Q's about secured credit cards

[viking64]

Alamo and Hertz seem to be OK with debit cards, more-so Alamo, though. I think Hertz varies by location.

As far as secured cards are concerned, many programs let you increase your credit limit by depositing additional funds into the account securing the card. Sometimes it's in higher increments, like $500 each time. It depends on the card.

I'm in a similar situation as you. In order to have enough to use for car rentals and not have a high debt to credit ratio, I'm likely to wait until I can do $1000 on a secured card, though I $500-$600 might be all I ever need. You can always use the card to pick up the car, and then pay with debit upon return.

On a side note - I'm about to embark on 9 weeks of travel in South Africa arranged solely with debit cards (airlines, car rental, lodging). It takes some research and planning, but it can be done.

[WaitNSee]

Debit Card with Airlines

I have never had any problem using a debit card to make reservations with an airline, mostly fly Air Tran.
Car Rentals may vary, but Dollar and Enterprise want Credit cards.

[MrOwlEye]

Thank you, teacher. That's good to know.

[teacher]

Secured cards are only "secured" as far as the lender knows. The rental company has no way of knowing if it is secured or not. It is a credit card. It is NOT a prepaid credit card.

[MrOwlEye]

Hi all --

My debts were recently discharged, and as part of rebuilding my credit I'm going to get a secured credit card from my bank.

Since I'm a freelancer who sometimes must incur travel expenses upfront, I want to find out the usefulness of a secured credit card in booking travel.

This will help me decide the amount I should deposit to open my account (which I realize is inflexible once I open the account; i.e, in effect I won't be able to raise my credit limit by depositing additional funds).

RENTAL CARS: I can't make out from several websites whether rental car companies accept secured credit cards to create a reservation. Hertz says they won't accept "prepaid" or "stored value" cards. And I know most locations (esp. the kind of heavy biz-travel places I'd be most likely to go) won't accept debit cards.

HOTELS and AIRLINES: Anyone know about the usefulness of debit cards and secured credit cards for booking with these guys?

Thank you,

MOE