Alamo/debit card... They let me do this??

[HHSTigerFan]

Flying into Dallas late Dec 6, staying down for about 4 weeks.. Thinking about renting a car for just one day at the airport so my friend doesn't have to be out late, we would return it the next day.. So when I show them my return flight confirmation and it shows Jan 6, will they allow me to use a debit card??

 

[sam_gordon]

Flying into Dallas late Dec 6, staying down for about 4 weeks.. Thinking about renting a car for just one day at the airport so my friend doesn't have to be out late, we would return it the next day.. So when I show them my return flight confirmation and it shows Jan 6, will they allow me to use a debit card??

Why do you need to show return flight confirmation?

 

[lauti]

Why do you need to show return flight confirmation?

That's Alamos condition for renting with a debit card.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You can use a debit card to take out a car, only when showing a return flight ticket (not just a reservation).
2) Without the return ticket, you must use a credit card when you take out the car.
3) When you return the car, whether taken out via credit or debit card, you can pay with a debit card.


ALAMO DEBIT CARD POLICY (from website):
. . . Debit/check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card logo.
. . . Any other non-credit card without one of these logos is not accepted.
. . . For pick-ups in the United States, without proof of round-trip ticket, debit or check cards are accepted only when returning the vehicle.
. . . A credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pick-up.

 

[sam_gordon]

That's Alamos condition for renting with a debit card.

Do they do the same thing at their "off airport" locations? That makes no sense to me.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do they do the same thing at their "off airport" locations? That makes no sense to me.

Requiring proof of a return airline ticket is a standard requirement for debit card rentals for most car rental companies.

I would guess the car rental agencies have a lot more problems with customers who use debit cards rather than credit cards. It's much better to use a credit card for a car rental.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Flying into Dallas late Dec 6, staying down for about 4 weeks.. Thinking about renting a car for just one day at the airport so my friend doesn't have to be out late, we would return it the next day.. So when I show them my return flight confirmation and it shows Jan 6, will they allow me to use a debit card??

Just out of curiousity, are you flying into DFW airport or Love Field in Dallas?

I ask because getting a renatl car at DFW is a bit of an ordeal. You land at your terminal, go outside and walk to the Rental Bus waiting area, wait for the bus, take a 9 minute bus ride over to the rental car center-get your car and then figure out the best way to get out of the never ending construction that surrounds the DFW airport.
All this just to go through it all just to return the rental the very next day?

It would be easier to just let your friend pick you up or catch a cab.

 

[sam_gordon]

Requiring proof of a return airline ticket is a standard requirement for debit card rentals for most car rental companies.

I would guess the car rental agencies have a lot more problems with customers who use debit cards rather than credit cards. It's much better to use a credit card for a car rental.

Requiring the proof doesn't make sense if you're picking up from an "non airport" site though.

I don't understand what the return ticket "proves" other than you're scheduled to leave at a certain time.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Just out of curiousity, are you flying into DFW airport or Love Field in Dallas? I ask because getting a renatl car at DFW is a bit of an ordeal. You land at your terminal, go outside and walk to the Rental Bus waiting area, wait for the bus, take a 9 minute bus ride over to the rental car center-get your car and then figure out the best way to get out of the never ending construction that surrounds the DFW airport. All this just to go through it all just to return the rental the very next day? It would be easier to just let your friend pick you up or catch a cab.

Into Love... Want to make this a total surprise, won't know I am in town until I knock on the door.. About $30 to rent a car and return it (from north of Denton)... Could take the train and then a cab... Or a shuttle service...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Requiring the proof doesn't make sense if you're picking up from an "non airport" site though.

I don't understand what the return ticket "proves" other than you're scheduled to leave at a certain time.

Perhaps it's proof that you have alternate transportation out of town, rather than stealing the rental car,

If you use a debit card, most rental companies also run a credit report. Again, I assume rental companies find people who don't have a credit card are a bigger risk.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I called them yesterday about it and I was told that you have to go to the counter to show debit card and return airfare regardless of where you are renting and then go to your aisle to pick your car. They will only do this apparently if it for a traveller/visitor not for someone local. Once you come back, they will charge your debit.

