Car rental - credit check

[C & L Shaw]

Not sure if anyone is willing to answer or not, but when the rental company says they perform a credit check to see if you qualify for a rental, how in depth is it really? I mean what happens if you get to your destination and you are ready to get your car and then they just say they can't rent to you, then what? What happens if you have pre-paid through Hotwire? I can see where that could just ruin a vacation.

 

[Jaymie]

I didn't know they could run a credit check. Very interesting? Sorry, I have no info for you, bur very curious.

I work in insurance in Canada and a lot of companies run credit checks to determine rate for insureds, for home insurance. Kinda sucks.

Credit ratings are killing you everywhere!

 

[Rumpus]

I don't know how they can perform a credit check on a typical car rental over the internet or over the phone. No SS# is provided, nor a credit card unless you are prepaying. I have rented cars both ways and the process is so quick, I don't see how they could perform an actual credit check.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If you're using a credit card, they'll run a DMV check and that's about it (assuming credit card is valid). Use of a debit card, can trigger additional checks, and they could require a credit check.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't know how they can perform a credit check on a typical car rental over the internet or over the phone.

They do if you are using a debit card. I believe that they do this when you pick up the car. They ask for your SSN then. The fact that someone doesn't have a credit card can be a red flag to rental car companies.

I mean what happens if you get to your destination and you are ready to get your car and then they just say they can't rent to you, then what?

They don't rent you the car. I assume that you then have to request a refund from Hotwire. It's always better to rent a car using a credit card.

 

[havingadisneyday]

Yep, they sure do. They check your credit score in a matter of seconds... prepaid or not. They don't go in-depth like if you were going to get a loan or anything -- they just hear that score. Doesn't matter how long you've had your reservation, or if you prepaid. If its in their policy (read the fine print on your reservation - Avis) they will check your score when you go to pick up the car.

 

[audracooper]

I had this same concern back in the spring when I rented a car to go Florida. The girl at the counter asked it if was okay to run a credit check. I said yes (and then crossed my fingers lol) that I could still rent the car. She never said anything else about the credit check and immediately printed out my contract to sign. I guess they are not really strict about what score they are looking for or either they don't really run the check on everyone. My score isn't horrible but it's not too good either. I wouldn't worry too much about it.