Shared car hire and credit cards

hohum

Hello

I'm having fun planning for a trip we're taking in October to Spain.

My brain however is a bit frazzled by trying to work out car hire!

We are a party of four adults, of which three are drivers. None of us have a credit card - at least, none of us at the moment have a credit card with a large enough limit that can cover the excess I think will be required by the car company (£500 odd pounds?)

I was considering getting a travel credit card - I have been improving my financial situation to the extent that soft searches indicate I could obtain one of the higher rate interest cards (I have no intention of using the card as anything but a way to pay. No desire for it to be a line of credit!). Then I could book the hire using my card.

But....I'm the one in the party who isn't a qualified driver as I'm yet to pass my test (started it a bit late!). Looking at some car hire searches it seems that the card must be in the driver's name?

This seems a bit stupid to me - if I am the card holder and am present, surely that's enough to authorise the transaction?

Is this rule the norm, are there any car hire companies who don't require the credit card to be in the driver's name?

Or: is there any way to hire a car using a debit card that doesn't cost the earth? My partner who drives would be able to accommodate a £500 deposit from his current account which is linked to his debit card?

NiftyDigits

If you don't have a credit card. you will have to buy the Excess Waiver direct from the car hire company and to leave a small deposit(perhaps 150 €) in cash/debit card.

So whilst not the cheapest option, it should be fine split between four adults.

hohum

NiftyDigits wrote: »

If you don't have a credit card. you will have to buy the Excess Waiver direct from the car hire company and to leave a small deposit(perhaps 150 €) in cash/debit card.

So whilst not the cheapest option, it should be fine split between four adults.

Ah OK thanks for the info. Can I still book the car in advance, and are there certain companies with which this will be easier with?

NiftyDigits

hohum wrote: »

Ah OK thanks for the info. Can I still book the car in advance, and are there certain companies with which this will be easier with?

If you want to book direct; Record Go T&C

We also accept Visa and MasterCard ATM debit cards (except for EC-Karte), provided that the customer purchases Comfort Plus Cover.

You may cancel your reservation and receive a full reimbursement as long as the cancellation request is made at least one hour prior to the pick up time.

Record Go

I guess you can call the to confirm that you can pay via Debit Card on arrival. Other company will do the same, regardless of whether they advertise it or not.

You'll also have to pay for a tank of petrol in advance and to return it empty.

hohum

Thanks again!

To add something I found whilst looking to see if all companies allow this, I found that Centuaro say they will allow for authorisation of paying by credit card if you are not the main driver http://carhire.centauro.net/spain/leading-car-rental/FAQ.html (although only in certain locations). In case anyone else is in the same situation!

NiftyDigits

hohum wrote: »

Thanks again!

To add something I found whilst looking to see if all companies allow this, I found that Centuaro say they will allow for authorisation of paying by credit card if you are not the main driver http://carhire.centauro.net/spain/leading-car-rental/FAQ.html (although only in certain locations). In case anyone else is in the same situation!

You don't have a credit card. A Prepaid card is not a credit card.

Obviously_the_best

Depends where in Spain you're going. You'll find smaller locally based companies are more likely to accept hire without a credit card.

Alternatively, can any of you get an Amex basic card. If you can find a firm that'll take Amex, they have no credit limit and no fee if they don't actually take any money.

p.s. Prepaid cards are cleverly branded debit cards.

Indigo_Car_Hire

When hiring a car in Spain you are required to take out the top insurance, which provides you with zero excess and no deposit - the only way they will allow you to do it, some companies restrict you to booking via third parties i.e. a broker, which is not a bad thing when renting in somewhere like Spain - if things go belly up at least you have the broker there a recourse for any complaint/s


There are a few people out there whom specialise in this area... as per the below, please note I work for Indigo Car Hire one of the people who do specialise in this area, but for sure this post is meant to be informative and helpful, so whilst I mentioned these guys (of course as I help people in this very situation day in and day out) and list some of the other people who can help too, people can judge for themselves :-)


Indigo Car Hire
Carjet
Fastcar hire
Debitcardcarhire.com


Good Luck to all!

Indigo_Car_Hire

PS - re the below, too truce :-)


p.s. Prepaid cards are cleverly branded debit cards.

hohum

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You don't have a credit card. A Prepaid card is not a credit card.

Um

I'm not saying I have a prepaid card? I am considering applying for a credit card (not prepaid) that will offer good rates overseas. What I mean re line of credit is that I don't intend to use it as a long term credit facility, eg I will be paying back the card in full.

As you explained before, it will be possible with that company too to do as you suggested and pay the additional excess which will enable us to use cash/ debit card.

However if I do decide to get a credit card, this could be useful for others to know from the main FAQs

---

Can I pay with my credit card if I am not the person who picks up the car? The following information only refers to locations where Centauro have an office (Barcelona-Valencia-Alicante-Murcia-Malaga- Mallorca-Ibiza Airports, Torrevieja & Benidorm local offices)

Yes, that is acceptable but we require written authorization from the credit card holder. The authorization can be sent via email to our reservation department with details of the card. We do not need the card on arrival.
The details we need are: Booking reference number, the cardholder name, person to be authorized, credit card name, credit card number and validity to date.

For example: I John Smith authorize the charges on my credit card number 1234-1234-1234-1234 with expiry date 05/16 all charges relating to reservation number XXXXXX-XXXXXX in the name of Mary Jones.

NiftyDigits

hohum wrote: »

Um

I'm not saying I have a prepaid card? I am considering applying for a credit card (not prepaid) that will offer good rates overseas. What I mean re line of credit is that I don't intend to use it as a long term credit facility, eg I will be paying back the card in full.

As you explained before, it will be possible with that company too to do as you suggested and pay the additional excess which will enable us to use cash/ debit card.

However if I do decide to get a credit card, this could be useful for others to know from the main FAQs

---

Can I pay with my credit card if I am not the person who picks up the car? The following information only refers to locations where Centauro have an office (Barcelona-Valencia-Alicante-Murcia-Malaga- Mallorca-Ibiza Airports, Torrevieja & Benidorm local offices)

Yes, that is acceptable but we require written authorization from the credit card holder. The authorization can be sent via email to our reservation department with details of the card. We do not need the card on arrival.
The details we need are: Booking reference number, the cardholder name, person to be authorized, credit card name, credit card number and validity to date.

For example: I John Smith authorize the charges on my credit card number 1234-1234-1234-1234 with expiry date 05/16 all charges relating to reservation number XXXXXX-XXXXXX in the name of Mary Jones.

I understood. But you not have have a CC.
But if you get a CC, you can certainly use that service. But you'll still likely need to buy the insurance directly from the hire company, so as to reduce the Excess. Otherwise you won't likely have enough to cover the Excess.
Minimum would be 600€(Approx. £500)
Of course this is not a problem if the CC authorises the amount.

If you have a £500 limit, it doesn't quite cover 600€.

Perhaps your limit may have risen by the time you get there.

Which CC will give you good rates overseas? AQUA?