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]

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]

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]

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]

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 eyebrow: 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]

It's just for pleasure eyebrow: 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]

It's just for pleasure eyebrow: 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]

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.

 

[somdphoneman]

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. :shrug: I can spare the money for a little bit, I guess.

 

[dn0121]

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. :shrug: I can spare the money for a little bit, I guess.

It wont be the next day that is guaranteed. Even a lot of hotels have warnings that you have to read if you use a debit card. If you're not able to have/want a credit card then this is the risk you take. In todays world there is no reason to not have a credit card. With all the extra protection they provide, and not putting your bank account at risk everyone should have at least one.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

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 ).

Last week I received a check in the mail from Enterprise for a vehicle I apparently rented back in 2002. What idiot does their books?

 

[dn0121]

Last week I received a check in the mail from Enterprise for a vehicle I apparently rented back in 2002. What idiot does their books?

Did they owe you money and you never asked about it?

 

[bresamil]

I use my bankcard (which can be used as a Visa) for rental cars. The companies consider it a debit card, not credit card. I rent through Enterprise and they hold $200. Another thing they may not have told you is you need a utility bill or some other bill with your name and address on it.

I have never been mischarged or failed to recieve my deposit back.

 

[Beelzebaby666]

BF rented me a car to drive to Detroit last month.

My quote for 62 dollars wound up being 86 even after I confirmed it online AND called that morning to reconfirm that I was driving the car and he wasn't, yadda yadda.

There were several extras fees appied to my original quoted price.

I guess that's what we get when a bunch of losers rent cars and don't pay, wreck them, or have random crack heads drive them.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Did they owe you money and you never asked about it?

I have no idea why I got a refund. But, I'll take the money and call it a day.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

BF rented me a car to drive to Detroit last month.

My quote for 62 dollars wound up being 86 even after I confirmed it online AND called that morning to reconfirm that I was driving the car and he wasn't, yadda yadda.

There were several extras fees appied to my original quoted price.

Most rental car agencies apply an enormous tax, much like hotels.

 

[dn0121]

Most rental car agencies apply an enormous tax, much like hotels.

Incorrect, the state, county, and or city applies the tax. The rental cars just collect it and pass it on.

 

[Beelzebaby666]

Most rental car agencies apply an enormous tax, much like hotels.

I"m looking at the receipt and there's:
6% sales tax.
9.00 for the extra driver, which was clicked online AND covered in my call.
1.00 for a facility charge.
6.05 for concession recoup??
.49 for veh. lic. recoup.

There was mention of a fee for paying cash or for using a debit or something, but it's not on here.

What makes me mad is that I twice confirmed that I would have the right car waiting for me and when I got there, "No ma'am, we only have the V6 GS5, with was more expensive than the standard I'd reserved. I called to make sure that paying cash was no problem and that I would be driving. I was held up nearly 45 minutes getting the car and felt like an ass because BF doesn't want to deal with that crap and I told him everything was arranged before we drove the 2 hours to get the car.

And since when is cold hard cash not good enough? I think credit cards are stupid.

 

[dn0121]

I"m looking at the receipt and there's:
6% sales tax.
9.00 for the extra driver, which was clicked online AND covered in my call.
1.00 for a facility charge.
6.05 for concession recoup??
.49 for veh. lic. recoup.

There was mention of a fee for paying cash or for using a debit or something, but it's not on here.

What makes me mad is that I twice confirmed that I would have the right car waiting for me and when I got there, "No ma'am, we only have the V6 GS5, with was more expensive than the standard I'd reserved. I called to make sure that paying cash was no problem and that I would be driving. I was held up nearly 45 minutes getting the car and felt like an ass because BF doesn't want to deal with that crap and I told him everything was arranged before we drove the 2 hours to get the car.

And since when is cold hard cash not good enough? I think credit cards are stupid.

Usually you can get away with telling them your engaged. As for the up charge because the car was out of your class that shouldn't happen. If they can't provide what you reserved then they have no option but to upgrade you for free. Unless this is a mom and pop run affiliate that's the standard.