Booking a rental car in Jeju is the easy part. The question that catches many international travelers off guard is how to pay. Do you need a credit card, or will a debit card do? Does the card have to be in your name? Will your foreign card even work? This guide explains the payment and credit card rules for renting a car in Jeju, so there are no surprises at the pickup counter.
Do you need a credit card to rent a car in Jeju?
Most Korean rental companies ask for a payment card in the main driver's name when you collect the car, and the exact rule depends on the company. Lotte Rent-a-Car lists the accepted payment method as a debit or credit card and names Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. SK Rent a Car lists a credit card in your name as one of the required documents at pickup. Because policies differ, confirm your supplier's accepted payment methods before you book.
Cash can sometimes cover the rental fee itself, but it usually cannot be used for the security hold (the pre-authorization). That is why a card is almost always part of the requirement, even when you have already prepaid online.
Whose name must be on the card?
The payment card almost always has to belong to the main driver. The English name on your passport, your International Driving Permit (IDP), and your card should all match. SK Rent a Car states that a rental is not available if the English first and last name on the passport and IDP do not match. A card in a friend's or relative's name is typically refused for the security hold, even when that person is traveling with you.
If someone else will drive, register them at pickup. See our guide to adding an additional driver and the broader foreigner rental checklist before you arrive.
Will a foreign-issued card work?
In most cases, yes. International cards on major networks (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) are widely accepted, and Lotte Rent-a-Car lists all three. To avoid trouble at the counter, take a few simple steps before you travel:
- Tell your bank you will use the card overseas, so it is not blocked for unusual activity.
- Make sure the available limit covers both the rental fee and the temporary hold at the same time.
- Check your foreign transaction fees and confirm the card can be charged in Korean won (KRW).
- If you want to use a debit card, confirm in advance that your supplier accepts it, because a debit hold freezes real money in your account rather than a credit line.
Pre-authorization holds vs the deposit
A pre-authorization, also called an authorization hold, is a temporary hold placed on your card to confirm it is valid and has enough funds. It is not a charge. Visa describes these holds for car rental as a way to secure funds for an approved transaction, with the balance released through an authorization reversal once the final amount is known.
This is different from a cash deposit that you hand over and wait to get back. The hold amount can vary by vehicle class, insurance coverage, and driver age, and it is released after you return the car, though the exact timing depends on your bank rather than the rental company. For how cash deposits and refunds work in Jeju, and when you can rent without one, see our Jeju rental car deposit guide.
How Orcar makes paying for a Jeju rental simpler
Orcar is built around transparent pricing, so the price you see is the price you pay, with no hidden fees at the counter. Identity verification is 95% automated and vehicle pickup is 92.6% touchless, which means less time on paperwork and more time on the road. Multilingual support lets you ask about payment, holds, and insurance in your own language before you commit.
Before you choose a car, it also helps to understand your IDP requirements and your insurance (CDW) options, since both affect what you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car in Jeju with a debit card?
Sometimes. Some companies, such as Lotte Rent-a-Car, accept both debit and credit cards, while others require a credit card in your name. Confirm with your supplier before booking, and remember that a debit hold freezes real money in your account.
Does the credit card have to be in my name?
Yes, in almost all cases. The card should be in the main driver's name, and the English name on your passport, IDP, and card should match. If someone else will pay or drive, register them properly at pickup.
How much will be held on my card?
It varies by vehicle class, insurance coverage, and driver age. The hold is a temporary pre-authorization, not a charge, and it is released after you return the car. Ask your supplier for the exact amount in advance.
Will my foreign credit card work in Korea?
Usually yes for Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Notify your bank of overseas use, make sure your limit covers the rental fee plus the hold, and check your foreign transaction fees.
When is the pre-authorization hold released?
After you return the car. The rental company reverses the authorization, but how quickly the funds reappear depends on your own bank, which can take a few business days.