Car Rental with a Debit Card NOT a Credit Card - Help !!!

The Maharajah of Sydney

Well-known member

Jul 7, 2003

1,366

Sydney .

• Jul 27, 2013

• #1

With a Debit Card , I've paid for car rental in Italy . On collection I'm required to leave a deposit of €900 .
However , the T & C's state that the deposit must be in the form of a Credit Card imprint . Use of a Debit Card or Cash is not an option .
Of the 2 cards I carry , neither are credit - both are debit .
Anyone know whether this stipulation is strictly enforced ?
Has anyone else experienced this dilemma ?
Am I about to left stranded at Verona Airport on Tuesday ?
Any help or insight on the matter would be warmly appreciated , thanks .

 

Birdie Boy

Well-known member

Jun 17, 2011

4,108

• Jul 27, 2013

• #2

I have done this before and instead of using your card you can pray an extra insurance, I paid about £50, you then don't need to leave a deposit.

 

Daffy Duck

Stop bloody moaning!

Nov 7, 2009

3,824

GOSBTS

• Jul 27, 2013

• #3

We've rented car all over Europe and the USA and always had to have a credit card.
I'd get in touch with the car rental company just to check it out.

 

O

ozseagull

New member

Jun 27, 2013

772

• Jul 27, 2013

• #4

If you don't have a credit card you can rent with a debit card. However you have to pay an additional charge which is like an insurance waiver. It's varies on price from company to company.

 

Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Jul 11, 2003

59,481

The Fatherland

• Jul 27, 2013

• #5

I have had this problem in reverse. I have to use a credit card in the UK as I don't have a UK address and the credit card provides much greater security for the hire company should anything go wrong and I leave the country.

 

D

dougdeep

New member

May 9, 2004

37,732

SUNNY SEAFORD

• Jul 27, 2013

• #6

Birdie Boy said:

I have done this before and instead of using your card you can pray an extra insurance, I paid about £50, you then don't need to leave a deposit.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure praying will help.

 

P

pishhead

Well-known member

Jul 9, 2003

5,246

Everywhere

• Jul 27, 2013

• #7

Look into getting a pre pay card like a fair fx card? They come in the form of a mastercard. I'm sure that would suffice in your case.

 

BUTTERBALL

East Stand Brighton Boyz

Jul 31, 2003

10,255

location location

• Jul 27, 2013

• #8

Some companies, usually independents will allow you to use debit card. I used one called Torremar Car Hire in Spain and they didn't charge me any extra. They are few and far between though.

 

Birdie Boy

Well-known member

Jun 17, 2011

4,108

• Jul 27, 2013

• #9

It can't not help surely! Lol. Not all companies want the deposit, 2 weeks ago in Majorca they didn't, they did stitch me up on fuel though!

 

F

fattyjohn

New member

Jun 17, 2011

147

north roedean

• Jul 27, 2013

• #10

i had same problem in munich ,booked flight with easy jet and car hire was through them with europa car,needed £500 on credit card only had £250 , they wouldnt budge , ruined holiday

 

T

tronnogull

Well-known member

May 17, 2010

554

• Jul 28, 2013

• #11

Very hard to rent a car without a credit card and will cost more if you can find someone who will accept debit. I live in Ireland now but got a Sterling credit card just so I could rent a car when I pop over for a visit without having to get dinged on the foreign exchange on my Euro card.

 

The Maharajah of Sydney

Well-known member

Jul 7, 2003

1,366

Sydney .

• Jul 29, 2013

• Thread starter
• #12

ozseagull said:

If you don't have a credit card you can rent with a debit card. However you have to pay an additional charge which is like an insurance waiver. It's varies on price from company to company.

Click to expand...

Birdie Boy said:

I have done this before and instead of using your card you can pray an extra insurance, I paid about £50, you then don't need to leave a deposit.

Click to expand...

I am greatly encouraged by both of your answers .
So , on collection of the car, I can take up the option of the paying extra premium to cover the excess .
I'm more than happy to cop that - it's totally my fault .

Thanks very much for your help .

 

A

ant192

Crowborough Seagull

Aug 9, 2004

75

crowborough

• Jul 29, 2013

• #13

I had this problem in Italy a short while ago.
I joined avis preferred via their website (its free and saves you from queueing) and booked my car via debit card online. When you get to the airport flash your preferred card, grab the keys hanging on a hook, job done. For piece of mind I checked with avis first, who said that the debit card linked with my preffered account was fine. Lots of online discount codes on the web for avis too.

 

The Maharajah of Sydney

Well-known member

Jul 7, 2003

1,366

Sydney .

• Aug 7, 2013

• Thread starter
• #14

Thanks for all your contributions - Got a result !!

When the girl at the Car Rental Desk asked for my Credit Card , I handed her my Debit Card .
Straightaway she said , "this is a Debit not a Credit Card" .
I just calmly said it does both .
She hesitated for a second or two , then went ahead and took the imprint .

Can highly recommend Lake Garda & Verona - beautiful !