When you rent a luxury car, you pay for the rental and you also leave a security deposit. It is not an extra cost: it is a guarantee held on your card for the length of the rental and released after you return the car. This guide explains how the deposit works on cars booked through IsyLuxe, which payment methods are accepted, when it is released and how to avoid surprises.
What the deposit is and why it is higher on luxury cars
A security deposit is a guarantee that protects whoever supplies the car if it is damaged during the rental. The more valuable the car, the more a repair costs: a bumper, a wheel or a headlight on a supercar costs far more than the same part on a city car. That is why luxury car rental deposits are higher than the ones you may know from mainstream car hire.
On the cars listed on IsyLuxe the amount varies from car to car, from a few thousand euros to about 15,000 € for supercars. The exact figure is always shown on each car's page before you book. For example, compare the deposit on the Lamborghini Urus SE with the one on the Audi RS3 Sportback: the amounts differ because the cars are very different.
A pre-authorisation, not a charge
The deposit is only a pre-authorisation, in other words a hold on your card, not a payment. Your bank sets the amount aside: nobody receives the money, but that part of your available credit cannot be used while the hold is in place.
What you see on your statement
Depending on your bank, the hold may appear in your banking app as a "pending" transaction, a "pre-authorisation" or a "reserved amount". It is not a posted transaction: once the hold is released, the entry disappears or shows as cancelled.
Check your card limit before you travel
The hold reduces your available credit for the whole rental. If the deposit is 10,000 € and your card limit is 12,000 €, you will have at most 2,000 € left to spend on that card for the rest of the trip. Our advice: check your card limit before you travel and, if needed, ask your bank for a temporary increase or bring a second card for everyday spending.
Accepted payment methods for the deposit
- Credit card: the standard method, in the driver's name.
- Debit card: on request, as long as it is in the driver's name.
- Bank transfer: on request.
- Cash: never accepted.
Prepaid cards are not among the accepted methods. If you would like to use a debit card or a bank transfer, ask when you book so you have confirmation before handover. Bear in mind that with a debit card the hold applies to your current account balance, so make sure you have enough funds available.
Each car's page also lists the other requirements: the minimum age and years of driving licence vary from car to car, and a credit card in the driver's name is needed for the deposit.
When the deposit is released
The deposit is released immediately or within 48 hours of returning the car.
After the release, your card issuer may take a few working days to show the funds as available again. This is down to standard banking processing, not to the company that supplied the car. If you paid the deposit by bank transfer, the timing of the refund depends on the banks involved.
The excess and how it relates to the deposit
The excess (or deductible) is the part of a damage cost that stays with the renter. Here the rule is simple: the excess equals the entire security deposit and it cannot be negotiated or reduced.
In practice, your liability for damage covered by the insurance is capped at the excess, which equals the deposit. So you know your maximum exposure before you even book. Exclusions and special cases are set out in the rental agreement, so read it carefully before handover.
Who holds the deposit
The deposit is not held by IsyLuxe but by the car's provider, the company that supplies the vehicle. The provider places the pre-authorisation and releases it after the car is returned. This is also why the amount differs from one car to another.
How to avoid problems at pick-up and return
- Photograph and film the car at handover: every side, wheels, bumpers, interior and dashboard. One continuous, unhurried video is the simplest evidence to keep.
- Check the fuel level and the mileage at handover, and check the same figures again at return.
- Keep the check-out report and make sure any existing marks are noted on it.
- Report any damage straight away, or any incident during the rental, rather than waiting until you return the car.
- Repeat the photos and video at return, following the same order.
What can affect the release
If the car comes back in the same condition you received it, the deposit is released within the times above. The release can be affected by:
- Damage found at return or reported during the rental. For damage covered by the insurance, your liability stays within the excess.
- Other costs set out in the agreement, such as missing fuel, kilometres beyond the included allowance or fines: the rental agreement specifies how they are charged.
Security deposit FAQ
Can I pay the deposit with a debit card?
Yes, on request, as long as the card is in the driver's name. With a debit card the hold reduces the available balance on your account. Prepaid cards are not among the accepted methods.
Is the deposit charged or blocked?
It is only blocked. It is a pre-authorisation on your card, not a charge.
When do I get the deposit back?
The hold is released immediately or within 48 hours of returning the car. Your bank may then take a few working days to make the funds available again.
Can I pay the deposit in cash?
No, cash is never accepted. You can use a credit card or, on request, a debit card in the driver's name or a bank transfer.
Can the deposit be reduced?
No. The deposit equals the excess, which cannot be negotiated or reduced.
Does the deposit change between cars?
Yes. Each car has its own amount, from a few thousand euros to about 15,000 € for supercars, always shown on the car's page before you book.
