Payment Methods

How to pay for your booking

How Payment Works

When you book a vehicle through 4Drive Chile, you pay a booking advance online using a debit or credit card. Cash payments are not accepted online. The advance is processed immediately through a secure payment gateway, and you receive a booking voucher by email. The exact amount of the advance and the remaining balance are shown during booking, before you confirm.

The balance is paid when you collect the vehicle, according to the instructions in your voucher. The local rental company that provides the vehicle will confirm the accepted payment methods at pickup. The balance is always paid in Chilean pesos (CLP), either by card or in cash, depending on the specific vehicle you have booked.

Accepted Cards

For the online booking advance, 4Drive Chile accepts the following payment cards. All transactions are processed in Chilean pesos, and your bank may apply its own conversion rate if your card is in a different currency.

Visa Debit and credit cards issued worldwide are accepted for online payment of the booking advance.
Mastercard Debit and credit cards issued worldwide are accepted for online payment of the booking advance.
Maestro Debit cards are accepted where the issuing bank supports online transactions with CVV verification.
Chilean Pesos (CLP) All payments are processed in CLP. At pickup, the balance can be paid in cash (CLP) or by card, depending on the vehicle.

Paying the Balance at Pickup

The remaining balance is paid directly to the rental company when you collect the vehicle. The accepted payment methods for the balance depend on the specific vehicle you have booked, not on a vehicle class or category. During the booking process, you will see clearly which payment methods are accepted for the balance: debit card, cash, or credit card.

If the vehicle listing states that the balance can be paid by debit card or cash, you do not need a credit card. If you plan to pay in cash, make sure you have Chilean pesos in the correct amount. ATMs are available at Santiago Airport (SCL) and in most towns, but it is sensible to withdraw cash before you travel to remote areas such as the Carretera Austral or San Pedro de Atacama.

For vehicles that require a credit card at pickup, this will be stated in the booking details and in your voucher. The rental company will use the credit card for any security deposit or hold, if applicable.

No Deposit and No Credit Card

Many vehicles in our fleet are marked as "no deposit" and "no credit card required". These labels mean exactly what they say. No deposit means the rental company will not place a hold or block on your card when you collect the vehicle. No credit card required means you can pay the balance and collect the vehicle using a debit card or cash, depending on the vehicle.

These are independent features. A vehicle with no deposit still has an excess (the amount you are responsible for in case of damage), which is stated in the rental terms. The no-deposit feature does not change the insurance coverage or the excess amount. It simply means you do not need to have a large sum blocked on your card during the rental period.

Payment method requirements vary by vehicle, not by class. A Toyota Hilux in Santiago may accept debit cards, while a similar pickup in Puerto Natales may require a credit card. Always check the vehicle listing and your voucher. If you do not have a credit card but need to book a vehicle that requires one, contact your bank to increase the limit on your debit card, so it can accommodate both the balance payment and any deposit hold if required.

Deposit Refunds

If the vehicle you have booked does require a security deposit, the rental company will place a temporary hold on your card at pickup. The deposit amount and the expected refund timeframe are shown during booking and stated in your voucher. The deposit is managed entirely by the local rental company, not by 4Drive Chile.

Refund times depend on the rental company and your card issuer. Most deposits are released within 7 to 14 days after you return the vehicle, provided there is no damage and no toll or fuel charges to deduct. If you have questions about the status of a deposit refund, contact the rental company directly using the details in your voucher.

Cancellation and Refunds of the Advance

If you need to cancel your booking, the cancellation policy is shown during the booking process and in your voucher. Many bookings include free cancellation up to a certain number of days before pickup. If you cancel within the free cancellation period, the booking advance is refunded in full to the original payment card.

Refunds are processed within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your card issuer. If you cancel outside the free cancellation period, or if the vehicle has a non-refundable advance, the cancellation terms in your voucher apply. For questions about a specific booking or refund, contact us at [email protected] or visit our contact page.

Payment Security

All online payments are processed through a secure payment gateway that uses encryption and complies with international card security standards. 4Drive Chile does not store your full card details on our servers. When you enter your card information, it is transmitted directly to the payment processor and tokenised for your protection.

Your booking voucher and email confirmations do not contain full card numbers. If you have concerns about a transaction, check your bank statement for the descriptor "4Drive Chile" or contact us at [email protected]. For general terms and conditions, including payment obligations, see our terms and conditions page.

Can I pay the booking advance in cash?

No. The booking advance must be paid online using a debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Maestro). Cash payments are not accepted for online bookings. The balance at pickup can be paid in cash if the vehicle listing permits it.

Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Chile?

It depends on the specific vehicle. Many vehicles in our fleet are marked as "no credit card required" and accept debit cards or cash for the balance. Check the vehicle listing and your voucher for the accepted payment methods. If a credit card is required, it will be stated clearly.

What currency is used for payment?

All payments are processed in Chilean pesos (CLP). If your card is in a different currency, your bank will convert the amount at its own exchange rate. At pickup, the balance must be paid in CLP, either by card or in cash.

How long does it take to refund the booking advance?

If you cancel your booking within the free cancellation period, the advance is refunded to your original payment card within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your card issuer. For cancellations outside the free period, the terms in your voucher apply.

Is my card information safe?

Yes. All payments are processed through a secure, encrypted gateway that complies with international card security standards. 4Drive Chile does not store your full card details. Your card number is tokenised and transmitted directly to the payment processor.

For more answers, visit our FAQ page or get in touch through our contact page. Our office in Providencia, Santiago, is open Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (GMT-3). Email us at [email protected] with any questions about payment methods or your booking.