Cael rent a car review 2026: credit card required — read first
Cael accepts debit cards and even PayPal for the payment — but the deposit is a hard credit-card requirement that no cover removes. This exact combination cost one traveller €776; the full story is on our homepage.
Last verified: 2026-07Key facts
- Pay with debit
- ✓ Yes
- Deposit with debit
- ✗ No
- Deposit (economy class)
- Excess blocked on a credit card — always, even with the €0-excess SCDW cover.
- Deposit-waiver cover
- SCDW does not remove the credit-card requirement.
- Verdict
- Won't work without a credit card. No card at the counter counts as a no-show — no refund (clause 12.2).
- Official T&C
- https://www.cael.pt/
Deposit in detail
The excess is blocked on a physical credit card in the main driver's name — always, even with the Exemption Franchise (SCDW) package that sets the excess to €0. A debit card cannot replace it.
Watch out for
- No credit card at the counter is contractually a no-show — the full prepaid amount is lost with no refund (clause 12.2).
- SCDW with €0 excess does NOT remove the credit-card requirement — don't let the booking flow convince you otherwise.
- If you don't have a physical credit card, book elsewhere (Goldcar, Centauro, Record go) — no workaround exists at Cael.
Cancellation & no-show
Cancelling more than 48 h ahead: refund minus a transaction fee. Less than 48 h: a €50 + VAT fee (clause 12.1 b). Cancellation counts only once confirmed in writing by e-mail (rentacar@cael.pt) — silence or not showing up means losing everything. Chargeback remains: 120 days from the planned rental date, capped at 540 days from payment.
Other companies at Lisbon Airport
Disclaimer
Rental conditions change frequently and companies' own documents sometimes contradict each other (see the Goldcar Lisbon Airport discrepancy). Everything on this page reflects the official terms and conditions as verified in July 2026. Always verify directly with the rental company before booking. This is practical guidance, not legal advice.