Paying for rental car with debit card

[Rory607]

Can you book a rental car with a credit card, but pay at the desk with a debit card? I’m not debating why not to use a debit card. This pertains to a certain situation and I cannot get a clear answer through any of the rental websites. The car will be rented through an airport location. I don’t mind using the credit card to book, but I want to use the debit for payment.

 

[afan]

They'll put a hold on your bank account for the amount of the rental and it may include a deposit as well. I rented in palm springs last week and it had a $200 deposit so they had a hold for 489 including the cost.

I would say if you want to pay with a debit as a credit card, you're better off doing prepaid. You'll probably still have to provide a card at the counter for the deposit but unless you have tolls, don't fill the tank or have damage it's not going to post so this part could be on the cc.

As long as this is all the same person's cards/reservation I can't imagine it would be an issue as long as the debit is run as a credit card.

 

[Rory607]

They'll put a hold on your bank account for the amount of the rental and it may include a deposit as well. I rented in palm springs last week and it had a $200 deposit so they had a hold for 489 including the cost.

I would say if you want to pay with a debit as a credit card, you're better off doing prepaid. You'll probably still have to provide a card at the counter for the deposit but unless you have tolls, don't fill the tank or have damage it's not going to post so this part could be on the cc.

As long as this is all the same person's cards/reservation I can't imagine it would be an issue as long as the debit is run as a credit card.

Yes, I guess prepaid would probably be the best option. It would be fine to have the deposit hold on the cc. Thank you!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes, I guess prepaid would probably be the best option. It would be fine to have the deposit hold on the cc. Thank you!

Hold up- prepaid cards are ripe with fraud so know exactly what type you’re getting and how to attempt to buy one that isn’t drained before you get into your car- scammers are so good they can reseal packaging. Also, some places straight up do not accept them or only accept certain types so if it doesn’t work and you’re stuck with it, it can be annoying to drain.

You need your rental companies exact payment policy. As an example Enterprise states their policies for accepting debit cards & prepaid cards but they are quite different from credit cards and a debit or prepaid card alone is not enough link.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Can you book a rental car with a credit card, but pay at the desk with a debit card? I’m not debating why not to use a debit card. This pertains to a certain situation and I cannot get a clear answer through any of the rental websites. The car will be rented through an airport location. I don’t mind using the credit card to book, but I want to use the debit for payment.

Check with the car rental company for specifics.

Usually, IME, the card you use at the rental counter has to be the same as the one used to hold the rent or at least have the same name (and same name as person who initially rented car)

Also, check with your credit card. Often, if the card used to hold rental is not the same as the one presented at the counter, then insurance benefits may be cancelled.

That said, it is usually easy to cancel/rebook or modify your reservation before you arrive using the card you want to use at the counter.

 

[Rory607]

Hold up- prepaid cards are ripe with fraud so know exactly what type you’re getting and how to attempt to buy one that isn’t drained before you get into your car- scammers are so good they can reseal packaging. Also, some places straight up do not accept them or only accept certain types so if it doesn’t work and you’re stuck with it, it can be annoying to drain.

You need your rental companies exact payment policy. As an example Enterprise states their policies for accepting debit cards & prepaid cards but they are quite different from credit cards and a debit or prepaid card alone is not enough link.

I was meaning prepaid as in paying for the car at the time of booking. So use the debit card online to pay for the car ahead of time. Then, when picking up, use a credit card for the deposit, which would fall off.