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car hire with prepaid credit cards

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I have been trying to hire a car in Portugal but I can only do so with a credit card. The companies I have contacted will not accept debit cards for the use of car hire.

I wonder if anyone knows if they would accept a prepaid credit card. I have asked 2 companies via e mail, but the reply was simply to confirm the line that "we require a current credit card in the name of the registered driver".

I do hope someone can offer me some advice on this.

Comments

  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,927 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Can you not get a credit card? Or will the limit not cover the insurance excess?

    Cashplus card?

    I wouldnt be happy sticking hundreds of £'s on a pre-pay card.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • reclusive46
    reclusive46 Posts: 2,698 Forumite
    Prepaid credit cards will not be accepted. Visa,MC and Amex all block that particular merchant category code on prepaid cards, so unless the merchant happens to have the wrong or varied code, then it won't work.
  • I do hope someone can offer me some advice on this.

    The most obvious answer is get a credit card then.
    "You know when it's cold outside when you go outside and it's cold"
  • VespaRick
    VespaRick Posts: 20 Forumite
    edited 18 February 2014 at 9:41PM
    I used to have a CashPlus prepaid card and I hired cars many times with it. You need to have customer services activate the access that allows car hire. I believe this is called 'Full Access'. They may require that you meet minim requirements thought to active this. Worth giving them a ring.
  • Biggles
    Biggles Posts: 8,209 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Is there such a thing as a prepaid credit card? Surely they're either prepaid cards or credit cards? I'm sure the car hire company would know the difference.
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