Alamo - Credit Card only?

[PeachyLemons]

Just looking to book my car hire and have found a good deal with Alamo using HolidayExtras website.

I have read the T&C's and it says that Alamo only accepts Credit Cards. I'm sure I have read on here that they take Debit Cards. Would someone be able to confirm?

Also would you know the amount that is frozen on the card, is it the excess?

[PeachyLemons]

[keith1973]

They will accept visa debit cards

[beswicky2k]

We have used them 3 times in last 4 years and although they swiped our Visa debit card nothing was taken or held on it. All three times we had paid in full when we booked.

[PeachyLemons]

Thank you, that's a relief as I don't have a credit card and thought that it was going to be a pain trying to get car hire.

[DFCH-Andy]

Not sure if Alamo tightened up on their debit card policy recently but I had a recent customer who had a 1 day one way rental on a 15 seater from MIA to MCO and Alamo wouldn't release the vehicle to them as they had a debit card. They pointed out that in order for them to accept a debit card, the customer would need proof they have deplaned or disembarked at the rental location. They also needed proof of an outbound trip from the location where the vehicle will be returned (airline or cruise ship) within 24 hours of the return time.

alamo/en_US/car-rent...rd-policy.html

Took my by surprise as I'm sure customers will have used debit cards from hotel locations before without any issues and first time this has happened but certainly one to be aware of.

[Grace2007]

Hi, we are in Florida now and used Alamo and paid with a visa debit card. The only thing different was that when we swiped at the barrier to exit the garage on pick up I had to show a member of staff our departure info? Not sure why and no hold on our debit card.

[DFCH-Andy]

Originally Posted by Grace2007

The only thing different was that when we swiped at the barrier to exit the garage on pick up I had to show a member of staff our departure info?

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This will be in keeping with their debit card policy in that you have to be departing from the drop off location.

[PeachyLemons]

Thanks for the replies, I was thinking of booking from Disney Car Centre, so do you think showing something like MDE with my check in/ out dates would be ok? Our rental would only be for 7 days, but we are staying 10.

[Geordie boy 57]

Originally Posted by Grace2007

Hi, we are in Florida now and used Alamo and paid with a visa debit card. The only thing different was that when we swiped at the barrier to exit the garage on pick up I had to show a member of staff our departure info? Not sure why and no hold on our debit card.

See more...

We picked our car on 1/10 from MCO
Used my Visa debit card that I used to pay for the hire
They also asked me to show proof of departure at barrier
Checked my bank balance when I got to villa
There was a hold of $1 (79p) on card which dropped off after a few days