Thinking about using a debit card to rent a car? It is quite possible, but it’s not so easy. Normally, rental car companies prefer that their customers use credit cards instead of debit cards.
There are strong reasons behind this typical mentality of rental car companies. Most of the time, they become anxious. What if the debit card renter returns the car with empty gas tank and don’t pay for it? The renter’s insurance policy doesn’t cover that loss at all. So, they have no choice left rather than pushing their customers to use credit cards.
However, the rental car companies also want to keep their customers happy. So, on many occasions, they’ll allow you to rent a car using your debit card. But there are some strict rules.
While renting your card through a debit card, you might have to encounter few hassles and spend a longer time at the rental car counter due to those rules.
So, let's talk about how you can ease up the process of renting a car using a debit card.
Read on and know about some situations you might have to face, and a breakdown of policies by the rental car companies.
- You’ll need cash available in your account
You need to have enough money in your bank account or the debit card you are using. It is quite possible that the rental car company might lock up the full rental amount in advance. They might also deduct a little more initially to cover up any sudden mishaps. The extra money will be refunded back to you when the rental deal ends. The entire process may take up to three weeks to complete.
- You may encounter a credit check
Many rental car companies will perform an automatic credit check for customers who wish to rent a car using their debit card. If you have a low credit score, the car company might reject your application. You might know that every time someone runs a credit check on you, it can practically harm your FICO score from 5 points to much more.
- You need to carry extra ID proofs
In addition to a driver’s license, you might have to provide few more IDs. So, keep all of your iDs’ up to date, especially your passport. You can also use your utility bill as an address proof if the address is similar to the one on your driver’s license.
- You’ll need proof of insurance
Many car rental companies will ask you to submit your insurance policy papers. The process will take time as the rental car agent will verify the documents by contacting your insurance company. If you do not have enough coverage, or if the agent finds anything fake or inappropriate, the agent will ask you to buy a proper policy. If you don’t respond to them positively, they’ll just deny your application to rent a car using your debit card.
- You might be asked for evidence of return travel
Some car rental companies may ask you to show your return tickets too . This practice may depend on company to company, and even from one place to another .
For an example - Enterprise, Alamo, and National car rental companies” may want you to produce your return ticket if you want to use your debit card for non-airport locations. The ticket could be for an airline, a cruise, or a train.
- You can expect a cap on vehicles types
There are also some top class cars that you cannot hire. A Mercedes sedan, a Lincoln Navigator, a Volkswagen Touareg, or a Land Rover SUV – all these cars are not rentable with a debit card at several rental locations. If somehow you manage to rent any of these luxury cars, their charges will be very high and the deposit money also is huge.
- Your age might be a restriction
Some rental car companies do not allow people below a certain age limit to hire their cars. For an example - Budget and Avis company provide cars to the people over the age limit 25, with debit card payment facility. Thrifty also provides same service for off-airport locations. Other companies may also need more than one age proof for the car rental service.
- You’ll pay full amount at vehicle return
Normally, rental car companies are interested to take your money as soon as you book the car. They’ll accept the money through different monetary forms like cash or credit cards, debit cards, etc. Hertz and Thrifty will offer you to pay only a part of the rental money upfront when you book a car from them at least 30 days in advance with of their Cash ID cards. However, you’ll have to pay $15 surcharge for a new card every time you reserve a car from them.
- Rental policies may change according to your location
You should know the debit card policies at your rental car location. You can check out the policies by logging into their website online. Select your location where you plan to rent and then check the fine print at the bottom. Review all the details of that location’s policy and choose accordingly.
Apart from that you can call the agency directly and get quotes. You can visit their local office; it is the best way to verify and negotiate rates.