Once you've found the perfect vehicle, submitting your reservation request is quick and secure. Our streamlined checkout process ensures your request is immediately sent to the Ride Host, allowing you to plan the rest of your trip with peace of mind while you await confirmation.
Pro Tip: The Ride checkout process layout and placement of payment terms vary slightly depending on whether you are booking via a web browser or the native Ride mobile app.
Requesting and paying for a booking on the Web:
The web checkout process is consolidated into five simple, streamlined steps to complete the checkout process.
Step 1: Initiate the Checkout Process
Once you have selected your desired dates and pickup/drop-off times on the vehicle listing page, click the Continue button to initiate the checkout process.
Note: If you're booking a listing that has the Instant Book option enabled, click the Book Now button.
Step 2: Finalize Your Optional Extras
The first part of the checkout process allows you to customize your reservation with additional coverages and services:
Trip Protection: (Available to U.S. residents only) Covers non-refundable payments if your trip is canceled, delayed, or interrupted due to covered unforeseen events.
Roadside Assistance: Provides 24/7 dedicated dispatch throughout the U.S. and Canada, including towing to the nearest qualified repair shop, lockout services, battery jumpstarts, and emergency tire changes.
Note: Some Ride Hosts require Roadside Assistance. If required by the Host, this service will be pre-selected for your booking by default.
Add-ons (Optional Host Services): Custom conveniences provided directly by your Host (e.g., tow hitch, car seat, or prepaid refueling options) that add value to your trip.
Real-Time Pricing: At the bottom of the checkout page, you will see your total trip cost and an itemized breakdown. If you add or remove any optional extras, this breakdown updates immediately so you can review up-to-date pricing before moving forward.
Once your extras are finalized, click Continue to proceed.
Step 3: Confirm Driver Age
For insurance coverage eligibility, you must confirm the age of the primary driver:
25 or Older: Meets the standard minimum age requirement for vehicle coverage.
Between 21 and 24: Young drivers may be permitted as an exception, provided the Host has explicitly enabled young driver bookings on their listing and the following criteria are met:
The vehicle is not classified as an exotic make and has a total market value of less than $50,000.
The rental takes place entirely within the United States.
The Guest agrees to a mandatory $25/day Young Driver Fee added to the rental total.
Once age details are confirmed, click Continue.
Step 4: Select Payment Terms and Method
You can begin by locating the "Use promo code" option. If you have an active discount or promotional code, click the dropdown option to display the Promo code field.
Enter your code into the field, then click Apply for the discount to calculate into your total cost.
Next, locate the "When would you like to pay?" field to choose your preferred billing structure:
Pay in Full Now: Settles the entire balance of your trip immediately upon Host approval.
Note: If your scheduled trip start date is 30 days or less away, this is the only payment option available, and the "When would you like to pay?" field will be hidden from the screen.
Pay Part Now, Part Later: (Available only when booking more than 30 days in advance) Splits your reservation cost into two scheduled installments:
Initial Deposit: Charged immediately upon Host approval. This includes 50% of the rental amount, 50% of the Auto Direct Protection Package, 50% of optional extras (Roadside Assistance/Add-ons), 100% of the Ride platform service fee, 100% of Trip Protection (if selected), and all applicable transactional taxes.
Final Payment: The remaining 50% balance of the rental amount, Protection Package, and optional extras plus their associated taxes will be automatically charged to your connected payment method exactly 30 days prior to your trip start date.
Next, if the vehicle listing offers a Security Deposit Waiver, you will need to select your preferred security deposit option:
Traditional Security Deposit: A refundable authorization hold set by the Host.
Note: This is not an actual charge. It is an authorization hold placed on your card that releases automatically after a successful return if there's no claim processed by the Host.
Security Deposit Waiver: A flat, non-refundable fee paid upfront upon reservation that waives the traditional security deposit authorization requirement.
Then, select your preferred payment method and enter its details:
Credit or Debit Card: Securely enter your card details directly into the fields provided.
PayPal: Click the PayPal button to launch a secure pop-up window to log in and connect your PayPal account.
If you're using PayPal: The full rental total will be due immediately once the booking is approved. This remains true even if you are booking more than 30 days in advance.
If you have travel credits that cover the full reservation amount: Your total due at checkout will reflect $0, and you can seamlessly submit your request and proceed to the booking confirmation page.
Important note about authorization holds: Even if your credits cover the full balance ($0 due), a temporary authorization hold for the full reservation amount will still be placed on your payment method. You can expect this hold to be released once your booking is confirmed. Once the booking is confirmed, the system applies your credits, and the hold on the equivalent amount is released back to your payment method.
Step 5: Finalize Your Payment and Booking Request
Once you have selected your payment terms and entered your payment details, complete your request by clicking the Confirm and pay button.
