The options at a glance
| Option | Deposit | Cost | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard rental, credit card | Amount shown on the voucher is blocked, under "Payment" | No extra charge | The most common case |
| "No Deposit" filter (Discover Cars) | No block; a fuel deposit may remain | Rental price sometimes higher | Limited card ceiling |
| Rental company cover (Zero Excess, Super Cover) | Deposit reduced or removed | Extra charge per day | Debit card |
| Discover Cars Full Coverage | Does not remove the deposit | Refunds the excess after a claim | Protecting your budget |
How to filter on Discover Cars
- Enter Paris, the airport or the station, and your dates.
- Tick the "No Deposit" filter in the results.
- Open the voucher before paying: the "Payment" section shows the deposit amount and whether there is a fuel deposit.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Full Coverage is not "no deposit": it reimburses the excess after the fact; the rental company still places its deposit when you collect the car.
- Double cover: according to Discover Cars, buying the rental company's Zero Excess on top of Full Coverage is often a duplicate.
- Debit card: at the desk you are generally offered the rental company's cover to reduce or remove the deposit. Compare its daily price with the gap in online rates.
- Card limit: check that the amount to be blocked goes through, and know that it can stay blocked for a while after you return the car.
- Where to collect: see car rental at Paris airports and rental near the stations.
