Rental car with a Debit Card

[vintagemomma]

We do not have or keep any credit cards, we need to rent a car in June for the drive to WDW. Anyone on here ever reserve using a Debit Card? Did you get a lot of hassle at the counter? We are renting in Philly if it makes a difference.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You need to check the web site of your car rental company for the requirements. Yes, it is more hassle than renting using a credit card. Make sure you are allowed to take the car out of state.

 

[rwdavis2]

They may put a hold on the full rental amount when you book OR pick it up.

 

[nacho113]

Check with the particular rental location that you want to use. Different companies have different rules.

It will make things easier if your debit card is Visa or Mastercard branded.

Make sure you have enough money in your account to cover the whole cost of the rental since they will place a hold on your account (and make sure you have enough money left in the account to cover the rest of your vacation needs)

You may be subject to a credit check, adds some extra time to the rental process and will be a hard hit on your credit file - not sure if this matters to you (gotta figure they aren't just going to give you a $20,000-$40,000 vehicle without some assurances of your credit worthiness)
****if you're going to have a credit check done anyway, why not just look at getting a credit card and simplify the whole process (note: some credit cards have car rental insurance included as one of the perks)

Be aware that you will have to check-in for your rental at the counter (won't be able to use any of the time saving, by-pass the counter options)

You may be required to purchase the optional insurance or provide proof of other insurance (since they won't be able to charge any damage to a Credit Card)

Here's a couple of links that may have some helpful info:
http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/tips-rent-car-debit-credit-card-1268.php
http://www.wikihow.com/Rent-a-Car-Without-a-Credit-Card

 

[zaccaglin]

Enterprise wouldn't let me rent a car when I returned home in CA without a credit card because my ID was out of state. After a long firm talk with the branch manager they allowed me to use my debit card but with a 1,000$ Hold.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Here's a couple of links that may have some helpful info:
http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/tips-rent-car-debit-credit-card-1268

Number nine is particularly important. You may not be able to rent a car locally with a debit card. If you do, you may not be allowed to drive it all the way to Florida and back. Be sure you know all the conditions.

 

[Capt_BJ]

have many times watched people turned away at rental counter because they did not have a credit card ... planned to use a debit and it was refused ...

last time I saw this it was a sailor at the airport in Norfolk ..... military ID and all the 'thank you for your service' didn't get around the no credit card no car . . .

I respect the decision to stay 'cash only' but in terms of rental cars it will REALLY simplify your life to have one for 'special needs' situations.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I have rented locally through Enterprise with a debit card and no issues at all. There was no hold/deposit placed on my card. We did drive out of state.
This past Oct. I rented through Alamo at MCO with a Walmart Money Card (debit card). Done online check in, walked to my car and drove to the gate. Showed the attendant my return flight ticket and I was good to go. Again, no holds or deposits were held against my card. I, too, do not use credit cards and its never been an issue renting for me.

Just read over your local branch's rental/payment rules before you reserve.

 

[MortimerMouse75]

I went in September of last year with my brother and sister in law who assumed because they had no problem using their debit card to rent a vehicle at other airports that they would have no problems at Tampa airport. That wasn't the case at all. A few rental companies didn't care they had their return itinerary with them even tho on their website stated using a debit card is okay providing return flight itinerary is provided. The other few which said a debit card was fine as long as they ran a credit check first didn't work either because neither my sister in law or brother don't have any credit at all. So they had no choice but to drive around with us. They now have a secured card through capital one and it works exactly like a regular credit card. No car rentals can even tell it's a secured card. They have used it many of times at all different airports without any trouble at all.