Has anyone rented a car using a debit card??

[karensi]

Going to Disney in April. DD, D son in law and DGS's will arrive a few days before me. DD and Dson in law have gotten rid of credit cards and say they will use their debit card to book the car.

I'm thinking that may be a problem of some sorts (maybe not allowed or maybe alot of $$ will be held from their checking account).
Just wondering if anyone who has rented with a debit card can give me some info.

FWIW, I offered to get an additional credit card & put his (Dson in law) name on it to use for rental car only. But he seems to think it will be OK with the debit card.
I'm just not sure...what do you think


TIA,

Karen

 

[wmharley]

some companies put a hold on the card, and with a debit, that could be a problem. i personally wouldn't.. i'd use a CC to secure the reservation and use the Debit at checkout.

However, I always reserve online with companies that don't require it upfront. If I have to enter a CC info online, I pass.

Besides.. my CC company has insurance for rentals, so if i'm in an accident, I'm covered along with my normal insruacen.

 

[connie1042]

My husband did this in Seattle in June. You need to have your round trip ticket to show them and photo id. Check with the rental company you are going to use. It should say on their site what you will need if you are using a Debit card. My husband had no trouble and he used Dollar car rental.

 

[karensi]

Thank you wmharley and connie1042 for the helpful info.

connie1042, did they put a hold on your DH's checking account? And,if so, was it for more than the amount of the rental cost

I guess I'm kind of worried that they will put a hold for alot of money on my Dson in laws checking account. And as everyone here knows, you can't be at Disney if you don't have access to mucho cash.


Any more info on this?

Thanks again,

Karen

 

[tazleiten12]

Check with Hertz. The location we used, let us use our debit card with a $200 hold on the debit card.

 

[tazleiten12]

I went and checked the hertz web site and this is what it said:

Question
Can I use my Debit Card or Bank Card to reserve a Hertz car?

Answer
At most Hertz locations, debit cards (sometimes called check cards) issued under a VISA or Mastercard logo which draw funds directly from the cardholder's account may be used to qualify for rental. However, prepaid or stored value cards which have a VISA or Mastercard logo are not accepted to qualify for rental. Debit cards must have available funds for the estimated amount of the rental charges plus up to $200 to cover any incidental charges in order to secure the rental. Both debit cards and prepaid or stored value cards issued under a VISA or Mastercard logo may be used as a form of payment when you return the vehicle. Please contact your local Hertz Reservations Office if you have a question about whether Hertz will accept a certain card.

 

[MariDisney]

In Sept. I rented from Alamo with my debit card. They just need a printout of your round trip flight confirmation. No problem at all. I will also say that I got a great rate with an Entertainment coupon.

 

[SheenaXena21]

I rented through Enterprise and they held $, but it was only for a day, since I rented a car only one day. It was back in my account the next day.

 

[ScubaCat]

I'd go with the credit card for the included rental insurance, myself..

 

[kaytieeldr]

Alamo and National require, as MariDisney indicated, only proof of round-trip transportation if the renter wants to use a debit card. Other companies hold some money - general range provided on their websites or (probably) on the phone; still others run a credit check and if the renter doesn't meet/exceed the agency's criteria... no car

 

[KT27]

My husband is currently away at school for The Army. He had to rent a car through Avis for 2 months. He used a debit card ($1978.00 worth - gov't booked it & reimbursing us - I could have done it MUCH cheaper but they wouldn't let me) and they ran a credit check on him at the counter. So just a heads up if his credit is not so good.

 

[karensi]

Thanks all.
Plans have now changed, we will all be arriving together, so I will book with my cc and put Dson in law on as the 2nd driver.
That should solve the problem

Thanks again for the help, I know I can always count on my Dis friends

Karen

 

[DOOM1001]

There was a similar thread to this one and what I learned was that National and Alamo are the two most debit card friendly companies.

 

[buckeyelabmom]

There was a similar thread to this one and what I learned was that National and Alamo are the two most debit card friendly companies.

We have used Alamo MANY times with a debit card and it is VERY easy to do! They don't put an extra hold on the card - only the actual rental price.

 

[NotUrsula]

Another option if you are worried about the size of the possible hold placed on the card is to open a second bank account just for the rental, and keep only the cost + a bit over $200 in that account. That way your main checking account won't be in danger of getting locked up by the hold. After the trip is over you can close the account.

 

[Tony NY]

I have done it one or twice it not a problem the ask for your flight info and but a hold on your card for $ 250.00 don't qute me but this is what enterprise did to my card in june when my car was in the shop .