At the big international brands the rule is simple: no credit card in the driver's name, no car. Local Mauritian agencies are often more flexible, because they hand cars over in person and know their customers. But flexible does not mean no conditions: the deposit is what matters.
This guide separates the three moments when a card can be asked for (booking, payment and deposit) and what you can do at each step.
Booking: no card needed
On RentCar.mu, booking online requires no bank card: you choose the car and your dates, and the request goes straight to the agency. Nothing is charged at this stage.
You then pay the agency when you collect the car, by card or in cash (Mauritian rupees). If you pay cash, ask for a signed receipt showing the amount, the dates and the registration number.
The deposit: where it all happens
The deposit covers the insurance excess if the car is damaged. With RentCar.mu partner agencies it currently ranges from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 depending on the vehicle (about €283 to €567). It is shown on every car page before you book.
The standard method is a card pre-authorisation: the agency holds the amount on your card without charging it, and releases it when the car comes back undamaged. With a credit card this is painless. Without one, there are three scenarios.
- Debit card: many terminals accept it, but the amount is often actually charged and then refunded, which can take several working days depending on your bank. Check your spending limit before you travel.
- Cash deposit: some local agencies accept it. Ask for a signed receipt, count the money in front of the agent and keep the receipt until you are refunded.
- Someone else's card: the deposit should normally be in the main driver's name. If a passenger pays, register them as a driver too, and check with the agency beforehand.
Cards that often cause problems
Prepaid cards, virtual cards and some app-based bank cards are sometimes refused for a pre-authorisation, even though they work fine for payments. The refusal comes at the counter, at the worst possible moment. If it is your only card, tell the agency when you book and ask in writing whether it is accepted.
The other trap is your limit. A Rs 30,000 deposit comes on top of the rest of your holiday spending. Raise your card limit temporarily if your bank allows it.
Questions to ask before booking
- What is the exact deposit for this car?
- Do you accept a debit card, and is the deposit held or charged?
- Do you accept a cash deposit, in rupees or in euros?
- How soon is the deposit released or refunded after return?
One last tip: the clearer the condition report, the faster you get your deposit back. Photograph the car from every angle at pick-up and return; our guide to deposits, insurance and condition reports explains how (rentcar.mu/blog/caution-assurance-etat-des-lieux). To compare deposits car by car, search on rentcar.mu/search.
