Holiday Car Hire

-westy- · 18 May 2011 at 17:14

Hello,

Myself and my girlfriend are heading over to Spain to visit friends in about a month or so, and are needing to hire a car. Unfortunately we've hit a problem - the companies we've looked at all require a credit card for a security deposit. Neither of us have credit cards, just Visa Debit cards.

Leaving a larger deposit with a debit card isn't a problem, however nowhere that we've found seem to offer this. Any ideas?

POB · 18 May 2011 at 17:24

Get a credit card month is enough time if you apply today.

Hank_Marvin · 18 May 2011 at 17:29

POB said:
Get a credit card month is enough time if you apply today.

indeed, no other option, handy to have also.

-westy- · 18 May 2011 at 17:35

Great idea - but unfortunately my credit rating's crap enough as it is - previous relationship has left me with a bit of debt and a couple of defaults on my credit file.

Viper² · 18 May 2011 at 17:39

-westy- said:
Great idea - but unfortunately my credit rating's crap enough as it is - previous relationship has left me with a bit of debt and a couple of defaults on my credit file.

And your girlfriend..?

Hank_Marvin · 18 May 2011 at 17:43

Public transport then.

[TW]Fox · 18 May 2011 at 17:46

Just get her to apply for a card then, pretty essential thing to have when abroad anyway, unless you like getting owned for forex by ripoff travel agents.

blueacid · 19 May 2011 at 06:25

There are cards with appalling rates available. If you don't plan to borrow (read: do not borrow on them) then they'll do. They also help you rebuild that credit rating

Cosimo · 19 May 2011 at 07:02

Viper² said:
And your girlfriend..?

This has to be the option although there may be another problem if she is not the one hring the car.

Pug · 19 May 2011 at 07:05

blueacid said:
They also help you rebuild that credit rating

this is a good point!

PMKeates · 19 May 2011 at 08:41

Try using the VISA debit card - I have in many instances abroad that have required a credit card. The rental company will pre-authorise more than the value of the car hire itself, but if you have the funds available this may be a way.

asim18 · 19 May 2011 at 16:59

-westy- said:
the companies we've looked at all require a credit card for a security deposit.

Hertz let you use Visa Debit. I was there when my mate rented a Focus from them.

vicisthebest · 19 May 2011 at 17:42

If your gf can't get one, could you get one of those pre-pay credit cards? They work like a debit AFAIK, you sort of "top up" the card and you can't spend more than is on it, but it's a Mastercard...?

May be wrong though.