Security deposit: how it works

The security deposit is a standard part of the vehicle rental process, and it is helpful to understand it before picking up your car. It is not an additional charge or an amount that Enterprise receives as payment, but rather a temporary hold placed on a credit card. Its purpose is to keep a specific amount available as a guarantee while the vehicle is under the primary driver's responsibility.

Why the security deposit exists

The deposit acts as a guarantee for situations that may result in additional charges during the rental, such as vehicle damage or other items that need to be settled at the end of the contract. For the company, it provides security while the vehicle is off the lot. For you, it establishes a clear mechanism from the start to cover potential charges without the amount being automatically collected. If the vehicle is returned without any issues that incur additional charges, the hold can be released. Therefore, the deposit should be understood as a temporary guarantee linked to the rental and not as part of the regular price paid to use the vehicle.

What it is exactly and how the hold is processed

The security deposit consists of an amount held on your credit card at the time of vehicle pickup. The amount is $500 plus the estimated cost of the rental, and it is held once at the start of the rental. While the hold is active, that amount may temporarily reduce the card's available credit, but it does not represent a final charge. To process it, a credit card in the primary driver's name is required. A debit card cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. Before picking up the vehicle, it is recommended that you also consider the available credit on your card, as the hold must be processed in addition to any other charges corresponding to the rental.

When and how the deposit is released

When you return the vehicle without any issues that require maintaining or applying additional charges, Enterprise releases the security deposit hold. From that moment on, the time it takes for the amount to appear again as available credit depends on your bank or card issuer, not on Enterprise. As a reference, it may take between 3 and 10 business days for the bank to make the funds available again, depending on the financial institution. If you need to verify the status after the release, your card issuer is the one that can provide information on their specific processing times.

What to do if you have a question about the deposit

If your inquiry relates to a specific case (for example, the applicable amount, the requirements for the card, or a hold that still appears after the return), please consult the Enterprise Costa Rica central FAQ section . This section allows you to review specific conditions and procedures without duplicating information in every guide. If your question concerns the time it takes for a released hold to become available again, please remember that this processing depends directly on your card's issuing bank.

Before picking up the vehicle, learn how the hold works and ensure that the primary driver's credit card has sufficient available credit. For specific situations, also explore the information available in the central FAQ section.