 

[gmeh1]

1) You can use a debit card to take out a car, only when showing a return flight ticket (not just a reservation).
2) Without the return ticket, you must use a credit card when you take out the car.
3) When you return the car, whether taken out via credit or debit card, you can pay with a debit card.


ALAMO DEBIT CARD POLICY (from website):
. . . Debit/check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card logo.
. . . Any other non-credit card without one of these logos is not accepted.
. . . For pick-ups in the United States, without proof of round-trip ticket, debit or check cards are accepted only when returning the vehicle.
. . . A credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pick-up.

No, you don't have to show a ticket, just confirmation of a return mode of transportation, it can be a bus, a train or a plane. No one gets "tickets" anymore, mostly a reservation confirmation which is totally acceptable.

 

[gmeh1]

Perhaps it's proof that you have alternate transportation out of town, rather than stealing the rental car,

If you use a debit card, most rental companies also run a credit report. Again, I assume rental companies find people who don't have a credit card are a bigger risk.

Alamo does not run a credit report.

 

[gmeh1]

Requiring the proof doesn't make sense if you're picking up from an "non airport" site though.

I don't understand what the return ticket "proves" other than you're scheduled to leave at a certain time.

Sam, take it up with Alamo. These are the rules they set. It applies to any location. Not all people arrive by air. Lots of people rent from the CCC (for example), and they need to present proof of round trip transportation.

 

[gmeh1]

Do they do the same thing at their "off airport" locations? That makes no sense to me.

Yes, they do because not everyone arrives by air or rent from "on airport" locations.

 

[gmeh1]

1) You can use a debit card to take out a car, only when showing a return flight ticket (not just a reservation).
2) Without the return ticket, you must use a credit card when you take out the car.
3) When you return the car, whether taken out via credit or debit card, you can pay with a debit card.


ALAMO DEBIT CARD POLICY (from website):
. . . Debit/check cards are considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card logo.
. . . Any other non-credit card without one of these logos is not accepted.
. . . For pick-ups in the United States, without proof of round-trip ticket, debit or check cards are accepted only when returning the vehicle.
. . . A credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of pick-up.

This is also from the website: It reads a tad different.

When renting in the US, a credit card in the name of the renter must be presented at the time of rental; otherwise, Debit/Check cards are accepted along with proof of a confirmed round trip travel ticket (airline, cruise ship or train). Without proof of roundtrip ticket, debit or check cards are only accepted as a form of payment at time of return.

A printout of the confirmation is totally acceptable in this situation. It shows date and time of departure, numbers as in flight or train and the travel provider. Bus confirmations are also acceptable.

 

[sam_gordon]

Sam, take it up with Alamo. These are the rules they set. It applies to any location. Not all people arrive by air. Lots of people rent from the CCC (for example), and they need to present proof of round trip transportation.

The bolded was the missing information. I know Alamo can require (almost) whatever they want. "Proof of round trip transportation" just seems a strange requirement to me.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Alamo does not run a credit report.

Yes, please note I wrote "most," not all.

It's true you usually don't get paper airline tickets these days, but calling your confirmation email or boarding pass a "ticket" has become common usage. Even the excerpt you posted from Alamo's website refers to "tickets."

 

[gmeh1]

Yes, please note I wrote "most," not all.

It's true you usually don't get paper airline tickets these days, but calling your confirmation email or boarding pass a "ticket" has become common usage. Even the excerpt you posted from Alamo's website refers to "tickets."

Just making it clear to the OP as the OP is using Alamo. You are right most places call it a ticket,but, again, making it clear to the OP and others. People panic over trivial details.

 

[gmeh1]

The bolded was the missing information. I know Alamo can require (almost) whatever they want. "Proof of round trip transportation" just seems a strange requirement to me.

Strange or not, that is what they require. I used to know why, but, I forgot cause it is not longer important to me.