No credit cards here, can we rent a car?

[monalsw]

Flying to WDW in November and taking a towncar to the resort...but would like a day or two of running about town; US maybe, flea markets, etc.

Without a credit card, can we rent a car anywhere?

TIA

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You can rent a car with a VERY large deposit at most rental agencies.
If you have a debit card with a visa or mc logo, you can use that at a few of the rental agencies. Alamo and Dollar immediately come to mind.
Check the websites for the majors regarding a cash rental.

 

[ducklite]

Well, you have plenty of time. Here's what I suggest. Apply for a no annual fee card (the New Disney card has no annual fee, plus you can earn reward pointa tthat can be turned into the equivalent of gift certificates for WDW!). If you have problems that affect your ability to obtain a "regular" credit card, apply for a secured credit card, available to anyone who puts down the required deposit. Just because you have the card doesn't mean you have to use it. My brother doesn't believe in credit cards, but he still ahs a Visa for emergencies. he uses it once a year to keep it active (buys a small item like a tank of gas or something like that) and pays it off immediately. But that way when he needs it for the purposes of renting a car or booking a hotel room, he has the ability to do so.

Anne

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Good advice, Anne,
They could also get a debit card with the Visa/MC logo and use it at place that accept it.

 

[Mark P.]

Got a question...
Our Debit Card has a Visa logo, and can rental companies (or any other places for that matter) tell that it's not a credit card?

Anyway, we booked with Alamo, and the major requirement in using a Debit Card is to have proof of round trip airfare.

 

[ducklite]

Yes, it's pretty easy to tell the difference..they just "look" different. Many say "Bank Card", or "Check Card" or something liekt aht on them. When they run it through the computer can definitely tell.

Keep in mind taht when using a debit card, most places put a hold of up to $500 on it, so that cash might not be available to you during the rental period.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Also with the debit card you have little to no liability protection, and you might want to think about taking the extra insurance.

Anne

 

[Mark P.]

We've got a Visa, and just use it for emergencies only. Just might use it for our rental, though...Thanks for the tips

 

[CarolA]

Even if the card does not look different, the computer knows. I was in Long Beach, CA in October and there was a woman trying to rent from Budget. She gave the guy her card and it would not approve the charge. She was giving the guy heck about it and he finally asked if it was a debit. When she said yes, he said they would not rent to her using it. She pictches another fit, yes she has rented here before etc..... By this time I wanted to pitch her off the porch. (They have temp trailers for rental cars at Long Beach) The guy told her to call her bank and she was away from the counter before she realized it was Saturday and her bank was closed. (Counter guy told her to get back in line YEAH!!! and she stormed off!)

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Mark P.
We've got a Visa, and just use it for emergencies only. Just might use it for our rental, though...Thanks for the tips

Use the Visa when you pick the car up, but pay at the end with your Visa check card (debit card), and no charges will show on the actual credit card

Anne

 

[nicolep91]

When we went to Disney in 2001, I got our rental car through Priceline. I used a debit card b/c we didn't have a credit card either. Since it was all pre-paid through Priceline, we didn't have any problems so maybe that could be an option for you? We ended up with a car through Alamo and I don't even remember them asking to see my card, just proof of insurance.

 

[safetymom]

With Hertz if you are a member of #1 Express or Gold and you have the debit card in your profile there isn't a problem.

It doesn't cost anything to join #1 Express.

 

[tstobb]

Most car rental companies will not accept debit cards or bank cards (even with the Visa or MC logo) because thay can not put a hold on the account, only actual charges.

 

[safetymom]

I have both a Visa and Mastercard debit card with different banks and there has never been a problem with putting a hold on the funds when I rent a car at Hertz.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Most car rental companies will not accept debit cards or bank cards (even with the Visa or MC logo) because thay can not put a hold on the account, only actual charges.

Most, but, not all. Alamo, Budget and Dollar will accept them.
National has mine also, but, for some reason has not figured out that it is a bankcard with a MC logo.