Alicante Airport is one of the busiest car hire destinations in Spain — and one of the most common places where travellers get an unwelcome surprise at the rental desk. A deposit of €1000 or more, demanded on top of a price you thought you had already paid in full, can take the shine off the start of any holiday. Here is exactly how to avoid it.
Alicante Airport (ALC) handles millions of car hire transactions every year, making it one of the most competitive — and most complaint-generating — car hire markets in Spain. The majority of bookings made through price comparison sites and budget airline booking pages include only a basic level of insurance. This leaves a significant excess — often 1000€ to 2000€ — as the renter's personal liability. The deposit is the supplier's way of securing that liability on your card before you drive away.
The deposit is not unique to Alicante, but the sheer volume of tourists — many booking at the last minute or through unfamiliar channels — means it catches more people off guard here than almost anywhere else in Spain.
When you arrive at the car hire desk with a standard rate, one of two things happens. Either a deposit of 1000€ to 2000€ is blocked on your card — which with a debit card means that money is withheld from your current account for the duration of your holiday — or the desk agent offers to sell you their own insurance to reduce the deposit to zero. This counter insurance typically costs €15 to €25 per day. On a ten-day holiday, that is an extra 150€ to 250€ on top of what you already paid.
Neither option is ideal. Both are entirely avoidable.
The solution is straightforward: book a zero excess rate before you travel. When the maximum level of insurance is included in the hire price, your personal excess liability is zero. The supplier has nothing to secure, so no deposit is taken — not on a credit card, and not on a debit card.
This is not a premium product or an upgrade tier. It is simply the difference between a rate that includes full cover and one that does not. There is nothing to add at the desk and nothing to negotiate. You present your documents, sign the agreement, and drive away.
Yes. This is particularly important for travellers who do not have a credit card, or who prefer not to use one. A standard rate with a debit card means a deposit of up to 2000€ withheld from your current account — potentially for the entire duration of your holiday, plus several days after return while the car is inspected. With a zero excess rate, no deposit is held at all. Your debit card balance is completely unaffected.
All suppliers at Alicante Airport available through spain‑car‑rental.com accept standard Visa and Mastercard debit cards. Physical cards only — prepaid and virtual cards are not accepted.
Alicante has both on-airport suppliers (desks in the arrivals hall, vehicles in the adjacent car park) and off-airport suppliers (a short courtesy minibus ride away). Both types are available through spain‑car‑rental.com, and both operate on the same zero excess basis — no deposit is required at either. The choice between on and off-airport is largely one of convenience and price rather than deposit policy.
During peak summer weeks, off-airport suppliers often have shorter queues and more competitive rates. Outside peak season, the difference is minimal.
A small fuel deposit — typically around 100€ to 200€ — is standard across the industry and will still be held at collection. This is returned in full when you bring the car back with a full tank. It is entirely separate from the security deposit and is not affected by your zero excess rate.
Ready to book? See all available no deposit car hire options at Alicante Airport.
Book a zero excess rate and no security deposit is held at the desk — whether you pay by debit or credit card.
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