No Credit Card for Car Rental

Platinumtelecom on 21/11/2021 - 15:29
Last edited 21/11/2021 - 15:38

I got rid of my credit card a few months ago. I didn’t want to have any credit whatsoever and I have been feeling pretty great about it.

However, now I have an issue I had not considered. I am travelling overseas in June and have booked hotels and car rental.

I have booked all hotels via Booking.com and planning to have them all prepaid via the platform a few days ahead.

However, for the car rental, even if I prepay, I can see that a credit card is required (debit card may be accepted depending on country).

I don’t think it will be an issue for the hotels as I can simply ask for a cash account. But I guess car rentals need it for insurance.

As anyone ever been refused the use of a debit card or prepaid card for car rental? When using a debit card, would they take a massive deposit upfront?

Travel Car Rental

Comments

  • altomic on 21/11/2021 - 15:37
    +2

    just get a credit card solely for car rental.

    • Platinumtelecom on 21/11/2021 - 15:44
      +1

      It really makes no sense to me. Say I have a credit card with $2k limit they still wouldn’t be able to debit more vs a debit card with $10k cash on it would give them more opportunity to debit.

      I just hate the idea of being forced into a credit card I don’t want.

      I also read somewhere that if I take the full insurance with $0 liability, I may be able to use a debit card…. 🤷‍♂️

      • deme on 21/11/2021 - 15:54

        Sucks but make sure to get a good deal on a new card. https://www.pointhacks.com.au/

      • leiiv on 21/11/2021 - 23:19
        +1

        You can easily take out the $10k from your debit card account and leave it with $0. Not so easy to do similar thing with a credit card.

        Do you also know that you can own a credit card and not having any credit at all? Just pay your credit account straight away after you use it.

  • Settero on 21/11/2021 - 16:00

    Have you tried? As you are going o/s it may be different, but in aus you can use the debit card for car rentals ( used 3 company's over the past 5 years with no issues ) , but some company's may lock them out here?

    • Platinumtelecom on 21/11/2021 - 16:03

      I might send them an email. It’s in Portugal.
      Did they take a large sum from your debit card as security?

      • Hybroid on 21/11/2021 - 16:28
        +1

        Debit card works fine. They put a ‘hold’ on the funds in your account so it’s not usable but also not technically out of your account. The hold then gets lifted.

        The actual sum is whatever is stated in your contract with them.

        • Platinumtelecom on 21/11/2021 - 16:30

          Great, I'll email them to make sure. Good to hear I may not have to worry about getting a CC

  • Snake 4 on 21/11/2021 - 16:17
    +2

    Used a debit card in Manhattan for a 7 day 3,000k car hire no problems. The didn't take money for security.

    No idea about Europe.

  • bazingaa on 21/11/2021 - 17:40
    +1

    We have used Comm Bank debit card to rent an UTE from Bunnings. I think they have charged it from the card and later refunded to the card, not sure about the other places :)

  • dealmaker on 21/11/2021 - 17:59

    I can't imagine a life without credit cards any more

  • Ocker on 21/11/2021 - 18:01

    Although you have pre-paid your hotels they may still require a credit card to pre-authorise a block amount to cover possible charges (phone, mini bar etc)

    • Platinumtelecom on 21/11/2021 - 18:28

      Yeah but don’t have to agree to this. You can request a cash account. So essentially you leave something like $500 at reception and get it back when you leave.

      • Marty-69 on 21/11/2021 - 18:54

        How does that work? Do you have to wait when you checkout until they've checked your room for damage, theft, minibar etc?
        Otherwise, you collect some souvenirs, empty the minibar in your bag for the road, pick up your cash and walk away.

        • Platinumtelecom on 21/11/2021 - 19:00
          +1

          Yeah, generally they call house keeping to do a room check. Takes a few minutes.

          Minibar generally is an honesty thing anyways. A lot of people who consume minibar then argue they did not, and the hotel often doesn’t charge because restocking issues do happen.

  • payless69 on 29/11/2021 - 12:11

    There are no more Ford Pinto's. So a card is a must.

  • theh3ro on 30/11/2021 - 13:34

    I've used a debit card in Europe for car rentals without any issue with Avis, Budget etc. The only downside is they hold (pre authorise a substantial amount to cover excess) unless you take on the full insurance cover.

  • SirFlibbled on 02/12/2021 - 14:15

    I have a 28 Degrees card which I only use when travelling OS with a $1K limit. Used it for years and comes in handy particularly in places where I could have the card details stolen (which has actually happened).

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