Anyone rented from Alamo with a Visa check card?

[Poohbearmom]

We will be at WDW for 10 nights and will be using towncar service and WDW transportation. However, we will need a car for 1 day to drive down to Venice to visit some friends. I have a reservation with Alamo at WDW Car Care Center. The problem is, the only card I use, or have, is my ATM/check card with a Visa logo. I talked with Alamo's main reservations people & they said I could rent the car with only my check card as long as I show my round-trip airline ticket. Then I called Alamo at WDW car care center directly & they told me that I would need an actual credit card at the time of pick-up, but that I could pay for it with my check card when I drop the car off. I then called Alamo's main number again & they said the person at the WDW location was wrong. They got on the line with the WDW location & confirmed that all I would need, since I don't have a regular credit card, is my ATM/Visa & my airline ticket. I am now feeling very uneasy and I'm wondering if I am going to have a major problem when I show up to rent the car. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this situation?

 

[plutosmyfav]

DH rented from Alamo with his debit card (just one day due to car repair at home). They billed our checking acoung $200 immediately, then billed the account the actual charge for the rental. Then about 4 days later they took the $200 "hold" back off by crediting our account. Seemed a bit odd to me.

 

[CarolA]

Actually the $200 was probably the hold they put on your account. Debtit cards are not always reliable when renting. Your checking account must give them enough "availalbity of funds" to cover the cost of the rental, plus whatever "extra pad" they claim (ie the $200). Also, I have seen them not work and there is nothing you can do then.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

The only card I have ever used with them is my Debit/MC. They have never charged me more than the rental, which was immediate, no holds no nothing.

 

[Poohbearmom]

My mind will rest a little easier now. I really appreciate the input. Now....how am I going to get thru the next two weeks?????

 

[Mogs30]

They have an "Alamo" at the car care center???? I have National booked through them. Is Alamo and National at the same place?? And does Alamo pick you up and take you to the car site?? Just curious, cuz maybe Alamo has better rates. Thanks Mogs

 

[Poohbearmom]

Both National and Alamo are located at the Car Care Center. Alamo told me to call them 24 hrs in advance & they would pick us up at the WL & take us to get the car. When I called National about my ATM/Visa situation, they were very rude and said I would absolutely NOT be able to rent a car...period. Alamo was much more helpful...especially the people at the main reservations number. I have now found & printed off the info on Alamo's website regarding their "official" policy for renting a car with only a debit card. It definitely states that you can rent a car without a credit card, using just your ATM/visa check card, as long as you show them your round-trip airline info. You can bet I'll be taking copies of that web page with me, just in case! Oh, and about rates...I am getting a one-day rental for a standard sized SUV for $39.00, which includes taxes & fees.

 

[Mogs30]

Thanks for reply, I'll be calling them to check out rates. And sorry about the mistake of poohbearsam before. Have a great trip, your almost there.