Do I have to own a credit card to hire a car?

VixieBelle

Hi Everyone,

I wonder if anyone can give me some advice?

Recently my husband and I hired a car for a weekend away. We decided that I would be the driver so booked it all in my name and paid for it with my debit card (I dont own a credit card).

When we got to our UK destination and tried to collect the car they made a fuss because I dont own a credit card. The only way we could take the car was by paying an extra £48.06 on my debit card (they would accept the debit card for that!) which was more than the rental charge of approx. £30! As we needed the car there wasnt much we could do at the time but I have been trying to argue it since to no avail.

Any advice anyone can offer would be appreciated!

Paul_01

No you don't.

stephane_2

Almost all of car rental companies will require a credit card.....not much you can do about it...a part from getting one

desperation_2

No you do not. Work for a car rental firm and we accept debit cards as standard. Where it may differ is if you rent overseas and they may require a credit card but if you are a UK resident and renting in the UK, then we would accept. Who was the company concerned?

reclusive46

desperation wrote: »

No you do not. Work for a car rental firm and we accept debit cards as standard. Where it may differ is if you rent overseas and they may require a credit card but if you are a UK resident and renting in the UK, then we would accept. Who was the company concerned?

Certain countries Visa debit cards cannot be processed like credit cards. I.e. They can't charge more than the authorisation amount and they have to get authorisation for each charge.

desperation_2

The question was about acceptance, not processing.
If we accept a debit card we pre-authorise the estimated amount of the rental. If the rental changes, for example gets extended beyond the original amount we would again pure authorise the difference in estimate to ensure payment at termination.
If we cannot gain authorisation we would contact the customer to ensure funds available or arrange for the termination of the rental. Any funds owing would be chased by our collections department, in accordance with our t&c's-
So the the original question, no you do not need a credit card, dependant on company, however if overseas this may be different dependant on local policies.
With debit cards becoming more common place in this day and age, it would not make financial sense not to accept them. Whilst to a certain extent credit cards provide an additional level of security regarding payment, the risks nowadays are not as great as pre authorisation is gained.

stephane_2

In the uk some will not accept debit card....

Figtree

I can't speak for all car hire companies, but I've found that the places I've used (Europcar and Enterprise) do accept debit cards, but the 'deposit' isn't 'held' so they seem to charge the card for the full deposit amount and then they refund it once you return the car. This can take a while so I've often been out of pocket for a week or so before the funds are available again.

fuzzybear01

Before I had a credit card I used to hire a car from Jaf Vans in Harrow by paying a £250 deposit using my debit card. This was then refunded on return of the car.

Not sure that the big companies would accept this though.

desperation_2

Europcar, hertz, Avis and enterprise ALL accept debit cards

desperation_2

Figtree wrote: »

I can't speak for all car hire companies, but I've found that the places I've used (Europcar and Enterprise) do accept debit cards, but the 'deposit' isn't 'held' so they seem to charge the card for the full deposit amount and then they refund it once you return the car. This can take a while so I've often been out of pocket for a week or so before the funds are available again.

Not 100% correct. The deposit would be pre authorised, not taken. At termination if no funds are owing the authorisation for £250 would be closed by the company by claiming £0.00 against the authorisation code previously obtained. The funds would then 'drop back into your available balance however dependant on who you bank with this could take up to 10 working days.

To actually 'take' the monies and then 'refund' would be more costly to the company and ultimately of no benefit when they have already gained 'authorisation' should they wish to claim the funds at a later date.