I want to rent a car but I don't have a credit card.

JackieChang

Not sure where to post this, mods if it's in the wrong place feel free to move it.

I want to rent a car for a couple of days but I think you need a credit card to do that, and I don't have one.

Are there any car rental companies that don't require a credit card? Could I leave a deposit instead? Any ideas?

Stheno

Dooley's take debit cards

grogi

JackieChang wrote: »

Not sure where to post this, mods if it's in the wrong place feel free to move it.

I want to rent a car for a couple of days but I think you need a credit card to do that, and I don't have one.

Are there any car rental companies that don't require a credit card? Could I leave a deposit instead? Any ideas?

As long you have a Visa (not visa electron or visa debit) or MasterCard you'll be fine.

Our European Debit Cards are much like Credit Cards, contrary to those debit cards on us.

colm_mcm

grogi wrote: »

As long you have a Visa (not visa electron or visa debit) or MasterCard you'll be fine.

Are these not credit cards?

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Are these not credit cards?

I have three Visa cards and one MasterCard (Revolut) - none of which is a credit card.



As long as the logo says Visa or MasterCard (and there is sufficient balance on the account) the card should be accepted. Unless you run into a super-pain-in-the-a$$ clerk who simply doesn't want you to rent the car.

Gatling

Have you looked at go car , think you only need to pay a subscription and then use you bank debit card

mistress_gi

Call the rental company, but usually if you buy full insurance you don't have to leave a deposit and could use your debit card.
Good luck

Marcusm

grogi wrote: »

I have three Visa cards and one MasterCard (Revolut) - none of which is a credit card.



As long as the logo says Visa or MasterCard (and there is sufficient balance on the account) the card should be accepted. Unless you run into a super-pain-in-the-a$$ clerk who simply doesn't want you to rent the car.

Firstly, most of the major companies (Dooley excepted) specify a credit card. Secondly, for some cards they would have to debit €2,500 to cover themselves as, unlike a credit card, you can't block funds on a debit card.

Colser

I didn't have a credit card so I had to give a utility bill and payslip..

Steer55

Hi I rented from Hertz last weekend, my ptsb visa debit card was accepted. They held 2000 euro from it until a day after I returned the car as my super excess insurance policy was sourced from different company.

shietpilot

Indigo Car Hire in the UK specialise in renting cars without the need for a credit card (they accept debit card).

http://indigocarhire.co.uk/

I used them last summer in Germany and they were able to find me a good deal on a car rental with the debit card with Avis. Worth a ring surely

CiniO

Marcusm wrote: »

Secondly, for some cards they would have to debit ?2,500 to cover themselves as, unlike a credit card, you can't block funds on a debit card.

Steer55 wrote: »

Hi I rented from Hertz last weekend, my ptsb visa debit card was accepted. They held 2000 euro from it until a day after I returned the car as my super excess insurance policy was sourced from different company.

So who is correct here?
Those two seem to contradict each other.

colm_mcm

Seems they took payment on DC, then refunded it.

caffers3

CiniO wrote: »

So who is correct here?
Those two seem to contradict each other.

A merchant can look for authorisation for an amount on a debit card. That can put a funds hold on the account for up to ten days if they don't process the transaction.

OP I rented with Dooleys a couple of years ago with a Debit Card. Think they put about €500 on hold until a couple of days after the car was returned.

Edit: Just checked there and it was €580

Really Interested

CiniO wrote: »

So who is correct here?
Those two seem to contradict each other.

There is a difference between blocking a figure on a credit card and taking a charge of say €2000 on a debit card. The debit card charge is returned by way of charge back where the credit card block falls away after a certain amount of time.

CiniO

colm_mcm wrote: »

Seems they took payment on DC, then refunded it.

Really Interested wrote: »

There is a difference between blocking a figure on a credit card and taking a charge of say ?2000 on a debit card. The debit card charge is returned by way of charge back where the credit card block falls away after a certain amount of time.

Again the same.
Above answers seem to contradict answer below:

caffers3 wrote: »

A merchant can look for authorisation for an amount on a debit card. That can put a funds hold on the account for up to ten days if they don't process the transaction.

iwillhtfu

Europa hire out cars on a debit card and hold a nominal value I think it's €200 but you are required to take out the premium insurance which is €26/day Ithink

Really Interested

CiniO wrote: »

Again the same.
Above answers seem to contradict answer below:

http://www.gemut.com/car-rental-europe-basics/4013-credit-card-blocks.html

"It's not a charge to your account but a “hold” on a specific amount"

As it's not a charge there are no card fees. In a Debit card the renter has a fee for the charge or the charge back.

