Car rental in Marrakech with a debit card

Why rental companies ask for a credit card

The credit card is mainly used to hold the deposit: the agency asks your bank to reserve an amount, without charging it, for the whole rental. With some debit cards the bank refuses or limits that pre-authorisation, hence the “credit card only” rule of the big brands.

Our partner agency is more flexible: it accepts a hold on a Visa or Mastercard debit card when your bank allows it, and otherwise a cash deposit refunded on return.

Renting with a debit card, step by step

• Before you travel, check with your bank that your debit card accepts pre-authorisations and that your limit covers the deposit (4,000 MAD for an economy car, 8,000 MAD for an SUV).
• Book for free on Locavi and write “debit card” in your message to the agency.
• At handover, the agent places the hold on your card; you pay the rental by card or in cash.
• On return, after the check, the hold is released; your bank frees the amount, usually within a few days.

No credit card and no debit card?

That works too: the deposit is left in cash, in dirhams, against a signed receipt and handed back to you on return. It is the simplest way to rent a car in Morocco without a credit card.

At Marrakech-Menara airport

Airport handovers work the same way: the agent meets you in the arrivals hall with a card terminal. If your bank refuses the hold, withdraw dirhams from the cash machines in the hall and leave a cash deposit instead. You still drive away.

Tips to avoid a refusal

• Tell your bank you are travelling to Morocco.
• Raise your card limit temporarily if the deposit is above it.
• Keep a plan B: cash for the deposit, or a second card.
• The card must be in the main driver’s name.

Prices: debit card car rental in Marrakech

Daily prices of the cars shown on this page, basic insurance included, outside peak season. The exact price appears when you choose your dates.