Do you need to rent a car without using a credit card? Today it is possible, even if using one is always the easiest and fastest way; many rental companies will allow you to pay by alternative methods, such as with a debit card, but the process will take longer and you will need to verify your identity by providing more extensive documentation.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Debit Card
Step 1. Present your debit card
If you have a checking account but not a credit card, you have probably been provided with this different electronic payment method (also called, improperly, ATM). Most airlines accept these cards, but at the cost of a longer rental process.
- Debit cards work in a very similar way to credit cards, with the only difference that the charges are charged at the time of the transaction and not subsequently (it is not the bank that advances the money, so there is no " credit "to the account holder); it is because of this that rental companies tend to complicate procedures.
- Check which payment circuits are accepted. In some cases you will be able to use debit cards only belonging to some particular circuits; the most common are PagoBancomat, Visa and MasterCard.
- Not all types of cards are accepted: prepaid cards (or cards not linked to a bank account) are often rejected.
Step 2. Provide additional documents
To avoid wasting time, it would be better to have more extensive documentation ready, as you may need some more documents to be able to pay with a debit card; you should already be prepared for when they will ask you to confirm your identity in various ways.
- You will probably have to show your car insurance details, plane tickets or a recent bill from your home; expect them to ask you for more than any of these documents.
- You must always be the owner of the additional documentation.
- Maybe you won't get one of the best cars without a credit card: they probably won't let you rent a luxury car or SUV.
Step 3. Expect them to check your credit score
Many companies accept this method of payment, but only after having carried out checks on your behavior in the case of past loans and mortgages: if you have not been punctual in payments or have had financial problems, they may refuse the rental.
- This means that they will check your score and your credit history, without allowing you to rent a car if they do not meet their minimum parameters; In fact, companies need the security of being able to recover expenses, in case there is some costly problem with the machine they are about to entrust to you.
- Some companies will allow you to pay at the end of the contract using a debit card, even if your credit score is low; however, they will also require a credit card to grant you the car.
- If your credit history is good you shouldn't have any problems, although your score may deteriorate after the company report.
Step 4. Prepare for further obstacles
Some additional steps may be required, so expect to take longer than normal to finalize the contract and payment.
- The company may ask you to purchase additional insurance provided by them.
- The payment process may take longer, as they will have to check your available balance, insurance and your personal data.
- Rental companies prefer to deal with customers who have a credit card, so they tend to make the process more complicated with other methods; they may ask you to confirm your identity, sometimes even requiring various different proofs.
Step 5. Expect them to request a pre-authorization
The company could accept a debit card but proceed with some checks anyway, asking for confirmation of the presence of a certain amount in your current account and blocking it until the end of the contract: make sure you have a good financial availability.
- This deposit (which could be more than € 200) will remain blocked until you return the car; all this time you will not be able to use that money in any way.
- The block for pre-authorization could last up to 14 days, so you will need to have enough remaining money to cover both the rental cost and the amount blocked.
- In some busy offices, companies may not accept debit cards at all; other companies will only accept this payment method at other less central agencies.
Step 6. Use a reloadable card, check or money order
Sometimes, but not always, you will be able to use a prepaid card and not just a card linked to a checking account.
- In some cases the companies accept a prepaid only for the final payment, while they require a “traditional” credit or debit card to enter into the contract.
- You may also be able to use a check when returning the car; some companies also accept a money order. However, these are rare cases, so check ahead.
- Some companies will ask you for a cash deposit before accepting your debit card.
Method 2 of 3: Pay with Cash
Step 1. Pay for the rental in cash
You will have to ask for information before leaving, as this payment is not accepted in all cases, while other times you can use cash only for the final balance, paying the deposit with an electronic card.
- However, you will be able to find independent rentals, or companies that cater to this type of clientele, that accept cash.
- For example, Italia Rent provides the service with a cash deposit.
- Look for other local companies that offer a similar service, as these are often independent offices and not linked to large chains.
Step 2. Prove your identity
If you want to pay in cash you will have to prepare to confirm your details, because you will probably be asked for various documents: rental companies will need good documentation before providing you with a car.
- Certificates of your insurance, travel itinerary and various documents confirming your identity, such as your driving license, may be required.
- It may happen that the car models available to you are in a smaller number and that, in many cases, there is no possibility to authorize more than one driver.
- Some companies will ask you to show a domestic bill showing your name, address and phone number; in other cases you will still need to present a credit or debit card as a guarantee.
Step 3. Pay the deposit
You will need to have additional funds available, as you will most likely have to pay a larger deposit.
- Often an additional security deposit is required and, at times, a verification of your credit history may be required.
- The deposit can also reach amounts exceeding € 300; ask the company you intend to contact for more precise information, because there are no general rules.
- The deposit will be returned to you when you return the car without any damage, often via a non-transferable check that will be sent to your home.
Method 3 of 3: Renting a Car with a Card of Others
Step 1. Use another person's credit card
Some companies will allow you to pay with the same card (not yours) that you used to confirm the booking, but not all. You could borrow a friend's or family member's card and pay them back in cash.
- Some companies always require the card holder to be the same person who enters into the rental agreement.
- Clearly you will need to have permission from the cardholder before proceeding, so you could ask a trusted person for help and commit to repaying the debt immediately.
Step 2. Conduct research
Not all companies allow you to act in this way, so you will have to look for a company that gives you the opportunity to use someone else's card to rent a vehicle, without requiring the same person to take possession of the car. Smaller local agencies or agencies targeting a lower end of the market may have less stringent regulations, so look for someone to offer you this option.
- Don't think that all societies behave the same way; check the terms of service, call and ask for information.
- You may find a small agency that accepts other people's cash or credit cards; large companies hardly allow you to pay this way, so do some research.
Step 3. Give up and apply for your credit card
Some people have the option of obtaining a card, but they do not do so in order not to incur additional licensing fees; if you are planning to rent a car, however, having your own credit card will greatly simplify the process.
- You can always set aside some money to pay the additional expenses immediately; Most companies will always ask you for a card, be it debit or credit, before granting you a car.
- Consider their point of view: you're asking them to let you drive one of their cars, which are all quite expensive, so they want to be sure you get it back intact (or at least know who you are, in case you don't.).
- Improve your credit score; maybe you have too low a score to have a card, or maybe you already have it but it is not accepted for this: pay off the debts and make sure you do not accumulate too many in the future.
Advice
- Always make sure you have enough money in your checking account, so that you can cover the pre-authorization block by keeping a good reserve to draw from, in case of unforeseen needs.
- Some companies require full insurance coverage for those who want to rent a car without providing a credit card.
- If you have a credit card, it's best to keep it handy in case you need it, for example if you have a bad credit report to use other methods.
- In some countries it may be impossible to rent a car with alternative payments.
- Although some companies allow customers to pay in cash, this will often only be possible for the final balance when the vehicle is returned; a credit or debit card may still be required to reserve and take possession of the car.
Warnings
- In most cases, you will not be able to use another person's card, despite having their permission.
- You will probably not be able to rent an SUV or special vehicle without providing a credit card.
