rental car without a credit card

DON'T ask us !!! Check directly with the rental car agency. They are the ones who get to decide that question -- not anyone here.

You can, but the problem is that once you pick up the car a hold of several hundred dollars will be placed on your checking account until you return the car. This hold is supposed to be released immediately after you return it, but it typically takes a few days. Thus, unless you have A LOT of money in checking, you could run into some cash flow problems. When you use a regular credit card the hold is placed on your credit limit. Same deal for hotels. If at all possible use a regular credit card.

I do not use or have a regular credit card and I didn't realize I would have that problem. Putting a hold on my debit card would not be a problem but both hertz and autoeurope told me that they would not accept a debit card. I am just trying to find out if there is a rental company will accept my debit card or even a cash deposit.

Yeah.... You want a credit card.

Use your credit card. Some credit cards provide cdw insurance which can save you money. Also, if you have a dispute with the car rental company you may have some leverage with the credit card company assisting you with the dispute. With a debit card you have none.

Tracy, another factor here is that rental agencies often only offer their smallest, least expensive cars under "cash only" rentals. This may not be a problem for you, but it is something I know for a fact.

Tracy ,, um, just get a credit card. You don't have to use it,, just get one for stuff like this .

I have never owned a credit card and I rented cars (as well everything else) with debit card (that has VISA symbol on it) seveal times in France, Italy, Brussels, Ireland, and the U.S. I usually use Hertz or Budget, and some local ones. Most recently 1 month ago. Ok, I don't tell them that it is a debit card I just give it to them, and they run it.

I rented in Hawaii once without a credit card but they wanted a lot of cash up front and probably only did it because I was an Air Force officer. Better to have a credit card for rental cars and as a back up in case something happens to your debit card.

I agree that a credit card is the best way to go, but some people don't have, or can't get, credit cards. In that case, as Trotro said, a debit card should work (particularly if you don't tell them it's not a credit card). But other posters are right, too, when they say they may "set aside" a big chunk of money from your account until you return the car. If you have no credit card, though, it might be your only option.