✓ Updated April 2026 · 4 car rental cards compared

Best Credit Card for Car Rental in 2026

Car rental always requires a genuine credit card. But which card offers the best excess cover and is accepted everywhere? We compare the 4 best options for car rental: ANWB Visa Gold, AMEX Platinum, Bunq Mastercard and AMEX Gold.

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Car rental and credit cards: everything you need to know

When you rent a car from a professional rental company, a credit card is required in virtually all cases. Not simply as a payment method, but as a guarantee for the deposit. The rental company blocks an amount of €300 to €2,000 or more on your card, depending on the vehicle and location. This blocked amount is unavailable on your card until you return the car without damage.

The CDW insurance (Collision Damage Waiver) offered by car rental companies typically costs €15–30 per day extra. On a week's holiday that is €105–210 extra on top of the rental price. If your credit card already provides excess cover, you can decline this CDW and save significantly. The ANWB Visa Gold covers the excess up to €1,500, while the AMEX Platinum offers more comprehensive coverage.

Important: always check the policy conditions of your credit card before declining the CDW. Pay attention to exclusions for certain vehicle types (exotic cars, commercial vehicles), regions (some cards have no coverage outside Europe) and use (off-road driving is often excluded). Always take photos of the vehicle when collecting it for your own protection.

Top 4 — Best Credit Cards for Car Rental 2026
CardCost/yrAcceptanceExcess coverScore
ANWB Visa Gold€52Everywhere Visa€1,500★★★★☆
AMEX Platinum€780~85%Full★★★★★
Bunq MastercardFreeVariesNo★★★☆☆
AMEX Gold€240~85%Limited★★★★☆

The 4 Best Credit Cards for Car Rental in 2026

ANWB

ANWB Visa Gold Card

★★★★☆ 4/5
Visa Excess €1,500
€52/yr
per year
  • ✦365-day purchase insurance
  • ✦Car rental excess up to €1,500
  • ✦€2,000 emergency cash worldwide
  • ✦24/7 ANWB roadside assistance
Pros
✓365-day purchase insurance
✓Excess cover €1,500
✓Emergency card €2,000 · 24/7
Cons
✗No cashback or miles
✗€51.95/yr

ANWB Visa Gold is our number one recommendation for car rental. For just €52 per year you get a card that is accepted worldwide (Visa), covers the excess up to €1,500 and provides 365-day purchase insurance. On an average week's holiday with a rental car you already save €105–210 by declining the CDW from the rental company. The card therefore pays for itself many times over on a single holiday.

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AMERICAN EXPRESS

AMEX Platinum Card

★★★★★ 5/5
Premium Full coverage
€780/yr
per year
  • ✦Comprehensive car rental insurance
  • ✦1,400+ lounges worldwide
  • ✦Privium Plus free
  • ✦24/7 Lifestyle Service

AMEX Platinum offers the most comprehensive car rental insurance in its class. Combined with all the other benefits (lounges, Privium, travel insurance) this is the best card for frequent travellers who also rent cars regularly. The downside is that AMEX is less widely accepted than Visa at some rental companies and locations. Always carrying a backup Visa is recommended.

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BUNQ

Bunq Mastercard

★★★☆☆ 3/5 for car rental
Free Credit-BIN
Free
€0 per year
  • ✦Credit-BIN (partially accepted)
  • ✦Free use in eurozone
  • ✦No excess cover
  • ✦Good backup option

Bunq Mastercard is an acceptable option for car rental with smaller, local rental companies that accept credit-BIN cards. At major international chains acceptance is mixed. Bunq has NO excess cover, which means that in the event of damage you are fully liable up to the rental company's excess. Use Bunq as a free backup alongside a card that offers excess cover.

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AMERICAN EXPRESS

AMEX Gold Card

★★★★★ 5/5
AMEX Gold BKR Yes
€240/yr
per year
  • ✦1 point per €1 spent
  • ✦4x lounge per year (Priority Pass)
  • ✦Free restaurant dinner €100
  • ✦Money-back purchase guarantee
Pros
✓4x lounge Priority Pass
✓Free dinner €100
✓Purchase insurance
Cons
✗€240/yr
✗AMEX 85% acceptance
✗Min €20k net income

AMEX Gold is a good middle ground between ANWB Visa Gold and AMEX Platinum. You earn points on your spending, get 4 lounge visits per year and a purchase insurance. The car rental insurance is however more limited compared to AMEX Platinum, but the card is otherwise an excellent all-rounder for travellers who also want to earn rewards.

