Can I use a Debit Card to rent a car?

[taylor1293]

We are considering renting a car for a couple of days during our trip. Can we use a debit card for this or do we need a credit card?

Thanks,

Teresa

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Depends on the car rental agency. No for National, yes, with proof of return ticket at Alamo at the airport, yes, for Dollar, and I believe yes for Budget. Check the sites for exact information.

 

[taylor1293]

Thanks Gail

 

[seashoreCM]

Heads up:

1. Some rental agencies require you to buy some or all of their insurance and coverages if you use a debit card. (Rules and policies of many large agencies can be seen in Travelocity.com )

2. Car rental agencies may charge you extras for alleged damage after your rental and ask questions later. This may cause your checks to bounce.

For these reasons I strongly recommend using credit cards rather than debit cards.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[safetymom]

I use my debit card all the time to rent cars. I am gold preferred with Hertz. As long as your debit cards are listed in your profile there is no problem. They charge an additional day when they put the hold on your funds the day of rental.

I like knowing that the car is paid for.

 

[mcnuss]

I use my Visa branded debit card also for car rentals. I use Hertz or Budget, never have had a problem. I don't think that the agents even know it's a debit card since it has the Visa logo. But in both instances, like safetymom, I belong to the company's affinity program, so my information is in a profile, and I never even show the card at the counter.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mcnuss
I use my Visa branded debit card also for car rentals. I use Hertz or Budget, never have had a problem. I don't think that the agents even know it's a debit card since it has the Visa logo. But in both instances, like safetymom, I belong to the company's affinity program, so my information is in a profile, and I never even show the card at the counter.

they know that it is a debit card by the way it is coded. Some banks code them so that it is hard to tell, but, most do not.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
Heads up:

1. Some rental agencies require you to buy some or all of their insurance and coverages if you use a debit card. (Rules and policies of many large agencies can be seen in Travelocity.com )

2. Car rental agencies may charge you extras for alleged damage after your rental and ask questions later. This may cause your checks to bounce.

For these reasons I strongly recommend using credit cards rather than debit cards.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

I don't trust travelocity to be accurate with their rental car companies' policy. Best to go to the site directly.
I have yet to find a car rental agency, that accepts debit card, insist I take their insurance, I have found it to be optional.

 

[kilee]

Better yet, once you pick a car rental agency, make sure to call them direct. Sometimes one may have one policy and another a completely different one. I have found this to be the case with Budget and Alamo (not in Orlando, but other areas). Also, I am assuming you are talking about a debit card with the Visa or Mastercard logo on it. There are still some banks that issue the older style ones without those logos. That most likely wouldn't be accepted for the rental car no matter what. The rules do change once you have a round trip ticket too. Usually they are more lenient then.

 

[mryder]

I used a Debit card with the Visa symbol on it several times at the Dollar rental counter in the MCO airport. No problems to report and I was not forced to take their insurance. Their do put a "hold" on the rental amount, but the card is not charged until you return the car. Call the MCO Dollar to doubecheck, as each location is different.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mryder
I used a Debit card with the Visa symbol on it several times at the Dollar rental counter in the MCO airport. No problems to report and I was not forced to take their insurance. Their do put a "hold" on the rental amount, but the card is not charged until you return the car. Call the MCO Dollar to doubecheck, as each location is different.

Dollar is one that accepts debit cards for rental, they do put the acutal amount PLUS a deposit on hold. If it is on hold it may as well be a charge as the money is no longer available to you.
Alamo chages you up front for only the cost of the rental, they will try to sell you the insurance but will not insist. They will only accept these cards with proof of a r/t ticket.