Renting a car through Enterprise with a debit card

[happyplace79]

I'm so aggravated with Enterprise. I've rented a car on two separate trips from this same location with a debit card (I don't use credit cards) and yet today when I called they said you can only rent with a debit card if you live in that city. We live in a rural area so this is the only location close enough to even be considered "local". We live 23 miles from this Enterprise. I just don't get it, why was it ok the other two times? Anyone else rented with a debit card and not lived in that town/city? Also here is a tip for you guys- price check different locations if you are renting from this business. I checked another location online and their price was almost double.

 

[JKalai]

Enterprise might have changed their policy.

I normally don't rent with Enterprise, only Hertz. I did notice that lately when booking through them, a big pop-up comes up about booking with credit cards only that was never there before. It's possible that all rental companies have become more strict with renting on debit cards.

 

[happyplace79]

I actually contacted the corporate office and the area manager called me back. Apparently the young man who I spoke with was incorrect and we are still able to rent with a debit card. So glad I spoke with someone else, I even called back to that location and talked with the manager there. She told me the same thing the area manager said, I politely told her she might want to let the other employees know what their debit card policy is so they don't lose future customers.

 

[Criickette]

My local Enterprise was really nasty about this. They said that no matter what, they require a credit card. In the past we ALWAYS used our debit. So the real policy is that they still accept debit?

 

[Branflakes]

We rented a car from enterprise via Costco just last week. We have rented from them many many times. We walked up to the counter and there it was. A sign reading if using a debit card you need a paid booked return airline ticket, OR 3 months of utility bill? Yes. Let me print my utility bill and bring it along. Plus a deposit of 20% of the total rental cost ON TOP of the rental cost. And MANDATORY pre pay for fuel. Really?
We do not use credit cards. For anything ever. We pay cash or we don't buy. Both my husband and I have immaculate credit scores. Car loans and mortgage. We learned a long time ago a tough lesson with credit cards (thanking his ex wife for 70 grand in debt).
But we have to have a credit card we don't ever put anything on, for things like a rental car guarantee.
I asked the guy helping us pick up the car, and I kid you not he said if you don't have a credit card, or utilities in your own name with proof of paid bills,enterprise as a business considers you to be a risk to rent to, a liability and not credit worthy. And they don't care if it's a choice.
So I said well here is the deal. I'm not giving you my utility history. I AM PAYING with a debit card. You're unfairly judging someone's credit worthiness based on whether or not they CHOOSE to use credit cards. For many it's a choice. Enter Dave Ramsey. So I said use my AmEx to guarantee, but I will PAY with my debit card upon return. His response? Is it that you don't have enough credit on this card to cover the rental? Well, it's all available. Is it the limit? Seriously, I was losing my cool, the "in public grace" I was desperately trying to maintain, was waning. Now that's an interesting question though isn't it? So I have a credit card. Who is to say there is enough credit, or will be enough available when I return the car? Boob. I found it ridiculous to say the least. An oxymoron if you will. But rental dude, wasn't what I'd consider the most adept individual. "Following the rules". The rules are asinine.

 

[happyplace79]

My local Enterprise was really nasty about this. They said that no matter what, they require a credit card. In the past we ALWAYS used our debit. So the real policy is that they still accept debit?

Yes! I spoke with three different people after the first guy told me no. Corporate said they do take them, you have to be local and bring in all the documents required. You can find that info on the website. My issue was the guy told me when I first called that where I'm located isn't considered local to their office even though we've rented there before with our debit card. The area manager and the store manager told me that he was incorrect and we are still considered local. I would call the corporate number and get further clarification on the specific location you are trying to rent at.

 

[happyplace79]

My local Enterprise was really nasty about this. They said that no matter what, they require a credit card. In the past we ALWAYS used our debit. So the real policy is that they still accept debit?

Also, the rude attitude seems to be a common thing with this company. Although the area manger was super nice, I spoke with 2 employees at one location and 1 at another and all 3 acted like I was bothering them with my questions. If there were any other options in my area I would for sure go with another business.

 

[happyplace79]

We rented a car from enterprise via Costco just last week. We have rented from them many many times. We walked up to the counter and there it was. A sign reading if using a debit card you need a paid booked return airline ticket, OR 3 months of utility bill? Yes. Let me print my utility bill and bring it along. Plus a deposit of 20% of the total rental cost ON TOP of the rental cost. And MANDATORY pre pay for fuel. Really?
We do not use credit cards. For anything ever. We pay cash or we don't buy. Both my husband and I have immaculate credit scores. Car loans and mortgage. We learned a long time ago a tough lesson with credit cards (thanking his ex wife for 70 grand in debt).
But we have to have a credit card we don't ever put anything on, for things like a rental car guarantee.
I asked the guy helping us pick up the car, and I kid you not he said if you don't have a credit card, or utilities in your own name with proof of paid bills,enterprise as a business considers you to be a risk to rent to, a liability and not credit worthy. And they don't care if it's a choice.
So I said well here is the deal. I'm not giving you my utility history. I AM PAYING with a debit card. You're unfairly judging someone's credit worthiness based on whether or not they CHOOSE to use credit cards. For many it's a choice. Enter Dave Ramsey. So I said use my AmEx to guarantee, but I will PAY with my debit card upon return. His response? Is it that you don't have enough credit on this card to cover the rental? Well, it's all available. Is it the limit? Seriously, I was losing my cool, the "in public grace" I was desperately trying to maintain, was waning. Now that's an interesting question though isn't it? So I have a credit card. Who is to say there is enough credit, or will be enough available when I return the car? Boob. I found it ridiculous to say the least. An oxymoron if you will. But rental dude, wasn't what I'd consider the most adept individual. "Following the rules". The rules are asinine.