Really Interested

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Europa hire out cars on a debit card and hold a nominal value I think it's €200 but you are required to take out the premium insurance which is €26/day Ithink

Hertz will take debit cards with no charge (except fuel) once excess insurance taken out.

CiniO

Really Interested wrote: »

http://www.gemut.com/car-rental-europe-basics/4013-credit-card-blocks.html

"It's not a charge to your account but a ?hold? on a specific amount"

As it's not a charge there are no card fees. In a Debit card the renter has a fee for the charge or the charge back.

OK.
But other post by caffers3 indicates, that they can put specific amount on hold on a debit card the same way as on credit card.

bmwguy

Strange these responses because I tried about 2 months ago and was declined by everyone with no credit card. They were all airport rental companies so maybe that was the reason. Didn't have to in the end so didn't matter.

Really Interested

CiniO wrote: »

OK.
But other post by caffers3 indicates, that they can put specific amount on hold on a debit card the same way as on credit card.

It's not on hold it's a charge it leaves your account and remains out of your account until the rental company arranges a charge back unlike a hold which falls away with no action.

Really Interested

bmwguy wrote: »

Strange these responses because I tried about 2 months ago and was declined by everyone with no credit card. They were all airport rental companies so maybe that was the reason. Didn't have to in the end so didn't matter.

A number of companies do take debit cards but there are rules I know for a fact hertz take debit cards.

CiniO

Really Interested wrote: »

It's not on hold it's a charge it leaves your account and remains out of your account until the rental company arranges a charge back unlike a hold which falls away with no action.

I have a debit card issued by foreign bank, and I regularly use it for car rental and was never refused.
They block the amount of deposit on it (f.e. €1500) but it works the same as you described with credit card.
Amount is not charged to my card, instead just blocked (shows as money still on account but blocked). If I return car intact, then they free up the amount.

Only thing is that card is Mastercard (not Mastercard debit) so rental companies think it's a credit card (while in fact it isn't) and that's why they accept it.

But what I wonder would regular debit card issued by Irish bank work the same way that certain amount could be blocked the same as on credit card?

Atomic Pineapple

I've rented with Avis before using a debit card but I had to take out the full coverage on the car to avoid a charge on the debit card.

iwillhtfu

Really Interested wrote: »

Hertz will take debit cards with no charge (except fuel) once excess insurance taken out.

I think they take the price of a tank of fuel incase you don't refill it.

Really Interested

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I think they take the price of a tank of fuel incase you don't refill it.

Yes and a refuel fee of if I remember €25.

grogi

CiniO wrote: »

I have a debit card issued by foreign bank, and I regularly use it for car rental and was never refused.

But what I wonder would regular debit card issued by Irish bank work the same way that certain amount could be blocked the same as on credit card?

I have a debit card issued by Ulster Bank. It is a Visa card, nobody ever blinked.

CiniO

grogi wrote: »

I have a debit card issued by Ulster Bank. It is a Visa card, nobody ever blinked.

Visa or Visa debit?

I have Visa Debit like that:



Are you saying I could use that for car rental, even if they clearly say they only accept Credit Cards?

grogi

CiniO wrote: »

Visa or Visa debit?

I have Visa Debit like that:



Are you saying I could use that for car rental, even if they clearly say they only accept Credit Cards?

A one like that



I used it multiple times when 'Only Credit Cards Accepted' caveat was stated.

chicorytip

grogi wrote:

As long as the logo says Visa or MasterCard (and there is sufficient balance on the account) the card should be accepted. Unless you run into a super-pain-in-the-a$$ clerk who simply doesn't want you to rent the car.

This is nonsense. OP, for your information, there is only one car rental company operating in the Irish market that will accept debit cards as a form of payment - Northgate Vehicle Hire. They primarily offer van hire but also rent cars. A 250 euro deposit, full driving licence and proof of residence (two recent utility bills) are required when booking.

gizmo81

We've used Europa Pearse Street and Budget U.K. no hassle with visa debit card. If you pay the €26ish excesss super insurance the hold on a debit card then is about €200. Back in account promptly too I may add.

Be warned ringing sometimes the call centre don't know about this.

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Europa hire out cars on a debit card and hold a nominal value I think it's €200 but you are required to take out the premium insurance which is €26/day Ithink

iwillhtfu

chicorytip wrote: »

This is nonsense. OP, for your information, there is only one car rental company operating in the Irish market that will accept debit cards as a form of payment - Northgate Vehicle Hire. They primarily offer van hire but also rent cars. A 250 euro deposit, full driving licence and proof of residence (two recent utility bills) are required when booking.

