# Getting a credit card so I can rent vehicles? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 10, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364 "2023-08-10T14:57:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/1 "2023-08-10T14:57:34Z")
I haven’t had a credit card, or any kind of loan, in many years. I’m retired and have lots of assets. But I hear it is difficult to rent a car or other vehicles such as an RV if you don’t have one. I do use debit cards and have plenty of money in the checking accounts they tap. Is it true not having a credit card makes vehicle rental difficult, or often impossible? I don’t actually want to spend money from a credit card account. I could spend for example a vehicle rental (I’d immediately pay it back), but I don’t even actually want to do that unless necessary. I don’t know my credit score. I checked my 3 credit reports and they don’t show any negatives, but, then, they don’t show any lenders making money on me, either. I was thinking of asking my financial management company for a card, or else a bank where I have lots of money deposited. Am I right to anticipate I should have no problem getting a card? How big a line of credit do vehicle rental companies need to see before giving me a vehicle? Or do they even know? It’s weird – maybe 10 years ago I had to rent a car, and had to have my spouse come with me and use her credit card. She owed a lot and was nearly at her limit on the card, and my VISA debit card was attached to a checking account with many thousands in it, but they would only accept her card and not mine. I don’t understand. Soooo… what advice have the Dopers to share? Thank you!! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/2 "2023-08-10T15:05:12Z")
The purpose of the credit card is to serve as a kind of deposit against incidental and/or real damage. They ultimately don’t really care how you pay for the rental, but they need some sort of collateral against their property they are loaning you other than the rental fee. Just get a card from your bank with a relatively low limit, like $2500. When you rent a car they put a hold on the card for a few hundred dollars that is “released” when you return the car. Unless they have a legit reason to, they should not actually charge anything unless you opt to pay with that card. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/3 "2023-08-10T15:09:27Z")
I have rented cars (recently) without using a credit card. I had to pay a reasonable deposit ($200-$300) which was returned a few days after I returned the vehicle. It will depend on the rental agency, though; Enterprise would not do so without a credit card, but the rental agency across the street had no problems with it. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/4 "2023-08-10T15:11:38Z")
Do you have a mortgage? That should help you get a credit card. If you truly have had no debt of any kind for years, you basically don’t have established credit. I would say by all means go to those financial institutions who already know you (and are already making money off of you) to get the best deal on a credit card. Once you have the card, use it regularly. It doesn’t have to be large purchases or a lot of purchases or a lot of money, just establish a pattern of incurring debt and then paying it off. Pro tip\* – your purchases accumulate during the credit card’s billing period and then once a month the billing period ends, and after that you have 3 to 4 weeks to make your payment. The tip is to always pay it off right after the billing period ends, and don’t wait for your payment deadline. Your credit score will improve faster if you do that. I don’t know if car rental companies still absolutely require a credit card. They might have an alternative where you can post a bond of some sort, against which damage charges could be drawn if the car is damaged. Or prove to them that you have impeccable car insurance that would cover all damages. That’s what they’re really worried about, is damage to or loss of the car. \*Not really a pro, but I have proved this to my own satisfaction in the past couple of years on my own credit card account. eta: ninja’s twice, and with better information. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/5 "2023-08-10T15:19:41Z")
Generally speaking, you can find lots of links on Google telling you that you should have and be using a credit card in almost every situation. - Fraud - you’re better protected with a credit card. You are potentially on the hook for more with a debit card and what the crooks grab comes out of your cash instead of your credit line. If you needed that cash to pay bills, you will probably get it back, but it’s gone until the bank has resolved the issue. - Consumer protection - if something goes wrong with a transaction, you can dispute the charge on a credit card. On a debit card, the money’s gone Think about that rental car situation. Suppose something goes wrong with the deal; the car gets stolen, busted up in an accident, whatever. The rental company can lock up your cash for an uncomfortably long period of time while you argue with them if you used a debit card. They can certainly block funds on the credit card, but you can still pay your bills while you’re ironing out the situation. