Good deal on National rental car I think & a payment question

[Eeyoreluver]

Okay, I think I got a really good deal on a car rental. I am renting one in Ft. Lauderdale to drive to Orlando, we are flying in there. I got it for $102.22 from March 3rd to March 6th with unlimited miles. This is with a coupon. Anyway, my question is I don't have a credit card and I will be using my debit card which has a Visa logo on it. I called National and they said all I needed to do was show my round trip ticket. Has anyone else ever used a debit card and did you have any trouble? This is my first time to rent a car so I am a little nervous. Oh and by the way are there any other charges I may have that I don't know about?

 

[Eeyoreluver]

I am bumping this back up because I really need to know if someone has ever used a debit card to get a rental card.
Thanks

 

[melanie18]

I'm not 100% sure, but Alamo won't let you rent with a debit card and they are the "sister" company of National. Check on National's website, maybe search "debit card".

 

[mainewmn]

I would say call National directly and inquire with them as their rules may change from one location to the next. I know some rental companies ask you place a deposit with hem if you want to use a debit card and may even pull your credit to secure it as well. You can however pay with a debit card if you secure your rental with a credit card, that’s what we normally do, secure it with a card and then pay it with debit card.

 

[DMRick]

Someone had posted a while ago, that as long as you show your flight tickets, and they include a round trip ticket, you can use a debit. I personally prefer credit card, because of the extra car insurance it gives (gold and up, most cards), but if you don't have one, then you can't use it. You called them and they said yes, so you should be all set. Here is the answer from their faq's on their site.

I did it for you..from National's faq's:
Debit Cards


When renting in the U.S., debit and check cards may only be used in conjunction with proof of a round trip travel ticket (airline, cruise ship or train) at time of rental.

A debit/check card is considered to be any non-credit card bearing the Visa or MasterCard logo.

Any other non-credit card without the Visa or MasterCard logo is not accepted.

For pick-ups in the United States, without proof of roundtrip ticket, debit or check cards are only accepted when returning the vehicle.

A credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pick-up.

Exceptions

Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, a credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pickup. Debit/check cards are only accepted for payment at time of return. A debit/check card is considered to be any non-credit card bearing the Visa or MasterCard logo. Any other non-credit card without the Visa or MasterCard logo is not accepted.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm not 100% sure, but Alamo won't let you rent with a debit card and they are the "sister" company of National. Check on National's website, maybe search "debit card".

Yes, they do allow debit cards. You must show proof of round trip ticket and they require a deposit. My BIL used them on a trip we all took together. I used National, he used Alamo.

 

[CarolA]

Also remember that they are putting a HOLD on your checking account. I got in line at National in Long Beach behind folks who were planning to pay cash when they returned the car and therefore did not have enough money in the account with the Debit card to cover the rental. National would NOT give them the car!

 

[steevo]

Someone will correct If I am wrong BUT......

A debit card with a Visa logo on it is to all outside parties a Credit Card. You do not have to tell anyone its a debit card. You can choose credit on a user input pad and then sign the receipt. You do not need to use you PIN when you do this. If you charge an amount greater than your checking account balance you will be subject to whatever your cardholder agreement says will happen. Maybe a fine or high interest rate payback. There is a credit limit just like any other credit card. It is, in effect, a Credit Card AND a Debit card linked to your bank account.
--> If you want to experiment to verify it go make a small purchase or go buy gas for your car with it and choose or say credit if asked.
In fact, in many situations you are better off using it as credit card because you will avoid any Debit/ATM card fees. Also you may have a limit as to how many times you casn use the debit card regardless of balance.

 

[CarolA]

Steevo, that is not always true.

My Debit card will function as a credit card, but has NO credit limit or terms. So ALL I can use is what is in my bank account. It will decline if I go over the limit. Now I bank at CU so other cases may vary, but I would check before assuming....

 

[steevo]

I realize that. But I don't get the idea that the money is the issue. Seems like the OP is concerned about the Rental company accepting the card if it is a debit card and I am fairly sure that is transparent to them unless you tell them otherwise.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have a debit card that also says "check card" on it. It's a Visa. I use it almost anywhere but there have been times, usually online or over the phone, where they knew (they told me) it was a debit card and not a 'real' Visa card. I believe there is a way for them to know it's a debit card maybe by the numbers in it. Not sure. YMMV.

Also, my DH came across a limit problem recently but through Pay pal. He put his debit card in as a Visa and then he went to buy something over $5,000 and was told by Pay pal that $5,000 was the max. so he had to pay another way (echeck).

 

[steevo]

What I have found is anytime these cards are put through a machine by someone who doesnt or cant select credit option beforehand the PIN entry for debit screen comes up first. You hit cancel and then the credit screen comes up.
But just to be sure I think the OP should go buy a tank of gas or pay the next grocery store bill with the card and try to use credit.
Mine, I beleive, is limited to the amount in my checking account but I choose credit most times to avoid debit fees.

 

[DMRick]

It really doesn't matter, as long as she has her flight tickets and can show a round trip.

 

[Eeyoreluver]

Thank you for all of your advice. Yes, I have used it as a credit card at Walmart and places I don't have to hand it to the casher. My card does say debit on it even though it has a Visa logo on it, so they will know it is a debit card. I just didn't want any "surpirises" when I got to the counter, such as a cash deposit. I just want all of my bases covered since it will be just me and my Mom. We are on a budget this trip, to visit my CP DD. So I have to know how much money to bring since as I said I don't have a credit card in my name.
I want this to be a great trip, afterall, we are going to Disney World.
Thanks again!

 

[Blueberry]

We have used our debit card at MCO three times now with National with no problems at all, never a word said to us. We did have round trip ticket in hand but no one even asked for it ever actually. As long as there is enough in your checking account to cover the rental price at time of rental you will be fine. I even have emailed and talked to National at Orlando Airport and no extra amount is put on hold with your debit card other than the rental price....go and have no worries about the debit card.....

 

[Eeyoreluver]

Thanks Wendy, thats all I needed to hear. Now, I can get really excited!
Disney and DD here I come 28 days from today.