Dollar - Hold on Credit Card

[aidensmom73]

I have never rented with Dollar before. My husband rented a car last night at Ohare. Dollar put a $350 hold on our credit card (rental was only $180 total with tax). Does anyone know if they hold stays on the card for the lenght of the rental and it balances out when you return the car?

I am aware that rental agencies use the hold/deposit but was surprised that it was almost double the price of the rental.

 

[kaytieeldr]

http://www.dollar.com/AboutUs/GeneralPolicies.aspx :

F. 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.

They don't state what the 'minimum amount' might be; it probably varies by location (and it's what your DH was charged, since you're right about the percentages).

 

[PoohBear]

We rented from Dollar about 6 years ago. We did not read all the fine print either, I guess. Our rental was for about $500. We found out when my husband went to pay for breakfast on our last day and was declined.
I called our bank and they told us Dollar had put a $1200 hold on our card! We called and were told the hold amount is not usually that high but it does vary. The hold came off a couple of days after we were home. We don't rent from Dollar anymore because of this. Our rentals are high and therefore they will put high holds on us.

 

[aidensmom73]

http://www.dollar.com/AboutUs/GeneralPolicies.aspx :

F. 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.

They don't state what the 'minimum amount' might be; it probably varies by location (and it's what your DH was charged, since you're right about the percentages).

Thanks. So when he turns the car in, they will still charge the $180 and then then hold comes off later on?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yep. From the website, it appears the hold would be removed immediately - but from PoohBear's actual experience, it seems you might have to wait a couple of extra days

 

[aidensmom73]

Yep. From the website, it appears the hold would be removed immediately - but from PoohBear's actual experience, it seems you might have to wait a couple of extra days

That is good to know.

 

[dioxide45]

We noticed that Alamo also places a hefty hold on a CC. About $250 on our last $180 rental. The hold fell off after only a few days and didn't run through the length of the rental.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I have never had a hold placed on my credit card for a car rental. I rent from Alamo, Budget most often. They don't seem to apply the practice consistently.

 

[dioxide45]

I have never had a hold placed on my credit card for a car rental. I rent from Alamo, Budget most often. They don't seem to apply the practice consistently.

Our last rental was the only rental we have had where such a large hold was placed, and we rent 3-4 times a year in MCO from Alamo. Perhaps this is a new practice.