With regard to your own comment. You hit the nail on the head in your first sentence. :rolleyes:

Cookie_Monster

just get a credit card, it only takes a couple of days

iwillhtfu

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

just get a credit card, it only takes a couple of days

I assume he cant which wouldn't be uncommon post recession believe it or not.

Really Interested

chicorytip wrote: »

This is nonsense. OP, for your information, there is only one car rental company operating in the Irish market that will accept debit cards as a form of payment - Northgate Vehicle Hire. They primarily offer van hire but also rent cars. A 250 euro deposit, full driving licence and proof of residence (two recent utility bills) are required when booking.

That is incorrect as I rent from a number of rental companies with a debit card including Hertz recently.

https://www.hertz.ie/rentacar/reservation/reviewmodifycancel/templates/rentalTerms.jsp?KEYWORD=MOP&EOAG=WATC60

"Selected debit cards are accepted as a valid method of payment when you make a reservation. The renter should present the debit card used for the booking at the Hertz counter.
Acceptable debit cards are: Visa only if the cardholder's details on the card are embossed. No other debit card will be accepted."

shaunr68

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I assume he cant which wouldn't be uncommon post recession believe it or not.

Can't, or of course there are those who won't - either on principle, or don't want the temptation of easy credit, or see the CC companies as little better than loan sharks, or simply live entirely in the black and have no need of a credit card.

evolving_doors

I'd double check before accepting any advice ...
I was told by someone before that some will accept debit and chance it as long as the booking goes through.
So I thought id chance it....booked away with my debit and all went through fine... rocked up to collect car and handed card. They then said because it was a debit I'd have to take out some extortionate insurance policy.
Some gaffe in hotel near shannon airport.

Maybe like someone said above if I had the money in my account then it might have worked... but I get the feeling the company was on a mission to sell the extra insurance.

BTW because I took out the insurance they said they'd give me a free upgrade. I remember hearing about this tip yonks ago.
So if yissr ever thinking of getting a nice car it's worth ringing them up with a lower category and and asking if they'll upgrade you if you take out insurance with them (have calculator handy to compare with online price). I think they get sales commission or some such for getting folk onto the insurance plan.
Another one if youve time is to save a booking enquiry and in a few days they'll remind you with a fairly good discount.

Anyhow, sorry if off topic but might save the op money if they get shafted elsewhere.

mcbobbyb

Only last week we returned our car which we had for two weeks. It was booked with Hertz and we used our debit card. They held around 800 Euro on the account until it was returned.

grogi

Gebgbegb wrote: »

Maybe like someone said above if I had the money in my account then it might have worked... but I get the feeling the company was on a mission to sell the extra insurance.

Yes, they were. That's where the money is.

If one is renting for a day or two, it is generally not a bad idea to take that insurance. One is buying the convenience of not having to check the car before leaving the car-park, usually being upgraded in the process. But it will be cheaper to just cover the excess in case a disaster happens than to purchase it for much longer time.

chicorytip

Really Interested wrote:

"Selected debit cards are accepted as a valid method of payment when you make a reservation. The renter should present the debit card used for the booking at the Hertz counter. Acceptable debit cards are: Visa only if the cardholder's details on the card are embossed. No other debit card will be accepted."

I can only speak from personal experience which is the complete opposite. Did you make that particular reservation online or by telephone?

Really Interested

chicorytip wrote: »

I can only speak from personal experience which is the complete opposite. Did you make that particular reservation online or by telephone?

Online and the first rental I rang the office to confirm, I do it whenever I rent from a new company or a new country.

Most I have discovered if you either take excess insurance or allow a charge in advance for the excess.

JackieChang

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I assume he cant which wouldn't be uncommon post recession believe it or not.

Correct. And I have enough in my account to buy hertz a new car should I wreck it.

JackieChang

Gebgbegb wrote: »

They then said because it was a debit I'd have to take out some extortionate insurance policy.

How much was the policy? I don't mind paying an extra few quid. I only plan to rent the car for two days so can't be that much. I'd much rather pay insurance than have them hold a few hundred yoyos of my money.

Really Interested

JackieChang wrote: »

How much was the policy? I don't mind paying an extra few quid. I only plan to rent the car for two days so can't be that much. I'd much rather pay insurance than have them hold a few hundred yoyos of my money.

The excess cover is about 24 a day.