Pre-Paid Cards and Car Hire

BYould

Just wondered if anyone that has got a prepaid card has ever been successful in renting a car with it.

My understanding was that you couldn't use them because it isn't a credit card but some people I know say they have used it.

Thanks in advance

BYould

Any takers?

simongregson

It's not a case of can't, it's just that your money gets tied up. Usually when you rent a car the hire company put a 'reserve' on any excess that you are required to pay on the provided insurance, usually a minimum of about £500. In order for the transaction to be approved, your pre-payed card would have to have this amount spare. The money would be tied up until the hire company released its reserve on the cash, which could take a while.

I don't thin k that maestro card allow this type of transaction, but in theory there is nothing to stop you doing it with a pre-payed mastercard.

Incidentally the same principle applies to hotel rooms, but to a lesser extent, whereby the hotel will reserve a sum of money to cover your room charge + extras (like emptying the minibar!) Hotels are usually pretty good at removing their 'hold' on the money when you check out, not so sure about the car hire people.

James

Two new pre-paid cards on the market, aimed at the public sector to deliver welfare payments;

Alliance & Leicester.

The Kent Card (Royal Bank of Scotland).

Cards carry the Visa logo and can be used wherever the Visa sign is displayed.

Just an insight into recent developments.

alan99_2

BYould wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone that has got a prepaid card has ever been successful in renting a car with it.

My understanding was that you couldn't use them because it isn't a credit card but some people I know say they have used it.

Thanks in advance

Hi

This link may be useful.

http://www.which-prepaid-card.co.uk/car-hire/Using-prepaid-card-hire-a-car.html

Thanks to Morglin for initial link.(23/1/07)

Regards