Renting a card through your debit card is an option that could definitely be explored but it depends on many factors. Generally, people prefer to rent a car through their credit cards but if you specifically want to use your debit card then you should do your research from the right sources. You will have to check with the rental company, review the restrictions, and take a few additional steps.
Use Debit Card For Renting a Car
Here we explain what all you need to know if you wish to use your debit card for renting a Car.
Why Car Rental Companies Do Not Prefer Booking Through Debit Cards?
A debit card can only access the money which you have in your bank account, unlike a credit card. If serious damage is caused to the rental car and your debit card declines the charge. The rental car company will have to put extra effort to charge you the difference amount.
When you use a credit card, the rental car company can also trust you to offer a line of credit and you stay financially responsible for the rental car.
The car rental companies’ policies differ from locations to locations. The acceptance varies according to states. Also, in some locations, there are debit card policies of their own.
Extra Steps To Rent A Car With A Debit Card
As the rental company takes a bigger risk by allowing you to Rent A Car With A Debit Card. Many of these companies include additional deposits and requirements before they allow you to do so.
Additional Deposits And Requirements:
- Deposit: When you use your debit card, many of the companies ask for a significant amount of deposit. Most of these rental car companies charge from $200 or more as a deposit in case of use of a debit card.
- Credit check: When a rental car company loans you their vehicle. They trust you to repay the bills and that includes any damage caused to the vehicle during the rental period. These companies might run a credit check before they allow you to use the debit card for renting. If your score doesn’t match with their criteria, you might not be able to rent the car. Credit checks might lower credit score hence it is important to ask the company if they will proceed with a credit check on your debit card transactions.
- Share your travel itinerary: When you rent a car from a company at an airport location. You might be asked to share your return ticket details along with your travel plans. This will guarantee them that you will be returning with the car.
- Insurance: Debit cards generally do not offer rental car damages as credit cards do. When you show your personal car insurance to the company, it could become easier for them to trust you.
- Identification: You might be asked to show proof of identification through your passport or proof of residence (cell phone or internet bill) before they allow you to rent the vehicle.
The additional points mentioned above are an overview of the steps you might have to take.
Every company has a different policy with their offerings. Here we also mention the general debit card policies of the most preferred car rental companies. We request you to check the respective policies at the locations in your mind to understand exactly what is on the table.
Hertz:
When it comes to Hertz, the answers to debit card questions for car rentals can be quite undefined. They do mention in the starting itself that they accept debit cards depending on the region and location.
- Debit cards issued with a VISA or MasterCard logo could be used for the rental car.
- Your debit card will not be accepted when the rental process begins. If you want to qualify for non-Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member rentals in the New York metropolitan tri-state area and the areas of Hartford, CT, Philadelphia, PA, Boston, MA, and Detroit, MI.
- Your debit card will not be eligible for non-Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member rentals and non-Insurance Replacement Rentals. If you are less than 25 years old, at Hertz Off-Airport locations not in the areas noted above.
- Stored value or prepaid cards with a VISA or MasterCard logo are not accepted.
- When you use a debit card for the payment mode, at the beginning of the rental, you will be required to submit two identification proofs.
- Your account to which the debit card is linked should have funds available for the estimated rental charges and additional charges which might incur.
- A credit check is done through Equifax when you request for the rental car service at the location.
- When the loan you’re the card, they will place an authorized hold on your debit card to cover for estimated rental charges and additional charges which might incur. You will not be able to use these funds until your rental agreement gets over.
Enterprise:
This company has different policies for its airport and non-airport locations.
Airport Locations:
- With proof of a round-trip travel ticket (train, airline or ship) presented the time of rental, debit cards will be accepted.
- When you start the rental process, the debit card should be in your name with sufficient funds available. Along with the estimated cost of the rental, an additional security deposit might be charged.
- Your signature at the back of the card must match the cardholder’s name and signature on the rental agreement.
- When you return the rental car, if you should are supposed to get a refund, the location will instantly release the funds. Depending on your bank’s processing duration, it would reflect in your account.
Non-Airport Locations:
- Some locations might accept debit cards, prepaid cards or other forms of payment to loan you the car.
- When you start the rental process, the debit card should be in your name with sufficient funds available. Along with the estimated cost of the rental, an additional security deposit might be charged.
- Your signature at the back of the card must match the cardholder’s name and signature on the rental agreement.
- When you return the rental car if you should are supposed to get a refund. The location will instantly release the funds. Depending on your bank’s processing duration, it would reflect in your account.
Avis:
- Most of their US locations accept debit cards with a VISA or MasterCard logo if you are 25 years old or more.
- They perform a credit check on your debit card statement to decide your worthiness for the rental.
- For all models mentioned in the Avis Signature Series and few other premium vehicles. They do not accept debit cards as credit identification at the time of rental.
- At some locations, debit cards are not allowed to rent the cars.
- When the loan you’re the card, they will place an authorized hold on your debit card to cover for estimated rental charges and additional charges which might incur. You will not be able to use these funds until your rental agreement gets over.
The mentioned above guidelines are just for your understanding. You should inquire directly at the location from where you wish to rent the car and understand all the terms and conditions thoroughly.
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