in contrast to cheques, their popularity as a payment method for renting a car is growing. Some dealerships are willing to take deposits in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, which might be a convenient option for those who cannot use a credit card.

Using cash is more convenient for the situations where the dealership does not require online deposits in advance, as setting up a crypto-wallet and purchasing the coins to later use them at a rental might be inconvenient for some people. As for those who are already dealing with cryptocurrencies regularly, it is a great option to make an easy and quick payment.

Steps to Rent a Car Without a Credit Card

The process of renting a car without a credit card in Dubai is fairly easy, although it consists of quite a number of steps. It is worth reviewing each step separately in order not to miss any important details.

Step 1: Choosing a Rental Company

There are many factors it is important to consider when choosing a rental company in Dubai. In this case, the support of alternative payment methods should be treated as a filter. After filtering out the companies that exclusively work with credit cards, it is reasonable to consider other factors such as the car assortment, prices, fees, etc.

There is no universal best choice, as everyone has different preferences and goals with their car rental. Thus, we can only recommend selecting a company that suits your needs. For example, in case you’re planning a trip to Oman, choose a rental that allows international travel.

Step 2: Booking the Car

Once you’ve chosen a rental company in Dubai, you’re ready to select a car from its assortment and book it for the duration you need. Depending on the selected company, it might require you to register, verify your email, or confirm your phone number. In most cases, the procedure can be performed online, but some dealerships will require a confirmation call for the booking to become active.

Step 3: Make the Deposit

This step is partially optional, as some rental companies in Dubai do not require deposits or do not require them to be made online in advance. Nevertheless, many companies, especially the ones that are more popular, will require an online payment. Depending on the dealership’s accepted banking options, you will be able to make a deposit with a debit card or cryptocurrencies.

Step 4: Sign the Agreement

Once again, the way the dealerships approach their rental agreements may vary. Some companies may require you to sign it online, while others will provide you with the documents when you come to pick up the vehicle. In any case, it is the last step you have to perform in order to rent a car in Dubai without a credit card. As soon as the agreement is signed, you are 

Tips for Renting a Car for a Day

It is also fairly common among visitors of Dubai to rent cars for a single day. The reasons might be different, but whether you just want to give a try to a luxury vehicle or need a car for a short ride, local rental companies will be glad to provide you with their service.

Whether it is worth using a credit card for renting a car for a day is a rather dubious matter. On the one hand, not all companies support online bookings for a daily rent, which might turn out to be limiting in terms of available options. On the other hand, it is a convenient approach in case you won’t need time for choosing a car on the spot.

Speaking of shortage of time, many car rental companies in Dubai offer delivery services. For example, if you’re staying at a hotel, they will gladly have the vehicle driven there on time you arrange together. It is also a useful feature in case you don’t have comfortable means to reach the dealership, although it might come with an additional fee, depending on the company you choose.

FAQs

How can I rent a car in Dubai without a credit card?

There are multiple options available for renting a car in Dubai without a credit card. You can pay with debit cards, cheques, cryptocurrencies, or cash, in case the selected rental company accepts these banking options.

What are the alternatives to a credit card for car rental deposits?

There are two main alternatives to using a credit card – using a different payment option or finding a company that does not require a rental deposit in advance.

Are there any car rental companies in Dubai that don't require a deposit?

Yes, there are many car rental companies in Dubai that do not require a deposit. Basing your choice on only this factor will slightly limit your options, but in case it is a must-have feature for you, you will still be able to find a company that suits your needs.

What do I need to know about renting a car for just one day?

The procedure for renting a car for just one day is the same as with longer rental periods. You can either book a vehicle online and make the deposit in advance or choose a rental company and pick one of the cars on the spot.

Conclusion

Summing up, there are plenty of options in case you are not willing or unable to use a credit card for your car rental deposit in Dubai. Even though there are several details the visitors should keep in mind, they still have tons of opportunities to enjoy the roads of the emirate.