Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

How easy is it to rent a car in Canada. I have a Visa debit card but no credit card.

Ive never rented a car before so not too sure what to expect.

Any help would be great

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

Pretty much impossible. You might be able to get away with putting a huge cash deposit down, but I doubt it. Get a credit card.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

Bit of a problem, I have poor credit.

When you say big deposit, how big??

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

Hmmm...won't they accept your visa debit as a credit card here? When they say debit here they mean interac, whenever I use my visa debit it goes through like a credit card and I sign for my purchases.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

No idea. Probably enough to replace the cost of the car should you fail to return it. I know some of them will accept some North American debit cards, but I doubt they'd like a UK one. You might want to try calling a few agencies to see if they'll be at all lenient.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

Ok Interac is just a cash card right. No visa logos etc. I was thinking the same as a Visa debit card is the same as credit card as long as there is money in the account when they charge it it will act just like a credit card or any other visa/master card right?

I dont see what is so important about having a credit card as Visa debit is just as secure.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

I totally disagree. I've rented from Toronto airport twice (Hertz I seem to remember). I reserved and paid using a VISA debit card. No issues whatsoever. If you made a big fuss and said "oh, is it ok If I use a debit card?" I suppose you may hit issues, but I just handed my card over and drove away with a car.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

I think you are talking out your "other mouth".

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

Honestly I don't know if I'm right but most people here don't even notice the debit under the visa logo...if it has VISA on it they assume it's a credit card.

BUT I don't know if it works the same when they put a hold on the deposit money. Normally how it works with a credit card is say the deposit is $500 they'll hold that amount on your credit card until you return the car undamaged. No idea if that works with a visa debit card.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

Thanks thats a great help. Did you reserve and pay online and just show i.d to pick the car up? Did they ask to see your visa debit card? I know that U.K visa debit/credit cards act the same so I dont see what difference it makes to must have a credit card.

Cheers

Any other people with REAL experiences is helpfull rather than people that are assuming certain points.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

AMEX do a prepaid creditcard that you can pre-load with cash and use it like a debit card worldwide

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

I'd still check directly with the company rather than reading something someone said on the internet. You'd be pretty ****ed if you got there and they decline your card.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

I just check online with HERTZ. It sounds like HERTZ are pretty relaxed about payments. They state the following:

Acceptable form of payment via the internet is limited to major charge cards or credit card information contained in the Hertz Number One Club Gold File.

Credit cards must have available credit, and debit/check cards must have the available funds, for the estimated amount of rental charges plus up to $200 in order to secure the rental. Eligible debit cards must have Visa or Mastercard logo. Stored value/prepaid/gift cards are not acceptable to qualify for rental, however these cards may be used for payment at return.

Acceptable Charge Cards:
American Express / Mastercard / Diners Club / Visa / Optima-Amex / Hertz / JCB Amoco Torch / Carte Blanche / Discover (Novus) /

Japan Airlines / TPA (Transportaction Credit Card).

For possible cash rental information and restrictions call your local Hertz Reservation Center.

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

I rent vehicles every week for the guys I send out on jobs - every car company I deal with need a credit card in the renters name and that causes me no end of grief as not all our employees have a company credit card (Seen me having to order 3 vehicles all to the one guy then hand the keys to the others to get around it )

Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
 

See. God helps those who helps themselves.