Rental company profile
Sixt
A rental company with its own fleet. This profile covers Sixt's published terms for rentals in the United States: age limits, card rules, security holds and prepaid cancellation fees.
- Last checked
- Scope
- United States rentals
- Official website
- sixt.com (opens in a new tab)
What is Sixt?
Sixt rents its own vehicles rather than brokering other companies' cars, so its rental information page is the contract detail that applies at the desk. This profile focuses on the rules Sixt publishes for rentals in the United States, which we read in full on 30 September 2026.[1]
Three things stand out: a minimum age of 21 in most states, a security hold that scales with the vehicle category, and fixed dollar fees for cancelling a prepaid booking.[1]
Company and business model
- Business model
Rental company operating its own fleet[1]
Verified in terms
Booking, payment and cancellation
- Payment methods
Major credit cards; debit cards with conditions; PayPal and Apple Pay only for some prepaid bookings[1]
Prepaid credit cards, cheques and cash are not accepted. A physical card in the renter's name must be shown at pick-up even when paying online.
Verified in terms
- Debit cards
Accepted with a matching return ticket (airports) or extra proof of address (downtown)[1]
Airport renters need a return flight, train or bus ticket in their name booked at least 24 hours before pick-up; sports, luxury and several premium categories are excluded.
Verified in terms
- Cancellation
Prepaid: $100 fee if more than 24h before pick-up, $200 within 24h[1]
Free if cancelled within 24 hours of booking when pick-up is more than 48 hours away. No refund after the pick-up time or for no-shows.
Verified in terms
- Changes to a booking
Prepaid bookings changeable up to 1 hour before pick-up; no refund of price differences[1]
Verified in terms
At the desk
- Driver age
21 in most US states; 18 in New York; no maximum age[1]
Renters under 25 are limited to economy through full-size sedans, compact through mid-size SUVs and minivans.
Verified in terms
- Deposit / security hold
Rental amount + $200 for standard cars at most locations; up to $2,500 for sports/luxury[1]
Non-airport locations in some states add $300 or $400 instead of $200. Funds are unavailable to you during the rental; refunds to the original payment method may take up to 15 business days.
Verified in terms
Support and accountability
- Customer support
US service line +1 888 SIXT CAR; online at sixt.com/service[1]
Verified in terms
Editorial assessment
What we would tell a friend
- The prepaid cancellation fee is a flat amount, so on a short, cheap rental it can swallow most of what you paid.
- If you plan to use a debit card at an airport, book your return travel first — the ticket has to exist at least 24 hours before pick-up.
This is an editorial assessment of documented terms, not a rating. We do not score companies.
What we could not verify
- We have not yet reviewed Sixt's terms outside the United States; rules differ by country.
Sources
- [1]
Rental information (United States) (opens in a new tab)
Official company informationUS rental terms: age, licences, payment, security holds, prepaid cancellations.
More coverage mentioning Sixt
Fees & charges
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Before booking