It seems different locations have different requirements. Ours doesn't require an airline ticket, but the closest airport is 1.5 hours away so I doubt they get much business from people flying. We have to have 2 utility bills (doesn't have to be for 3 months), DL, insurance card and they all have to have the same name and address on each item. That's no problem. I agree it is a hassle, but I'm willing to do that to use a debit card. I also am doing the Dave Ramsey way of life and learned the hard way when I was young that credit cards are evil, lol. Well I guess if you are smart with them they are okay, but I was young and not smart with money. I refuse to get another credit card ever! If I have to deal with a little aggravation every now and then, it is worth it to not ever have to worry about debt.

 

[Branflakes]

It seems different locations have different requirements. Ours doesn't require an airline ticket, but the closest airport is 1.5 hours away so I doubt they get much business from people flying. We have to have 2 utility bills (doesn't have to be for 3 months), DL, insurance card and they all have to have the same name and address on each item. That's no problem. I agree it is a hassle, but I'm willing to do that to use a debit card. I also am doing the Dave Ramsey way of life and learned the hard way when I was young that credit cards are evil, lol. Well I guess if you are smart with them they are okay, but I was young and not smart with money. I refuse to get another credit card ever! If I have to deal with a little aggravation every now and then, it is worth it to not ever have to worry about debt.

I agree it wouldn't be a big deal as far as utility bills go, IF that information was given to you PRIOR to arriving at the enterprise location. I'd still have to print them. Everything is online for us. We don't get paper bills for anything.

 

[Branflakes]

It seems different locations have different requirements. Ours doesn't require an airline ticket, but the closest airport is 1.5 hours away so I doubt they get much business from people flying. We have to have 2 utility bills (doesn't have to be for 3 months), DL, insurance card and they all have to have the same name and address on each item. That's no problem. I agree it is a hassle, but I'm willing to do that to use a debit card. I also am doing the Dave Ramsey way of life and learned the hard way when I was young that credit cards are evil, lol. Well I guess if you are smart with them they are okay, but I was young and not smart with money. I refuse to get another credit card ever! If I have to deal with a little aggravation every now and then, it is worth it to not ever have to worry about debt.

I agree it wouldn't be a big deal as far as utility bills go, IF that information was given to you PRIOR to arriving at the enterprise location. I'd still have to print them. Everything is online for us. We don't get paper bills for anything.

 

[wagnes]

I've rented from enterprise with a debit card and had to to deal with the utility bills hassle. Basically just obtained a credit card just for using with rental cars.

 

[angierae]

I rented in 2013 at MCO with Alamo, with a debit card. I don't remember if I had to confirm my flights with them or not. I rented the car for Thursday-Sunday and didn't fly back until Tuesday (Sunday we moved from an off-site hotel onto Disney property, so I didn't need the car anymore.)

 

[DisneyEater]

I know that everyone has their own experience and reasons for not having a credit card. There was a time where I didn't use one for a while for similar reasons, but I always kept one in a sock drawer somewhere for things like this.

You may want to look into a secured credit card with no annual fee for the future. That way, you can only spend what you deposit on the card, but it avoids these headaches. They are really meant for rebuilding credit, but could possible work for this type of thing too if you can't have a regular credit card.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I don't blame the car rental companies. CC are much easier for them. I can't imagine how many times a debit card does not have enough to cover the rental and then they have issues

Totally get why people do not want to use a CC, but there are also times when it is much safer. And you have protection when using a CC you may or may not have w a debit card.

 

[Senk]

The whole utility bill debit card things sucks but I used to work for Enterprise so I'll share some experience.

People steal rentals. And by steal I mean keep without paying for as long as they want. The credit card generally has a limit on it that allows them to charge it if the renter does not return, a debit card may not have the funds for that. They want you to have utility bills to prove that you are responsible and pay your bills on time. And/or be local so they can come repo it from your house of you don't stay current after so much time.
To be fair and non discriminatory they have to have the same policies for everyone no matter why you choose not to use a credit card.

It sucks, I know. I hated getting yelled at by customers to don't know before arrival especially since every region or state is slightly different. They definitely need to work on sharing their rules beforehand.