Credit Card vs. Rental Cars

[cwasil]

Simply put...I only have a credit card with a line of $1000 on it. I just don't like them...they only seem to get me in trouble so I have one stashed away for the few times I travel. That said, it's been quite awhile since I rented a car and want to make sure I won't be in trouble. We are planning on heading down there from May 18 thru June 1 with the overall minivan rate being, probably, between $550 and $700. Obviously, I have enough of a credit limit to pay for the van but is there anything else they put on there to deny me. I have a debit card, which I use for almost everything, but I don't want to jump through hoops or have them put on some insane hold on my account because of this. Will the $1000 credit card be enough or do I need to contact whomever our rental car company will be to get debit card usage "rules". Thank you.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Companies that put a hold on your credit card generally hold the higher of $250 or the rental value. Check 'your' company's terms & conditions. You should also be able to rent the car with the credit card but pay for the rental with a debit card when you return it.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Your credit card will be fine. I do not recommend renting a car using a debit card.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Your credit card will be fine. I do not recommend renting a car using a debit card.

Agreed, debit card with a rental car is just a bad, bad idea (although allowed).

 

[Greysword]

I third the motion that your $1,000 limit is more than enough to rent the vehicle.

Also, excellent job on credit card discipline, and keeping one available for travel transactions!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Dollar will put a hold of $250 on your card. Alamo does not put a hold on your card at least I have never seen one from Alamo and we just used them

 

[kaytieeldr]

Your credit card will be fine. I do not recommend renting a car using a debit card.

Agreed, debit card with a rental car is just a bad, bad idea (although allowed).

Right. I didn't mean rent the car using a debit card. Use the credit card for/with the rental agreement, then at the end of the rental ultimately pay with the debit card. Yes, it adds some time at the end of the trip - but the OP gets the protection that comes with her credit card, without ultimately paying a cc bill.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Right. I didn't mean rent the car using a debit card. Use the credit card for/with the rental agreement, then at the end of the rental ultimately pay with the debit card. Yes, it adds some time at the end of the trip - but the OP gets the protection that comes with her credit card, without ultimately paying a cc bill.

Yes, I understood that, just wanted to make the point that doing the rental just with a debit card was a bad idea

 

[kaytieeldr]

Dollar will put a hold of $250 on your card. Alamo does not put a hold on your card at least I have never seen one from Alamo and we just used them

Budget:
"Debit Card Hold: Minimum authorization hold is the estimated rental charges plus $200.
Charge Card Hold: The minimum charge card hold is the estimated rental charges or $200.00, whichever is greater.
Cash rentals are accepted. Renter must complete a Cash Prepayment ID Card application."

Dollar
"A hold will be placed on the renters credit card for the estimated amount of the rental plus 15% or a minimum amount, whichever is greater, as determined by the location where you intend to rent."

I'm NOT trying to encourage the OP to use a debit card to rent the car. It's just that she can use a debit card to pay at the end of the rental term if she chooses, instead of having that charge go on her credit card.

Yes, I understood that, just wanted to make the point that doing the rental just with a debit card was a bad idea :

Oh good - because it concerns me when either of you disagree with me .

 

[gmeh1]

Simply put...I only have a credit card with a line of $1000 on it. I just don't like them...they only seem to get me in trouble so I have one stashed away for the few times I travel. That said, it's been quite awhile since I rented a car and want to make sure I won't be in trouble. We are planning on heading down there from May 18 thru June 1 with the overall minivan rate being, probably, between $550 and $700. Obviously, I have enough of a credit limit to pay for the van but is there anything else they put on there to deny me. I have a debit card, which I use for almost everything, but I don't want to jump through hoops or have them put on some insane hold on my account because of this. Will the $1000 credit card be enough or do I need to contact whomever our rental car company will be to get debit card usage "rules". Thank you.

some companies do put a hold on the card over the amount of the rental. I can tell you that National/Alamo does not.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Debit Cards + Travel = Trouble

"Frommers Theory of Relativity"