Deposit

The deposit is the money the company blocks on your credit card when it hands over the car. It is not a charge: the amount is not taken, but it is frozen and you cannot spend it until it is released.

It usually matches the excess — between €800 and €1,500 on cars. In practice that means you need a credit card with that much available, and the money stays tied up for your entire holiday.

How long it takes to come back

The company normally releases the block when the car is returned, but your bank can take between 5 and 30 days to reflect it. This is a common source of confusion: the amount still shows as held long after the rental ended.

How we do it at Neptuno

There is no deposit on cars. Since SCDW Premium is included and covers the damage, there is nothing to guarantee up front; as with any car hire company, the only hold is a fuel pre-authorisation — €120 for small cars, €180 for medium, €250 for premium and 7–9 seaters — released when you return the car with a full tank, and it works with a debit card. On motorbikes the deposit is €300 (125cc) or €450 (350cc), and €300 on vans; it is refunded in full if there is no damage.