Credit Card for Car Rental

greenorange

GingerBob wrote: »

Hiring a car without a credit card is all but impossible these days. Don't forget that when they take a swipe of your card as a guarantee you are, in effect, agreeing to them having unfettered access to your card account. They can take what they want, when they want, up to years later in some extreme cases. Their strategy is plunder your account now, ask questions later! Be careful and watch your account closely after the hire.

My dad travels for a living, and does not own a credit card (he refuses). He's never had any trouble renting a car or checking into hotels. He just has to look do a little 'shopping around' and research beforehand. A lot of car companies will accept a debit card for deposits.

lottie3000

I have had problems hiring a car without a credit card in the US, you definatly need one they don't accept debit cards. I think they hold the value of the deposit on it so although it never debits the card it is held there.

I booked a hire car in my husband's (partner at the time) name and paid the hiring cost on my credit card but they wouldn't let us hire the car as they needed the main driver to give a credit card in his name and at the time he didn't have a credit card. I was unable to change the booking to my name so I lost the deposit of the hire money. I was young and silly at the time, so don't get caught out. Make sure the main driver completes the booking and has a credit card.

Terracotta

I have the same problem fly to Italy on 9th July want to hire car at airport but dont have a credit card isnt there some company that will take visa debit or something like a virgin money prepaid mastercard??

I'll obviously make sure I have the mobey on it for the deposit

I dont want a credit card and don't know if I can get one in time anyway

I dont see why it has to be a crefit card :mad:

Aquamania

Terracotta wrote: »

I have the same problem fly to Italy on 9th July want to hire car at airport but dont have a credit card isnt there some company that will take visa debit or something like a virgin money prepaid mastercard??

I'll obviously make sure I have the mobey on it for the deposit

I dont want a credit card and don't know if I can get one in time anyway

I dont see why it has to be a crefit card :mad:

There isn't usually any deposit required when using a credit card.

A deposit is taken when you do not provide a credit card.

GingerBob_3

Aquamania wrote: »

There isn't usually any deposit required when using a credit card.

A deposit is taken when you do not provide a credit card.

Let's not beat about the bush. The reason they nearly always insist on a credit card is so they've got uncontrolled access to your account. They can - and often do - take what they want, when they want, after the event. Then, if they're proved to be wrong you may have to go through hell and high water to get your money back. It's a case of forced agreement - you agree to them having that facility or you don't hire the car. Not sure if there's any trick to stop them accessing your account. Maybe ringing up the card provider after hiring and telling them to treat all transactions from the hire company as unauthorised - probably wouldn't work though.

Buzby

The 'deposit' is a shadow charge which guarantees a certain amount from the available balance, guaranteeing that if the hire company asks for the funds, they will be there to be paid over.

This cannot be done with a debit card, and therefore of no use to the hire company.

Aquamania

GingerBob wrote: »

Let's not beat about the bush.

Agreed.
I don't think anyone can genuinely accuse me of that

GingerBob wrote: »

The reason they nearly always insist on a credit card is so they've got uncontrolled access to your account. They can - and often do - take what they want, when they want, after the event. Then, if they're proved to be wrong you may have to go through hell and high water to get your money back.

Hogwash.

GingerBob wrote: »

It's a case of forced agreement - you agree to them having that facility or you don't hire the car.

Unless the supplier agrees to a security deposit instead (not all do) then that is the type of agreement the customer is entering into as it's the nature of the beast.

There are all sorts of additional charges that may accrue that the supplier cannot allow for beforehand when a customer takes a car, whether that is as simple as fuel used (and not replaced) or other issues such as damage or even non-return of the car (where appropriate insurance cover is not also purchased) or even some charges incurred during the rental period but unpaid. e.g toll roads, congestion charges, one way rental fees, excess mileage fees, etc

The supplier will detail all these costs in the final invoice.

GingerBob_3

Aquamania wrote: »

Hogwash.

Really? Well you're lucky and obviously not had a problem in this respect. If and when it does happen you'll change your view without a doubt. Try EuropCar. They're good at this little wheeze, and other sharp practices as well. Here's a classic - they pay parking fines off your credit card, no questions asked, no chance for you to appeal. Good luck with your future hirings.

System

I agree its far from ideal but using a credit card is much better to using a debit card.

GingerBob wrote: »

Really? Well you're lucky and obviously not had a problem in this respect. If and when it does happen you'll change your view without a doubt. Try EuropCar. They're good at this little wheeze, and other sharp practices as well. Here's a classic - they pay parking fines off your credit card, no questions asked, no chance for you to appeal. Good luck with your future hirings.

bargainbetty

With all due respect, I've used Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Budget and others and I've only got a debit card. UK-based Visa Debit cards act like credit cards in the USA, and therefore are generally accepted by all the major retailers.

Make your booking online, pay online, hand over the card on the day and don't forget to take your driving licence. That's it. There has never been a problem in handing over the debit card for this.