Alamo Car Rental Deposit

[CHRIS F]

Information / help required with regard to Alamo, and picking up the car. We have booked through Jetsave flying with VA but hiring the car through Alamo which is part of the package, the problem is about a year ago I decided to get rid of my credit cards all with large balances, so when we go to pick the car up I have no credit card to leave a deposit with. Since booking the holiday I reapplied for a card but got refused so I am stuck.

We have booked the gold insurance fully inclusive insurance package with Alamo, do I still need to leave a credit card imprint. Last year we used dollar and because I had the full package they did not ask for a deposit.

Has anyone hired with Alamo without a card? What deposit if any in cash did you have to leave?


We have asked Jetsave,Thomas Cook and Alamo all with different answers, I did not get to speak with anyone at Alamo that understood we were on a package they kept answering as if I was trying to book direct. The responses were all you must have a cc with any car hire company but last year I was not asked so not 100% accurate as Dollar did not require it. Also each gave me different deposit amounts in cash.

I don't want to arrive and either not be allowed to have a car or alternativly the deposit is so high it takes all of our spending money.


Help

 

[paulh]

if someone elce in you party has a cc they can put it up
Paulh

 

[catrinuk]

when we went out last year i had pre booked and pre paid for a car with Alamo, when we arrived at MCO the woman demanded a credit card, we have never had credit cards and it was all really embarrasing, everyone else looking at us after a long heated discussion it was all sorted but in order to avoid repeat we have got a credit card just for our holidays.

 

[CHRIS F]

Catrin

How did you sort it out. We do not have a credit card in our party so really stuck.

As we have the top insurance there is no incedentals like petrol or excess just don't understand why they need it?

 

[Shooby doo]

I'm surprised that you didn't have to leave an imprint last time,as we always had to, do you have a cashpoint card with the Visa symbol? I don't know the cash deposit amount but they do quote $50/day up to max of $200/week for walk in cash customers so wouldn't think it would be too far off that. Reading their blurb I think the deposit in your case is a cover for them in case you have an accident doing something that isn't included in their fully comp cover (?!). I don't think that you can use the option of someone else in the party's card as it looks like it needs to be in the driver's name?
Full of good news but we've always had to leave a cc swipe at our hotel as well!
SD

 

[bazzanoid]

Flame me now, I'm crossing threads into one another....

Can you use AmEx TC Cards for your car rental imprint....?

 

[Minniespal]

Can you use AmEx TC Cards for your car rental imprint....?

No ~ It has to be a credit card in the name of the driver.

 

[CHRIS F]

I already had that thought about the Amex card, but it stiplates in the card information that it cannot be used for car rental deposits.

 

[Minniespal]

I already had that thought about the Amex card, but it stiplates in the card information that it cannot be used for car rental deposits.

Are you going soon?

 

[CHRIS F]

Going October 5th 2006

 

[Minniespal]

Going October 5th 2006

You could try waiting a couple of months and then re-applying for a cc.

 

[CHRIS F]

Florence

I think I am what you would call to my maximum on credit limits, so cannot get a new card. The stupid thing is if I had not cut up the original ones I would still have them, but at the time it seemed a good or sensible idea and as I am maxed up they will not re-issue. I knew I was coming to Orlando but as dollar did not ask me for one last year as they said with the platinum package it is not required as everything is covered I just thought I would be ok, it was only a few weeks ago I noticed that although we have VA flights we booked through Jetsave and they use Alamo. Jetsave advised maximum £200 deposit left by TC or Cash to be refunded by cheque on my return, but I just don't trust the details as in past visits on other matters when you actually arrive it is different to what the travel company tells you, and the last thing I want is to arrive and end up with no car or a big argument.

Shame Alamo will not accept a debit card.

I just hoped someone on the DIS had found a way around it as not everyone has a cc

 

[catrinuk]

as i had already paid for everything up front on my visa debit, and knew the money had been taken i stood my ground and short of throwing a paddy I insisted that they were not going to get a credit card imprint as i just did not have one - they settled for my debit card in the end!!! Why dont you try and speak to someone at Alamo UK prior to travel and see if there is anything that they can do to help ease the situation. Good Luck - if i were you i would just take the risk if you cant find a solution - we did get our car and no credit card so although embarrasing and very frustrating at the time it all worked out OK.

 

[Minniespal]

I would try standing your ground and see what they have to say. Good Luck.

 

[Shooby doo]

catrinuk their shouldn't have been a problem with your visa/debit card,that's what the visa symbol is for, surely can't be any different than going to the cash points at DTD & taking money out? I think we tend to forget that the US ( I know it's a bit of a generallity) has a CC culture whereas we've mainly been cash/hp
SD

 

[CHRIS F]

Got a reply from Alamo USA customer services, they will accept my debit card if it has a visa logo, and we have return tickets to UK, just checking with them what they debit!!

Also, thanks to the DIS I have been pointed towards a pre paid credit card ie we load it with money no credit, which is also an option.

I appreciate everyones help!

 

[Minniespal]

Glad you got a result Chris