credit check w/budget car rental

[Promomx2]

Does anyone know if they really do this at MCO? We dont have perfect credit and I don't want any surprises this week. I just read the fine print on the reminded I got today and it said if you use a debit card, they do a credit check. Just wondering what others have experienced at budget.

 

[pr surfer]

I've never had my credit checked for a car rental, even with a debit card.

 

[Disneyadore]

I don't know if every car rental uses this policy but our CC is "locked" for $$ 300.
After we return the car the money is free again but as long as we use the car the cc is charged for $$ 300 so we always make sure we have enough money on the card to spend whiteout worrying about this amount.
Disney also checks your CC.
Afer I made several dining reservations were you need a CC Visa called me and asked who was making "Ghost" payments for one dollar and after a few minutes they put it back on the CC.

You don't see this transactions on your bill but they sure are there.

 

[tinka-belle]

Yes, several car rental companies run a credit report for debit card users. I had a client last month totally freaked out by this since his credit was less than stellar due to difficulties a few years back, even to the point he had a backup car res made at a higher cost with another company.

I was told by the corp. headquaters of the car rental company that the person checking you in doesn't see your credit report, just that you are good to rent or are declined. It's all based on closely guarded credit criteria that they had no access to to tell me about, and can vary in different parts of the country. They did tell me that if the problem is in the past and the current report is OK my client should be fine.

That said, the client told me he had absolutely no problem with the orginal car rental company, though they did tell him (and me ahead of time) that there would be a hold of a few hundred dollars over the estimated total rental amount that might tie up his card.

 

[pr surfer]

Yes, several car rental companies run a credit report for debit card users. I had a client last month totally freaked out by this since his credit was less than stellar due to difficulties a few years back, even to the point he had a backup car res made at a higher cost with another company.

I was told by the corp. headquaters of the car rental company that the person checking you in doesn't see your credit report, just that you are good to rent or are declined. It's all based on closely guarded credit criteria that they had no access to to tell me about, and can vary in different parts of the country. They did tell me that if the problem is in the past and the current report is OK my client should be fine.

That said, the client told me he had absolutely no problem with the orginal car rental company, though they did tell him (and me ahead of time) that there would be a hold of a few hundred dollars over the estimated total rental amount that might tie up his card.

How do they run it if you are A- not a US citizen (and no SSN, so no US credit report), or B- you refuse to give your SSN in the case of US citizens... of if you're like me that you have a drivers license from a state/territory that doesn't share its information?

I know I'd absolutely refuse to give that information out if asked.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

How do they run it if you are A- not a US citizen (and no SSN, so no US credit report), or B- you refuse to give your SSN in the case of US citizens... of if you're like me that you have a drivers license from a state/territory that doesn't share its information?

I know I'd absolutely refuse to give that information out if asked.

yeah,,,thats a good question

 

[Disneyadore]

How do they run it if you are A- not a US citizen (and no SSN, so no US credit report), or B- you refuse to give your SSN in the case of US citizens... of if you're like me that you have a drivers license from a state/territory that doesn't share its information?

I know I'd absolutely refuse to give that information out if asked.

Non US citizens like me have to pay the rent upfront. As soon as I make a reservation I have to pay. Five minutes later the amount is gone form my CC so they have no problems at all with them.
Still they "resereve" $$ 300 dollar as long as the car is in your possession.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

How do they run it if you are A- not a US citizen (and no SSN, so no US credit report), or B- you refuse to give your SSN in the case of US citizens... of if you're like me that you have a drivers license from a state/territory that doesn't share its information?

I know I'd absolutely refuse to give that information out if asked.

If you refuse to give it, they could just deny your rental. Their policy is to protect their financial investment.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

If you refuse to give it, they could just deny your rental. Their policy is to protect their financial investment.

so then their policy is also to steal your identity?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

so then their policy is also to steal your identity?

How does giving your social security information out automatically imply someone is going to steal your identity?

Do you also not give your social security number out to banks, financial investment firms, etc?

Sure you should be cautiuous with your identity, but they are not violating any laws by requesting your social security number if they so choose to protect their financial interest when you are driving away in a $15,000 - $30,000 vehicle and paying with cash or a debit card. You can always choose to pay with a credit card which eliminates the issue.

 

[pr surfer]

How does giving your social security information out automatically imply someone is going to steal your identity?

It doesn't. But it certainly increases the possibility that an unscrupulous employee or passerby who overheard it will do it.

Do you also not give your social security number out to banks, financial investment firms, etc?

Yes, since in this case, there's little choice.

Sure you should be cautiuous with your identity, but they are not violating any laws by requesting your social security number if they so choose to protect their financial interest when you are driving away in a $15,000 - $30,000 vehicle and paying with cash or a debit card. You can always choose to pay with a credit card which eliminates the issue.

Actually, depending on the circumstances, they may be breaking state laws.

In the end I just find it silly that they would (theoretically) prefer a credit card with a >$500 limit over a debit card that could have $10k+ in the account.