No major credit card...car rental?

[BrittnTylersMom]

We rented a van from Alamo in May 2004 using a debit card and proof of return flight, no problem at all.
They didn't put a hold on any money in our bank account, I'm wondering if putting a hold on the $100.00 is a fairly new thing?

 

[Poohlovr]

We rented a van from Alamo in May 2004 using a debit card and proof of return flight, no problem at all.
They didn't put a hold on any money in our bank account, I'm wondering if putting a hold on the $100.00 is a fairly new thing?

I don't know. I talked to Alamo today and they told me they deduct only the amount of the rental--nothing else.

I also spoke with Budget--their policy is the rental price + 25% OR $200.00, whichever is greater.


Guess I need to speak with Alamo one more time and make my decision.

 

[becky7953]

Last January we used Alamo, we used a debit Visa card. With showing a return ticket they did not charge us any extra money. I asked before we went and they said no. I did alot of research on the companies and debit cards. Alamo was the only one (on site at airport) that did not charge a deposit. We did not have any problems, great car, great people. Will be using again next trip.

 

[djm99]

Just as someone has already stated Budget holds the amount of your rental + 25% (or $200) whichever is greater. Budget is by far the cheapest rental in the Orlando area - unless you can find a friends and family rate for National (which only charges the rental amount - period). And I just love how National works in MCO airport. They let you pick your own car in a specific class. The keys are already in the car - you just drive off. It is like that at many LAX rental places too.

 

[ducklite]

I rented from Dollar last week, and was talking to the guy at the rental counter about this as I have a friend coming to visit in the fall who will need a rental, but she's got no credit card and poor credit. He said that they will still accept a Visa Check card, but they run a credit report and put a hold on the rental amount plus $200. He said that they end up turning away a lot of people due to poor credit.

Anne

 

[d4est]

Just as someone has already stated Budget holds the amount of your rental + 25% (or $200) whichever is greater. Budget is by far the cheapest rental in the Orlando area - unless you can find a friends and family rate for National (which only charges the rental amount - period). And I just love how National works in MCO airport. They let you pick your own car in a specific class. The keys are already in the car - you just drive off. It is like that at many LAX rental places too.

So, are you saying that National will take a debit card?

 

[PooohBear]

I used a debit card in December at Alamo and had absolutely no problems, no hold on my card either !

 

[disney 4 5]

So, are you saying that National will take a debit card?

According to what I read on National's website they will cancel a reservation that is done with a debit card, it must be made with a credit card. You can pay when you return it with a debit card but the reservation must be made with a credit card. Unless the MCO National has a different policy. Does anyone know from experience?

 

[Tinkerbelle99]

I didnt read all of the replies, so please forgive me if i am repeating. i just wanted to quickly add that some rental agencies to not accept debit cards, so you will want to verfiy that up front. if they do they you want to make sure you know how much funds they 'hold' from your debit account until the vehicle is returned. it can sometimes be a couple of hundred dollars more than the quote of the rental.

Also way back when we were first married and had no major credit cards we were able to rent using our sears card as they had some type of business agreement (or the rental place may have been owned by sears). i honestly cant remember the rental agency name, but i am pretty sure it was budget.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

WHAT if you are not flying and want to rent from home town to drive to MCO?
If you do not have a plane ticket what do they do?
We used Alamo last Oct. in Mco at airport paid by cash with no dep. req. just had to show plane ticket.

 

[pjlla]

Just a quick thought. Those of you who are wanting to CUT UP all of your cards (good idea to keep yourself out of debt), but need one to rent a car.... keep ONE CARD only just for this, call the company and lower your credit line to $1000 or less, and keep this card only for car rentals. That way, if you feel tempted to use the card for other things, at least you don't have a HUGE credit line that could get you into trouble! As a matter of fact, don't even carry the card with you. Keep it somewhere safe at home and take it out only for car rentals. (Well....maybe you could use it once or twice a year for a small purchase, just to keep it active). ................P

 

[dizagain]

Wow! I am planning to rent a car in May but haven't done it yet. Thanks for all of the info!!! We may just have to use DH's business CC and pay it back right away because all we have is our debit Visa. Good to know this stuff ahead of time!
Thanks!

 

[djm99]

WHAT if you are not flying and want to rent from home town to drive to MCO?
If you do not have a plane ticket what do they do?
We used Alamo last Oct. in Mco at airport paid by cash with no dep. req. just had to show plane ticket.

That's why I use Budget. Budget has a policy in STL that they will charge you the rate plus 25% unlimited miles (on anything except a mini van). But be careful some rental companies will not let you drive a car out of the states that surround you. Alamo in STL is like that, but Budget is not (unless your driving a mini van). Many places in STL are funny about their mini vans and milage, so I would just call around and speak with them directly. It could vary per every location (The policies are often different in Airport locations than any other location - so call personally to get specifics). Some rentals will charge more (Hertz) if they know you are driving the car out of town - although they state unlimited miles - so be clear as to where you plan to go!!!

 

[becky7953]

Wow! I am planning to rent a car in May but haven't done it yet. Thanks for all of the info!!! We may just have to use DH's business CC and pay it back right away because all we have is our debit Visa. Good to know this stuff ahead of time!
Thanks!

Check with the rental companies, some let you reserve with the credit card and pay when you return with your debit card. Check around

 

[Daxx]

I wonder if you could purchase one of those VISA giftcards that are good anywhere and use it? That way the amount wouldn't be held out of your checking account.

I'd be surprised if they took the gift cards. Even if they do take the gift cards, you'd have to be sure that you have enough cash to cover rental plus extra fees that they're going to put "on hold". You wouldn't get the cash back until after your vacation. So, really ... it's six of one, half dozen of another in dealing w/the gift card vs. debit card.

 

[celtick8]

That's why I use Budget. Budget has a policy in STL that they will charge you the rate plus 25% unlimited miles (on anything except a mini van). But be careful some rental companies will not let you drive a car out of the states that surround you. Alamo in STL is like that, but Budget is not (unless your driving a mini van). Many places in STL are funny about their mini vans and milage, so I would just call around and speak with them directly. It could vary per every location (The policies are often different in Airport locations than any other location - so call personally to get specifics). Some rentals will charge more (Hertz) if they know you are driving the car out of town - although they state unlimited miles - so be clear as to where you plan to go!!!

What do you mean,"except a mini-van"? I am renting a mini-van through Budget in May. I confirmed that they accept Debit Cards, and they donot charged additional driver fees for spouses which is a major plus. But is there something else I should know? Thanks.

 

[djm99]

What do you mean,"except a mini-van"? I am renting a mini-van through Budget in May. I confirmed that they accept Debit Cards, and they donot charged additional driver fees for spouses which is a major plus. But is there something else I should know? Thanks.

Budget (in many - but not all ) locations often DO NOT have unlimited miles on thier mini vans. They have unlimited (automatically) on all the other cars/SUV's. So check your reservations. Your location may have unlimited, but in STL Hertz and is the only one that has unlimited Mini Vans without an extra fee. And many places (in their fine print) say that their cars can not be taken out of the states surrounding the pick up location. Your location may be different so just check - I found out the hard way!!