HELP!!!! renting a car with a debit card!

[stahshee]

has anyone done this? How much extra do you put on your card? What company did you use? I am trying to rent a van from Syracuse ny and I can not get an Almo car rental unlesss I have rt air fair with debit card. I need help please!!!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you're paying with a debit card, Alamo will ONLY rent you a vehicle with proof of round-trip airfare. Period. I'm not even sure any other car rental company is this generous.
Figure it this way - Say the rental is $500. Even if they hold an additional $500, what's to stop a renter from just disappearing with the vehicle? ALL any rental agency has for recourse is whatever's in the debit card account.

 

[checkwriter]

I do this all the time, and find that very often the counter staff pay little attention to my airline info (usually just my self-printed reservation confirmation, since most flights are now ticketless). You might even be able to get away with casually presenting an old ticket confirmation, or reserving a refundable r/t ticket, printing out the confirmation, then cancelling it.

Otherwise, most of the major rental companies have specific policies concerning the use of debit cards. Often the policies are not uniform across the company; some counters may accept debit cards, others may not. It can get a little confusing and you may have to do some digging. Look for the "frequently asked questions" or "FAQ" on the company websites.

 

[dcgrumpy]

You can use a debit card with Dollar, but they do a credit check

 

[mousy_in_canada]

I was thinking of using my paypal debit/mastercard will it work the same way.. should I have lots extra in my account just in case they try to process more on it?
TIA

 

[stahshee]

has anyone used a debit card for car rental??????????

 

[checkwriter]

You can also rent with cash; see, for example:
http://www.alamo.com/itemCategories.do

 

[CarolA]

They are going to put a hold on your CASH for the amount of the rental PLUS some extra.

I am a little concerned here. You basically will NOT be doing what they told you to do. In other words, they require a round trip ticket, but you don't have a valid one (and don't you think the rental agent might notice that your HOME is the same as your rental location.) So if something happens you have basically violated the rental agreement.

Have you looked for local companies. I know we have had better success and rates with them?

 

[Mark P.]

has anyone used a debit card for car rental??????????

Yes, we have

I've read of others using debit cards with other companies, but from first hand experience, we made out fine with our debit card with Alamo on several trips.

Alamo does not do a credit check, nor puts a hold on the card, and as noted in another reply, you will need proof of a return flight.


We've since enrolled with Quick Silver program, and are now required to use a major credit card these days.
Alamo is definitely very accomodating to those using debit cards.

-Mark

 

[Mark P.]

Uh oh, I should have read your initial post closer...

Didn't see that you're renting without airfare.

The only thing I can think of is would there be any car dealers around your area that rent vehicles? We have them here in NJ, but they charge way too much, and do put holds on cards.

Good luck, and hope all works out

 

[stahshee]

I guess i am going with avis they are high price still but I really do not have the choice

 

[CarolA]

You do know that the Avis policy is not to rent to debit cards.... You can use them on the return, but supposedly not on the rental. SO make sure you tell the agent when you reserve (Local locations can have different rules so it may be OK)

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was thinking of using my paypal debit/mastercard will it work the same way.. should I have lots extra in my account just in case they try to process more on it?
TIA

Each rental agency has different policies - and as somebody else pointed out, sometimes policies vary at different locations of the same agency.
Check rates first, then look at the FAQ for each agency whose price looks reasonable. I think Dollar at puts a $275 hold on ANY card, debit or credit, or the cost of the rental whichever is higher. Also as somebody pointed out, Dollar does a credit check at the counter (not before) if you're renting with a debit card. If for some reason you don't pass the credit check, you're out of luck. Well, not really - you could always mosey on over to any other agency in the Orlando airport and see if they can match or beat your deal. Anyway, I know about the Dollar hold because I read the FAQ.
As stated several times between this thread and a similar one started recently, Alamo REQUIRES proof of return flight if you're renting with a debit card. I know from experience this is true at MCO and LAS, and apparently it's true at the OP's home airport, so I would infer it's Alamo's across-the-board policy.

In reference to Carol's post (directly preceeding), I found this information at Avis.com "Avis accepts many major credit cards as credit identification at the time of rental. Debit cards, however, are not accepted as credit identification at the time of rental. Debit cards may, however, be used for payment of charges at the conclusion of the rental. " and "Most rental locations will accept cash, traveler’s checks, money orders or personal checks drawn on US banks as payment for rental charges at the end of a rental. Personal checks may be for up to the amount of the rental and require proper identification.
In order to rent on a cash basis (without an Avis honored charge card) the renter must first be qualified.
For details on cash qualification, required pre-payments, refunds and the time required to process qualification applications please call 1-800-331-1212."

 

[stahshee]

Ok I called avis and i should have no prob with my debit card!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oops - dupe

 

[kaytieeldr]

You might want to call again, a couple of times, to confirm this. It differs completely from Avis's printed policy. Make sure they understand that you will be using a debit card to initiate the rental. Also make sure they're aware you'll be driving the car through about ten states. Unlimited mileage is NOT the same as unlimited distance. Chances are excellent rental usage is restricted to the rental state and some adjacent states; by driving beyond this range, renters may violate the contract.