Once submitted, your request is routed to the Host. Sit back and relax while you wait for the Ride Host to accept your reservation!
Requesting and Paying for a Booking on the Ride App
The checkout workspace in the Ride app provides a mobile-optimized workflow to customize, review, and finalize your booking request on the go.
Step 1: Initiate the Checkout Process
Once you have selected your desired dates and pickup/drop-off times on the vehicle listing page, tap the Continue button at the bottom of your screen to open the checkout page.
Step 2: Confirm Driver Age
For insurance coverage eligibility, you must confirm the age of the primary driver:
25 or Older: Meets the standard minimum age requirement for vehicle coverage.
Between 21 and 24: Young drivers may be permitted as an exception, provided the Host has explicitly enabled young driver bookings on their listing and the following criteria are met:
The vehicle is not classified as an exotic make and has a total market value of less than $50,000.
The rental takes place entirely within the United States.
The Guest agrees to a mandatory $25/day Young Driver Fee added to the rental total.
Once age details are confirmed, tap Continue.
Step 3: Finalize Your Optional Extras
The initial screen allows you to customize your reservation with coverages, add-ons, and Host services:
Trip Protection: (Available to U.S. residents only) Covers non-refundable payments if your trip is canceled, delayed, or interrupted due to covered unforeseen events.
Roadside Assistance: Provides 24/7 dedicated dispatch throughout the U.S. and Canada, covering towing, lockouts, jumpstarts, and tire changes.
Note: If the Host requires Roadside Assistance on their listing, this service will be pre-selected for your booking by default.
Add-ons (Optional Host Services): Browse and select any conveniences provided directly by your Host (such as camping gear or prepaid refueling options).
Pro Tip: Throughout the entire mobile checkout flow, your current trip total remains visible at the top of your device screen. It dynamically updates the moment you adjust your optional extras.
Once your extras are finalized, tap Continue to proceed.
Step 4: Select Your Payment Terms and Security Deposit Option
Locate the "When would you like to pay?" field to choose your preferred billing structure:
Pay in Full Now: Settles the entire balance of your trip immediately upon Host approval.
Note: If your scheduled trip start date is 30 days or less away, this is the only payment option available, and the "When would you like to pay?" field will be hidden.
Pay Part Now, Part Later: (Available only when booking more than 30 days in advance) Splits your cost into two scheduled installments:
Initial Deposit: Charged immediately upon Host approval. This includes 50% of the rental amount, 50% of the Auto Direct Protection Package, 50% of optional extras (Roadside Assistance/Add-ons), 100% of the Ride platform service fee, 100% of Trip Protection (if selected), and all applicable transactional taxes.
Final Payment: The remaining 50% balance of the rental amount, Protection Package, and optional extras plus their associated taxes will be automatically charged to your connected payment method exactly 30 days prior to your trip start date.
Next, if the vehicle listing offers a Security Deposit Waiver, you will need to select your security deposit option:
Traditional Security Deposit: A refundable authorization hold set by the Host.
Note: This is not an actual charge. It is an authorization hold placed on your card that releases automatically after a successful return if there's no claim processed by the Host.
Security Deposit Waiver: A flat, non-refundable fee paid upfront upon reservation that waives the traditional security deposit authorization requirement.
Step 5: Review the Cancellation Policy and Add a Payment Method
Scroll to the page's Cancellation section to review the specific booking rules, timelines, and refund windows tied to your reservation.
Located just above the payment method selection section, you can input your discount details:
Applying a Discount: Tap the "Have a promo code or referral discount?" dropdown option to expand the Promo code field. Enter your active promo code, then tap Apply to verify the code and apply the discount to your rental total.
Then, choose your payment method under the Payment Method field:
Credit or Debit Card: Securely enter your card details directly into the fields provided.
PayPal: Tap the PayPal button to open a secure in-app pop-up window to log in and authorize your PayPal account.
If you're using PayPal: If you choose PayPal, the full rental total will be due immediately upon Host approval. This remains true even if you are booking more than 30 days in advance.
If you have travel credits that cover the full reservation amount: Your total due at checkout will reflect $0, and you can seamlessly submit your request and proceed to the booking confirmation page.
Important note about authorization holds: Even if your credits cover the full balance ($0 due), a temporary authorization hold for the full reservation amount will still be placed on your payment method. You can expect this hold to be released once your booking is confirmed. Once the booking is confirmed, the system applies your credits, and the hold on the equivalent amount is released back to your payment method.
Step 6: Finalize Your Payment and Booking Request
Review your information one final time, then complete your request. Tap the Submit button at the bottom of the screen.
Once your request is submitted, it is routed instantly to the Ride Host. Sit back and relax while you wait for them to accept your reservation!