Struggling to rent a minivan advice needed

flibbage0 · 1 Jul 2019 at 18:11

So I'm going abroad (Europe) later this year and I need to rent a minivan (7 adult passengers and some luggage) for a few days. The problem is that they all want a £2000 security deposit via a credit card ONLY. They won't accept debit card, if I do take out a credit card the limit would be £1200, I'm guessing I wouldn't have enough time to increase this limit?

Any advice would be appreciated

TomO · 1 Jul 2019 at 18:20

why do you say the limit will be £1200? just because one company has offered £1200 doesnt mean the next wont offer more or less ( potentially but vast % difference).

another potential would be with a £1200 credit limit, that you pay £800 on the card so you are £800 in credit, then you will be able to in theory 'spend' £2000 without going over your limit.

HoneyBadger · 1 Jul 2019 at 19:46

Or just use a pre-paid CC and whack £2K on it.

ultralaser · 2 Jul 2019 at 00:07

HoneyBadger said:
Or just use a pre-paid CC and whack £2K on it.

They generally don't work the same way.

sanaxe1 · 2 Jul 2019 at 01:35

Normally with rental companies you can upgrade to "premium" which doesn't require any deposit at all or excess for any damages. I used centauro for this.

sovietspybob · 2 Jul 2019 at 11:03

If your old enough to rent a minivan how have you got this far without having a credit card? They're just so useful for so many aspects of life.

flibbage0 · 2 Jul 2019 at 18:12

sovietspybob said:
If your old enough to rent a minivan how have you got this far without having a credit card? They're just so useful for so many aspects of life.

I've always paid for everything with cash/debit card, I've never borrowed except for university tuition.

Just the way I've been brought up I guess

bremen1874 · 2 Jul 2019 at 18:16

Don't any of the other 6 adults have a credit card?

You still haven't explained why you'd only get a £1200 credit limit. The CC companies often quote £1200 as an example for their calculations, but that's not necessarily what they'd give you. Even if the initial credit limit is too low they'll often increase it if you ask them and have a reason.

Quartz · 2 Jul 2019 at 19:05

flibbage0 said:
So I'm going abroad (Europe)

It may be that this is the real problem and the £2K CC deposit is "we don't want your business". Have you considered just renting from the Europe side?

[TW]Fox · 2 Jul 2019 at 19:11

Car rental companies generally don't want the hassle of being involved with people who don't, for whatever reason, have a credit card.

Deposits on car hire are commonplace and you don't really notice it when you use a credit card.

Dr House · 3 Jul 2019 at 07:39

I had the same issue. I have a CC but don’t use or carry it and forgot to take It on holiday.

They just took the full deposit on my debit card instead of the pre authorisation they normally take on the credit card.