One of the biggest frustrations when renting a car on vacation is the deposit. Most car rental companies in Curaçao freeze between $200 and $500 on your credit card before you can drive away. That money is blocked for the entire rental period, and sometimes for two to four weeks after you return the car. For many travelers, that is a significant chunk of their vacation budget locked away and unusable.
SmartWheels does things differently. We are the only car rental company in Curaçao that does not require a deposit. Zero. Nothing is frozen on your card. The money you would have lost to a deposit stays in your wallet, ready to spend on restaurants, diving trips, beach bars, and souvenirs.
How Much Do Other Companies Charge?
We surveyed the deposit policies of major car rental companies operating in Curaçao. Here is what we found: international chains like Europcar, Budget, and Avis typically require a deposit of $300 to $500, charged to a credit card at pickup and released 14 to 30 days after return. Many local rental companies require $200 to $350 as a cash or credit card hold. Some companies also require a separate security deposit for insurance excess on top of the standard deposit.
For a family renting a car for seven days, that means $300 to $500 of their vacation money is completely inaccessible for the entire trip and potentially weeks after they get home.
Why SmartWheels Does Not Charge a Deposit
We trust our customers. It is that simple. We have served thousands of visitors in Curaçao and we believe the rental experience should be built on trust, not on financial holds. Our self-service technology and digital vehicle inspections give us the tools to protect our fleet without penalizing our customers financially.
When you book with SmartWheels, you only pay the rental rate. Full insurance is included. There is no hold, no freeze, no block on your card. You drive away with exactly the same bank balance you had when you walked in.
What You Need Instead of a Deposit
All you need to rent a car from SmartWheels is a valid driver’s license and a credit or debit card in the main driver’s name. We accept Visa, Mastercard, iDEAL, and Bancontact. You must be at least 21 years old with a minimum of two years of driving experience.
That is it. No deposit, no additional paperwork, no surprise charges.
What Our Customers Say
“I could not believe how easy it was. No deposit, no hassle, and the car was perfect.” — Jenna, USA
“Every other rental company wanted $300 upfront. SmartWheels wanted nothing. We used that money for an amazing dinner at Gouverneur de Rouville instead.” — Lisa and Mark, Netherlands
“As students on a tight budget, the no-deposit policy made all the difference. We could actually enjoy our trip.” — Carlos, Colombia
Book Your No-Deposit Car Rental Today
Ready to keep your vacation money where it belongs? Book your rental car with SmartWheels online in minutes. Choose from economy cars starting at $52 per day, SUVs, sedans, and vans. Pick up at Hato Airport, the Mega Cruise Terminal, or any of our five resort locations.
No deposit. No stress. No waiting in line. Just you, your car, and the open roads of Curaçao.
