Credit card needed for car hire

Maz1970

Hi.

This is my first time on these forums, so please be gentle with me!

I have no debts and my wages are paid straight into a bog- standard current account and the remainder put in savings accounts. My transactions are either cash or debit card and I never go overdrawn.

I want to hire a car in Ireland, but I've been told that I need a credit card as insurance. Knowing nothing about them, I'm at a loss about which one to choose.

I'll probably never use it again (unless I need it for a hire care), so it'll be put away in a cupboard and forgotten about.

Has anyone got any suggestions as to the best credit card to choose? I don't want one which will charge me if I don't use it, or will charge me an horrific amount if I only use it once.

Thanks for your time.

King_Of_Fools

If you have never had a credit card you will probably have a limited selection (unless you have other forms of credit, motgage, loans, etc.) so you had better choose carefully.

The normal thing to do is apply for your first credit card from the bank where you have your current account as they have all your financial history and can issue one with few questions. Who do you bank with? It may help us be able to narrow your choices down a bit.

If you have other credit, you may have more options and you may be able to choose a cashback credit card where you can earn money from your spending (as long as you pay it off in full every month). It may, therefore, be worth moving some of your normal spend to a cashback credit card but it may not suit you, personally. Choice of a cashback card depends very much on how much you spend, where you shop, etc..

One further point, I have heard that some car hire places (in France) refuse to accept a standard credit card and will request at least a Gold card (as a guarantee that there will be sufficient credit on it). So, if you have the option (i.e. you earn enough) make sure you opt for a Gold or Platinum card.

Maz1970

Hi.

I bank with Lloyds TSB, earn about £25,000 and save about £900 a month in a building society.

I've been told by my bank that my credit rating is a 2, and they tell me that's quite good.

I'm going to the bank at lunchtime, just to see what they can offer. As I say, I probably will never use the card again, but I suppose it's worth getting the best one I can (eg Platinum) as long as I won't incur any charges. I don't want to be paying out for something I don't use.

King_Of_Fools

Maz1970 wrote:

I bank with Lloyds TSB, earn about £25,000 and save about £900 a month in a building society.

Sounds like you should be able to get the Lloyds TSB Platinum card:
http://www.lloydstsb.com/credit_cards/platinum_card.asp

You will not be charged if you do not use the card.

Maz1970

Thanks very much for this. I will look into it and hopefully get the card ASAP.

Do you have any idea as to how long the card will take to come through once I've been accepted? I really need to book the car ASAP.

Thanks

King_Of_Fools

Maz1970 wrote:

Thanks very much for this. I will look into it and hopefully get the card ASAP.

Do you have any idea as to how long the card will take to come through once I've been accepted? I really need to book the car ASAP.

I am sorry but I do not know for sure. I believe others have said around 2 weeks and I think it is quicker if you apply in a branch as you can sign all the paperwork straight away (otherwise they have to send it out to you and you return it by post).