Paying for alamo w/Debit Card vs Paying Budget w/debit card?

[jsgrand0]

Hello. I am currently booked with alamo for an SUV for $375...I can book an SUV through Budget for $250...however...looks like alamo is much more user-friendly to debit card users...no holds, just requiring proof of airline tickets. Budget however, looks like they put a hold on funds on your bank account debit card, which I DO NOT LIKE. Probably willing to just go with alamo in that case...has anyone used either of these companies without having a regular credit card, and what was your experience? Thanks so much!

 

[goofy4tink]

I've rented with Alamo with a debit card before. Once I got my airline round trip proof, it was fine. I'm doing it again in Dec.

 

[Traveliz]

I have only done Alamo - very easy - just show the proof and there is definitely no hold on your card.

Liz

 

[Buckimion]

I would rather eat a bucket of rusty nails than do business with either, but most recently Budget left me high and dry 4th of July weekend when I tried to rent with a debit card and did not have a full credit card. I was told that the outlet (Not at MCO) would no longer accept debit cards alone even after I have done business with Budget for 10+ years. (Ever since getting shafted by Alamo.) Enterprise took my card without question.

 

[momto2inKC]

We've always had great experiences with Alamo when using debit or credit cards. I've never rented from Budget but hear they have a large hold if you use a debit card.

 

[C.Ann]

Always used Alamo - debit card - never had a hold placed on my card..

 

[gmeh1]

I would rather eat a bucket of rusty nails than do business with either, but most recently Budget left me high and dry 4th of July weekend when I tried to rent with a debit card and did not have a full credit card. I was told that the outlet (Not at MCO) would no longer accept debit cards alone even after I have done business with Budget for 10+ years. (Ever since getting shafted by Alamo.) Enterprise took my card without question.

Enterprise owns Alamo and National.

 

[gmeh1]

Always used Alamo - debit card - never had a hold placed on my card..

I believe they place a hold for the amount of your rental. You do need proof of round trip travel to use a debit card with Alamo.

 

[dioxide45]

I believe they place a hold for the amount of your rental. You do need proof of round trip travel to use a debit card with Alamo.

Correct, there just won't be any additional hold on the account for a "deposit".

 

[Lassie Lynne]

We have rented from Alamo at a couple of different airports, never a problem with extra hold....usually had decent enough service from them.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I would not recommend using a debit card for a car rental. There is increased risks attached to debit cards and if something is to go wrong either with the transaction (multiple deposits/holds) or the vehicle, you could be locking out access your funds and impact your cash flow (credit cards can be used to help cash flow, but they are not cash).

Now, there are many transactions that work perfectly fine and the chance of something going wrong is fairly low, but it's an easy risk to avoid at no cost by the use of a credit card.

 

[jsgrand0]

I would not recommend using a debit card for a car rental. There is increased risks attached to debit cards and if something is to go wrong either with the transaction (multiple deposits/holds) or the vehicle, you could be locking out access your funds and impact your cash flow (credit cards can be used to help cash flow, but they are not cash).

Now, there are many transactions that work perfectly fine and the chance of something going wrong is fairly low, but it's an easy risk to avoid at no cost by the use of a credit card.

Don't have a choice! We don't carry regular credit cards.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Don't have a choice! We don't carry regular credit cards.

This would be a great time to consider getting one. Credit cards are the best option for car rentals.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

This is 100% correct. I have a credit card I use JUST for rentals and other incidental travel charges. It covers me so I needn't take out CDW and other unnecessary rental add-ons. If the account is somehow compromised during the course of the trip my bank account funds are unaffected.

This would be a great time to consider getting one. Credit cards are the best option for car rentals.

 

[mb187143]

I've used my debit card for budget rentals - had to for work travel, and I don't use a credit card. They put a hold on either one. The hold was $200 if I didn't pre-pay for my budget rental and $100 if I did pre-pay. But I don't know if pre-paying is an option at all locations. It wasn't ideal, but they always released the hold, I had the money back in my account 3 days after they placed it, whether I had the car for one day or a week. I know their literature says it will be released after you return the car, so i don't know if I would count on that. If I had the option of an Alamo or a place that didn't do a hold, I would have. I'd rather have that money in my account than in limbo.