Do car rental agencies always take $300 extra out on your credit card?

[Belle5]

We've rented a lot of cars and never noticed anyone doing this until Thrifty did it to DH this weekend. Have we just not noticed? Are there companies or situations where they don't do it? (Like, if you've pre-paid with Priceline?) Just curious. We were laid off for 3 months, without a paycheck for 4 months, took a pay cut of about 10%. Now when DH travels, he has to pay for expenses out of our money first and then wait to be reimbursed. In our situation we are watching the balances a lot more closely.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

No, not all do that. National hits your credit card for the amount of the rental, Dollar, the amount of the rental plus 10%, Alamo, just like National. Avis, the same as Alamo and National.
Most of the policies are on the specific web sites.

 

[Belle5]

Thanks Gail!!!

 

[SuzyQue]

Why does Dollar hit your card for the amount of the rental plus 10%

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Why? I really have no idea. The extra 10% is refunded, it is not a permanent charge.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

For National (and all of the others that I've used) it's actually just an authorization hold for the amount and that will reflect in your available credit. After 5-7 days though, if your card issuer doesn't see the actual transaction, the authorization hold will be removed. The actual transaction to capture the amount doesn't get done until the car is returned.

Hotels do this as well, as do gas stations - for example, the gas station may request an authorization for something like $50 before the pump starts, and then update that amount once you're done pumping (this is why at some stations, you can't pump more than $50 on a credit card without involving the cashier at the station first).

 

[Belle5]

When we used Thrifty they actually took the extra $300 out on our debit card.

 

[Mskanga]

OK now I'm really confused....Dollar last year never took the 10% extra on my credit card only what was agreed on the contract, Avis only put my credit card at pick up for $1 just to make sure the card was good, go figure.
And as for gas stations, I work in one and out machines only get approvals for $1 first before pumping and then pay for whatever the gas is after you pump.
If you go over your credit limit, the bank still pays it and the customer pays the over the limit fee or overdraft charge.
I will never figure out why credit cards work so different in different places!

 

[CarolA]

Ok, you would never see the extra 10% or any other holds. When you rent the car they put in a kind of rquest for credit estimating what they will want (hotels do the same thing) So if the car is estimated to cost $200, they could ask for $200 or $300 depending on thier policy. When you return the car, the "credit hold" is released and the credit card charged.

However, if you use a debit card this "credit hold" could possibly tie up the available cash in your bank account. (I think that this depends on your card and your bank!)

 

[dvcHammer]

I rent cars in my job almost every week, and you should never use your debit card for rental cars and hotels. the extra hold they put on the card can take as long as 5 - 7 days to come off the card. To your bank it counts as a withdrawal till the hold is released.
A hotel normally takes the room rate for the entire stay plus 20%. Car rental companys vary on how much thety hold.

28 days till OKW......

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

National holds only the amount of the rental, Alamo zips the card for the amount of rental at the time you pick up the card, Dollar puts a hold on the amount plus 10%, min. 200.00. Avis charges the card at pickup. These are the only ones I rent from, so that is all the info I have.
Check the specific rental company or call and ask what they do for holds.
I use my debit card, the hold never seems to bother anything because after 5 days it is gone.
I usually stay a week.
The gas station I use only puts a dollar hold on the card and charges what I have used.
My alternate gas station makes me put the amount I want in before I can pump the gas.
Go figure.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We never use credit cards. Got in trouble with them once and learned our lesson. We use a check card with a Visa Logo on it. It goes in as a credit card, not an atm/debit. Can these be used? We always pay cash for hotels and will be renting a car this time. What should I expect?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

It depends on who you use and how your card is coded. Alamo will accept your debit card right out front. National will accept it at the end (mine goes through at the beginning, it is coded differently) but not at rental time.
The easiest thing to do is access the web site for the car companies you are interested in and read the requirements.

 

[spruce]

I had a hotel that I checked into this past summer then extended the stay put $550 worth of holds on my card for a $300 3 night stay in 2 transactions. They then checked someone out and charged my card $480 by mistake. This was the only card I brought. I couldn't get my rental car because there wasn't enough left on it to pick up a pre-paid priceline car. This drastically affected our 4 day trip. By the time the hotel had freed up a little of the hold it was too late to drive down to the Keys for our day trip. While they were fixing it they gave us water taxi passes and breakfast. The next day somehow the holds were back. Now I'm mad. They did let us check out late this day(around 7pm no charge) but when leaving the desk tried to charge me
After we got home and I contacted corporate headquarters all of my nights were credited back and a free night voucher was sent with their appologies. About $650 in comp for a $300 stay. I need to travel to Ft Lauderdale to use the free 1 night voucher though.
Moral of the story, ALWAYS bring 2 credit cards along with your cash........spruce