Renting a car withOUT a credit card?

[stefplus3]

Is this possible? Not at Disney but at the Baltimore airport. I figured you folks would know for sure. We use our bank debit card for everything and don't have a credit card. Will they let me rent?

 

[okeydokey]

No they will not. They will not even let you use a prepaid credit card to rent. Must be an actual credit card.

 

[eliza61]

Is this possible? Not at Disney but at the Baltimore airport. I figured you folks would know for sure. We use our bank debit card for everything and don't have a credit card. Will they let me rent?

The last time I did it was 5-6 years ago so check with the car rental agency because the rules may have change.

1) we used Hertz and we were able to use our debit card but they put a huge hold on the funds. $1000 bucks and the hold wasn't release until 7 days after the car was returned.

2) they made us take out very expensive insurance (some thing like 35 bucks per day).

would not use a debit card again.

 

[Planogirl]

I use a local Enterprise sometimes and I accidently brought an expired card with me one time. They let me use my debit card but I am a regular customer so that might be why?

 

[marlynnp]

Yes, some rental companies do allow you to use a debit card.

Be prepared to have a very large hold on the card - so you will have to have a high available balance and you won't be able to use those funds until after the vehicle is returned and the payment is processed.

 

[canopynut66]

Is this possible? Not at Disney but at the Baltimore airport. I figured you folks would know for sure. We use our bank debit card for everything and don't have a credit card. Will they let me rent?

Work at a Bank and they will let you use debit card BUT it will tie up "all" in your account so we suggest to our customers NOT to use for these things. Some gas stations also tie up more money than you actually spent for gas for 24 hours.

 

[marlynnp]

Look into renting from Budget. They will shuttle you to/from airport and their hold isn't very much!

**************

Total Estimated Debit Card Hold Rules:
- We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to request a debit card authorization hold in excess of the estimated rental charges. Generally, we require a debit card authorization hold of estimated rental charges plus $200 — unless you already paid toward your rental on budget.com, in which case the hold will be only $100. While this hold is in place, the funds will not be available for your use.
- We accept bank debit cards only with the MasterCard or Visa logo at the time of rental and if you are at least 25 years of age. You will be subject to a credit check to determine creditworthiness.
- Upon returning the vehicle, we will process a release of the unused portion of the debit hold subject to your bank's procedures. The hold may take up to 2 weeks to be released by your bank.
- If you fail to return the vehicle as agreed, we will obtain additional debit hold authorizations from your account to cover the rental charges.
- Budget is not responsible for any returned checks or over-drafts due to our debit hold policy.
- When using a debit card for the required hold, positive identification in addition to your driver's license may be required.
- Prepaid cards are not acceptable methods of credit identification upon rental pick up. One of the above mentioned cards must be presented.
- Debit, cash, check cards and prepaid cards can be used for payment of rental charges upon car return.
- At time of pick-up, you may not use a debit card for the required hold if you are renting a Street Fleet car (all class X vehicles).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Rent from Alamo/National. With proof of round-trip transit (see websites for specifics), these companies will rent to you with a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo, and will put a minimal if any hold on the card.

 

[sdjen]

I have been at the rental counter picking up my rental car and heard conversations with other customers about this. I know that Enterprise will do it but as mentioned above, there are a lot of hoops you have to jump through to make it happen.

I would suggest calling the company directly and ask them if you can do it and see what they say. You want to make sure you have all the necessary documentation with you.

My other suggestion is to apply for a credit card to use for this. You can change the payment at the time you return the car to your debit card. THis way you dont have to do the extra work but will not actually charge anything to your credit card. They will not put a hold on a larger amount and you wont have to wait for them to credit it back.
Good luck!

 

[Hootiss]

Use priceline (cheapest) or hotwire if flying. When you bid for a car they will ask if using a debit card. I have done this many times and have never had a hold on my card. You do have to pay for the rental at time of bid. If you need help with bidding check out betterbidding.com

 

[HsvTeacher]

Rent from Alamo/National. With proof of round-trip transit (see websites for specifics), these companies will rent to you with a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo, and will put a minimal if any hold on the card.

This is what I was going to suggest. We use Alamo quite often and have used a debit card in the past. Like the PP said, they require proof of a round trip ticket, but the hold amount is very low. (I don't remember the exact amount.)

In our experiences, we've always found them to be the least expensive company, too.

 

[disneychrista]

Yes you can use a debit card but BE CAREFULL they will put a hold on your funds that may take 2 - 3 days to drop off AFTER you return the car.

 

[Traveliz]

Rent from Alamo/National. With proof of round-trip transit (see websites for specifics), these companies will rent to you with a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo, and will put a minimal if any hold on the card.

I agree- I have done it before several times and they put no hold on the card - they do require to see the round trip ticket though.

Liz

 

[quentina]

Is this possible? Not at Disney but at the Baltimore airport. I figured you folks would know for sure. We use our bank debit card for everything and don't have a credit card. Will they let me rent?

Yes, I do it all the time. They will put a hold on the account and if flying, you need to show proof of return flight.

I have not had/used a CC for about 5 years....no issues, ever!

Also, if you hotwire, priceline etc....there is a box you check that says something about using debit.

 

[luvmy3]

Hertz may pull your credit report when using a debit so if thats is something that concerns you, check with the rental company first.
Enterprise will let you (at least the one I rent from) you need a current utility bill and a current paystub. I have never done it so I don't know what kind of hold they do, also I'm in NY and the laws for renting cars here are different from other states.

 

[summerrluvv]

I have used Alamo w/ my debit card in the past. The only hold place on it was the price of the rental, which was like $75 or something. I had a r/t ticket to show.

 

[stefplus3]

Thanks everyone. I'll be giving alamo/enterprise a call on Monday!

 

[C.Ann]

I agree- I have done it before several times and they put no hold on the card - they do require to see the round trip ticket though.

Liz

Never tried to rent a car in Baltimore, but I have rented in other areas of the country with a debit card and they have never put a hold on my account.. There's one specific debit card I use for car rentals - that is tied to a bank account that only has enough money in there for the amount of the rental and a smidge extra (if I have to keep the car longer than anticipated).. There is no other account in that particular bank, so they wouldn't be able to place a hold (or obtain funds from another account) even if they tried..

I would call the rental company you hope to rent from - and then have them send you/email you a confirmation indicating that they will in fact honor your debit card and there will be no holds placed on your account..

Good luck - and have fun!

 

[Dismom55]

I have done it before but it has gotten increasingly harder. I have used my debit/ATM card at those time. As posted in another thread, we gave up and opened a secured Credit Card, that way we have the cc to rent and should we have a money crunch, the funds are in a separate saving acct to pay off the card. That being said, we only use the cc for car rentals and pay off ASAP.

 

[cassandrap83]

We rented with Alamo through Hotwire.com and prepaid with our debit card (w/Visa logo). When we checked in at the airport, we scanned the same card, but NOTHING was put on hold or deducted.