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Tips for car rental with a credit card

Always take photos when collecting and returning the car

Document the condition of the vehicle thoroughly when collecting it: take photos and video of all sides, including the underside of bumpers, wheels and interior. Send this by email to the rental company as confirmation. Do the same when returning the car. This evidence is essential if the rental company claims damage that was already there.

Check your credit BIN before departure

The first 6 digits of your card (the BIN) determine whether it is recognised as credit or debit/prepaid. You can check your BIN online via BINChecker websites. Credit card BINs typically start with 4 (Visa credit), 5 (Mastercard credit) or 37/34 (AMEX). Debit Mastercards start with 676, prepaid Visa with 460, 471, 428 etc.

Ensure sufficient available credit

Make sure your credit card has sufficient available credit for the deposit plus your rental costs. If your card is nearly maxed out, the deposit cannot be blocked and you will be refused the car. Allow at least €500–1,000 above your expected rental costs as free credit. With a prepaid card (Revolut, N26) the available credit is the loaded balance, which is often insufficient for larger deposits.

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Rental Credit Card

Why do you need a credit card for car rental?+
Car rental companies require a credit card for two purposes: identification and deposit. The deposit (typically €300–€2,000) is blocked on your credit card during the rental period. This gives the rental company assurance that damage, extra mileage or fuel costs can be recovered. A credit card has a credit limit that serves as a guarantee, while a debit card or prepaid card does not offer this. Almost all major international rental companies require a genuine credit card.
Which credit card covers the excess?+
The best credit cards with excess cover for car rental are: 1) ANWB Visa Gold — covers the excess up to €1,500, included in the €52/yr annual fee. 2) AMEX Platinum — comprehensive car rental insurance included, coverage up to the full excess. Excess cover through your credit card means you can decline the expensive CDW insurance from the rental company, which can save you €15–30 per day. On a 10-day car rental you save €150–300.
Does Revolut or N26 work for car rental?+
Revolut Standard and N26 Smart are NOT accepted by most major international car rental companies as a credit card for deposit purposes. This is because their card numbers start with a debit/prepaid BIN, which is automatically rejected by rental companies' deposit systems. Some smaller, local rental companies do accept them. N26 You (Mastercard) has mixed acceptance at rental companies. If you want certainty when renting a car, take a card like ANWB Visa Gold or AMEX Platinum as a backup.
What is CDW coverage?+
CDW stands for Collision Damage Waiver — an insurance that covers damage to the rented vehicle. Without CDW you are fully liable for all damage. With CDW from the rental company you reduce your liability to the excess (typically €300–€2,000). With a credit card that offers CDW coverage (such as ANWB Visa Gold or AMEX Platinum), you do not need to take the expensive CDW from the rental company. Your credit card then covers the excess if there is damage. This can save €15–30 per day.
Does Bunq Mastercard work for car rental?+
Bunq Mastercard has a credit BIN, which means it is accepted by some car rental companies as a credit card. This is better than standard prepaid cards like Revolut Standard, but still not universally accepted. At larger international rental companies such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar, Bunq is sometimes accepted, sometimes not. For certainty when renting a car, we recommend always carrying a backup card (ANWB Visa Gold or AMEX). Bunq also has no excess cover.
How high is the excess for car rental?+
The excess for car rental varies greatly by rental company, country and vehicle class. For small cars in Western Europe the excess is typically €300–€800. For mid-range cars it is €800–€1,500. For larger cars, SUVs and luxury vehicles the excess can reach €2,000–€5,000. In some countries (Ireland, Iceland) the excess is particularly high. Always check the rental terms in advance and make sure your credit card has sufficient coverage and available credit.
Which rental companies accept prepaid cards?+
Major international rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise) almost never accept prepaid cards for deposit purposes. Some cheaper local rental companies in Southern Europe accept debit cards with sufficient account balance. Platforms such as Getaround and Snappcar (peer-to-peer) sometimes also accept debit or prepaid cards. Bunq Mastercard (credit BIN) is more often accepted than Revolut or N26, but is still no guarantee.
Is ANWB or AMEX better for car rental?+
This depends on your overall travel pattern. ANWB Visa Gold (€52/yr) is the better choice if you are primarily looking for a good credit card for car rental: excess cover up to €1,500, 365-day purchase insurance and 24/7 ANWB roadside assistance. AMEX Platinum (€780/yr) offers more benefits: full car rental insurance plus lounges, Privium, travel insurance and 24/7 service. If you are only looking for a card for car rental, ANWB Visa Gold is the most cost-effective choice.

See also

→ Travel
Travel Credit Card
→ Free
Free Credit Card
→ No BKR
No BKR Check
→ Overview
Best Credit Card NL
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