Dollar and Problems with Check Card

[kimkoz]

I'm sorry I'm still new to renting a car. You'd think I would know more since I at one time worked for a rental company but that was years ago and we worked more on the insurance side.

I booked our minivan through Southwest and Dollar when we booked the flights and to me got a good deal. Now my problem is, we do not have a credit card, only check (debt). My sister is traveling with us and planned on using her credit card but now I'm reading more and noticed the cc has to be in my name. We've been working on getting rid of debt but our credit sucks.

Questions

Do they always do credit checks?
Have you ever been denied at the booth?
Would you take the chance or just book double the amount with a new reservation under a member of the family that has a cc?

I have enough money for the cost and of course hold that I am well aware of. I'm more afriad that come time of our arrival that they will run a credit check and say no. At that point I'll have 2 young kids, teen and 3 adults just standing there.

I'm looking around for new rates and just book under my sisters name but everything is around double the amount.

Should I be this worried?

Also - Can you pay cash on arrival to avoid so much being charged automatically at the end of your travel. I know its only an estimated charge but say I pay cash for $500 and just charge the remaining?

Thanks for your help.

 

[azdizzymom]

I would call and talk to them. You will get many different answers here. One thing for sure is you can't pay CASH prior to the rental. They keep the credit card in there is an accident or you just decide not to return the car (not saying you'd do this) or you keep the car longer than contract terms.

Call and ask if you can pay with her credit card if she is added as an additional driver (even if there is a fee it would still be cheaper than the rates you indicate you are finding now). Better yet EMAIL them and get whatever answer you get in writing. If they agree to that make sure to take a copy of that with you so you are covered. Makes it so much easier than saying CSR told me I could do this.

 

[kimkoz]

Thank you. I didn't think of the additional driver. I'm emailing them now to see if I could use the additional drivers cc information.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I would never recommend using a debit card for a car rental. I understand your situation, but I'd look into figuring something else out.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Also, ask them if they will take your debit card how big of a HOLD they are going to put on the account. It's not unheard of for the rental car company to put an additional $200 hold on the account. So if your rental car cost $200 they will block $400. If you are counting on that money for your trip it won't be available for you to use!

 

[IbeAbitGOOFY]

Thank you. I didn't think of the additional driver. I'm emailing them now to see if I could use the additional drivers cc information.

Most companies will not let you use the additional driver's CC - it has to be in the primary driver's name. Since from your orginal post your sister is willing to let you use HER CC, would she be willing to put the rental in HER name with her as the primary driver and you as the additional. She could then use her CC and you could still drive (if that is an issue).