Renting a car with a debit

[Cowgirl]

I'm renting a car at the end of April, and I'm going to be using my Visa debit card, because I don't have any credit cards. Avis said they'll have to debit $300 and hold it until the car is returned, which makes sense, because they want to be covered. But, I'm a little worried that they'll be sneaky and try to charge some stupid fees or something. Has anyone done this before? I'm going to call my bank and see if I can use it as a straight credit card (I think I can ).

[Magnum (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

I'm renting a car at the end of April, and I'm going to be using my Visa debit card, because I don't have any credit cards. Avis said they'll have to debit $300 and hold it until the car is returned, which makes sense, because they want to be covered. But, I'm a little worried that they'll be sneaky and try to charge some stupid fees or something. Has anyone done this before? I'm going to call my bank and see if I can use it as a straight credit card (I think I can ).

They got me once. I had a rental when I wrecked my Subaru for a month. They charged me like $150 or something that was supposed to be returned. I was so tied up with fighting the insurance companies and lawyers that I never had time to go fight them for my money back.

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

I'm renting a car at the end of April, and I'm going to be using my Visa debit card, because I don't have any credit cards. Avis said they'll have to debit $300 and hold it until the car is returned, which makes sense, because they want to be covered. But, I'm a little worried that they'll be sneaky and try to charge some stupid fees or something. Has anyone done this before? I'm going to call my bank and see if I can use it as a straight credit card (I think I can ).

My VISA debit card can be used as either debit or credit. You should just ask them to run it thru as credit.

[lovinmaryland]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

I'm renting a car at the end of April, and I'm going to be using my Visa debit card, because I don't have any credit cards. Avis said they'll have to debit $300 and hold it until the car is returned, which makes sense, because they want to be covered. But, I'm a little worried that they'll be sneaky and try to charge some stupid fees or something. Has anyone done this before? I'm going to call my bank and see if I can use it as a straight credit card (I think I can ).

If you need the rental re: insurance purposes you can call your insurance company and tell them that you would prefer them to have the hold placed on their account so your funds would not be tied up.

If not I think $300 is a bit steep to place a hold on your finances (we work a lot w/ rental companies and the most I have heard is $150) I personally would look else where to rent my car

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by lovinmaryland

If you need the rental re: insurance purposes you can call your insurance company and tell them that you would prefer them to have the hold placed on their account so your funds would not be tied up.

If not I think $300 is a bit steep to place a hold on your finances (we work a lot w/ rental companies and the most I have heard is $150) I personally would look else where to rent my car

It's just for pleasure ( that sounds funny). I'm just visiting friends. The airport has Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, National, and several other no-names. Avis and National both quoted me about the same price for the rental....an easy $200 cheaper than Budget and Enterprise. I'm going to stick with Avis, but I guess I'll just tell them to run it as credit.

[SoMDGirl42 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

It's just for pleasure ( that sounds funny). I'm just visiting friends. The airport has Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, National, and several other no-names. Avis and National both quoted me about the same price for the rental....an easy $200 cheaper than Budget and Enterprise. I'm going to stick with Avis, but I guess I'll just tell them to run it as credit.

Last time I rented a car, they put the hold on my debit card too. The problem was, it took nearly two weeks from the time I returned the car to release the hold (I was told 24 hours when I made the reservation). I wasn't a happy camper. I'd ask them how long before they release the hold on your card, and get it in writing.

[Mojo]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

It's just for pleasure ( that sounds funny). I'm just visiting friends. The airport has Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, National, and several other no-names. Avis and National both quoted me about the same price for the rental....an easy $200 cheaper than Budget and Enterprise. I'm going to stick with Avis, but I guess I'll just tell them to run it as credit.

If it's a debit/credit card, they won't run it as credit. You have to pay the 300 deposit

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by SoMDGirl42

Last time I rented a car, they put the hold on my debit card too. The problem was, it took nearly two weeks from the time I returned the car to release the hold (I was told 24 hours when I made the reservation). I wasn't a happy camper. I'd ask them how long before they release the hold on your card, and get it in writing.

Bastages.

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

I'm renting a car at the end of April, and I'm going to be using my Visa debit card, because I don't have any credit cards. Avis said they'll have to debit $300 and hold it until the car is returned, which makes sense, because they want to be covered. But, I'm a little worried that they'll be sneaky and try to charge some stupid fees or something. Has anyone done this before? I'm going to call my bank and see if I can use it as a straight credit card (I think I can ).

Enterprise said something almost the same to me about a month ago.

[Cowgirl]

Well, I'll just have to do it as a debit. The bank said the money should be returned the next day....and that car companies are usually good about that. I can spare the money for a little bit, I guess.