National and credit card hold

[mmouse50]

Does National hold more on a credit card than just the car rental price?

I know that Alamo only holds the car rental price and Dollar holds 250.00. Does anyone know what National does?

 

[vacationclub]

Does National hold more on a credit card than just the car rental price?

I know that Alamo only holds the car rental price and Dollar holds 250.00. Does anyone know what National does?

Most car rental places hold more than the actual rental, otherwise, they're screwed if they need to get some damages,or simply gas cost from you. Are you sure that Alamo doesn't do any hold beyond the actual rental price?

 

[gmeh1]

Does National hold more on a credit card than just the car rental price?

I know that Alamo only holds the car rental price and Dollar holds 250.00. Does anyone know what National does?

National does not put a hold on the card, they charge you at the beginning of your rental for the amount of the rental and that is it.

Alamo, as you stated, only puts the amount of the rental on hold and they charge the card at the end of the rental.

 

[gmeh1]

Most car rental places hold more than the actual rental, otherwise, they're screwed if they need to get some damages,or simply gas cost from you. Are you sure that Alamo doesn't do any hold beyond the actual rental price?

I am sure that they do not put a hold on more than the rental. They charge the card at the end of the rental. How do I know this? I process them daily and know exactly what is approved as a hold. Same with National, except they will charge the card at the beginning of the rental, but, if other charges are incurred, IE: gas, they have the info to charge the card. How to I know this? I do it everyday.

 

[vacationclub]

I am sure that they do not put a hold on more than the rental. They charge the card at the end of the rental. How do I know this? I process them daily and know exactly what is approved as a hold. Same with National, except they will charge the card at the beginning of the rental, but, if other charges are incurred, IE: gas, they have the info to charge the card. How to I know this? I do it everyday.

Thanks for the insider info. I'm curious why they don't put a hold on more money? While they do have the credit info, if there is not enough available balance left (the reason for the hold to begin with) how to they know they will get paid for what they want later, like gas, damages, etc? Or are they just taking the chance and hoping everyone's card will have more balance and hit it for that amount? Beyond that, aren't they subject to charge refusals because they didn't get authorization for the additional charge later? By stating to the customer that there is a hold (and getting their signature for it) the customer acknowledges the company may be owed more money.

 

[gmeh1]

Thanks for the insider info. I'm curious why they don't put a hold on more money? While they do have the credit info, if there is not enough available balance left (the reason for the hold to begin with) how to they know they will get paid for what they want later, like gas, damages, etc? Or are they just taking the chance and hoping everyone's card will have more balance and hit it for that amount? Beyond that, aren't they subject to charge refusals because they didn't get authorization for the additional charge later? By stating to the customer that there is a hold (and getting their signature for it) the customer acknowledges the company may be owed more money.

A 250.00 dollar hold, for instance, will pay for gas, but, does not go a long way for damages or other things. Also, a hold, in reality, falls off most credit cards within a few days unless submitted as a charge.
I really don't have an answer to your questions. We also accept debit cards, which, IMHO, presents a larger risk.
I don't really worry too much about this cause I have little or no input into any of the corporate policies. I do, however, feel secure in the knowledge that they know what they are doing and have their ways to take care of the above scenarios.
What I do feel sorry for is the fact that people think their insurance or credit cards will cover damage and loss of use. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. I stress checking with either the insurance company or cc company to find out exactly what they will cover before anyone blithly refuses coverage. They are, sadly, all to often presented with a very unpleasant surprise. This is not to say I recommend getting insurance with the rental car company, but, to say be sure of your facts first. If possible and necessary, get a rider on your auto insurance for coverage (assuming they have one).