We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
Credit card for USA
Nige67
Posts: 1 Newbie
in Credit cards
Hi all new to this so go gentle! I'm of to USA later this year and never had a credit card but need one for car hire and that's it I won't be using it for anything else, as I'm also looking at pre-paid card to take with me. I have a very good credit rating, if that helps. Hope I'm in the right forum?
0
Comments
-
Any credit card will do what you want - although you will need one with a sufficient limit. Ideally, you would look for one with no foreign exchange fees.
However, if you have limited credit history, you may not have a wide choice. It would be worth doing a soft search to gauge your chances.0 -
As ZX81 states any CC should do although you would want one with 0 cost exchange rates and fees for travelling0
-
-
I generally find it better to pre pay for the car rental before I leave, that way you avoid foreign tranasaction charges. Just use any credit card to back the car rental once in the USA.
Never use a pre paid card to back the rental or Hotel reservation as they can ring fence large amounts on the card that you will not then be able to access.0 -
Remember to get excess insurance as well, common enough for a car hire firm in a foreign country trying to scam tourists with mythical repair bills. Also take photos of the car at time of collection and get the agent to note any issues at all
Sam Vimes' Boots Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness:
People are rich because they spend less money. A poor man buys $10 boots that last a season or two before he's walking in wet shoes and has to buy another pair. A rich man buys $50 boots that are made better and give him 10 years of dry feet. The poor man has spent $100 over those 10 years and still has wet feet.
0 -
Not necessary for USA
Car rentals by non US residents all come with full insurance with a nil excess. In my experience having hired many times in the US they never even check the car on its return other to check the fuel level.0 -
Not necessary for USA
Car rentals by non US residents all come with full insurance with a nil excess. In my experience having hired many times in the US they never even check the car on its return other to check the fuel level.
Firstly, anybody taking the advice of an anonymous poster who tells them they don't need the excess waiver because they car hire company never check the car is crazy
Secondly, it takes seconds online to confirm that most rental companies in fact DO require a CDW and LDW policy before taking the car (usually between £15-£25 a day from the rental place). Moreover, the limited cover that US rentals offer is usually the bare minimum that the state requires so extra thid party liability is a good idea
Thirdly, it is worth noting that hiring in the UK for a US stay often includes the insurance in the premium (for CDW, Third Party, Theft) so a person would do best simply checking firstSam Vimes' Boots Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness:
People are rich because they spend less money. A poor man buys $10 boots that last a season or two before he's walking in wet shoes and has to buy another pair. A rich man buys $50 boots that are made better and give him 10 years of dry feet. The poor man has spent $100 over those 10 years and still has wet feet.
0 -
US rentals have no CDW excess .
As the example from Alamo below clearly shows
Show package inclusions- Collision Damage Waiver (USA: No Excess)
- Extended Liability Protection (EP) (USA/CA: up to $1 mil)
- Customer Facility Charge 8.00 Per Day Per Day
- Vlcrf $1.30 Per Day Per Day
- Concession Recovery Fee 11.10%
- Lessor Tax 2.75 Per Rental Per Rental
- Auto Rental Tax
- Chicago Transaction Tax
- Unlimited Mileage
It was in regards to CDW that I was referring. It doesnt apply to US people who still may get stung for "mythical repair bills"
If an indvidual wants to take out additonal insurances that is their perogative.
Naquerson are you not an anonymous poster too I assume it is not your real name? Geez0 -
US rentals have no CDW excess .
As the example from Alamo below clearly shows
Show package inclusions- Collision Damage Waiver (USA: No Excess)
- Extended Liability Protection (EP) (USA/CA: up to $1 mil)
- Customer Facility Charge 8.00 Per Day Per Day
- Vlcrf $1.30 Per Day Per Day
- Concession Recovery Fee 11.10%
- Lessor Tax 2.75 Per Rental Per Rental
- Auto Rental Tax
- Chicago Transaction Tax
- Unlimited Mileage
It was in regards to CDW that I was referring. It doesnt apply to US people who still may get stung for "mythical repair bills"
If an indvidual wants to take out additonal insurances that is their perogative.
Naquerson are you not an anonymous poster too I assume it is not your real name? Geez
It depends on the state... e.g. California make CDW a requirement (legally), I'm not sure it's always zero though... My hire in LAX last year was (Hertz) and my future one, again in LAX, is (Avis). It depends on who you rent from and where!0 -
US rentals have no CDW excess .
As the example from Alamo below clearly shows
Show package inclusions- Collision Damage Waiver (USA: No Excess)
- Extended Liability Protection (EP) (USA/CA: up to $1 mil)
- Customer Facility Charge 8.00 Per Day Per Day
- Vlcrf $1.30 Per Day Per Day
- Concession Recovery Fee 11.10%
- Lessor Tax 2.75 Per Rental Per Rental
- Auto Rental Tax
- Chicago Transaction Tax
- Unlimited Mileage
It was in regards to CDW that I was referring. It doesnt apply to US people who still may get stung for "mythical repair bills"
If an indvidual wants to take out additonal insurances that is their perogative.
Naquerson are you not an anonymous poster too I assume it is not your real name? Geez
Obviously I am an anonymous poster, but I am not telling people they don't need to bother with a product, a decision that could then cause them massive financial problems, I am telling them to not listen to someone who will not face any comeback for their advice but but rather to check before they go.
All the advice I have seen on travel websites (both the likes of Trip Advisor and consumer advice sites) is that you should ensure you have the correct cover AND that many US rentals include the absolute bare minimum the state requires which may not fully cover you. The US has 50 states, all with their own laws and there is no blanket rule.
CDW / LDW may be included but if it covers say $2000 of damage then a pre-booked SLP policy to increase the limit is a good idea.
Your quoted example, Alamo states:
You will be responsible for the following additional charges or liabilities if incurred:
Damages, theft or third-party liabilities not covered by a protection productSam Vimes' Boots Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness:
People are rich because they spend less money. A poor man buys $10 boots that last a season or two before he's walking in wet shoes and has to buy another pair. A rich man buys $50 boots that are made better and give him 10 years of dry feet. The poor man has spent $100 over those 10 years and still has wet feet.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 349.7K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.9K Spending & Discounts
- 242.6K Work, Benefits & Business
- 619.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.3K Life & Family
- 255.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards