Car hire

Bessie123

Hi,

I have had lots of problems with debt in the past. Lots of defaults, all paid off last year.

My wife has an excellent credit rating and has never had any problems getting credit.

We have a joint account used for bills only, creating a financial link. She has a mortgage (before I had paid any of my debt off).

We are going on holiday in a few weeks and need to hire a car, for which you need a credit card.

She applied for a credit card with our bank (Halifax) online last night, and the application was declined. Presumably because of my past.

Would all companies look at my history?

Is it worth going in to the bank to point out that all my debt is paid? And that she doesn't intend to use the card except for to hire a car?

Also, what do the hire companies use the card for?

Thanks.

grumbler

Bessie123 wrote: »

I have had lots of problems with debt in the past. Lots of defaults, all paid off last year.

My wife has an excellent credit rating and has never had any problems getting credit.

We have a joint account used for bills only, creating a financial link.

This joint account was a huge mistake. What does it do that a sole account couldn't?

Would all companies look at my history?

Yes.

Is it worth going in to the bank to point out that all my debt is paid?

Well, your credit history has to show this. Also, all decisions are made by computers nowadays; branches' staff are powerless.

And that she doesn't intend to use the card except for to hire a car?

What she says makes no difference anyway, especially as the bank can't control this.

Also, what do the hire companies use the card for?

AFAIK, they insist on a credit card to be able to charge you for any damage to the car if it happens.



To avoid problems in the future, get rid of the joint account. Then your wife hast to request disassociation from you.
ATM she can try one of Bad-credit Credit Cards

MEM62

Bessie123 wrote: »

Hi,

I have had lots of problems with debt in the past. Lots of defaults, all paid off last year.

My wife has an excellent credit rating and has never had any problems getting credit.

We have a joint account used for bills only, creating a financial link. She has a mortgage (before I had paid any of my debt off).

We are going on holiday in a few weeks and need to hire a car, for which you need a credit card.

She applied for a credit card with our bank (Halifax) online last night, and the application was declined. Presumably because of my past.

Would all companies look at my history?


If you are financially linked the data will show and may have impacted on their decision. But there may be other reasons for decline. (Affordability perhaps?) Get hold of her credit report and see what information is shown.

Is it worth going in to the bank to point out that all my debt is paid? And that she doesn't intend to use the card except for to hire a car?


Irrelevant. Once they have issued the card they have no way of controlling how you use it.

Also, what do the hire companies use the card for?


To take payment of course but most importantly so that they can apply any charges that might arise post-hire - such as claims and damages etc.

Thanks.

Check your wife's credit report. If the data on there is correct she may have a problem getting a credit card although, of course, she can always try one of the sub-prime cards.

Indigo_Car_Hire

Who have you booked a car with? As it might turn out that a debit card is good enough....


Sometimes the terms stated are simply generic terms.

giblet10

I did hire a car with my debit card a few years ago when I also couldn't get a credit card. This was with Budget in Northern Ireland - they did however ring fence £500 deposit until I returned the car and a few days after it was released.

As others have said, ditch the joint account and get the Mrs. to disassociate herself from you asap.

InsideInsurance

Bessie123 wrote: »

Also, what do the hire companies use the card for?

They use it to cover damage you cause to the vehicle, any parking tickets/ fines you run up or if you return the car with insufficient fuel.

Most will preauthorise an amount on the card when you collect the vehicle. How much they do will in part depend on if you take their CDW/ excess insurance, if you do then its normally a hundred or two. If you dont then its normally the full excess which can be up to £1,000

It is often incorrect to say you need a credit card, I've never known any hire car company have any problem taking a debit card but assuming you dont buy the CDW from them you need to ensure there is a spare £1,000 or whatever the requirement is, in the account.

They dont actually take the money, unless you do damage the car etc, but the authorisation process ringfences it stopping you spending it until the authorisation drops off which can take up to a week.

Sofiawright

Joint account many cause problems. so, you should avoid joint account or you can contact with car hire companies. There are many agencies which provides car rental services like you can book the car in advance or on the spot.