Car hire: I pay but different driver

Eleanorus

My son and I are travelling to Belfast on June 17.  I have a chronic health condition and am no longer able to drive.  My son is driving.  Car hire companies ask that the person who pays with a credit card is the same person as the driver.  My son is on minimum wage and doesn't have a credit card.  Last year I persuaded the company to allow him to pay with his debit card and I gave him the money. I don't want any hassle this time.  Why do they insist on this discriminatory policy?

Phoenix72

It's not discriminatory. Plenty people on minimum wage have a credit card.

The reason they do it is it's far easier to recover any charges on a credit card than a debit card. 

LinLui

It isn't discriminatory because not having a credit card isn't a protected characteristic. 

Here's the answer: https://www.easycar.com/car-rental-guides/credit-card-car-hire#:~:text=Unlike a debit card, a,goes wrong during the rental.

It protects them from losses that a debit card doesn't.

maisie_cat

Is there time for you to get your son an additional card on your account for this purpose? you can always cancel it afterwards.

Eleanorus

My husband doesn't want our son to have an additional card on his account.  I can't get one because I have chronic ill health and only have benefits.  I managed to book a car with Europcar.  They said there wouldn't be a problem as long as I was present when my son collected the car which I will be. Phoenix72 my son tried to apply for a credit card but was refused.

artyboy

Eleanorus said:

My husband doesn't want our son to have an additional card on his account.  I can't get one because I have chronic ill health and only have benefits.  I managed to book a car with Europcar.  They said there wouldn't be a problem as long as I was present when my son collected the car which I will be. Phoenix72 my son tried to apply for a credit card but was refused.

Unfortunately then, this sounds more like a problem that you need to resolve with your husband, as it's not one that you are likely to resolve with the hire companies...