good-bye 200 bucks?

[floridian]

i have the worst credit on the planet, but have a decent retirement income. i havent decided about bk yet, as im in divorce court..
i have debit cards, but since i live alone with no family, i would like to have a secured credit card in case im ever stranded and need to rent a car to get home.. it seems almost impossible to rent a car without a credit card and decent credit, from what the major rental companies have told me..
i have an application from orchard bank that i obtained online, that requires a 200 buck application fee..
i didnt think you could get denied by a secured credit card, but i see that several members here have been denied a card by orchard.
so, if i send them 200 bucks and get denied, is it adios 200 bucks?? anyone have experience?

[Charlie777]

I believe the $200 fee is to apply for an unsecured card which will have a limit not much more than $200. (maybe $300). A car rental company may take an authorization for more than $300.00 on a weekend rental.

If you have the money to go for a higher secured card limit, why not try a local Credit Union? Put money in a savings account that secures the cvard - your limit will be the amount you put up to secure the card.

I'm pretty sure (and they should disclose this) that if you aren't approved for the card they will return the fee.

[epiphany]

I haven't had any problems using my bank debit card (with a mastercard face) to rent cars, hotel rooms, whatever. I just have to have the money in the account. Most banks offer these with a checking account.

Since you are talking secured anyway, another alternative is to use a pre-paid visa or mastercard. Load it and you should have no problems using it when you need to. There is a fee for those though.

Good luck to you,

ep