'Typically' how much will a car hire firm reserve on a credit card ?

Bri1

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

cheers Bri

Thanks for your response, which has just crossed with this reply from Alamo
"Dear Mr Cat

Thank you for your email.

The amount for the security deposit is determined by the rental location, but it's usually 20% of the cost of the rental. Once the rental is returned, you will be refunded back the deposit and depending on your financial institution is when you will see the money in your account. "

So there we have it, from the horses mouth :beer:. In my case, thats about $200ish that they'll be reserving on my CC

Used Alamo LAX in March/April this year nothing went on my card at all.

jackieblack

Bri1 wrote: »

Used Alamo LAX in March/April this year nothing went on my card at all.

Did you pre-pay?

Murphy_The_Cat

Bri1 wrote: »

Used Alamo LAX in March/April this year nothing went on my card at all.

How do you know that nothing was 'reserved' on your card, with the 'reservation' removed when the car was returned -- the amount reserved doesn't show on your CC statement, or omline transactions.

But an amount is 'reserved' that can be taken against damage, traffic violations etc etc. In exactly the same way that a hotel takes a scan of your card to reserve some credit to cover incidentals ie. bar bill, box office films etc.

It isn't really a 'charge', but it has the effect of reducing the amount of credit that is available on your card to use

Murphy_The_Cat

jackieblack wrote: »

I think if I were in your shoes Murphy, this'd be my plan.
1. Apply for another 'good' card, if it comes in time that's great, if not then just keep for next trip.
2. Also, apply to Santander for a credit limit increase, (even if it takes them 3 weeks to approve it )
3. If one or the over of those fails, either do an online payment or arrange a payment to the Santander card to take place a few days into your trip (allowing enough time for a few transactions to have gone through so as not to put the account into a positive balance)

Hi Jackie

Thank you for your advice. I'm now the owner of a Clarity credit card with a higher credit limit that you couldn't shake a stick at -- in the mean time, Santander have written to me to ask for written permission to run a credit check on me - d'oh.