Don't use debit card for car rental

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You should also check with your bank to see if there is a daily purchase limit on your debit card. If the amount you attempt to debit is greater than the bank's limit, your card may be frozen for a period of time.

With all of these caveats, some people may still want to use a debit card to pay for a rental car. If you must put your rental car charge on a debit card, there are the rules of the major car-rental companies, in the U.S., that you should be aware of:

Debit card rules for major car rental companies

	Accepts debit cards?	Major credit card needed for pickup?	Documents besides driver's license needed?	Authorization hold during rentals?	Other rules
Alamo	Yes, but only in conjunction with proof of a round trip travel ticket (airline, cruise ship or train) at time of rental.	Yes.	Proof of round-trip travel.	No.	Prepaid/gift cards accepted at time of return only.
Avis	Yes, except in certain locations, including metro New York, Philadelphia and others.	Yes.	Second form of ID; name and address must match driver's license.	At its discretion, minimum of $500 and maximum of estimated rental charges.	Prepaid/gift cards accepted only at time of return. May take up to two weeks to release funds on hold.
Budget	Yes, but local polices may vary.	No, but must show driver's license and third form of ID, roundtrip ticket, US passport, current auto insurance policy, or current cellphone bill	Third form of ID, roundtrip ticket, US passport, current auto insurance or current cellphone bill	$300 minimum.	May take up to two weeks to release funds on hold.
Dollar	Yes, but local policies may vary.	Credit check if debit card used to pick up rental.	No.	Yes, estimated rental charges plus 15 percent.	Local policies vary; check policy at rental location.
Enterprise	Local policies vary. Check with local rental office.	Local policies vary. Check with local rental office.	Local policies vary. Check with local rental office.	Local policies vary. Check with local rental office.	If reserving online, must use a major credit card.
Hertz	Yes.	No.	No.	Estimated rental charges plus amount for incidentals.	Prepaid/gift cards accepted at time of return only.
National	Yes.	No, but must show round-trip ticket.	Proof of round-trip travel.	No.	Without round-trip travel ticket, debit card accepted on return only.
Thrifty	Yes, at many locations.	Yes.	No.	Estimated rental charges plus 15 percent or minimum amount. Check local policy.	Prepaid/gift cards accepted at time of return only.

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-- Posted: Nov. 22, 2006

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