Clear terms for your booking advance and balance payments
When you reserve a vehicle through 4Drive Greece, you pay a booking advance online using your card. This secures your reservation and confirms your selected dates, pickup point, and vehicle. Cash payments are not accepted for online transactions. The advance is processed immediately through our secure payment gateway, and your booking confirmation arrives via email within minutes.
The remaining balance is due when you collect the vehicle at the rental company location in Greece. The exact amount and accepted payment methods for the balance are listed during the booking process and printed clearly in your voucher. Each vehicle comes with specific instructions, so you know exactly what to expect before you travel.
We accept the following card types for your online booking advance. All transactions are processed securely, and your payment information is encrypted during transmission.
The balance payment method depends on the specific vehicle you have booked, not on the vehicle class or category. Some cars allow payment by debit card or cash in euros; others require a credit card. This information appears on the vehicle listing page, in the booking summary, and in your voucher.
If a debit card or cash is accepted for your chosen vehicle, you can pay the balance using euro banknotes or a debit card at the rental desk. If the vehicle requires a credit card for the balance, that requirement is stated upfront. Always bring the card used for the online advance, as the rental company may ask to see it for verification purposes.
Greece uses the euro as its official currency, and all rental companies operate in EUR. Foreign currency is generally not accepted at rental desks, so exchange money before arrival or withdraw euros from an ATM near your pickup location, such as Heraklion Airport or Eleftherias Square.
Some vehicles in our range carry a "no deposit" label. This means the local rental company does not hold a security authorisation on your card when you collect the vehicle. These cars still carry an excess - the maximum amount you may be liable for in case of damage - but no funds are frozen or blocked at pickup.
Whether a vehicle requires a deposit is determined by the rental company that owns the car, and requirements vary from vehicle to vehicle. The absence of a deposit does not alter the insurance cover or excess amount; these are independent parameters set in the rental agreement you sign at the desk.
For vehicles that do require a deposit, the rental company will block a sum on a credit or debit card. If you do not have a credit card, consider raising the spending or authorisation limit on your debit card before you travel. The required deposit amount is shown in your voucher and depends on the specific car, not the class.
When a vehicle requires a security deposit, the rental company places a hold on your card at pickup. The hold is not a charge; it is a temporary authorisation that reserves a portion of your credit or debit limit. The deposit amount appears in your booking summary and voucher.
Refund timelines are set by the rental company and your card issuer. Typically, the hold is released within a few business days after you return the vehicle without damage or outstanding charges. Exact timeframes - often between three and ten working days - are noted in your voucher and explained by the rental desk staff during the vehicle handover.
If there is damage or a traffic fine, the rental company deducts the relevant cost from the deposit, up to the agreed excess limit. Any remaining balance is refunded following the same timeline. For questions about a specific deposit refund, contact the local rental company using the details provided in your voucher.
Cancellation terms are shown during the booking process and printed in your confirmation email and voucher. Many vehicles come with free cancellation up to a certain number of hours before pickup. If you cancel within the free period, your booking advance is refunded in full to the card you used for payment.
Refunds are processed by the same payment gateway that handled your advance. Depending on your card issuer, the funds may take between five and ten business days to appear in your account. If you cancel outside the free cancellation window, the advance may be non-refundable, or a cancellation fee may apply, as stated in your booking terms.
To cancel a booking, visit the link in your confirmation email or contact us at [email protected] with your booking reference number. Full cancellation and refund policies are detailed in our terms and conditions.
All online transactions are processed through a secure, encrypted payment gateway that meets industry standards for card data protection. When you enter your card details, the information travels over an encrypted connection directly to the payment processor. 4Drive Greece does not store your full card number, CVV, or PIN.
Your booking confirmation and voucher contain no sensitive payment information beyond the last four digits of the card used for the advance. This protects your account details while allowing the rental company to verify the card at pickup if required.
We use fraud-detection tools to monitor transactions and prevent unauthorised use. If our system flags a payment for review, we may contact you at the email address provided during booking. For any concerns about payment security or to report an issue, write to [email protected] or visit our contact page.
No. The booking advance must be paid online using a Visa, Mastercard, or Maestro card. Cash is not accepted for online reservations. The balance at pickup may be paid in cash if the vehicle you selected allows it, as stated in your voucher.
It depends on the vehicle. Some cars accept a debit card or cash for the balance and have no deposit requirement. Others require a credit card for the deposit or balance payment. Check the vehicle listing and your voucher for exact requirements.
The rental company releases the deposit hold after you return the vehicle without damage or outstanding charges. Refund times depend on your card issuer and typically range from three to ten business days. The exact timeline is noted in your voucher.
All payments - the online advance, the balance at pickup, and any deposits - are processed in euros. If your card is denominated in another currency, your bank will apply its exchange rate and may charge a conversion fee.
If you cancel within the free cancellation period shown in your voucher, the booking advance is refunded to the card you used for payment. Refunds take five to ten business days to appear, depending on your card issuer. Outside the free period, terms vary by vehicle. For help, contact us at [email protected] or see our FAQ page.