Car hire without credit card

BennyTheSnitch

Hi,

Does anyone know how to hire a car in the UK with just cash, a prepay credit card or a Solo debit card?

I need to hire a car in the UK for a few days. I only have a basic bank account with a Solo debit card and a CashPlus prepay credit card. I have been in contact with LOADS of different car hire places and they all say the same thing: no prepay credit cards, no Solo/Electron and no cash

From what I have found out my options are as follows:

1. Upgrade bank account to get 'proper' debit card
2. Apply for credit card
3. Pay vastly more for the rental and/or deposit but with the ability to use my Solo card
4. Ask a friend to hire the car and add me on as a second driver
5. Keep schtum about CashPlus card being a prepay card and hope for the best (it IS a Mastercard after all...)

Unfortunately:

1. my bank have stated they will not upgrade me yet
2. I will not be given a credit card (I haven't applied but am absolutely confident of this statement given that I have only been discharged from bankruptcy for approximately 6 months)
3. A couple of companies have stated this but I know I am being conned and it just doesn't seem right
4. I don't have a friend I feel I could ask to do this
5. I wouldn't be confident that they would accept the card on the day of picking up the car, thus leaving me with nothing and no time to reorganise.

Does anyone know of any other solutions?

NoLogic

I think Enterprise take any card. I paid on a Barclays Visa debit.
Hope this helps.

BennyTheSnitch

NoLogic wrote: »

I think Enterprise take any card. I paid on a Barclays Visa debit.
Hope this helps.

Thanks NoLogic but unfortunately Enterprise have told me they won't accept my Solo card - only those displaying the VISA/Mastercard logos, as yours does. Enterprise are by far the cheapest option I have found but also the same company that allow me to use my Solo if I pay TWICE the amount another customer would pay for the rental and £200 instead of £150 deposit. I fully understand the deposit increasing and I would be willing to pay a higher amount for this but it seems very unfair making me pay so much more for the actual rental.

NoLogic

Sorry Benny,

Could you not open a Barclays basic debit account then transfer your money over?

The only other option I could see is ask to pay ahead of time if possible, and use your number 5 method?

BennyTheSnitch

NoLogic wrote: »

Could you not open a Barclays basic debit account then transfer your money over?

Oooo! You could be onto something there NoLogic. I've just been checking out what sort of card you get with the Barclays account you refer to and yes, it looks like you do receive a Connect card which is covered by VISA. Can you or anyone else confirm this?

If this is the case then it would appear a simple bank account switch would solve this problem totally. Yay!

NoLogic

BennyTheSnitch wrote: »

Oooo! You could be onto something there NoLogic. I've just been checking out what sort of card you get with the Barclays account you refer to and yes, it looks like you do receive a Connect card which is covered by VISA. Can you or anyone else confirm this?

If this is the case then it would appear a simple bank account switch would solve this problem totally. Yay!

Yep, I have one infront of me, it's a Visa debit connect card. Hope this works out for you!

BennyTheSnitch

That's excellent news, thanks very much. I'll post back in a couple of weeks once my new bank account has been set up (or declined!!!).

NoLogic

BennyTheSnitch wrote: »

That's excellent news, thanks very much. I'll post back in a couple of weeks once my new bank account has been set up (or declined!!!).

You should be able to open a barclays basic one for free, and I'm sure they musn't do a credit check, because I opened mine at 16 with no credit rating!
And I paid with enterprise with this same card, so you should be set
You're welcome!

avantra

I used CashPlus in the past to hire cars in the UK and abroad, as long as you load it with enough ££ to cover the deposit (usually £500) and pass the review which is basically looking how much you use the card.

From the FAQ on the cashplus site:

Can I use my card for car hire?

From time to time we may impose controls on the use of your cashplus prepaid gold MasterCard in specific market sectors. The car hire facility is automatically restricted upon applying. If you wish to have the restriction lifted and the car hire facility switched on, please contact Customer Services so that a review of your account can be performed.

BennyTheSnitch

avantra wrote: »

If you wish to have the restriction lifted and the car hire facility switched on, please contact Customer Services so that a review of your account can be performed.

OK, this is the bit I didn't want to admit to - I also read that and phoned them up to request my review. Unfortunately I failed They suggested that I try again in three months. D'oh! Thank you anyway Avantra

avantra

BennyTheSnitch wrote: »

OK, this is the bit I didn't want to admit to - I also read that and phoned them up to request my review. Unfortunately I failed They suggested that I try again in three months. D'oh! Thank you anyway Avantra

Yes, the 'Review' is just their way of saying 'use the card for 3 month and than we will switch on the deposit facility'

I was using this card for five month when I came across the car facility, as I don't and never use a credit card (Live with in my own means don't borrow from no one etc' etc') I found it very useful.

Just do few transaction on it for 3 month and the operator will switch you on.