Credit cards?

[hempfiltered]

Hi,

My boyfriend and i are currently planning a holiday to orlando and have decided on a great place to stay and renting a car. However, both mention credit cards - does that mean we have to have one or will a visa debit card be okay?

Thanks for any help offered.

[Jill]

We do not use a visa debit card for much more than getting cash out of an ATM and mainly use a credit card. There are several free machines Publix supermarkets being one example. Would recommend opening a Nationwide flex account and or credit card as they give one of the best exchange rates and do not charge a currency conversion charge of 2.75%+ which most banks do. The Post Office also have a card that again does not charge a conversion charge so once again you get a much better rate.

[ShirleyD]

If you hire your car on the gold option through this site, then you shouldn't need a credit card for the car hire on arrival in Orlando, but as Jill says, you can get a much better exchange rate than taking cash with the Nationwide credit card, so it might be worth leaving some of your savings in the bank and getting one of those!

[bargainqueen]

When you check in at an hotel and at some car hire companies they will insist on taking an imprint of your credit card This is to protect themselves if you incurr extra charges ie telephone calls, room service etc which is normally charged to your room. For a hire car you pay by the amount of days ie 14 and the hire starts from the time you arrive at the booking desk (the time will be stamped on the form). You must bring back the car around the same time 14 days later ideally a little before as it can take some time to check the car back in. If you arrive back later than the stated time you stand the chance of being charged an extra days car hire.

I'm not sure if a debit card is exceptable but as it has a visa logo hopefully there won't be any problem.

I've always used a credit card whenever I've been asked and recently I've used this site and haven't had to show it.

[E. Cosgrove]

As Shirley says, if you hire from this site and use the gold option you will not need a cc.
It is excellent value and while others may seem less expensive on the surface there may be lots of hidden costs.

If you really don't want to use a cc then as long as your debit card has the visa logo and there is money in the account there should not be a problem.

[hempfiltered]

Thanks for the responses.
I think i was just panicing about needing a credit card as upon looking at the websites again i noticed that this may not be the case.
The car rental says a visa debit card is acceptable and the hotel simply require it as a deposit which you can pay in cash as an alternative.

[flyrr100]

Here's a good tip. Most credit card companies here offer free insurance when you use your platinum card to rent a car. That'll save you hundreds of $$$$$$.
When you rent a car and dont take the extra insurance all you have is liability. That means if you wreck the car you are paying for the repairs. Also check with your personal car insurance to see if they cover you when renting. Mine does.
Most US rental car companies won't take debit cards. You'll been a fully fledged credit card! MC, VISA, Amex, or Discovery usually work.
If you want a cheap rental car check priceline's 'name your own price' service. I've had a full size through Avis for $15 a day.

[ncmurray]

I think that if at all possible, you should try to get a credit card. My neice was over with us and had a little bit of trouble with her Visa debit card. She left her car rental until the day before travel!, and Dollar wouldn't accept her card. While she was flying, I was left to frantically try to sort it out (thanks again to Roger!), and pay for it using a credit card. All was fine in the end, but it may avoid some stress if you could get yourselves a credit card. If you are worried about exceeding your credit limit while in Florida (easily done, as the shopping is fantastic!), you could try putting cash into your credit card account before you travel.

Have a great time.

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flyrr100
Here's a good tip. Most credit card companies here offer free insurance when you use your platinum card to rent a car. That'll save you hundreds of $$$$$$.
When you rent a car and dont take the extra insurance all you have is liability. That means if you wreck the car you are paying for the repairs. Also check with your personal car insurance to see if they cover you when renting. Mine does.
Most US rental car companies won't take debit cards. You'll been a fully fledged credit card! MC, VISA, Amex, or Discovery usually work.
If you want a cheap rental car check priceline's 'name your own price' service. I've had a full size through Avis for $15 a day.
[/quote]I don't think you'll find this works with UK credit cards - even if you do have the 'right' type of card and that sort of insurance, you usually can't get the car rental company to accept the insurance.

This is why the forum car rental site includes all the insurances, taxes, etc, etc in the price. Then you don't have to worry about anything and there are no hassles as it's all covered on your voucher.

[florida4sun]

Its a bit iffy as the car rental company can and will charge you for loss of revenue. I remember checking on this when we lived there and this can be quite consideerable at rack rates. Alos some cards will only insure you for a rental if your own car is in for a repair and you need to rent because of this. The cover is usually financially limited too (unless things ahve changed).

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flyrr100
Here's a good tip. Most credit card companies here offer free insurance when you use your platinum card to rent a car. That'll save you hundreds of $$$$$$.
When you rent a car and dont take the extra insurance all you have is liability. That means if you wreck the car you are paying for the repairs. Also check with your personal car insurance to see if they cover you when renting. Mine does.
Most US rental car companies won't take debit cards. You'll been a fully fledged credit card! MC, VISA, Amex, or Discovery usually work.
If you want a cheap rental car check priceline's 'name your own price' service. I've had a full size through Avis for $15 a day.

[/quote]