No CC, poor credit, clean license, car rental

[ducklite]

A friend of mine asked about renting a car in Orlando. She and her DH have good driving records, but their credit leaves much to be desired, and they have no credit cards (they were taken away due to poor payment record).

Is she up a creek? Or will they be able to rent a car while in FL? They will be staying with us, so really need a rental as we won't be joining them every day at the various parks. She asked if DH and I would rent a car for them, but we're not at all comfortable doing that for many reasons, and told them we wouldn't be able to do that for them.

Anne

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If they have a debit card (with either Visa or MC logo), Alamo will rent to them as long as they have proof of a round trip ticket.
Dollar will too, but, they will pull a credit check and if it does not score well, no dice.
If they join Hertz #1 Gold, free via a link on Mary's site, they can use the debit card also.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks Gail. (I knew you'd know the answer to this one!) No debit card, the credit is so poor the bank won't give them one I told her to try to get on with the credit union (she's a state employee) as it seems that credit unions are sometimes more lenient on things like that.

Another question for you--if they can get a debit card, how much of a hold is put on the account for the rental?

Anne

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by ducklite
Thanks Gail. (I knew you'd know the answer to this one!) No debit card, the credit is so poor the bank won't give them one I told her to try to get on with the credit union (she's a state employee) as it seems that credit unions are sometimes more lenient on things like that.

Another question for you--if they can get a debit card, how much of a hold is put on the account for the rental?

Anne

With Alamo, no hold, just the price of the rental. With Hertz, I believe just the price of the rental. with Dollar, I think they are SOL.

Without a debit card and decent credit, they will have to do a cash rental. Each rental agency has their own rules for this.

I understand your being hesitant to rent for them, but, if they opted for all that insurance, that would pretty much cover them, right?

Another option, have them get a secured charge card through say: Orchard Bank or Providian. Do a search for credit cards for poor credit. I have read there are many.

BTW, I love your house, can I come visit?

 

[seashoreCM]

How much travel time from your place to Disney? Perhaps they may want to stay on site for some of the days.

Would you consider lending them your car while you rent a car for your own use? (They would pay you in cash up front)

Caution: Some rental companies require you to buy one or more of their coverages if you pay cash.

Caution: You may want to pass up rental agencies that pull your credit since, every time your credit is pulled by anyone, your credit score (called a FICO) may go down.

Rental hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/carrent.htm

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
With Alamo, no hold, just the price of the rental. With Hertz, I believe just the price of the rental. with Dollar, I think they are SOL.

Without a debit card and decent credit, they will have to do a cash rental. Each rental agency has their own rules for this.

I understand your being hesitant to rent for them, but, if they opted for all that insurance, that would pretty much cover them, right?

Another option, have them get a secured charge card through say: Orchard Bank or Providian. Do a search for credit cards for poor credit. I have read there are many.

BTW, I love your house, can I come visit?

Thanks Gail--Would love to have you come visit once we get moved in

I don't trust the Husbands driving, he's just been lucky that he doesn't have a bunch of tickets, and the wife although a good driver in her area, is lousy in unfamiliar territory. I'll suggest the secured card.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
How much travel time from your place to Disney? Perhaps they may want to stay on site for some of the days.

Would you consider lending them your car while you rent a car for your own use? (They would pay you in cash up front)

Caution: Some rental companies require you to buy one or more of their coverages if you pay cash.

Caution: You may want to pass up rental agencies that pull your credit since, every time your credit is pulled by anyone, your credit score (called a FICO) may go down.

Rental hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/carrent.htm

They can't afford to stay on site--they can't really afford the trip as it is. Plus they also want to go to Universal. It's about 20-30 minutes from my house to WDW or Universal, depending on traffic and which park they are going to.

We don't want them driving any car that we're ultimately responsible for for the reasons I gave to Gail in my above post.

Anne

 

[Poly Pal]

Hi Anne,

You are absolutely correct to not rent a car on your friends' behalf, even if you buy the optional insurance from the rental car company. If something awful were to occur, you could be held liable above and beyond the limits provided by your auto policy and your homeowners policy. If you have an umbrella liability policy that might also be tapped.

When I was in college I rented a car from National without a credit card (and I was under 25 with no credit history). They allowed me to put down a substantial cash deposit ($450 is what I recall) which they returned to me by check several weeks after the rental ended. That might be an option.

Your home looks beautiful!

 

[cherylp3]

Capital one offers secure cards too.

(I would not recommend Providian, their interest is quite high.)

With Capital One: The person gives them $500 and that is their limit.

-Cheryl

 

[seashoreCM]

Putting down a cash deposit? Do it only with a nationwide rental company. This way, if there is a problem getting back the deposit, you should be able to deal with it close to home, namely anywhere they have an agency or lot or office.

Some rental agencies authorize more, say $300., over the anticipated rental charges. This should be disclosed in the rental company policies you can see on the internet. If your credit card has a very low limit, it might be rejected at the rental counter at pickup time.

