Rental Car?

[metsno1]

Hey All!

After a very very long process, we've finally received our discharge within the last week! It's been so long that it's hard to actually feel like celebrating! But thank goodness it's over and done with.

Over the last two years since we filed, our finances have improved dramatically and we're living comfortably again on a cash basis! Never again will we use credit cards or even take out a car loan! In fact, a few months ago, we bought our first new car with CASH! Felt pretty amazing to be able to do that!

Anyway, we're going to be taking a trip that is combination business/pleasure in a few weeks, and we need to rent a car. Since we only have debit cards (with a Master Card logo), we're wondering if we're in for any potential problems at the rental counter. We're planning on using Dollar Rent-A-Car, and their policies indicate that they do a credit screening on people who use debit cards. Obviously, our credit still sucks! Fortunately, we have plenty of cash so they can put a hold for the full rental amount plus whatever else they need to on the debit card, but I'm nervous that they're going to deny our rental!

Any thoughts? Thanks very much!

[Help!]

Funny you should ask. We received our discharge recently, too, and the first thing we had to do was to rent a car (ours were paid in full and we gave them up for liquidation). We used our debit MC at Enterprise and had no problems. Congrats and good luck.

Cash... I will never, ever finance anything again either!

[momof5]

It has been my experience that if you fail the credit screen you will be refused rental unless you have an actual major credit card. We have already encountered this problem and ending up NOT being able to rent a car.
Most car rental places do take cash or debit for payment but when using a debit even with the MC/Visa logo will do a credit screen. I was told by Dollar & Enterprise that with a BK on my credit report that there was no way I would pass their criteria for renting UNLESS I could provide a major credit card.

I would hate for you to be out of town somewhere and unable to obtain transportation so I am warning you.

[csrhjr31]

I recently had to rent a car through Enterprise. They would not let me use a debit card. It had nothing to do with the BK, they just said they need a major credit card not linked to my checking account.

[metsno1]

Anyone have any experience with Alamo? Their website indicates that all they require when renting with a debit card is proof of round trip airline tickets and your drivers license........Plus they're cheaper than Dollar!!!!

[pa308]

I have used debit mc at Enterprise with success, but then again I'm not a discharge yet.

[momof5]

I have been doing some searching online and it seems that some of the car rental companies that used to take debit cards for reserving no longer do or if they do they charge a huge fee or that dreaded credit check. Most do still take payments with debit at the end of rental.

Your best bet is to call the car rental place that you will be renting from and ask them specifically what you need to actually rent with a debit card. Or what their criteria is. Call a couple of times! as you may get a different answer. This way you will know for sure what to expect when you arrive to rent a car.

[metsno1]

Alamo's website says that all they require is a debit card with the MC/V logo, proof of purchase of a round trip airline ticket, and a copy of your drivers license. I can't find anything anywhere that says they do a credit check....

I'm trying to contact them via email, but I hesitate to identify myself too clearly as I don't want to flag my reservation as a potential risk...

[momof5]

I'm trying to contact them via email, but I hesitate to identify myself too clearly as I don't want to flag my reservation as a potential risk...

Just call and say you need some information as you are planning a vacation. They wont ask who you are. Also be aware that the companies that do take debits for rental may hold up to $500! Avis is one that puts a hold on a minimum of $500(even if you only rent for one day!)...and then in fine print they add " an additional credit check to see if you meet our credit criteria may be performed"

[getouttadebt]

Just rented from Avis and no problem with M/C Debit Card. No holds or anything. I did rent from Enterprise and they put a $300 hold on my M/C Debit Card, but refunded the difference once I returned the car.

[squeaks]

I travel quite extensively for work and have found Hertz to be the best to deal with when you don't have a credit card. They put a $200 hold on top of the estimated cost of the rental and that hold is refunded quickly once the care is returned. Enterprise has given me a hard time but I honestly didn't know their policy and was genuinely suprised, the manager gave me a break but I avoid them when I can.

[metsno1]

I called the Vegas office of Alamo, and they confirmed that all they need to rent with a debit card is proof of round trip airline purchase. Apparently, they don't do a credit check, and there is no indication that they place any holds over and above the rental amount.

Thanks for the input everyone!