Renting a car

[Trentmom]

Hey Gang!!

I have not rented a car in a few years and don't remember the procedure for it.

When you pick up your car, do they charge you a security deposit and put a hold on your credit card and then release that money back to you when you give it back??

The reason why I am asking, is I am using my check card visa to do this and putting a hold on my checking acct, make me nervous....

Thanks to anyone who can explain the procedure to me...

 

[Detailor]

Hey Gang!!
I have not rented a car in a few years and don't remember the procedure for it.
When you pick up your car, do they charge you a security deposit and put a hold on your credit card and then release that money back to you when you give it back??
The reason why I am asking, is I am using my check card visa to do this and putting a hold on my checking acct, make me nervous....
Thanks to anyone who can explain the procedure to me...

I'd think that there may be variation by rental company, but you should generally expect that a hold will be placed on your card. If your card is a debit card then most companies go through an additional balance verification process. But whether you use a debit card or a credit card you should expect a hold amount that would be cleared when you are charged for the rental upon return to the rental company. I don't know what each of the companies have for hold charges, but Dollar, for instance, holds the estimated rental amount plus 15% or a minimum of $250 on every Orlando rental.

Dick Taylor

 

[Trentmom]

I'd think that there may be variation by rental company, but you should generally expect that a hold will be placed on your card. If your card is a debit card then most companies go through an additional balance verification process. But whether you use a debit card or a credit card you should expect a hold amount that would be cleared when you are charged for the rental upon return to the rental company. I don't know what each of the companies have for hold charges, but Dollar, for instance, holds the estimated rental amount plus 15% or a minimum of $250 on every Orlando rental.

Dick Taylor

Oh geez....That is a lot...I thought it might be like an extra 100, but an extra 250......Yikes

What if you want to use cash and just give them the full rental price when you pick up the car??

I know if I reserve it online, I would have to use a CC.

But if when I got there, gave them the full amt in cash, would they still need to put a hold on a cc?

Thanks

 

[Trentmom]

Bump

 

[goofy4tink]

When I rented from Alamo I used my debit card. I don't think they placed a hold on it though. They did want to see my flight itinerary though to prove I was going to be flying home. That turned out to be an issue for me because I didn't have my flight itinerary with me!!! Now I always use a regular credit card..taking no chances.

 

[ess]

You need to read the fine print at each rental company. I don't believe Alamo puts an extra hold on your card they just charge the amount it's suppose to be. There are different guide lines for using a debit card such as showing your round trip ticket at Alamo at time or rental.

The way I understand the 15% or minimum of $250 is if your car rental is only $230 they will tack on the 15% to make it $264.50 so there's your minimum of $250.00. In other words they want $250 and no less to hold. I don't believe it's the price of your car plus $250.00 hold.

 

[Detailor]

You need to read the fine print at each rental company. I don't believe Alamo puts an extra hold on your card they just charge the amount it's suppose to be. There are different guide lines for using a debit card such as showing your round trip ticket at Alamo at time or rental.

The way I understand the 15% or minimum of $250 is if your car rental is only $230 they will tack on the 15% to make it $264.50 so there's your minimum of $250.00. In other words they want $250 and no less to hold. I don't believe it's the price of your car plus $250.00 hold.

That's my understanding as well. the minimum hold amount will be $250.00, not your total rental amount plus an additional $250.

Trentmom, I believe that the rental car company will insist upon imprinting a card if you want to rent from them even if you're willing to pay up front in cash. Taking the card imprint protects the company from some potential losses.

Dick Taylor

 

[Trentmom]

You need to read the fine print at each rental company. I don't believe Alamo puts an extra hold on your card they just charge the amount it's suppose to be. There are different guide lines for using a debit card such as showing your round trip ticket at Alamo at time or rental.

The way I understand the 15% or minimum of $250 is if your car rental is only $230 they will tack on the 15% to make it $264.50 so there's your minimum of $250.00. In other words they want $250 and no less to hold. I don't believe it's the price of your car plus $250.00 hold.

That's my understanding as well. the minimum hold amount will be $250.00, not your total rental amount plus an additional $250.

Trentmom, I believe that the rental car company will insist upon imprinting a card if you want to rent from them even if you're willing to pay up front in cash. Taking the card imprint protects the company from some potential losses.

Dick Taylor

Oh...Whew....that makes me feel a lot better.....

My one week rental is about 185 and was thinking it wa going to be an additional 250 on top of that

Glad, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Thanks all for all your help