pre paid mastercard for car rental

[sam_rogers]

has anybody used a prepaid card for a card imprint when picking up a car? we have a pre paid caxtonfx mastercard and i'm not sure if this will be accepted because its not an actual credit card but if the moneys already on it then surely its ok?

 

[orangetiggs]

not sure, we have a fairfx one and it states on there that you cant use it for hotel check in as they place a larger hold on the card than is needed

We never leave a credit card with the car rental place so that could be an option

 

[sam_rogers]

we're using the young drivers policy with usrentacar.com so we waiver the $25 a day fee, but we have to present a credit card to use the policy. i think the card only needs $250 on it so im hoping it will be ok

 

[Lisa1976]

I did try to use our Paypal Visa prepaid card in January with Budget and they were having none of it, had to leave a $100 deposit in the end.

 

[sam_rogers]

uh oh we'll just have to give it a try and hope for the best

 

[madmumof2]

I was worried about this too. I've been told I'll have to leave a credit card for my car rental, but only have my fairfx card. If they don't accept it I suppose they'll have to accept a deposit or give me a refund? I can bet what they would rather do lol.

 

[sam_rogers]

I was worried about this too. I've been told I'll have to leave a credit card for my car rental, but only have my fairfx card. If they don't accept it I suppose they'll have to accept a deposit or give me a refund? I can bet what they would rather do lol.

its a bit of a nightmare, we're using alamo and i don't think they accept cash deposits either, its annoying that they're so reliant on credit cards!

 

[sam_rogers]

bad news, i just emailed usrentacar and they said that alamo won't accept pre paid cards. dbf is on the phone now trying to sort something else out!

 

[madmumof2]

How do they know it's pre paid though? They can't surely. If you have enough funds to cover the deposit it'll be frozen until you take the car back.

 

[Trouty]

I was/am having some nightmares with the same type of worry with Avis. I used a Visa Debit card last year but have moved banks (they did not freeze the account as I had little in at the time of check in) however this year I am with Natwest and they only have Maestro Cards which are no good.

The only credit card I have is a Visa that has harldy any available credit on it. I told this problem to my travel agent and they said it was against the Data Protection Act for Avis etc to ascertain how much credit was on the card. So as long as they do not take a 'deposit' from it or try to 'freeze' it I should be okay.... I think.

Anyone else had issues like this? I think it is terrible for them to reply so much on credit cards etc.