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/6 "2023-08-10T15:24:30Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > I do use debit cards Does your debit card have the Visa or MC logo? Many debit cards can also act as credit cards. If yours is like that, many rental companies will allow you to rent using your debit card. For example: > **[How to Pay for Your Car Rental](https://www.hertz.com/us/en/blog/resources/how-to-pay-for-your-car-rental)** > > Renting a car and wanting to know the valid payment methods? Find out your options, from credit and debit card to car rental payment plans. > [@](#): > > If you choose to rent a car with Hertz using a debit card, it’s essential to ensure that your card bears the Visa, MasterCard, or Discover logo. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/7 "2023-08-10T17:09:07Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > I had to pay a reasonable deposit ($200-$300) which was returned a few days after I returned the vehicle. I wouldn’t mind that at all. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Do you have a mortgage? That should help you get a credit card. > > If you truly have had no debt of any kind for years, you basically don’t have established credit. I have had mortgages, car loans, and credit cards, but all paid off years ago. I think maybe things age out of credit reports after 7 years? > [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > you can find lots of links on Google telling you that you should have and be using a credit card in almost every situation Yikes! Well, maybe that’s my bigger problem… > [@filmore](#): > > Does your debit card have the Visa or MC logo? Many debit cards can also act as credit cards. I have MC and Visa logos on my debit cards, but don’t know if they can also act as credit cards. I guess I should call my banks to find out. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/8 "2023-08-10T17:16:27Z")
Best solution is to get a credit card, in addition to your debit card. Your bank should be able and will love to issue you one (they get the merchant fees, when you use it). Use it every month for a fill up at the gas station or something trivial, and pay it off monthly. This will help you maintain a credit rating, in case you may need it someday. (options are valuable, and this one doesn’t cost you anything other than the time to think about using that credit card each month at the gas station and remember to pay it off each month). Then you have a viable credit card you can easily use and without hassle to rent a vehicle every once in a while. Benefits to you: You have an established credit rating, that you may need in the future and you get a no hassle means of renting vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/9 "2023-08-10T17:30:09Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > I have MC and Visa logos on my debit cards, but don’t know if they can also act as credit cards. No, they don’t act as credit cards. In my experience, car rental agencies have long required credit cards. A poster upthread mentioned being able to rent one without, but I’m sure this is rare, particularly these days when virtually everyone has one. > [@Napier](#): > > > [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > > > you can find lots of links on Google telling you that you should have and be using a credit card in almost every situation > > Yikes! Well, maybe that’s my bigger problem… Yes, IMHO you have the wrong attitude about credit cards. Your avoidance of debt is commendable. but you shouldn’t think of credit cards as debt. They’re an exceptionally convenient and secure way to make purchases, they help to bolster your credit rating, and many of them offer rewards like air miles or cash back – all while costing very little or nothing if you pay your bills on time. Premium cards like Visa Infinite do have a small annual fee, but **[also come with additional benefits](https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/what-is-visa-infinite)**. I would approach a bank where you do most of your business and where they know you and solicit their help. This might yield better results than just sending in an application. It’s likely that in your special circumstances you’d qualify for a premium card even without a strong borrowing history. Nothing wrong with a card with a high credit limit, either – it’s no risk to you, it helps your credit score, and it may come in handy in an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/10 "2023-08-10T19:04:36Z")
Don’t try to use a debit card !!! I tried to hire a car in December, entered all details, paid with debit card, got confirmation email, walked 2 miles across town only to be told that i couldn’t take the car as my card “could not be validated”. Found out a few weeks later that they had withdrawn the money anyway, and it took 6 months to get it back. Bastards. ETA: I’m in the UK, YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/11 "2023-08-10T19:30:17Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > I don’t actually want to spend money from a credit card account. I could spend for example a vehicle rental (I’d immediately pay it back), but I don’t even actually want to do that unless necessary. > > I don’t know my credit score. I checked my 3 credit reports and they don’t show any negatives, but, then, they don’t show any lenders making money on me, either. I haven’t paid a penny on credit card fees or interest for over 40 years, and I have gotten thousands of dollars back from Discover. If you pay on time and pick the right cards, it is a way of getting money from the system, not paying into it. Besides rental car companies, many hotels these days require a card as a deposit even if the room is being paid for by someone else, like my conference. Having one makes life easier. I’m surprised that your credit reports did not have a credit score on them, but there are plenty of places to get it for free. I know the news talks about all the people with credit card debt, but it isn’t necessary to run up, and you are leaving money on the table. And, as mentioned, putting yourself at risk by using an unprotected debit card. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/12 "2023-08-10T20:10:36Z")
