Without Credit Card Sri Lanka Car Hire

What are the Benefits of Renting a Car in Sri Lanka Without a Credit Card?

The booking process is much easier on a debit card than on a credit card. For instance, you can save a lot of time because you will not have to be approved for a credit check, or wait for a credit card to arrive if you have ordered one.

The same applies to other payment methods such as prepaid cards or cash – you can simply pay the amount there and then, saving time in the process.

What are the Common Policies for Car Hire in Sri Lanka?

Drivers must be at least 21 years old to hire a car in Sri Lanka, but this is also at each individual company’s discretion – some require drivers to be 23 years old, with at least a year of driving experience.

Meanwhile, drivers must also carry their passport or alternative form of ID alongside their international driving licence.

Typically, drivers under 25 face a young driver’s surcharge, meaning that hiring costs will not only cost more for young drivers but will also be limited on what types of vehicle they can drive, and will generally be excluded from anything other than compact or small cars.

What Alternative Payment Options Are Available for Car Hire in Sri Lanka?

Most car rental suppliers in Sri Lanka will accept debit cards as an alternative payment method in Sri Lanka.

Some suppliers also accept prepaid cards, while some will even accept cash payments. The currency used in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee. £1 is equivalent to 388 Sri Lankan Rupees.

How Can You Rent a Car Without a Credit Card in Sri Lanka?

It’s fairly self-explanatory when it comes to hiring a car without a credit card in Sri Lanka – for starters, the deposit amount will be taken from your debit card rather than held on your credit card. This means it is important to have sufficient funds on your debit card for the transaction to be approved.

Debit cards can also be charged an additional fee for being used in a foreign country, so be prepared for this, too.

A further thing to be aware of from debit card payments is that they typically take longer to be returned than credit card payments – sometimes up to 15 working days. Therefore, if you have any outstanding payments or bills due, it’s important to make sure you have enough in your current account to cover these, after the deposit has been taken, in case it is not returned in time.

How Can You Rent a Car with a Prepaid Card in Sri Lanka?

Some suppliers accept payment via prepaid cards, such as Sunny Cars. This can be advantageous to those who do not wish to pay via a credit card or do not have the means to do so.

How Do You Rent a Car Using Cash in Sri Lanka?

Sunny Cars and Alamo both accept cash payments for car rental in Sri Lanka. The primary disadvantage of using cash is that because of the value of the Sri Lankan Rupee, you can end up carrying a lot of cash around which can be dangerous.

Can I Use a Debit Card to Pay for the Security Deposit in Sri Lanka?

Generally, the rules for accepting debit card payments in Sri Lanka require the card to be registered to the main driver. As mentioned earlier, the amount will be directly deducted from the bank account linked to the debit card and will be refunded upon the successful return of the car (although the refund can take anywhere from 10-15 working days).

When Should You Consider Renting a Car Without a Credit Card in Sri Lanka?

If you or the main driver does not have a credit card, then alternative payment methods such as debit cards, prepaid cards or cash should be explored.

Why Do Some Car Hire Companies in Sri Lanka Require a Credit Card?

Generally, credit cards are preferred over debit cards and other payment methods because they act as a safety net for the rental company.

Firstly, this is because it guarantees that the customer has enough money to cover the amount that will be taken. The minimum limit on most credit cards is £1000, so almost anybody who has a credit card will have at least this much – if not more – on a credit card.

Secondly, it enables the car rental company to easily deduct any amounts necessary from the deposit amount that is being held, much easier than via debit card or cash. Car rental companies might need to deduct amounts based on several reasons, such as if the customer has been given a parking fine or a speeding ticket for example. The amount that they have incurred from these driving penalties can be deducted from their deposit, rather than having to be paid on top of what they already owe.

Why Is It Important to Understand Security Deposits?

Not only do security deposits benefit the car rental company, but they also benefit the customer.

They are advantageous for the customer because they encourage safe driving. The customer has likely paid a large sum in the deposit, so they will want to receive all of this deposit back – driving recklessly and dangerously will make them more likely to incur damages to the car, or pick up speeding tickets.

Why Should You Check Local Policies and Restrictions?

Rules and regulations surrounding car hire in Sri Lanka are largely at the discretion of the car rental company. As a result, they can be subject to change without notice – so it is always best to check directly with individual companies before committing to paying with an alternative payment method in case they have stopped accepting cash payments, for example.