Pre-Authorisation | Budget Rent A Car

 

What is pre-authorisation?

Pre-authorisation (otherwise known as ‘deposit’) is a pre-determined amount that is put on hold, on the nominated card, at time of picking up your rental vehicle.


Great. How much is the pre-authorisation?

 

Booking Type Card Type Pay Now Pay Later
Car Credit Card $200 $0
  Debit Card $200 $200

 

This in conjunction with the estimated total cost of your rental will be put on hold.

If using a corporate AWD, tour or other partner rates the pre-authorisation amount may differ.


When do I receive my money back?

The pre-authorisation is simply a hold of the amount in your account. We do not charge nor take out this amount, it simply is ‘frozen’.

When you return your vehicle, the pre-authorisation will be released from ‘frozen’, less any additional charges.

Please keep in mind that you won’t see a credit of the pre-authorisation, your balance will simply increase.


Help! My pre-authorisation hasn’t been released!

It can take up to 10 business days for the pre-authorisation to be released by your bank. Please check with you bank to confirm there isn’t any issues to delay this.

If after the 10-business day period is finished and you are still experiencing issues, please contact our customer service team.


Some things to keep in mind…

- At the end of your rental if there are no additional charges the full pre-authorisation amount will be released.

- If there are additional charges, this will be taken out of the pre-authorisation. For example;

 Pre-authorisation

 $200

 Additional charge

 $20

 Pre-authorisation  amount released

 $180

- Additional charges that may apply; returning the vehicle later or earlier than the reserved time/date or returning the vehicle with less petrol than you left with or on empty and have not pre-purchased fuel when you picked up the vehicle.