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Renting a car with a debit card



 
 
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Old September 24th, 2008, 09:01 PM
Jerry Lyons Jerry Lyons is offline
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First recorded activity by TravelBanter: Sep 2008
Posts: 3
Post Renting a car with a debit card

Credit Identification is required by every car rental company. You must show that you are financially responsible for the vehicle that you rent. Some companies only take major charge or credit cards, and some take debit cards. Some companies have a cash qualification card that you can apply for, but this process usually takes about 4 - 6 weeks to process. If approved, you would be issued a cash rental ID card and be able to rent with that particular company any time, using cash.

Let’s start with the car rental company’s definition of a charge or credit card and a debit card.

A major charge card or credit card is one for which you receive a monthly statement and that is not tied in any way to your bank account. Common credit cards that are accepted would be American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Diners Club.

A debit card (even those with a Visa or MasterCard Logo) is credit covered by your checking account. Your funds are limited to the amount in your account. Any amount you charge with this card is automatically debited from your bank account.

Many car rental companies do not accept debit cards because your financial responsibility for the vehicle would be limited to the amount of money in your bank account.

Many people do not know that a rental company can charge your credit card even beyond your credit limit. For example, if you didn't take the car rental insurance, and wrecked the vehicle, the rental company would, and can, charge the full amount of the vehicle to your credit card! You can imagine the nightmare of trying to pay that balance off!!

With a debit card the rental company has no way to recoup charges like this. For them it would be the same as you handing them a check for the rental costs and then trusting that you would bring the car back in one piece and on time, full of gas!

If a car rental company accepts your debit card make sure to check about any additional information that would be required. Most companies that accept a debit card will also require a credit check at the rental counter and more of a deposit than they require with a regular charge card. Call your rental location directly for information on what the credit check entails. There may also be age restrictions even if the company accepts debit cards.

Note: For most car rental companies, renters under 25 years of age may not use a debit card as Credit Identification at the beginning of the rental. Also, even if a location will accept a debit card from the renter, they may not allow an additional driver to use this type of credit card.

Some car rental locations do not accept debit cards at time of rental to release the vehicle, but do accept debit cards for payment when you return the vehicle.

A prepaid debit card is a one-time use, or reloadable card. You may receive this from your tax return or as a reward or “gift card”. These types of debit cards will not be accepted as credit identification. You should check with the rental car company to see if this type of card would be accepted as a method of payment at the end of the rental.
 




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