Can you rent a car abroad with a virtual card?

Updated on October 23, 2026

Paying the booking online with a virtual Visa card is often possible, but at pick-up many rental companies ask for a physical card in the driver's name and hold a deposit. Ask the company before you count on it.

Issue virtual card

Can you rent a car abroad with a virtual card?

Can you rent a car with a virtual card?

It depends on the rental company: the Guarapay card is Visa and works online wherever Visa is accepted, but each company sets its own rules for prepaid and virtual cards. Many ask at pick-up for a physical card in the driver's name for the deposit.

Because the Guarapay card has no plastic, it does not work at a card terminal or a counter. So ask by email whether the company accepts a virtual or prepaid card for the rental and the deposit before you book.

How do I book the car with the virtual card, step by step?

Write to the rental company and ask whether it accepts a virtual or prepaid card for the rental and the deposit.
Open the Guarapay app or the Telegram mini app @guarapay_bot and issue the virtual Visa card.
Ask for the deposit amount and add it to the daily rate and the insurance on the booking.
Top up that total plus US$ 0.25 with USDT or with a Visa or Mastercard bank card in your own name.
On the online booking use the driver's name, as on the driving licence, and the billing address as it appears in the app.
Bring a second payment method in case the company declines the card at pick-up.

What is the rental deposit and how much is held?

The deposit is a hold on the card, not a charge: the company blocks an amount to cover fuel, fines or damage and releases it later. The amount and the release time vary by company, so ask for both.

While the deposit is active, the available balance is smaller. Keep the rental plus the deposit in the balance and do not use the held amount for other purchases.

How much does it cost to pay for a car rental with the card?

One-off issue fee: US$ 10 on Standard or US$ 100 on Premium; no monthly fee.
Top-up fee: 2% with USDT on Standard and 1% on Premium; 5% with a bank card on both plans.
US$ 0.25 per approved purchase, taken from the balance with the purchase; a declined purchase is not charged.
Monthly spending limit: US$ 10,000 on Standard and US$ 100,000 on Premium; check that the rental and the deposit fit.
On a bank-card top-up your bank may add IOF and apply its own exchange rate.

What should I ask the rental company before booking?

Does it accept a virtual or prepaid card for the rental and the deposit?
What is the deposit amount and in how many days is it released?
Must the card be in the driver's name and physical?
Is there a prepaid online rate, paid at booking, with no card needed at pick-up?
What is the cancellation policy of the booking?

Sources

FAQ

Do car rental companies accept virtual cards?

It depends on the company; many require a physical card in the driver's name at pick-up, so ask by email before booking.

Does the Guarapay virtual card work at the rental counter?

No: it is virtual, with no plastic, and works for online payments wherever Visa is accepted.

Can I pay the booking online with the card?

Yes, where Visa cards are accepted; some merchants may decline cards under their own rules, so check the approval in the app.

How much should I keep in the balance for a rental?

The rental, the insurance and the deposit amount, plus US$ 0.25 per purchase; ask the company for the deposit amount.