Debit Card-friendly rental car agencies?

[Kevin20]

OK, like some other people, I would generally prefer to use a debit card when I rent a car. Particularly since the company card I'm issued at work is a debit card and I travel a lot. Rental car companies HATE debit cards and, although results vary branch to branch, you can usually expect some kind of hassle or difficulty if you try to use debit rather than credit.

 

I've had some outright refuse to accept a debit card, and often there is a large hold placed on the card. Most recently Enterprise told my girlfriend they'd need to place a $800 hold on the account AND they demanded to see a utility bill as proof of residence ... an odd request since my GF was traveling and didn't live in that town -- as presumably is the case with many people renting cars.

 

Anyway, is anyone aware of a rental car company that will just happily accept your business when using a debit card, and not try to screw you?

[kb1gra]

I have had hertz allow me to PAY with a debit card if I use a credit card to reserve.

 

For example, I use my discover to make the reservation, but when I go to pay I ask them to charge my debit card. I don't know if they only allow this because I'm a #1 gold member or not, though.

[GEORGE]

OK, like some other people, I would generally prefer to use a debit card when I rent a car. Particularly since the company card I'm issued at work is a debit card and I travel a lot. Rental car companies HATE debit cards and, although results vary branch to branch, you can usually expect some kind of hassle or difficulty if you try to use debit rather than credit.

 

I've had some outright refuse to accept a debit card, and often there is a large hold placed on the card. Most recently Enterprise told my girlfriend they'd need to place a $800 hold on the account AND they demanded to see a utility bill as proof of residence ... an odd request since my GF was traveling and didn't live in that town -- as presumably is the case with many people renting cars.

 

Anyway, is anyone aware of a rental car company that will just happily accept your business when using a debit card, and not try to screw you?

FREE HARD WITH EVERY RENTAL

 

As far as a UTILITY BILL...who carries them around on vacation

[Klesko]

I went through this when we had to declare BK and had no credit cards. We needed a van to help move. I found only one place which allowed debit card use, it was Enterprise Rental.

 

These were their conditions

- $1000 Hold placed on the debit card, plus whatever charges for the car.

- Two current utility bills

- Three personal references

- Current bank statement

 

I am not joking.. We decided to have my parents help us instead.

[jolla]

I reserved with a debit card and they ran my credit when I picked up the car (hard inquiry). I forgot how much the hold was (maybe $600?).

[GEORGE]

I went through this when we had to declare BK and had no credit cards. We needed a van to help move. I found only one place which allowed debit card use, it was Enterprise Rental.

 

These were their conditions

- $1000 Hold placed on the debit card, plus whatever charges for the car.

- Two current utility bills

- Three personal references

- Current bank statement

 

I am not joking.. We decided to have my parents help us instead.

Slightly

 

I RENTED A REFRIGERATOR DOLLY FROM U-HAUL when we had PERGO FLOORS installed

 

I used a credit card

 

They charged me $100 on my credit card and upon the return did a CREDIT REFUND ON THE UNEARNED AMOUNT

 

Did have to give my driver's license (not to use the credit card though)

[travelgrl]

I just rented from Alamo with debit no problem...they only held the amount of the rental and required confirmation of my return airline ticket.

[Kevin20]

I just rented from Alamo with debit no problem...they only held the amount of the rental and required confirmation of my return airline ticket.

 

 

That's common at airport-based rental stores, though some still won't take debit. But not much good when there is not a round-trip flight involved.

[JonB2005]

I have gone through the same thing. Enterprise will rent to you with a debit card with just the regular hold amount, you just have to find a location that is willing. The Airport location of the city you live in is NOT going to be friendly to you on this. I was able to rent a full sized car for a week with just the regular 200 dollar hold on my debit card with a credit score somewhere in the 400's. No hard, no massive deposit, no BS. Just call around and ask them blatently. They want to rent cars, it's why they're there! Good luck!

[smart1n]

I went through this when we had to declare BK and had no credit cards. We needed a van to help move. I found only one place which allowed debit card use, it was Enterprise Rental.

 

These were their conditions

- $1000 Hold placed on the debit card, plus whatever charges for the car.

- Two current utility bills

- Three personal references

- Current bank statement

 

I am not joking.. We decided to have my parents help us instead.

 

What about the pardon from the president, the clearance from the government, a loaf of bread, a stick of butter, and a container of milk? Somebody was slacking that day.

Edited January 20, 2010 by smart1n

[jolla]

a loaf of bread, a stick of butter, and a container of milk?

 

Immediately made me think of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jdP7HUPbVs

[radi8]

I'd assume that a simple $500 secured credit card would work for car rentals? IIRC I've read that prepaids don't work though.

[RangerGreen]

I am a Hertz #1 Gold Club member. Once I went to pick up my reservation and the desk agent told me that he had tried to run my CC but that it was declined. I called the bank only to find out that they were slow on posting my payment and nothing could be done. I told the counter agent that the only other card I had with me was my debit card, and he said that was no problem. They held the rental + $200, which is standard even when you use a CC through Hertz.

 

Like one of the above posters, I don't know if it was because I'm a Gold Club member or not, so ymmv.

[hinklesc]

Can't you....

 

When I managed a hotel, some people would often check in with a credit card. Then when they checked out they would have a debit charged. I am not sure why they did this, other than to avoid a larger hold on debit, and maybe used a personal credit card for credit only? I often thought why not just pay the credit card company.

