There is no single U.S. refund clock. First identify a released authorization versus a posted deposit refund; then ask the card issuer when funds will reappear.
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Before you rely on a policy
Amounts and eligibility can change by branch, vehicle, card, and booking. A pending hold is different from a settled charge.
What to check first
- Find the final rental receipt and return timestamp.
- Ask the rental company whether and when it released the hold.
- Ask the issuer for the pending authorization or refund processing status.
Documented policy examples
These examples are scoped to the condition shown; they are not default U.S. prices.
| Policy point | Applies when | Amount / status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank receipt timingverified scoped | Payment: debit | 15–20 business_days | Official policy ↗ |
| Debit release timingverified scoped | Payment: debit | 7–10 business_days | Official policy ↗ |
| Debit release bank processingverified scoped | Payment: debit | Up to 14 days | Official policy ↗ |
| Card issuer controls deposit releaseverified scoped | See official policy | Up to 28 days | Official policy ↗ |
| Deposit refund initiationverified scoped | Qualifying clean return: Yes | 80 hours after trip end | Official policy ↗ |
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How to check your own rental
- Open the company policy and your pickup location terms.
- Match the card, age, vehicle, location and reservation type.
- Get a complete quote and save it with your agreement.
Common questions
The right answer depends on your exact booking and signed agreement.
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Official sources
- FTC consumer guidance on renting cars ↗ consumer.ftc.gov · reviewed 2026-11-02
- Payment cards and deposits ↗ www.enterprise.com · reviewed 2026-11-02
- Reservation policy ↗ www.thrifty.com · reviewed 2026-11-02
- Payment options FAQs ↗ www.paylesscar.com · reviewed 2026-11-02
- USA-specific rental deposits ↗ www.sixt.com · reviewed 2026-11-02
- Security deposits United States ↗ help.turo.com · reviewed 2026-11-02
Research checked 2026-11-02. Pickup terms and signed agreements can change. Verify your booking details before paying.
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