Stressed about collecting my hire car

Mr_M_Cox

Hi All,

I am really stressed about collecting my hire car on an upcoming holiday to Menorca.

I am very lucky this holiday is a gift meaning that the hire car is purchased using someone else's credit card.

I do have a credit card but not with the limit on it that they are suggesting I might need to have.
Does anyone know anything of this type of situation?

Here is what they say in their documents -
Payment:

A major credit card (Visa or Mastercard) in the name of the main driver is required in order to collect
the car. (Please note that cards without the driver's name on will not be accepted).
Debit cards are accepted if you take the supplier's SCDW insurance.
The credit card used for payment must be in the name of the main driver. If this is not the case, the
supplier may accept the credit card of a passenger, provided that this person is present on collection.
The cost of this service is 10eur.

And what will happen when I collect the car?

COMANYX will ask you to leave a deposit of 875.00€.

They won’t actually take any money – they’ll just block the deposit from your credit card in case there’s any damage.

And when you return your car in the same condition it was collected in, the deposit amount will be unblocked.

Any help is much appreciated.

Mr_M_Cox

Its my father so yes, can trust but not really got time for that.

Mr_M_Cox

Thanks for all the replies so far. It sounds like you think it will be a problem? We have hired a car that he paid for in the past and it was fine, just cant remember quite what the logistics were.

eDicky

If the hire firm's SCDW insurance has not been and will not be purchased, the 875€ deposit needs to go on a credit card in your name (as main driver).

Mr_M_Cox

I have gone for an insurance option, don't know if it's SCDW, what's is that?

Would the credit card need that much available balance? It says they don't take any money so perhaps my credit card that has a couple of hundred available in it would be ok?

eDicky

Mr_M_Cox wrote: »

I have gone for an insurance option, don't know if it's SCDW, what's is that?

Would the credit card need that much available balance? It says they don't take any money so perhaps my credit card that has a couple of hundred available in it would be ok?

The SCDW (probably meaning Super Collision Damage Waiver) needs to be purchased from the hire firm itself in order to cover the CDW excess amount and remove the need for them to take a deposit from your card to cover that excess, in case you damage the car. An independently purchased excess cover insurance will not remove that need. I would assume that you need a credit limit on your card in excess of the deposit amount to be blocked. Perhaps you can ask for your credit limit to be raised?

peachyprice

It would be helpful if you named the hire company (assuming it's not COMPANYX?) Most hire companies will need a card in the name of the driver or passenger, in fact I haven't come across one who will take a card of a person not present.

When they say they don't take the money the amount still needs to be available n your balance, all they mean is they ringfence it rather than making a complete transaction.

If you take out the insurance they will take a debit card, couldn't you just do this and use your debit card instead?

Mr_M_Cox

I think I have found a solution but am trying to get hold of someone from the company to confirm this will work.

When I signed up there were two insurance options, 20 euros apart in price. If I upgrade my insurance to the higher one for an extra 20 they dont then take a deposit. and then for 10 euro they will take a different card to that used to book.

All being well this should do it as the card would then be for identity and security rather than deposit.
Fingers crossed I can get hold of someone.