Credit card worry... Help!

[Wanda335]

Hi I'm new to all this but in need of some help please ... We are due to go on our first ever trip to Orlando in 6 weeks and have just been told that we need a credit card when we collect our hire car ... Big problem ... We are currently in the final year of our IVA and don't have a credit card and cannot apply for one.
I'm so worried now about what we can do. When we originally booked our trip we was told by our travel agent that we wouldn't need one but now I find out that we probably will need one... Any advice would be gratefully received ... Thanks

[ChrisS]

Fret not Wanda, apparently you can use your debit card, but I know very little about this, others will soon be along to advise.

Have a smashing holiday when you head off

[Guest]

An English debit card is just fine, it works the same as a credit card here.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

OP. As above, your Debit Card is fine. Loads of people from the UK use them.

[Wanda335]

Thanks ... Does anyone know how much they would need to hold? Also as we have bad credit will this affect it as I read that they do a credit check on you... Panicking a little lol

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Wanda335

Thanks ... Does anyone know how much they would need to hold? Also as we have bad credit will this affect it as I read that they do a credit check on you... Panicking a little lol

See more...

They can't do a credit check on you Wanda, our Data Protection Laws wouldn't allow. Stop the panicking please, it's unproductive, you'll be fine. Hang on a bit, somebody will tell you how much the 'hold' will be. Take care hin

[sam7]

Who have you booked with? This is from Alamo USA's website

All major Credit and Debit cards (excluding Solo, Visa Electron, Diners Club and all unembossed maestro/debit/creditcards) are accepted.

On collection of the vehicle, a £300.00 security deposit will be charged to your card. On acceptable return of the vehicle, the security deposit will be credited.

[Wanda335]

Thank you all so much you have put my mind at rest now

[PPM]

Originally Posted by Ilivehereorland

An English debit card is just fine, it works the same as a credit card here.

See more...

What about a Scottish one? 😀
Mine is Bank of Scotland.


Wanda335.
You will be OK. A debit card with Visa or MasterCard on it will do nicely, as our UK debit cards with these logos are seen in the USA as CCs. In fact when I use my DC in an ATM I have to press the Credit button to make it work.

[papamouse]

I went recently and booked with Budget (via Andy at Discount Florida Car Hire)

I has $4000 on a fairfx pre pay credit card - the computer said no - and wasn't accepted...

I had about £100-200 on my bank account back home - just a basic account with a debit card - Visa Electron - this was accepted.

It had nothing to do with credit checks etc - basically they gave me a car with a full tank of gas - the plan was for me to return it full, which I did.

But in the mean time they put a "hold" of about $70/£50 on my card, in case I came back with the car empty... this charge was always pending and after I returned the car full, this charge just dropped off.

Its not about credit checks, credit cards etc - some places put a greater hold on - I think the most is about £400 - I once left 100 euros cash at a car hire place in Ibiza - its really not a big deal.

For peace of mind tho - check in with the company you are hiring the car from as ask specifically what type of card they will accept - and how much of a HOLD they will put on that card.

Anyone can get a prepaid credit card like fairfx and anyone can get a basic bank account with a debit card - I personally have 3 - BOS, Natwest and Coop Bank - its not based on your credit status as most of us are in the same boat now!

Relax, its a holiday!