Word of caution with Thrifty Car Rental

[Lewisc]

Some banks let you customize your card. I have no idea if there is a way to customize your card so that the word DEBIT is either omitted from the card altogether or if there is a way to pick a font and color which makes it hard to read the word DEBIT.

Instead of beating up the OP we should be thanking her. Not everyone realizes a debit (or pre-paid credit card) is not treated the same as a real credit card by rental agencies. Not everyone realizes the merchant can tell from the number what kind of card it is.

It sounds like the Thrifty agent suggested the OP would have avoided the situation if the bank hadn't put the word DEBIT on the card. Misleading information.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

They won't eliminate the text because it's a Visa Debit card, not a Visa card. Visa does not allow banks to issue card designs that don't comply with the required feature list. Visa Debit is trademarked name for a particular debit guarantee program that benefits both consumers and retailers. Acceptance and use is governed by a pretty lengthy agreement. Visa wouldn't dilute its flagship product trademark (Visa) to benefit a single consumer who felt discriminated against because the word 'debit' appeared on the face of a Visa Debit card.

The OP's bank manager hasn't the authority or capability to re-issue her a card without those features, despite what he told her.

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.

 

[Lewisc]

None of this matters. The manager was able to convince the OP what we've been saying. Removing the phrase DEBIT from the card, even if it could be done, wouldn't change anything.

I'm sure a creative bank manager could have given the OP a card that resembles a debit card more then a credit card but without the word DEBIT. A secured credit card is more like a debit card then a credit card. I thought I saw some pre-paid credit cards without the word DEBIT.

The OP thinks the bank manager could have had a card issued without the DEBIT logo. Maybe the manager was just yessing a customer Maybe he has a way of issuing a limited credit card.

The OP made a good point regarding the difficulties in using a debit card when renting a car.

 

[Cherinva]

None of this matters. The manager was able to convince the OP what we've been saying. Removing the phrase DEBIT from the card, even if it could be done, wouldn't change anything.

I'm sure a creative bank manager could have given the OP a card that resembles a debit card more then a credit card but without the word DEBIT. A secured credit card is more like a debit card then a credit card. I thought I saw some pre-paid credit cards without the word DEBIT.

The OP thinks the bank manager could have had a card issued without the DEBIT logo. Maybe the manager was just yessing a customer Maybe he has a way of issuing a limited credit card.

The OP made a good point regarding the difficulties in using a debit card when renting a car.

Thank You...seems you are the only one that understood why I started this thread.....I just wanted to make others aware that this could happen in case they wanted to do what I did with having an account that is used for travel only.

 

[brenda1966]

I'm not sure I understand why someone would use a debit card over a credit card to rent a car anyways. I guess if you can't get a credit card due to bad credit? Use of most credit cards provides extra insurance, travel insurance, some car rental insurance in case anything happens to the car. If someone has the money to pay in full on a debit account, just use that money to pay off the credit card right away.

I was once going to use miles to get a rental car and called to ask if I could somehow attach my credit card to get that extra insurance coverage my credit card provides. I talked to several people and was told no. So I opted to use the miles for something else. That extra insurance by renting with a credit card is valuable.

 

[newyorkmike]

I'm not sure I understand why someone would use a debit card over a credit card to rent a car anyways. I guess if you can't get a credit card due to bad credit? Use of most credit cards provides extra insurance, travel insurance, some car rental insurance in case anything happens to the car. If someone has the money to pay in full on a debit account, just use that money to pay off the credit card right away.

I was once going to use miles to get a rental car and called to ask if I could somehow attach my credit card to get that extra insurance coverage my credit card provides. I talked to several people and was told no. So I opted to use the miles for something else. That extra insurance by renting with a credit card is valuable.

I get much better rewards through my debit card program that any of my credit cards. I had not used my debit card for previous car rentals because I knew it was a hassle to do so (e.g., extra deposit, proof of isurance, residence, etc.), but I was never aware that they would run a credit report for a debit card renter. So thanks to the OP for taking the time to make sure that information was out here for the benefit of those who may have otherwise rented with a debit card.

 

[Jeff_G]

I gota ask how do they run your credit without your social security number? There is NO way I would be giving my SSN to a car rental company, I would walk to wherever I need to go first.

 

[Cherinva]

I'm not sure I understand why someone would use a debit card over a credit card to rent a car anyways. I guess if you can't get a credit card due to bad credit? Use of most credit cards provides extra insurance, travel insurance, some car rental insurance in case anything happens to the car. If someone has the money to pay in full on a debit account, just use that money to pay off the credit card right away.

Ok people...let's not jump to conclusions...first off, I have a very good job and very good credit. I set up an account at my bank for traveling ONLY...I put my travel funds in there and that's what I have to spend. I would rather use "real time" money, than to have to pay a credit card bill after I get home...it also makes me aware of my spending....This is my personal choice and it's not up for discussion. I have used that card many times, and this was the first time I've ever had an issue...like I said in another post..I've learned a lesson and will make sure that I have my credit card when I rent a car in the future.

Now...can we let this go?

 

[Cherinva]

I gota ask how do they run your credit without your social security number? There is NO way I would be giving my SSN to a car rental company, I would walk to wherever I need to go first.