Slight nit - around here most of the gas stations charge more for credit, between 6-15¢ / gal. Substitute grocery store for gas station & you’ve given sound advice ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/13 "2023-08-10T20:35:49Z")
Think about it this way - when you carry your debit card in your wallet you have your whole bank account in your wallet. When you give it to someone to pay with it, you’re handing them your whole bank account. When you just carry a credit card, it’s someone else’s money. You get to borrow their money interest-free for 30-60 days and you make one payment to pay them back. And then yeah on top of that they will give you a 1%-5% credit on purchases. Unless you can’t be trusted to properly use a CC, there’s no reason not to use one. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/14 "2023-08-10T20:52:54Z")
I don’t if this is standard, but I have arranged with my bank that they pay off the CC debt from my bank account on the due date every month, so I don’t even have to worry about missing a payment. I don’t know what’s in it for them; the merchant fees I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/15 "2023-08-10T21:01:02Z")
I think it is generally worthwhile to have one credit card. There are many, many choices out there so finding one that works for you (any “you”) should be relatively easy. Annual fees, perks and so on. Some credit cards will cancel the card if you never charge anything to it…some seem not to care. Something to keep in mind. Thing is, these days, they can be massively useful. And having one that you pay off will probably enhance your credit rating. There is little downside to having on unless you do not pay your bills. And given the OP’s description, I think they’d be fine. In some cases they are more safe than a debit card. Credit cards have theft protection that most debit cards do not. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/16 "2023-08-10T21:11:04Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Think about it this way - when you carry your debit card in your wallet you have your whole bank account in your wallet. When you give it to someone to pay with it, you’re handing them your whole bank account. When you just carry a credit card, it’s someone else’s money. You get to borrow their money interest-free for 30-60 days and you make one payment to pay them back. And then yeah on top of that they will give you a 1%-5% credit on purchases. > > Unless you can’t be trusted to properly use a CC, there’s no reason not to use one. This is good advice, and well said. I love credit cards and their benefits. By way of example, one of my credit cards was a premium card that gave air miles points – and still does – and has now become Visa Infinite. I’ve accumulated enough air miles on that card alone for multiple business-class flights that I and the family have taken over the years, as well as free products like a Sony flat-screen TV and an Apple iPad. It currently has a credit limit sufficient not just to rent a car, but to freaking _ **buy** _ a new car. I don’t consider that any kind of risk because of laws that severely limit a cardholder’s liability, which is usually zero – provided only that you notice and dispute any fraudulent transaction. Ironically, the very few transactions I’ve ever had to dispute occurred on my garden-variety ordinary card and not the premium one. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/17 "2023-08-10T21:28:13Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I have arranged with my bank that they pay off the CC debt from my bank account on the due date every month My CC is not at all affiliated with my bank, and I have set my CC to draw the funds from my checking account to pay off my balance each month. My bank realizes no gain from this transaction. To the OP: I have also set my various bills (utilities, cell phone, cable TV, etc) to be charged to my CC each month. As I said, the balance is automatically paid, so I do virtually nothing and I realize the cashback benefits from my CC. I get 2% cashback on all transactions, which can be significant. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/18 "2023-08-10T22:33:14Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > arranged with my bank that they pay off the CC debt from my bank account on the due date every month WOW! That’s the ticket. That takes care of everything! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/19 "2023-08-10T22:39:20Z")
Actually, just to help us slower readers, why do banks offer credit cards? I mean, how are they going to make money? If I find a card with no annual fee, cashback, and I’ve arranged for it to automatically be paid off every month, are they basically just losing money on me and hoping I don’t stick to my plan? What’s their motivation to keep me as a customer? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364/20 "2023-08-10T22:43:08Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I haven’t paid a penny on credit card fees or interest for over 40 years, and I have gotten thousands of dollars back from Discover. Everything is covered. I’ll just second this. I get thousands in rewards from my Kroger card. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-credit-card-so-i-can-rent-vehicles/988364.md?page=2)