Is it possible to rent a car in Los Angeles without a credit card?

shrek2 · 16 Nov 2010 at 22:22

Just wondering if its possible from anywhere else. Hertz and Avis both require credit cards. I am going for 4 weeks at the end of March.
I have a dodgy credit rating after being reckless and silly at university. I paid off all the debts when I started working but it stays on your file for six years apparently so even Capital one wouldn't touch me.

[TW]Fox · 16 Nov 2010 at 22:23

Almost certainly not, no.

Not having a card and being in the US for 4 weeks is going to be a nuisance.

sanaxe1 · 16 Nov 2010 at 22:28

Get a pay as you go mastercard.

shrek2 · 16 Nov 2010 at 22:31

sanaxe1 said:
Get a pay as you go mastercard.

Ive had a look at those but they're no go with regards to renting a car.

AtticusFinch · 16 Nov 2010 at 22:32

mjt · 16 Nov 2010 at 22:34

Not from anywhere reputable, no.

mrmoose · 16 Nov 2010 at 23:00

I'd get a prepaid card for this under your circumstances

PhillyDee · 16 Nov 2010 at 23:03

shrek2 said:
Ive had a look at those but they're no go with regards to renting a car.

mrmoose said:
I'd get a prepaid card for this under your circumstances

OP already checked . . . .

I thought you pretty much HAD to have a credit card to visit the US? Or was that a while back?

shrek2 · 16 Nov 2010 at 23:06

PhillyDee said:
OP already checked . . . .

I thought you pretty much HAD to have a credit card to visit the US? Or was that a while back?

Last time I went I used my Barclays connect card just fine but I didn't rent a car.

sanaxe1 · 16 Nov 2010 at 23:08

shrek2 said:
Ive had a look at those but they're no go with regards to renting a car.

Hertz says nothing about not being able to use a Pay as you go master card.

At the time of rental an authorisation is obtained on your credit card based on the estimated rental charges plus the cost of one tank of fuel (approximately GBP 80.00). It varies according to the make and model of the vehicle. There must be sufficient credit on your card to cover all charges.

As long as you have enough money to cover the charge you will be fine.

PeterNem · 16 Nov 2010 at 23:30

Don't use a debit card for hotels either... Having a hold put on your available credit is one thing - but you dont want it tying up your actual cash!

Fr0dders · 17 Nov 2010 at 00:05

shrek2 said:
Ive had a look at those but they're no go with regards to renting a car.

no they arent

Last time we went Florida Dollar took our pre paid visa no problem.

ubersonic · 17 Nov 2010 at 00:38

shrek2 said:
Just wondering if its possible from anywhere else. Hertz and Avis both require credit cards. I am going for 4 weeks at the end of March.
I have a dodgy credit rating after being reckless and silly at university. I paid off all the debts when I started working but it stays on your file for six years apparently so even Capital one wouldn't touch me.

Phone Capital one up and speak to them direct, if you have paid the debts off then they should have no problem giving you a card regardless of your history, mine history is shocking due to a clerical error by T-Mobile that I cannot afford to fight off so no other card company would touch me but they gave me one no probs (with £200 limit and 30% apr lol)

[TW]Fox · 17 Nov 2010 at 08:13

ubersonic said:
Phone Capital one up and speak to them direct, if you have paid the debts off then they should have no problem giving you a card regardless of your history, mine history is shocking due to a clerical error by T-Mobile that I cannot afford to fight off so no other card company would touch me but they gave me one no probs (with £200 limit and 30% apr lol)

A Capital One card with a £200 limit is as much use as a cholocate fireguard in the USA. You wont even fit the pre-auth for a weeks rental on it.

AtticusFinch · 17 Nov 2010 at 08:21

This

[TW]Fox;17806446 said:
A Capital One card with a £200 limit is as much use as a cholocate fireguard in the USA. You wont even fit the pre-auth for a weeks rental on it.

Kinda insane really to travel anywhere without a credit card or two anyway. Try not to look poor (not I'm saying your are/do) at immigration in case they ask for proof of access to funds etc.

Hotels in the US Require credit cards at the time of checking in too usually, so you may need one for that or at least travel with someone who does.

ubersonic · 17 Nov 2010 at 09:04

/Shrug, Alamo rented me a car on that card, I used it for pretty much everything when I went to the states (paid it off via the website every night lol)