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

[CindyLou]

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

They can tell by the first 4 numbers on the card....maybe some don't notice, but you can tell if you want to know.

[Flamingo]

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.

As soon as you provide the number to your card or present your card for payment or secure the rental car, if the person running the card or numbers through their system doesn't catch that it is a debit card, the system will. It will automatically ask for your pin number. Some systems ask if you want to run it through as a debit or credit card, but the rental company still knows it is a debit card and they will not accept it or require stipulations if you need to use it and they accept it. A debit card is not a credit card - it is a link to a checking account or account that is secured with prepaid cash that is debited when used.

[momof5]

A debit card is not a credit card - it is a link to a checking account or account that is secured with prepaid cash that is debited when used.

This has really been an eye opener for us! We have used our debit as a credit card for everything including hotels, plane reservations(looong time ago), anything you can imagine. Yet you are 100% correct in that it is NOT looked at as though its a credit card by car rental companies.

I did call Enterprise and sure enough they do a 'credit criteria check'. Thrifty does as well. My husband called the rest and they either dont take the bank card as a credit or they do a credit check. A couple did say they hold $300 or more PLUS a credit check. Rent-A-Wreck was the only one that could give us an older model for a $600 cash deposit. No thanks.

I could almost cry because I know that I am in the process of filing BK because of some really rotten life circumstances that were unavoidable. We had scores in the 700's in January and would have had no problem renting a car at that time. Now just a few short months later we are unable to do this because we are looked at as a credit risk and might steal a car.

While I do understand the rental car companies position it still is a harsh reality check as to a negative of filing BK.

I think we are going to try to borrow a car from my parents. I just hate to ask

[imbroke2]

Well, I just gave my response about not saying anything because I really never have had any problems reserving or buying anything. We've reserved cars and hotel rooms on this card and no problems. Maybe it's just where you all are renting from. We've used Enterprise and several big name hotels with no problems. I've bought lots of things online and over the phone with my card too. I understand that the numbers on the card tell that it's a debit card, but I have never had anyone reject it when I say it's a credit card.

[poor@budgeting]

DEBIT is printed above the VISA/MC logo, at least on my cards.
Have you pulled your credit score lately? It might not be as low as you think.
We've been getting credit solicitation(pre-approved? meets credit criteria check?) from several lenders already eventhough obtaining credit at this point is subject to trustee's approval.

[imbroke2]

I know what a debit card is and I know that it says debit on the top of my card. I am not ignorant like a pp made me seem. I know a debit card comes out of my checking account. I just have never had issues when asked to reserve with a card.

[poor@budgeting]

imbroke2, my reply was not directed at you but to the original poster.

[imbroke2]

That's OK poor, I didn't mean you Sorry, I suppose I should have been clearer.
Basically I was just in a bad mood at the moment and I really was directing my reply at someone who felt the need to explain what a debit card is.