Renting a car without a credit card

Disneyfan1977

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 29, 2007
Messages
673
Hi

We don't currently have a credit card and are going to be needing a car while in Orlando. Does anyone have any experience with this and/or advice with which companies will rent with a debit card?
 
My understanding is you need a hefty cash deposit, usually equivalent to the excess so possibly at least $1000 or more.

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It depends on the company. I have used Alamo with a debit card in the past. No huge deposit was charged to my account. They ask you to have proof of round trip travel with you. So just bring your airline itinerary with you when you go to rent the car.
 

It depends on the company. I have used Alamo with a debit card in the past. No huge deposit was charged to my account. They ask you to have proof of round trip travel with you. So just bring your airline itinerary with you when you go to rent the car.



I second this :). We have rented from Alamo and secured the rental with a debit card that has a Mastercard logo on it for two years straight, and had no problems. They did not place a hold on the card, and we did have to show our return flight info - which I just printed out our itinerary and that was fine.

I believe some other companies will rent to those with debit cards - Dollar is one of them, however for some odd reason they will run a credit check on you before they will allow the rental with a debit card. If you do not want unnecessary credit checks run on you, avoid them, IMO
 
I second this :). We have rented from Alamo and secured the rental with a debit card that has a Mastercard logo on it for two years straight, and had no problems. They did not place a hold on the card, and we did have to show our return flight info - which I just printed out our itinerary and that was fine.

:thumbsup2

Alamo accepted my debit card with VISA logo -- no problems and no hold. Just show them your return flight confirmation as you leave.
 
I had no idea you needed a CC to rent a card... I assumed I could just use my Debit card as a credit card... good to know. I was debating renting a car from Alamo for one day to go to Sea World during our Sept trip
 
Flying Southwest and renting from Alamo with a debit card.. Since I won't have my boarding pass for the return flight, show then my email flight confirmation???
 
It depends on the company. I have used Alamo with a debit card in the past. No huge deposit was charged to my account. They ask you to have proof of round trip travel with you. So just bring your airline itinerary with you when you go to rent the car.

:thumbsup2

You really need to check with the company. I have even called the rental desk at the airport directly to be sure of what I needed. But we have used a debit card with Budget, National, Alamo...all with no problem. Some rental companies will put a hold on funds in your account; some will run a credit check. Twice they have put a hold on the funds in my checking far exceeding the rental cost; most of the time they did nothing at all. We use Alamo the most and have never had an issue with them.
As goofy4tink said, have your airline itinerary on you. You do not need a boarding pass, just the confirmation. You probably won't need to even show it, I have rented with a debit card dozens of times but only ever had them ask for the airline confirmation once. But it is usually the policy, so have it with you just in case.
 
Flying Southwest and renting from Alamo with a debit card.. Since I won't have my boarding pass for the return flight, show then my email flight confirmation???

Yes just print out your confirmation.



We've rented from Alamo with a debit card several times. You can also rent from Dollar with a debit card. But IIRC they do a credit check on the spot, but all it says on the website is that the credit report has to meet "certain criteria.
 
Rented with Alamo a couple of times with my MC-logo debit card. No issues and no holds placed. But when renting with Dollar they placed a hold on the card, which didn't clear until two days after the car was returned.
 
Although, as others have pointed out, you can rent with a debit card with varying requirements, I would recommend a credit card for car rentals. Most provide some sort of free secondary coverage for damage and if something happens (and trust me, it can), it's better to tie up credit then it is your cash used to pay bills.

Personal experience, family trip to Disney, sister-in-law and brother-in-law rent a car with a debit card (she didn't know any different). Something happened when they ran the card and placed a deposit (it was a small deposit equal to the rental amount plus around $150) and the system placed holds each day for multiple days, basically locking out all of her cash. Not a big deal as we were there, but holds cannot usually just be cleared off, even from a bank, they usually just have to roll off in time (based on the hold type).
 
I always use Enterprise whenever I need a rental. I use my debit card; they require a $150 hold, which is OK because I usually have more than enough budgeted for travel expenses.
 
Flying Southwest and renting from Alamo with a debit card.. Since I won't have my boarding pass for the return flight, show then my email flight confirmation???

yes, that is what you will show them. Just proof of round trip travel.
 
Although, as others have pointed out, you can rent with a debit card with varying requirements, I would recommend a credit card for car rentals. Most provide some sort of free secondary coverage for damage and if something happens (and trust me, it can), it's better to tie up credit then it is your cash used to pay bills.

Personal experience, family trip to Disney, sister-in-law and brother-in-law rent a car with a debit card (she didn't know any different). Something happened when they ran the card and placed a deposit (it was a small deposit equal to the rental amount plus around $150) and the system placed holds each day for multiple days, basically locking out all of her cash. Not a big deal as we were there, but holds cannot usually just be cleared off, even from a bank, they usually just have to roll off in time (based on the hold type).

Good advice, the OP stated she did not have a credit card.
 
I always use Enterprise whenever I need a rental. I use my debit card; they require a $150 hold, which is OK because I usually have more than enough budgeted for travel expenses.

The hold and acceptance of debit card with Enterprise depends on the location's policies.

This is their procedure.


Enterprise Payment Options - US and Canada

What are the accepted methods of payment?



Credit Cards: At the time of rental, a credit card must be presented with available credit, in the renter's name. In addition to the anticipated cost of the rental, an additional amount may be required. The signature on the back must match the name imprinted on the card and the signature on the rental agreement. In addition, if the renter reserved online, the name printed on the card presented by renter must match the name booked for the online transaction and identification presented.

Note: Renters who do not have a credit card will need to contact the local office directly.

Credit Cards honored:

United States: The following credit cards are accepted for rentals in the US: American Express®, MasterCard®, VISA®, and Discover® Network

Puerto Rico: The following credit cards are accepted for rentals in Puerto Rico: American Express, MasterCard, and VISA

Canada: The following credit cards are accepted for rentals in Canada: American Express, MasterCard, and VISA.

Click Here to view our European Locations

Debit Cards, Prepaid cards and other forms of payment: Although you may use a debit card, prepaid card, or other form of payment to pay for the final charges on the vehicle, if you reserve a vehicle through this website, you will need to provide a major credit card at the time of the rental to secure the rental transaction. A major credit card is a card that is supported by a pre-determined line of credit, and not a bank account, or a pre-paid balance.

Some Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations may accept debit cards, pre-paid cards, or other forms of payment to secure the rental transaction. To reserve a vehicle without a major credit card, please contact the local office directly.

Please review the following exceptions:

Airport Locations:

When renting in the US: Debit Cards will be accepted with proof of a round trip travel ticket (airline,cruise ship or train) at time of rental.

In Canada, a credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pickup. Debit/Check cards are not accepted. At the time of return payment, money orders, traveler's checks, or a major credit card are accepted. Canadian based Debit Cards are not accepted at either the time of rental or at the time of return.

Credits owed back to customer will typically be credited back to customer account within 15 business days.

Virtual Credit Cards: Enterprise does not accept online-only, virtual credit cards or any other type of "single-use" card number security product or one-time use credit card number that may be provided by credit card companies for online use.

Enterprise shall not assume responsibility or liability in connection with the use of on-line only, virtual credit cards or any other type of "single-use" card number security product or one-time use credit card number that may be provided by credit card companies for online transactions. Enterprise shall have no obligation to honor transactions made with such cards.
 




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