Renting a car without a credit card... how?

[momof5]

This is the first time in 5 months that I have found a reason why you need a credit card. Renting a car!

I am so used to using my bank debit card which is also a mastercard(non credit) as credit for purchases (there is no fee to do this). I just assumed that I could use this for anything that required 'credit'.

Well my husband had a minor car accident last week... (it was the other persons fault thank God) and the car needs to go in to be fixed for 2 days next week. Our insurance will reimburse us for the rental car but I am finding through searching online that you need an actual credit card not a debit that bears the Mastercard to rent one. Some companies even do a credit check!

Has anyone been able to rent a car since filing BK? If so how did you do it?

[CindyLou]

You will have to call around and find a company that will take a debit card for a local rental. Beware though, they will hold out 500+ on the card if they do take it. Most companies, however, only take debit cards at airports....so if you have a major airport in your area you might try the counter there.

Some more local companies will take a cash deposit....we have one here in CA called Payless. They take $400 cash deposit.

Now, when my hubby had an accident, State Farm arranged for the car to be billed directly to them and they did not require a credit card at all. They sent us to Hertz.

Good luck, it can be done but it will take some research. Good luck.

[CindyLou]

P.S.....even if the online says they don't take debit, call the actual counter at the rental location and ask about their policy, which varies from location to location. If you find one at the airport that does debit, make sure they won't require proof a airline ticket to rent to you.

[morallyBR2]

I work in a related industry and you are going to need a credit card unless you call and see if you can make other arrangments. You will definitely have to purchase their insurace though.

[CATCHMEIFYOUCAN]

I use to work for Budget Rent A Car. You simply present your credit card (even though you know its a debit card) BUT realize they will HOLD at least $500 on the card if you are renting for more than a week. Once the car is returned they will just charge the rental for the amount actually owed. When using your debit/credit card it ties up $500 on the card - thats all it does. I've been in numerous accidents where the insurance company does pay for the rental but the rental company still ask for a credit card. I typically get my rentals from Enterprise, I tell them I don't have a credit card ESPECIALLY if the insurance company is paying for it. One time I did use my debit/credit card and told them how much money I have available on the card so they wouldn't get approval for more than the amount I actually have available. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED to purchase additional insurance IN FACT the insurance company tells you NOT to purchase additional coverage BUT that is your choice! To me being in the rental car business the additional coverage is quiet useless (especially if you have your own car insurance), its actually incentive for the rental agent/company to sell those additional coverages.

Regards, Catchmeifyoucan

[Cali]

My vehicles are still under warranty, so we get a rental every time we have to leave them for something.

I don't know of any rental place that takes debit cards.

[Flamingo]

Enterprise will take debit cards but with certain restrictions; i.e., you cannot leave the state you rent the vehicle in. A hold for at least $400 will be placed on the card also and that needs to be taken into account with the actual rental cost for the days rented. Everything is clearly stated on their web site about debit cards and also on the rental contract when you accept the vehicle.

A credit card if you need to travel is a necessity especially for hotels and rental cars.

[poor@budgeting]

I all depends on the franchise or corporate sites. Most airport rentals accept debit cards(with MC or VISA logo)but local renters most likely be required to show current utility bill with address matching the driver's license - policy on deposit withholding varies.
Some will accept debit after running a credit check - read somewhere that 550 score is minimum.

There are diff type of insurance that is being offerred. I would consider the one that would take care of your current insurance deductable - most folks have at least $500.

CC is definitely a plus & more convinient when traveling but IMHO not a necessity - as Debit with logo will do ok.

[momof5]

Some will accept debit after running a credit check - read somewhere that 550 score is minimum.



CC is definitely a plus & more convinient when traveling but IMHO not a necessity - as Debit with logo will do ok.

Thats the problem with a freshly filed bk(tomorrow)I would assume our score will be well below that.

[dragonnfly]

My truck was rear ended and I had to get a rental and at the time all the CC's I had were full.....(go figure) Anyways they did take my debit card but they put 2 days rental on it that same day It was like $84. or something. It was with Enterprise. Good Luck. Dragonnfly

[scubaman]

What about one of those CCards that are prepaid by you. Are these considered the same as a regular CC? Or are they the same as debit? Just a curiosity.

[ingrak]

fyi - we have used Enterprise on several occasions - the local branch held just a few days rental & credited our card when we returned the rentals. Otherwise, we have also traveled and used other Enterprise locations in other states & they held a $200 deposit on our card. So, it's not been an issue at all for us.

[Dirk Squarejaw]

fyi - we have used Enterprise on several occasions - the local branch held just a few days rental & credited our card when we returned the rentals. Otherwise, we have also traveled and used other Enterprise locations in other states & they held a $200 deposit on our card. So, it's not been an issue at all for us.

+1

I rented a Ford F150 from Enterprise last fall to pick up a motorcycle in southern Indiana. They held a deposit and then credited it back to me. Very easy.

[imbroke2]

Don't even tell the place it's a debit card. Ours is a debit as well as a credit card. It is an MC as well. I always tell them it's a credit card. It has the numbers on the front as well as the 3 security numbers on the back and an exp. date. My hubby made the mistake of telling Enterprise that he had a debit card and they said they won't take it. Of course I yelled at him and told him never to tell anyone that it's a debit card as most places won't take it. The only time I use it as a debit card is at 1 store where they don't take ccs, only debit cards or the ATM.
I would just call them back and tell them you have a CC and give them the numbers and the security number on the back and the exp date. It shouldn't be a problem.

[Cali]

Sometimes you can tell if it is a debit that can be used as a CC.

Don't even tell the place it's a debit card. Ours is a debit as well as a credit card. It is an MC as well. I always tell them it's a credit card. It has the numbers on the front as well as the 3 security numbers on the back and an exp. date. My hubby made the mistake of telling Enterprise that he had a debit card and they said they won't take it. Of course I yelled at him and told him never to tell anyone that it's a debit card as most places won't take it. The only time I use it as a debit card is at 1 store where they don't take ccs, only debit cards or the ATM.
I would just call them back and tell them you have a CC and give them the numbers and the security number on the back and the exp date. It shouldn't be a problem.