 

[manning]

Would you consider lending them your car while you rent a car for your own use?

Bad idea. They get into an accident with your car you get sued along with them. Why? Because you own the car.

You rent the car for them is also a no no. Again it exposes you to liabilities, and if you don't put them on as another driver you have violated the contract.

YOU JUST HAVE TOO MUCH TO LOSE!!!!!!!

I'd say they go wherever you go on your schedule.

My question is why are you encouraging them to get a credit/debit card? They are financially messed up now as it is. This only gets them in deeper. This just enables them.

Another thing to do if you have the time and are willing. Drop them off at Disney and let them get around on the buses. You don't need a car to get around Disney!!!!!!!

 

[ducklite]

The problem is that DH and I will be working (telecommuting) for most of the days they are there. We really do'nt want them around the house all day while we are trying to work, and driving them around won't work, our cars only hold four or five depending on which one we have down there, they are a party of five plus one of us driving.

I'm going to suggst they look into the debit card route with Alamo. Can't really get into trouble with that, it simply won't allow you to spend money you don't have.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

Hotwire allows you to specify you'll be paying with a debit card. They'll limit their search to the agencies that'll accept a debit card as payment. Even with bad credit I'd think most banks let you get a VISA/MC debit card.

If your friends are less than a days drive you might suggest they drive down. Cheaper than flying. Probably won't work if they live in the NYC area.

If they're VERY CLOSE friends you might loan them $500 to get a secured credit card. Have them cancel the card and return your money after the trip. Not sure of the fees, I've never looked at a secured card.

Last option, how far is your house from the nearest Lynx stop? You may wind up having to drive them that far. Drop them off at a park or nearest hotel and let them get Disney transportation; then met them at the end of the day for dinner? You don't want to loan them your car (MAKES SENSE) and don't want them around all day. You may have to look at "Plan B".

 

[denisenh]

I understand that your friend wants to rent a car but...
Is taking a cab out of the question? What about public transportation? It is less expensive.

 

[ducklite]

It's a 24+ hour drive for them from their house to the greater Orlando area, and neither of their cars are worthy to make the trip.

My house is about ten miles from the nearest LYNX stop (we are not in Orange County), and getting from WDW to that point would entail at minimum two transfers, plus as I said, they won't all fit in our car with us.

A cab would cost about $40--each way, plus tips. Although we are "close" to WDW, we are not a five minute drive.

And I've already paid the $1000 deposit on the cruise they are going on after visiting us, until that is paid back I don't want to even think about paying anything more for them. (Although if they don't pay me back before the final payment is due, I'm cancelling their cabins--they are aware of this)

I think the debit card route is going to be the way to go. They have a year to get it together financially and be able to get either a debit card or a secured card.

We told them the other day that if they can't get a car on their own somehow, they're going to have to either come up with the money to stay on-site or cut the theme park portion off their trip, as we would not be able to provide transportation for them except from our house to the port and back via limo. (We're going on teh cruise together.)

I'm just trying to find out the various options that they have, and I think Gail's suggestion of Alamo with a debit card will work best.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Anne

 

[kdibattista]

I'll suggest the secured card.

Just another thought... I know prepaid credit cards are available at some supermarkets & drug stores and may be a better alternative than a secured card for your friends. That way, they don't have to go through any credit card companies who will charge them 20+++++% interest and will not allow them to get into any more trouble.

 

[safetymom]

If you join Hertz #1 Gold you can use a debit card. The debit card has to be in your profile in order to use the debit card for rental.

If you need a link for a free membership in #1 Gold I can provide you with one.

I use my debit card with Hertz all the time with no problems.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by kdibattista
Just another thought... I know prepaid credit cards are available at some supermarkets & drug stores and may be a better alternative than a secured card for your friends. That way, they don't have to go through any credit card companies who will charge them 20+++++% interest and will not allow them to get into any more trouble.

Most rental companies will not allow a prepaid charge card.
And, they can tell the difference.

 

[seashoreCM]

Some companies (not just rental companies) don't do business with people with bad credit because they put bad information in your credit file if you don't pay for merchandise, don't pay rent, don't pay the bill, etc. If you already have bad credit the company can't make that big an issue about ruining your credit so the company refuses to do business with you in the first place.

 

[mgilmer]

Originally posted by manning
Bad idea. They get into an accident with your car you get sued along with them. Why? Because you own the car.

You rent the car for them is also a no no. Again it exposes you to liabilities, and if you don't put them on as another driver you have violated the contract.

YOU JUST HAVE TOO MUCH TO LOSE!!!!!!!

I'd say they go wherever you go on your schedule.

My question is why are you encouraging them to get a credit/debit card? They are financially messed up now as it is. This only gets them in deeper. This just enables them.

Another thing to do if you have the time and are willing. Drop them off at Disney and let them get around on the buses. You don't need a car to get around Disney!!!!!!!

I agree completely. Great analysis.

Mike