 

Meaning, if you have a credit card use that to hold, and when returning the card have them charge your work debit.

 

Secondly, I think you are better protected using a credit card. Maybe?

[centex]

At one time, Hertz had a process where you could basically fill out some paperwork in advance (ie. more than a few days) and be cleared for debit use. Other entities such as Thrifty/Dollar were location-dependent on whether they allowed debit cards to be used. Those locations were noted in the fine print on the website. You could also get confirmation directly through the location as to their practices.

 

But, as others note, it is far easier to drop $500-$1K into a secured card if there are no other viable options...at least that way, there is a measure of back-up protection if the company-provided debit card failed to perform as needed...

[snowpuppy]

Kevin, if you travel for business, try to find out who your employer works with for car rentals, their branch and location.

 

I just went thru this last week and there were HUGE differences in the way I was treated. I called my neighborhood Hertz HLE (local suburban location) and was told, yes they will take debit card to book and pay, big deposit + they pull Equifax.

 

I called the local Enterprise location where my employer does a lot of business. I got the location manager. "Oh, no problem renting with a debit, Snow"....."traveling for business?", no I wasn't. "Oh, no problem, we'll give you the corporate rate we give your employer and I'll stop to pick you up at 5pm".

 

They put a $250 on a debit card for a 2 day rental and threw in the extra insurance for free. I called on the second day and spoke with the branch mgr again and said I was late coming back, I'd keep the rental overnight because they don't have a late drop off box. She didn't slam my debit card for a penny extra and I paid 1/2 day corporate rate for the third day. She refunded the credit on my debit card, showed up in 2 days.

 

Trust me, I'll book again for vacation!!

[RangerGreen]

Kevin, if you travel for business, try to find out who your employer works with for car rentals, their branch and location.

 

I just went thru this last week and there were HUGE differences in the way I was treated. I called my neighborhood Hertz HLE (local suburban location) and was told, yes they will take debit card to book and pay, big deposit + they pull Equifax.

 

I called the local Enterprise location where my employer does a lot of business. I got the location manager. "Oh, no problem renting with a debit, Snow"....."traveling for business?", no I wasn't. "Oh, no problem, we'll give you the corporate rate we give your employer and I'll stop to pick you up at 5pm".

 

They put a $250 on a debit card for a 2 day rental and threw in the extra insurance for free. I called on the second day and spoke with the branch mgr again and said I was late coming back, I'd keep the rental overnight because they don't have a late drop off box. She didn't slam my debit card for a penny extra and I paid 1/2 day corporate rate for the third day. She refunded the credit on my debit card, showed up in 2 days.

 

Trust me, I'll book again for vacation!!

 

Interesting, that must have had to do with the fact that your employer gives them a lot of business. I tried with enterprise once and got the whole "we need a huge deposit, utility bill, credit check, and a dna sample" garbage. Hertz didn't bat an eye and took my debit (at a HLE location) without question, but again that might be because I'm a Gold Club member and rent with them several times a year.

[Daddy]

I'm a huge fan of Dave Ramsey and even I would never try to rent a car with a debit card.

 

I reserve with a credit card and pay with cash.

[Kevin20]

Kevin, if you travel for business, try to find out who your employer works with for car rentals, their branch and location.

 

 

I work for a very small company so there are no special deals for us.

 

There may be ways to game the system, but my main point is I wish I could count on at least one of these car rentals to just accept debit without a hassle -- like nearly every other business does. I dislike using my personal credit card for work (after all, I'm just an employee. My company owners love to brag about how they don't take on any debt ... yet here I am taking on personal debt on their behalf??)

 

And whatever rationalizations car rental companies may have, if the market agreed with me, they'd all take debit cards, or else go out of business.

[snowpuppy]

Interesting, that must have had to do with the fact that your employer gives them a lot of business. I tried with enterprise once and got the whole "we need a huge deposit, utility bill, credit check, and a dna sample" garbage. Hertz didn't bat an eye and took my debit (at a HLE location) without question, but again that might be because I'm a Gold Club member and rent with them several times a year.

 

It's a game and you gotta play it. I heard the reps at the Enterprise counter I was at giving the same spiel to customers on the phone. "Keeping it longer.....oh, $800-$1200 deposit is required"

 

Kevin, maybe you should call around and tell them "I'm with The XYZ Company and I'm looking to do business a few times a year when I travel"............

 

You get treated better when they know you're a professional traveling for business and will use them again for personal rentals.

[Mortons]

Avis rental car takes Sears cards if you have one. LOL just a random fact I found out one day. That's always an option

[tallgirlandrea]

I know enterprise allows the use of a debit card IF you show proof of residency and have two references. My mom has credit problems and comes to visit a lot and she always is able to use her debit card (so does my sister) for her rental car with enterprise. I am not sure if any other places allow it, but enterprise sure does. good luck!

[Kevin20]

I know enterprise allows the use of a debit card IF you show proof of residency and have two references. My mom has credit problems and comes to visit a lot and she always is able to use her debit card (so does my sister) for her rental car with enterprise. I am not sure if any other places allow it, but enterprise sure does. good luck!

 

 

If your mother is visiting you, how does she show proof of residency? Or do you mean she just have to show proof that she's living somewhere? In any case, I've found that policies at Enterprise vary among separate stores. The ones at airports seem to be about the coolest agencies for taking debit, but other stores vary.