Frequently Asked Questions about car rentals in Réunion

Yes, Tropicar is a partner of the National Agency for Chèques-Vacances (ANCV). This means you can use your Chèques-Vacances to reduce your rental budget and save money on your payment. For many holidaymakers, it’s a great way to cover part of their rental costs thanks to their employer’s contribution.

__Booking online and want to use your Chèques-Vacances?

It’s very simple! At the last step of your online booking, just tick the “pay at the agency” option. You will then be able to pay with your Chèques-Vacances when collecting your rental car from one of our agencies. However, please note that when picking up the vehicle, the main driver must still present a valid credit card in their own name.

If your rental vehicle has been stolen, it is important to act quickly:

• Report the theft to the local authorities within 24 hours.
• Provide Tropicar with a copy of the police report, along with the car keys and documents.
• If the vehicle was stolen with the keys or documents, this must be clearly stated in the police report.

For more details, please refer to Article 6 of our General Rental Terms and Conditions.

If you are involved in an accident, please follow these steps:

• Fill out the accident report form, which can be found inside your rental vehicle, and have it signed by all drivers involved at the scene.
• If necessary, call the police (dial 17) in case of disagreement with the other driver.
• For assistance, contact Tropicar roadside assistance at +262 692 76 68 68 or +262 262 97 52 10.

Today, there are many different ways to pay for your purchases and that includes your car rental. But are they all equally safe and convenient ? Let’s take a closer look at the options so you can choose with confidence.

Understanding the different payment methods

The simplest and most common way to pay is still by entering your credit card number online. Quick and easy, this method has become a reflex for many. But is it on its way to being replaced by newer technologies ? With the rise of online fraud, payment security is more important than ever. That’s why smartphones are now competing with traditional cards, offering biometric authentication through facial or fingerprint recognition. This provides maximum security and extra peace of mind for customers.

Contactless payment

Offered by most online banks, this option allows you to store your card details on your phone and pay directly with your smartphone or smartwatch. Contactless payments are becoming more popular in La Réunion. If your phone is equipped with NFC technology, you can pay instantly by simply holding it near the terminal. Unlike contactless payments with a physical bank card, there is no spending limit, so you can pay €50, €100, €200 or more in just one tap.

QR code payments

Another smartphone-based method: scan the QR code and you’ll be directed to a secure payment page. The transaction is then validated on your phone and linked to your bank account, much like with PayPal.

PayPal

Widely used worldwide, PayPal lets you pay without directly using your bank card. Simply fund your PayPal wallet via online earnings or a transfer from your bank account, and you can then pay or reserve your rental securely.

Paying by check

Checks are becoming less accepted by businesses, mainly because of slower processing and the risk of insufficient funds. If a check is accepted, your booking will only be confirmed once it has been received and cleared.

Bank transfers

You can also pay for your rental via a bank transfer, either through your bank’s online platform or directly with your financial advisor in branch. Transfers may be processed instantly or within 2-3 business days.

Virtual bank cards

More and more banks are offering this service. A code generator linked to your account allows you to make purchases securely, since each code is single-use. This means you no longer need to store your bank card details online, ensuring extra protection for every transaction.

A credit card is usually required to rent a car with Tropicar, mainly for the security deposit. Even if you have already paid for your booking online, you will still need to present a bank card in the driver’s name when picking up the vehicle. This card is used to temporarily block an amount corresponding to the deposit.

In France, many people confuse debit cards with credit cards, but they don’t work the same way:

• Visa, Mastercard, or Carte Bleue are in fact debit cards. Your expenses are deducted either immediately or at the end of the month, depending on your banking contract.
• These cards are widely accepted and easily recognized by the VISA or MASTERCARD logos, which guarantee secure international payments.

At Tropicar, we accept Visa and Mastercard, but keep in mind: not all debit cards allow a deposit to be blocked. It is therefore essential to check with your bank before traveling. We also understand that not everyone has a bank card. It would be a shame to miss out on renting a car for your holiday or a van for your move, so there are alternatives. If you don’t have a card, or simply don’t want to pay online, contact us by phone or visit one of our agencies directly to arrange your rental.

If you are planning to rent a vehicle in Reunion Island, please check beforehand that you have all the necessary documents to sign your rental agreement. You will need:

• Your booking summary,
• The primary driver's credit card (with sufficient funds available for the departure agency to block the vehicle deposit amount),
• The original valid and complete driver's license of each driver, obtained at least 12 months ago,
• Your valid passport or ID card.

Please note that several people may drive the vehicle you have rented, provided that they are all present when you pick it up. They must also bring the necessary documents listed above.

Tropicar offers drivers aged 21 and over the opportunity to rent a car, provided they have held their license for more than one year (whether you are the primary or secondary driver).

However, please note that the vehicle category determines the minimum age required for car rental. Some vehicles can only be rented by drivers aged 23 and over, provided they have held a driver's license for at least two years. This mainly applies to our minivans and SUVs.

We accept both debit and credit cards for payment of your rental and pre-authorization of the security deposit. A few things to remember:

• The deposit is blocked by simple pre-authorization, without a final debit.
• Depending on your bank, the amount may appear as a temporary debit before being released.Check that your card limit covers the deposit amount indicated when you make your reservation.
• The cardholder will automatically be designated as the main driver (any additional drivers: +€29).
• The card must remain valid for at least 30 days after the end of the rental period.

No, cash payments are not permitted. Since Law No. 2025-532 of June 13, 2025 came into effect, cash payments for motor vehicle rentals have been prohibited.