What are the specific debit card restrictions and local renter rules at the SeaTac Rental Car Facility?

At the SeaTac Rental Car Facility (located at 3150 S 160th St, SeaTac, WA 98188), debit card usage is permitted but heavily restricted to mitigate financial risk. The key restrictions include: (1) Maximum rental length of 10 consecutive days—any reservation exceeding 10 days requires a credit card. (2) A mandatory return airline itinerary must be presented at check-in; this must show a flight departing from SeaTac within 24 hours of rental return, proving the renter is not a local resident. (3) Deposit differences are substantial: debit card users face a $500 hold (plus estimated rental charges), whereas credit card users only face a $150 hold. This $500 hold can tie up funds for up to 15 business days after return. (4) Local renters—defined as those whose billing address is within 50 miles of the SeaTac facility—are completely barred from using debit cards. They must present a credit card in their own name. Additionally, debit card transactions require a credit check (soft pull) and proof of insurance. These rules are enforced by all major on-site agencies (Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, and Thrifty) with minor variations. For example, Enterprise allows debit cards only for non-local renters with a confirmed return flight, while Hertz requires a $200 deposit for debit cards but still enforces the 10-day limit. Always call the specific agency 24 hours before pickup to confirm current policies, as they can change without notice. Failure to comply results in denial of rental at the counter, with no refund.