Does anyone know which car rentals will accept debit?

[Disney-Kim]

I know I have read about a few on here but can't remember who.

We don't have any credit cards anymore...so need to know who we can rent with just debit card and what that entails...if anyone knows....

thanks

 

[Frye7127]

I ran into this same problem while visiting my husband in Kansas with no credit card to my name and he was out of state until that evening. I had to rent from a local agency and then we took the car back to the airport (30 minutes away) and returned it, renting from avis (My husband was flying us home and we needed a return location closer to his airport). Avis would let me rent with a debit card on my husband's company account, but they would put a huge amount on the card and check my credit (buying a home soon, didn't want too many credit checks this close to the game). No other agency would allow a debit card at all at the Kansas City Airport

 

[Fierce Fairy]

I know back in May a friend needed to rent a car for her daughter's prom. She went to Triangle Car Rental. I am not sure if you have one in your area,but they did rent one with a debit card without the normal $500 hold on your card. You may want to check their website: trianglerentacar. com. Good luck

 

[suzannecstarr]

Many will if you can show an outbound ticket at the time of rental. I know both Hertz and National will. I am not sure why but there it is.

 

[Justsyd2]

We have used a debit card several times to rent with Enterprise. They run through a $250.00 deposit, then subtract the rental off of that when you return it. It all goes through in 2-3 days. It's very easy!

 

[lynn_s]

Second vote for Enterprise (the local office here only puts $100 against ours), we have to fill out a "credit app", that's not really a credit app, but the office here never does anything with it (I've never seen a check from them on our CR). The $100 deposit has always gone back in the account the next business day after returning.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Enterprise never gave us a problem either.

I can't remember who it was but it was at the airport and they told me with debit it was going to be a crazy high deposit like $400 so we went with Enterprise and they only charged a small amount. I want to say 20% but it might have been 40% as a hold. It was less than $100.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Thanks !!! It sounds like Enterprise will work great. Its nice to know Hertz and National do with airline tix too.

the low hold deposit is very helpful !!! Thanks

 

[vsimeone]

Alamo will also do it with a return flight ticket. I just rented a car last week in Orlando. I didn't have my ticket information with me (long story but I was renting on the second day of my stay and my stuff was at the hotel!) so I had to charge it. We keep a card for emergencies. If something like this comes up, I just pay if off right away. I paid this one when I got home on Monday.

Good luck!

 

[erisgirl44]

Another vote for Enterprise! They made it very easy and even picked us up to get the car.

 

[kmvand1]

Another vote for Enterprise! They made it very easy and even picked us up to get the car.

Another vote for Enterprise. We are a Visa/Debit only family and when we had to rent a car when my son's was being repaired, they only put a $25.00 hold on our visa debit. That may have been because it was only one day and it was being paid through insurance.

 

[jemgumby]

Hertz will accept debit cards w/ mastercard, visa or discover logo on it. They will do a hold amount of $140 plus the amount of the rental. Also the debit card is subject to a credit score validation. Hope this helps!

 

[AZMermaid]

Yep- Enterprise will do it. I worked for them for a few years out of college. This was 4 years ago, but the standard procedure was $250 sale or $50 over the expected cost of the rental, whichever is higher. They have to run a sale because it is MUCH easier to refund a debit card than release a hold (which still comes out of your account- but takes weeks to go back instead of a sale/refund which takes 1-3 days). We did less of a deposit on insurance rentals (usually $50). Local branches may ask for a copy of a utility bill to prove your address, but airports won't.

 

[rparmfamily]

We haven't used credit cards in probably 5 yrs, and have never had an issue. We've rented thru Alamo mostly. They do put a hold on $200 or so, so just be aware.

 

[Disney-Kim]

thanks for all the replies..very helpful

 

[santa's surpriz]

National is another good one with debit cards. I used them a few years back and they only charged what was due to them to my debit card. Becareful, some rental agencies will pull a credit bureau when you use a debit card, which can affecr your credit score. I know that Thrfty does off hand. Be sure to ask if they do or not.

 

[EKW]

I always use Budget. Depending on where you're renting, you can get vehicles for anywhere from $35 a day and up. I've always gotten free upgrades from them. And, I've never been given a vehicle with more than 6,000 miles on it!

They do put a hold...or have the option to put a hold...for about $400 on your card. It can take up to 3 weeks for that to go off. For that reason, I have two accounts...my regular one and then one just for things like car rentals.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Its really good to know we have all these options. I was actually fretting about it...now I realize that its no biggie.

 

[ajh88]

I'd also suggest calling the location you want to rent from and asking them directly. I needed to rent from a local airport (not flying in but needed to pick up the car on a Sunday) and my only options were Hertz and Avis. Hertz online said the location would only accept debit cards if I signed up for Hertz Gold ($60 a year), so I did and added my debit card. Then, after the reservation was made, it said that this location does not accept debit cards, period. I called Hertz corporate and the airport location directly and they both stated that this specific location was unable to accept debit cards. I don't know if this is common, but it is definitely possible. (This is a small airport though).

I ended up going through Avis with no problems - their literature says they can do a $500 hold, but they only did the estimated cost of the rental, which seems pretty standard to me.

 

[diamondpixienc]

I am a Triangle Rent A Car Fan too. Enterprise will allow it however there is either an additional fee or additional insurance info can't rememeber. Alamo will allow you to use a debit card to rent but you must be flying into an airport location w/ a legit plane ticket in your name, etc.