Word of caution with Thrifty Car Rental

[Cherinva]

I just wanted to post what happened to me last week with Thrifty.....here's the background...I have an E-Banking Account, with which I use strickly for Travel. I pay for all my reservations with it, and before any trip, I transfer money into the account and use that card for all expenses....now...this recent trip, I had to rent a car....

After landing at MCO, I got my luggage and proceded to the Thrifty Car Rental counter. I showed the agent my confirmation and he asked for my card....a few minutes went by, and he began to tell me how they were going to run my credit report, and if there was something that they didn't like, I could be declined the rental....

I was in shock. My first words were, and be stuck at the airport? Why do you want to run my credit? It's a VISA...Swipe the card, the money is there. He told me that was the "new" policy..because the card also had the word "Debit" on it, that they had to run my credit in order to use it.

Thank Goodness, at the last second that morning, I pulled out one of my credit cards and took it with me...for an emergency. So, I asked for my card back, and gave him the credit card....stating that I wasn't having my credit run for 131 dollars...that's stupid !!!!

I intend to go to my bank this week, and have the card reprinted to remove the Debit word......

Just wanted to get this out to those who do the same thing I do with these new E-Bank Accounts.

 

[Lewisc]

They're not running your credit report over a hundred dollar rental charge. They're running your credit because you're leaving with a 20K+ vehicle. They're running your credit in case you return the car damaged, late or with an empty gas tank.

I'm not sure what kind of card you have with E-Bank. Removing the word debit from the card won't change anything if the card is actually a debit card the agency will still run a credit check.

 

[Cherinva]

No...I asked why my credit was going to be run...and the agent told me it was because the word "debit" was printed on the card. When I gave him the credit card, I did ask if my credit was being run using that card, and I was told no....maybe I should have made that clear.

I just wanted to forwarn anyone else using this type of card.

 

[Lewisc]

No...I asked why my credit was going to be run...and the agent told me it was because the word "debit" was printed on the card. When I gave him the credit card, I did ask if my credit was being run using that card, and I was told no....maybe I should have made that clear.

I just wanted to forwarn anyone else using this type of card.

You were clear. My understanding is the computer knows from the account number if the card is a debit card or a pre-paid credit card. I don't think removing the debit logo from a card which is actually a debit card will do anything other then possibly getting rid of the advance warning from the agent.

Rental agencies frequently run credit reports on customers who use a debit card. Removing the debit logo from a card doesn't change the card.

From Thrifty's website:

Some locations will perform a debit card check and credit inquiry screening on debit card holders. Please check our General Policies and the local policy of the location where you intend to rent for more specific information. A debit/check card is considered to be any non-credit card bearing the Visa or MasterCard logo. Any other non-credit card without the Visa or MasterCard logo is not accepted. Prepaid credit cards, gift cards and debit/check cards are accepted for payment at the end of the rental.

The debit logo on your card made it possible for the agent to let you know a credit check would be required.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thrifty was just doing what all car rental companies do when a customer rents a car with a debit card. If you don't want a credit check run, use a credit card in the future.

 

[kaytieeldr]

A debit card is a debit card is a debit card. Your bank won't remove that word from the card.

Lewisc is right. Most car rental companies will not entrust a vehicle to a renter with, potentially, just enough 'security' to cover the rental charge.

 

[dishguy1977]

I believe a lot if not all rental car places run a credit check if you only have a debit card to pay for the vehicle. Also, like another poster said it would not make a difference if the card has "debit" printed on it or not - even if you were able to have it removed from the card (which I doubt your bank/credit union would be able to emboss a customized card just for you) once they ran the card it would come back as a debit card and would prompt for the further credit check - the fact that it had debit printed on it only gave the agent advance notice of what the result would be after they ran it.

It's kind of like paying cash for a car rental or even a hotel - most places still want a credit card on file - I guess they figure if you are able to get a credit card than you have some sort of creditworthiness.

