CREDIT CARD - DO I NEED ONE?

[welch9]

Just realised that I may have messed up when I booked my car hire thru uscarhire.co.uk. I am the lead driver, but I dont have a credit card with a sufficent limit on it as I owe a bit of money on it. How does it work, do they charge a sum to it which I will get back on return. I am off with Alamo and how much do they charge to it, or do they not charge anything to it at all.

My mother is travelling also but she will never drive over there at all, and as im the lead name I guess she cant use her credit card as securrity.


I am doing all of the driving.

[lafifille]

Best thing to do is to send an email to uscarhire, they're really good at answering fastly and efficient.
I think you need a certain amount of money ($500?) available on your CC, which they supposedly freeze but don't actually charge. Don't take my word for it, I'm no specialist, I've never really paid attention and don't quite understand how they can do that (but never had any problems nor unexplained charges either ).
If you went for Gold, you're entitled several drivers, there's no problem putting your Mom as lead driver and you as secondary, even if she never gets behind the wheel, just give them both "drivers" information to put on the contract. You will probably have to cancel and book again though, I doubt Uscarhire can change name and CC details on an existing reservation.

[Lyn]

We always use Alamo through uscarhire, Alamo will swipe you credit card and if you have booked the silver option they will charge you for a tank of fuel approx $40 depending on car plus approx $14 which an airport tax. These charges are not activated until you return the car at the end of your holiday.
As long as your mum has a driving licence she could be entered as a driver, she does not need to drive. I am always put down as a driver (just in case) but in all the times we have been to the US I have never driven. (Hubby is such a back seat driver that I never drive here if he is in the car)