Car hire without credit card?

flyinghibee

I need to arrange car hire abroad but it seems impossible without a credit card. Any ideas?

anewman

They want a credit card so they can take the money off you if anything happens to the car. They'll say it's for ID but this is the real reason.

If you have a job and are reasonably financially sound a credit card should not be difficult to get, just remember to pay off the balance in full ASAP. You could even look on the credit card board for cashback cards etc.

flyinghibee

Hi anewman, Thanks for responding. I realise now it is probably best all round (inusrance etc.) but I have left all to the last minute as usual and my visit to Bank asking them to pull out all the stops to get C.C. proved fruitless. It is to take between 2 and 3 weeks. I go Thurs. I have tried not to get involved with C.C.s but now it seems they are an essential part of life if we are to function. Ho hum:cool:

flyinghibee

Hintza

I have used my Debit card on numerous occasions to hire cars. Just need to make sure you have enough money in your account when they run it through the machine.

flyinghibee

Hi Hintza,

Thanks for replying. The only thing is on these websites they give you the cards they will accept and no debit cards come up.

Regards
flyinghibee

:eek:

Hintza

I have booked the last few years via Auto Europe with my Barclays Connect card. It might be different with other banks and i just treat is I would a CC.

avantra

You can get a pre-pay credit card with Master card or Visa and it's only takes few days to arrange, I don't have a cc but I use my FairFX pre-pay CC for holiday car rental etc'

As long as you load it with enough dosh you will have no problems in hiring, the rental firm will see it as a regular CC.

On the pros and cones of these cards see here:

http://xrl.in/4id

http://xrl.in/4ib

flyinghibee

Thanks Hintza, I will give it a try. I'll let you know if I have any luck.

Regards,
flyinghibee:T

flyinghibee

Hi Avantra,

I saw a big ad in The Times about these cards but didn't apply my mind to it. Now that I have a recommendation I will look at them further and have a look at the sites you gave. Many thanks for taking the time to help.

Regards,
flyinghibee

janinem1974

i have the same problem for my trip to Spain - when i try to book via economycarhire. it states CC required when collecting car.

Autoeurope state the deposit is £405 for using debit card!!!

I rang avis in spain - the stated def NOT debit card.

As we leave on thursday - we have no hope of getting a credit card in time - any more ideas???

janinem1974

flyinghibee wrote: »

I need to arrange car hire abroad but it seems impossible without a credit card. Any ideas?

i was looking at booking with flybe.com
really cheap deal - £83.31 for 9 days Corsa in Gerona.
i dont have credit cards and have found this a MAJOR issue - see my thread on CAR HIRE Q+A's by crabman

what i have found via flybe is the following:

FROM AVIS SPAIN T&C

PAYING FOR YOUR RENTAL: The cost of the rental can be charged to an Avis account or any of the leading credit cards accepted by Avis. If other methods of payment are used, a cash deposit for the approximate cost of the rental plus an additional 20% must be paid upfront.
Cash rentals are only valid for car groups A to H and are subject to the final approval by the Avis rental office. If the information required is not presented by the customer or is insufficient, we reserve the right to decline the rental