Dollar Car Rental - Need a Credit Card?

[Sleuth]

Hi, we were wanting to pay for our car rental with Traveller's checks or cash. My DH called Dollar today to see if we could do this and the guy couldn't give him a straight answer. He kept saying we have to have a credit card, but he would say if we could pay cash and just put a credit card on the account for additional charges, etc. Or if we have to have a credit card for everything.

We don't do credit cards although we do have a debit/credit card we could use... I just don't want to have to pre-auth an amount and risk the chance of error or Dollar overcharging us thus effecting our checking account.

Any ideas?

 

[LadyShiva]

Hi, we were wanting to pay for our car rental with Traveller's checks or cash. My DH called Dollar today to see if we could do this and the guy couldn't give him a straight answer. He kept saying we have to have a credit card, but he would say if we could pay cash and just put a credit card on the account for additional charges, etc. Or if we have to have a credit card for everything.

We don't do credit cards although we do have a debit/credit card we could use... I just don't want to have to pre-auth an amount and risk the chance of error or Dollar overcharging us thus effecting our checking account.

Any ideas?

Most rental car companies will put $250 on hold on your credit card. Budget's fine print on a reservation (just made one yesterday) is:
• "Generally (unless indicated otherwise in the "Other" section below), at the time of rental, we'll require a credit card hold of total estimated charges plus 25% or $200, whichever is greater.
• If you're using a debit card at a location that accepts them, we'll require a minimum hold that ranges from $300 to $500, depending on the location. Most U.S. locations follow the minimum hold of $300, however, exceptions are indicated in the “Other” section below. If your total estimated charges are greater than the minimum hold, then the hold will equal the total estimated charges.
• If your car isn't returned on or before your due date, we'll make up to three additional holds (depending on how long you keep the car) on your card to cover expected rental charges.
• When you return the car, we'll subtract the final amount of your rental, crediting back any unused portion, from the hold on your card.
• Your bank may take up to two weeks to post a credit to your card.
• If you're using a debit card at a location that accepts them, we're not responsible for any returned checks due to debit card holds.


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You're going to need a credit or debit card. There's no wiggle room about it on the fine print. The "other" section doesn't exempt the credit/debit card requirement.

Sorry!
Brandie

 

[LadyShiva]

Someone on the car rental tips thread mentioned Alamo only charges the rental fee to the card; maybe that would be helpful?

In addition, maybe a town car service might work for you, instead of a rental car? They do at least one stop.

Hope that helps!
Brandie

 

[Darcy03231]

I've never been able to rent a car anywhere without a credit card.

 

[CarolA]

There are places that do cash rentals. However, they are getting harder and harder to find. They will run a credit check etc and require full payment UP front PLUS a deposit.

Now everyone will let you pay cash on the return. YOu will have to go inside the airport and stand in line to do this so leave extra time on your return.

 

[englishteacha]

We don't do credit cards, either. Dollar's site says that you can use a debit card, but they do a credit check that "could" affect your credit report. We have a credit card that we truly only use to rent cars. My DH pays the bill the second we get home! There are so many hoops where debit cards are concerned.

This is from the Dollar website General policies section:

Credit Qualifications/requirement: To qualify to rent the DOLLAR vehicle, the renter must present at the time of rental a major credit card or debit card (See Debit Card Usage below) in the renters own name with available credit. 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. The hold will be removed at the end of the rental when the final charges are settled. Because the requirements vary by location, please refer to the Local Policies for specific information on credit qualifications and requirements where you intend to rent a DOLLAR vehicle.

Debit Card Usage: If the customer presents a debit card at the beginning of rental to qualify to rent, we will perform a debit card check and credit inquiry screening through Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc. This type of inquiry will screen out customers who present a greater driving risk to us, using a standard set of criteria. The credit inquiry is posted on the customer's credit report and may have an effect on the customer's credit evaluation. In the event that a customer's debit card check and credit inquiry fail to meet our debit card criteria, the customer will not be allowed to rent unless they provide a major credit card in their own name. Our debit card policy complies with all applicable U.S. federal and state laws. Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of rental without a credit inquiry. Debit cards may not be accepted in Canada except for payment at the end of rental. Since credit requirements vary by location, please refer to the Local Policies for specific information on the acceptance and usage of debit cards where you intend to rent a DOLLAR vehicle.