I don't think the agent explained it properly or perhaps didn't even really understand the process. I definitely don't think they should have said "they were going to run my credit report, and if there was something that they didn't like, I could be declined the rental" - that's just rude, poor customer service and would probably make the customer feel like there was going to be a problem.

 

[keishashadow]

anybody who uses cash (and this would include a debit card) is subject to a credit check & a security-type down payment

DS was going to do so (we checked alamo, national & budget) before he realized the hassle involved, although told he could have the check run before arrival if desired.

in addition to the normal stuff (DL, form of payment, etc.) they required:

* current utility bill with home address

* copy of airline ticket

* $500 cash security deposit

additionally, the class of car is restricted - economy, he skipped it & went with ME & taxis

Many sites are franchises, they need to protect their assets, it's nothing personal and easy enough to call the rental site to determine their criteria.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Plus by using a debit card some rental companies will put a hold of $500 on your card. Which if you transfer money into that acct to cover expenses while on vacation make sure to add an additional $500. or what ever the policy of the rental company is. The hold usually comes off a day or two after to return the car.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Ain't gonna happen...

I intend to go to my bank this week, and have the card reprinted to remove the Debit word......

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Beyond what everyone has already said, using a DEBIT card for a car rental is a bad, bad idea. From locking out funds if there is an issue (I personally know someone who was traveling with us had their bank account basically frozen because the car rental agency kept processing "deposits", it was an error, but it locked out $2,000 they had in the account) to having bigger issues if there is damage to your vehicle and having the agency charge your account for it (they can do this if you did not purchase their coverage options and there is damage and the damage amount is small).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ain't gonna happen...

Ya think?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It's the kind of thing that employees will be mockingly retelling other employees for years to come... lol

Ya think?

 

[C & L Shaw]

I too was worried about this same thing, I actually pre-paid for our rental though Hotwire and will be using Hertz. I was told by a Hertz rep that they do not perform the credit check if the rental is pre paid, they only hold the $140 security. Wondering now if this is true

 

[keishashadow]

I too was worried about this same thing, I actually pre-paid for our rental though Hotwire and will be using Hertz. I was told by a Hertz rep that they do not perform the credit check if the rental is pre paid, they only hold the $140 security. Wondering now if this is true

Call the Orlando office directly, not the 800 # to determine their policy and the exact $ amount of the deposit. As posted earlier, each franchise can set their own $ amount.

I had the following bookmarked from planning DS's trip.

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/cust...eftNavUserSelection=globNav_9_4&CategoryID=10


​

 

[Cherinva]

Ain't gonna happen...

Actually, my bank would do it for me, if I insisted....however, after speaking with my bank manager, he explained how this process works, and I've decided not to. I've learned a valuable lesson.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Your bank doesn't have the ability to do it, even if you insisted.


Besides... the card number tells the merchant it's a debit rather than a credit line.

Actually, my bank would do it for me, if I insisted....however, after speaking with my bank manager, he explained how this process works, and I've decided not to. I've learned a valuable lesson.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What if she got a Sharpie in the same color as her card background and just colored over it?

 

[Cherinva]

Your bank doesn't have the ability to do it, even if you insisted.


Besides... the card number tells the merchant it's a debit rather than a credit line.

I respectfully disagree with you. My bank manager told me that if I wanted another card, he would order it for me...but that it wouldn't do me any good because like it's been said a couple of times...the merchants already know that it's a debit, not credit.

I didn't mean for this thread to turn into a debate...hopefully this will end it.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I respectfully disagree with you. My bank manager told me that if I wanted another card, he would order it for me...but that it wouldn't do me any good because like it's been said a couple of times...the merchants already know that it's a debit, not credit.

I didn't mean for this thread to turn into a debate...hopefully this will end it.

Sure he'll order you another card, and it just be a replacement of the one you have. Maybe it will be a new style but unless the new style eliminated the "debit" text, there wouldn't be a way for him to request a specific one without it.

But as you also realize now, it really wouldn't matter anyway as the card number determines the account, not what the card says.