Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
Nov 6th 2009, 6:19 pm
#16
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Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
Nov 6th 2009, 6:25 pm
#17
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Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
We haven't tried so far to rent a car without a credit card in Canada but we did earlier this year in Czech Republic.
The reason they want a Credit card rather than debit is that they don't physically take the money they just "reserve" it in case they need to take it. It's not the full value of the car they require though, it is the value of the excess on their insurance. This will vary from £500 to £1000 on average so you need at least that amount of money on a credit card!
In our case we did actually manage to find a car rental company in Czech Rep. who didn't take a security from a credit card (we didn't have one!) and we managed to rent a car but I would definitely say you need to research this before going.
If necessary there are loads of prepay credit cards now available, the only downside is you need to put the money on there first "just in case"!!!
The reason they want a Credit card rather than debit is that they don't physically take the money they just "reserve" it in case they need to take it. It's not the full value of the car they require though, it is the value of the excess on their insurance. This will vary from £500 to £1000 on average so you need at least that amount of money on a credit card!
In our case we did actually manage to find a car rental company in Czech Rep. who didn't take a security from a credit card (we didn't have one!) and we managed to rent a car but I would definitely say you need to research this before going.
If necessary there are loads of prepay credit cards now available, the only downside is you need to put the money on there first "just in case"!!!
Nov 6th 2009, 6:31 pm
#18
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Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
We also tried offering to use our $500 float as a cash deposit with a couple of the renters at Toronto Airport and that still wasnt acceptable
Nov 6th 2009, 7:45 pm
#19
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Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
I tend to use my Visa Debit card for everything rather than credit. Enterprise car rental were fine with my debit card, too.
Nov 6th 2009, 8:33 pm
#20
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Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
I have also rented using National in the USA a few times with my debit card with no issues whatsoever.
Nov 6th 2009, 9:16 pm
#22
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Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
Hi
We have just returned from Nova Scotia after having successfully hired a car from National Car Rental using our Visa Debit card. Prior to booking I rang National at Halifax Airport to ask about this.
The lady I spoke to called Linda confirmed that they accept Visa/Debit and was very helpful and said if there's any problem when I get to the front desk get them to call her even if it was her day off. However, everything was fine, they accepted Visa Debit. Good Luck
My previous thread about this.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=617477
We have just returned from Nova Scotia after having successfully hired a car from National Car Rental using our Visa Debit card. Prior to booking I rang National at Halifax Airport to ask about this.
The lady I spoke to called Linda confirmed that they accept Visa/Debit and was very helpful and said if there's any problem when I get to the front desk get them to call her even if it was her day off. However, everything was fine, they accepted Visa Debit. Good Luck
My previous thread about this.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=617477
Nov 8th 2009, 10:25 pm
#23
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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.
Cheers
Any other people with REAL experiences is helpfull rather than people that are assuming certain points.
Nov 9th 2009, 3:02 am
#24
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Location: Okotoks, Alberta
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Re: Renting a Car? No Credit Card?
Hi i have recently rented a car through enterprise here in Okotoks AB, i used my secured visa card, which has only a $500 limit, the guy told me he only needed to secure $300 on the card - hope this helps
Nov 9th 2009, 3:18 am
#25
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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.
