Alamo doesn't accept debit cards for rentals ??

[PooohBear]

I already reserved a car from Alamo and was just told by a friend that they don't accept debit cards at time of rental ? is this true ?!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

To the best of my knowledge, no car rental companies accept debit cards. The reason is, if you use a credit card and you damage the car, they know you have a certain credit limit, and can pay for the damages. If you use a debit card, they have no way of knowing how much money you have in the bank to cover any damages. This is what I've been told.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

On Alamo's website it says it does in fact accept debit cards but I think you may have to show your airline ticket to do so. Last year we rented from Budget at MCO and used our debit card, no extra fees, no airline tix, etc. Worked out just fine.

 

[Laurabearz]

Like the above poster said, with a plane ticket Alamo should accept a Debit card, but you can call the location and ask them to double check.

 

[Alexander]

In fact, Alamo has accepted debit cards longer than most of the other agencies. I arrived in Orlando a few years ago with a reservation with National and they didn't want to take my debit card, but told me Alamo would, but they couldn't give me the same great rate I had. Long story short, National took the debit card and all was fine. Now most, including National, will take a debit card when a R/T plane ticket is shown. Just double check what kinds of information you need to have available.

 

[safetymom]

I use a debit card with Hertz all the time with no problems.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I've used a debit card with Enterprise, but I had to have prior approval, including verification of employment, residence, and insurance.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

FWIW, I was looking at Enterprise and they do not accept debit cards online, but a debit card could be used to pay the balance of charges. Office locations may or may not accept debit cards for the deposit.

Although you may use a debit card, pre-paid card, or
another form of payment to pay for the final charges
on the vehicle, if you reserve a vehicle through this
website, you will need to provide a major credit card
at the time of the rental to secure the rental
transaction. A major credit card is a card that is
supported by a pre-determined line of credit, and not
a bank account, or a pre-paid balance.

Local Enterprise Rent-A-Car Offices may accept
debit cards, pre-paid cards, or other forms of
payment to secure the rental transaction. To reserve
a vehicle without a major credit card, please contact
the local office directly.

 

[CarolA]

A couple of things to find on Debit cards.

1. How BIG a hold will they put on your account? THey are putting a hold on YOUR cash so if they put a $500 hold on your cash what would you do? The hotel I checked out of yesterday had a sign.. hold were put on your account for the expected total charges plus $100. Even if you pay cash on departure it said the hold might not clear for up to 10 days.

2. Will they run a credit check? There have been news reports that some rental car companies run credit checks when you use debit cards. These checks make it appear as if you are attempting to buy a car, not rent one.

 

[HappyLawyer]

sorry your friend lied to you, you cannot use debit for pre pay or online check in but they do take debit and it says so right on their website

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

budget has the best policy for debit/credit. the cost of the rental plus twentyfive percent or two hundred dollars which is greater is the amount they will hold against your debit/or credit card. If you sign up for their fastbreak program you can skip the lines and go straight to the garage they take a quick look at your debit/credit and drivers license and hand you your keys and your on your way.
There has never been a problem using a debit card with them. I have used them for at least 6 or 7 times. If you do not want the worry use budget you will not be sorry.
Just a note, the best way to get a great rate is to book your car rental 12 to 11 before your vacation date. I got a small suv for only 114 for a week plus taxes and fees. Total 140.00

Kimberly

 

[C.Ann]

Alamo in Orlando accepts debit cards at the time of rental and there is no "hold" or additional charge to your debit card..

 

[Mark P.]

Alamo in Orlando accepts debit cards at the time of rental and there is no "hold" or additional charge to your debit card..

Correct! And no credit check, either.

 

[C.Ann]

Correct! And no credit check, either.

----------------------------

Forgot to add that you do have to show a return trip airline reservation though..

 

[VickiB31]

Some banks (mine included) have a daily limit for debit cards. Many times the cost of a rental car or plane ticket will exceed this limit. If you do have a limit, the bank may raise it for the duration of your trip if you ask. I just don't want you to get in a jam

PS: with a daily limit, Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday are the same banking "day" so the limit is for all the purchases made on those days

 

[safetymom]

Hertz will allow you to use a debit card if you are a member of their clubs #1 Express or #1 Gold. After the first time you bypass the counter and go directly to your car.

I rent from Hertz very often and never have a problem.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I have always used my debit card with Alamo, the only car rental place I've used for the past 4-5 years because of their great policies regarding debit card use. I reserve online and show my card and airline tickets at pick-up, and have never had any hold, credit check, or other problems.

Enterprise is the only car rental company in my city, and I'll chew off my own arm before I'll use them again. When my car broke down and I needed a car quickly, they required two pay stubs and even had me bring in my mother to cosign (I was over 30 years old and had a full-time teaching position), then waffled on letting me have the car as my mother is retired and therefore had no recent work history. Then the cost was astronomical. I was treated like a second-class citizen and gouged because they have a monopoly in our area.

At Alamo I have always had prompt, efficient, respectful service (though I prefer the Sanford office to the one at MCO), which has earned them my loyalty.

 

[Blueberry]

We have rented with National in Orlando twice and in other airports no hold was put on our debit card other than the cost of the car. I called and checked with each airport ahead of time to be sure. Call the Orlando Airport Alamo desk and ask for sure so you can rest easy is my suggestion. I am using a debit card with them on our car in May....

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I wonder if the hold amount vary by bank as well? When I use my debit card to buy gas I sometimes see only a dollar hold, and I don't think I've ever had a $50 or $75 hold. I think when debit cards were new and I banked at a different bank I experienced a hold like that, but I've been with this bank for over two years and have not had holding problems.

 

[safetymom]

Hess and Chevron here in Orlando place a hold on your debit card if you use it as a credit card. It is a $75 hold that caught a lot of people by surprise. From a previous post it seems that is happening more often.