Exactly...I would have had to provide that, and I refused!!!...thus, I pulled out my credit card and went on my way.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Having the "word" removed won't help. It still will show as a debit when they run the card It shows on their screen (My debit card does not say "debit" and they know! Which actually saved me when I handed them the wrong card. I have a debit and credit from the same bank. I do NOT allow travel providers access to my CASH with the reduced "safeguards") And Thrifty is not alone in doing this. Budget and Dollar's terms also state that rentals on a debit may require a credit check.


The other thing to realize is that you MUST have enough cash and that the rental will "block" more then just the cash required for the rental. I was in line a while back at Budget someplace and a woman was in tears because she was being told "no car" She apparently had "just enough" cash available for the car, but not for the extra hold! This was at a rural airport and I am not sure what she was going to do, not the kind of town where you could easily take a cab!

 

[SaraJayne]

Another great reason why everyone should have a credit card.

Yes, OP, I realize you had a credit card to use.

But there are many rabid anti-credit card people (most DR followers) who insist they don't need a credit card for any reason.

 

[Lewisc]

I gota ask how do they run your credit without your social security number? There is NO way I would be giving my SSN to a car rental company, I would walk to wherever I need to go first.

They have your name, address, date of birth and drivers license. I'm pretty sure the rental agreement allows them to run a credit check. The rental agency isn't going to give you a car worth 20K+ with only a $100 rental charge pre-paid.

I get much better rewards through my debit card program that any of my credit cards. I had not used my debit card for previous car rentals because I knew it was a hassle to do so (e.g., extra deposit, proof of isurance, residence, etc.), but I was never aware that they would run a credit report for a debit card renter. So thanks to the OP for taking the time to make sure that information was out here for the benefit of those who may have otherwise rented with a debit card.

An increasing number of debit cards are reducing or eliminating rewards. Fees that are charged to merchants for processing debit cards are being reduced. Probably a good thing.

Ok people...let's not jump to conclusions...first off, I have a very good job and very good credit. I set up an account at my bank for traveling ONLY...I put my travel funds in there and that's what I have to spend. I would rather use "real time" money, than to have to pay a credit card bill after I get home...it also makes me aware of my spending....This is my personal choice and it's not up for discussion. I have used that card many times, and this was the first time I've ever had an issue...like I said in another post..I've learned a lesson and will make sure that I have my credit card when I rent a car in the future.

Now...can we let this go?

There are a few transactions that all but necessitate use of credit card. Renting a car is one of them.

There are a few other transactions where a credit card is a vastly superior way to pay. A number of low cost airlines went out of business in the last few years. Skybus and Independence Air are two examples. Passengers who paid with a credit card got a refund from their credit card company. Passengers who paid with a debit card were in an inferior position.

There are other circumstances where a debit card has some disadvantages, that you can work around. A hotel (or even a gas station) might take out extra money. That extra money might not be immediately returned to your account.

Many credit cards, and a few debit cards, offer perks such as doubling the mfg warranty.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Ok people...let's not jump to conclusions...first off, I have a very good job and very good credit. I set up an account at my bank for traveling ONLY...I put my travel funds in there and that's what I have to spend. I would rather use "real time" money, than to have to pay a credit card bill after I get home...it also makes me aware of my spending....This is my personal choice and it's not up for discussion. I have used that card many times, and this was the first time I've ever had an issue...like I said in another post..I've learned a lesson and will make sure that I have my credit card when I rent a car in the future.

Now...can we let this go?

The best credit cards (which if you have great credit and a reasonable income) far outweigh any debit card on the market.

I understand you do not want to discuss this anymore, but I think this conversation in general is a great one for others to read (and build on) because there are risk/rewards for typical transactions and there are some big risks when it comes to using debit cards over credit cards for travel transactions (and this has only gotten worst in the past 10 years).

Many credit cards, and a few debit cards, offer perks such as doubling the mfg warranty.

A little off topic from travel, but it's funny how many people forget or do not value this perk. I've used it a few times with items I have purchased with my AMEX (which we purchase just about everything with), including a computer that failed 14 months after purchase. AMEX credited my $900 to my account after they paid for a diagnostic at a local shop and shipped a box with a return shipping label for me to mail it to their return/claim center.

 

[newyorkmike]

An increasing number of debit cards are reducing or eliminating rewards. Fees that are charged to merchants for processing debit cards are being reduced. Probably a good thing.

Very true. That is the exact reason we closed my wife's rewards checking account with chase.

The best credit cards (which if you have great credit and a reasonable income) far outweigh any debit card on the market.

That was definitely the case 5 years ago. Not any more, at least not for us - and it's not because we don't have exceptional credit or significant income as we have both.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

That was definitely the case 5 years ago. Not any more, at least not for us - and it's not because we don't have exceptional credit or significant income as we have both.

I cannot think of a single debit card that offers ALL of the same level of perks and rewards as some of the better credit cards. Example?

 

[crashbb]

I'm confused by the title of the thread. Shouldn't it be "Word of caution with using a debit card to rent a car"? The OP makes it sound like Thrifty Car Rental is a problematic agency from which to rent. This issue was never Thrifty - it was the OP's use of a debit card.

 

[newyorkmike]

I cannot think of a single debit card that offers ALL of the same level of perks and rewards as some of the better credit cards. Example?

I have a rewards debit card available through my firm's preferred workplace account with Alliant that has yielded more reward dollars/points than I ever got with Amex on a dollar-for-dollar basis. However, your reference to perks is well taken, and is not a perspective from which I had considered the discussion or my comments. I can see where such perks could yield more total value or savings than otherwise available through a debit card program. The free business class companion fares through Amex comes to mind.