Mrs. Rastahomie and I are planning to take a vacation in the fall. We don’t have a credit card and aren’t likely to get one (credit problems in the past). Things like reserving hotel rooms, securing a rental car, and buying airline tix are starting to look rather difficult.
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Can mammarasta use her credit card to buy my and Mrs. Rastahomie’s ariline tix, what with September 11th and all? If not, can I walk up to the counter at my airport and pay cash, what with September 11th and all (I would do this well in advance of the date of travel)?
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Can I use mammarasta’s credit card to reserve the hotel room, but then send the hotel a check for the cost of my stay before I check in? Would they still require a credit card imprint upon check-in, presumably to cover phone charges, etc.? Can’t they just turn off the phone?
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Can I use mammarasta’s credit card to reserve the rental car, but then send the rental car company a check for the cost of my car before I get the keys? Would they still require a credit card imprint upon check-in, presumably to cover damages, etc.? Would they require some ridiculously high cash deposit?
TIA
In the past I was not allowed to rent a car using someone else’s credit card. Three different rental car companies told me I couldn’t.
Mammarasta can make you an authorized user of her charge card by calling. The company will send a card with your name on it but it charges to her account. The account will even go on your credit report if she gives them your SSN. That might help build your credit back up a bit. It usually only takes a few days to get the new card.
If mammarasta doesn’t mind you using her card that is what I would advise doing. Then you can use it just like your own card and no one will question it.
InConceivable has what’s probably the best solution. Another option might be a secured credit card that you’d use for the credit essentials.
We tried living without credit cards for a while and it is possible but VERY inconvenient. And I suspect, as you do, that it is more difficult after 9/11 than it was when we tried it.
Hotels will usually accept cash but, unless you give them a certain amount in excess of the room rent in advance, you are limited in the services you can use - long distance calls, etc. and any room service must be paid in cash.
Car rental is also a hassle without a credit card.
Another current thread decries the use of credit cards, but if used wisely, they make life much easier. Even years ago when we were trying to avoid them, we were viewed with a certain amount of suspicion - it must be much worse now.
There are many banks offering secured cards. Interest rates are very high on unpaid balances, but if used only when necessary and paid off promptly, they can make your life - and especially your travels - much easier.
I’ve traveled with a debit card from my bank, and not had problems. (Mind you, this was pre-9/11/01, but still.) Get one of these, basically an ATM card with a credit card logo that lets you use it to debit money directly out of your checking account. It’s accepted at the same places a credit card is and is used in the same manner, except that the money is withdrawn instantly and thus you have to have a sufficient balance to cover your purchase.
The only time I’ve seen it treated differently was when renting a car; I was told I had to have a certain extra amount ($500, perhaps) as a ‘security deposit’. Fortunately, I did.
Another handy use is when traveling in foreign countries that have handy ATMs - put your debit card into the ATM and get foreign currency at an excellent exchange rate, rather than dealing with a currency exchange.
I don’t know if these exist in the States, but in these parts it’s possible to get a debit card that has a big fat VISA logo on it. Since it’s a debit card, and you can only use it against what you already have in the bank, they’re not nearly as picky about credit as credit cards. But since it has the logo on it, you can use it for renting cars and whatnot and the clerks won’t bat an eyelash. Is that a possibility for you? (Rhetorical question, you don’t need to answer.)
I just wanted to chime in and say that they WILL let you use one of those little “VISA Debit” cards for reserving air travel, hotels, etc.
However, out of several rental car agencies I’ve seen, NONE will permit a person holding only a VISA Debit card to rent a vehicle. At least one, however, was willing to accept payment on a VISA Debit card.
I just wanted to chime in and say that they WILL let you use one of those little “VISA Debit” cards for reserving air travel, hotels, etc.
However, out of several rental car agencies I’ve seen, NONE will permit a person holding only a VISA Debit card to rent a vehicle. At least one, however, was willing to accept payment on a VISA Debit card.
When I forgot to take any other cards with me, I was able to rent a car (a Chrysler Sebring convertible, no less) at a Thrifty with just a debit card, but again, I had more than sufficient funds in the account to manage the extra security fee, which was $500.
Call around and see what the various agencies tell you, and if possible, see if you can get a card on rastamamma’s account. It’ll be very helpful.
I agree with everything said, but must add that it should be no problem to have someone else buy the plane tickets for you.
The airlines care about who’s flying, not who pays for the ticket. Just have the tickets made in your names, and you’re set.
Also, cash is accepted for airline tickets. It may put you on the list for additional screening, but that’s it.
I would like to chime in AGAINST using a debit card when you travel. Your issuing bank will advise against using your debit card for travel. It is not a good idea. I cannot tell you how many people have bounced checks because they used their debit card at check in at the hotel and then paid by cash or other method at check out. We still had to approve the debit card for the full amount of the stay. Unless you have thousands in your account and can afford dollars tied up for 5-7 days for funds to be released, it’s just not a good idea to use debit cards.
OK Thanks for all the help so far.
On secured cards: supposing I deposit $1000 into my account at the issuing bank, and run up $900 in charges. Can I just tell them to pay the bill off using the money in my account, thus leaving me with $100 in available credit?
Also, if I get my own card on mammarasta’s account… Can I still pay for my hotel/rental car in advance of actually using them? IOW, can I check into the Cecil Adams Inn and Suites having already paid in advance for my three nights, and just use the card for check-in/deposit? This same question applies to rental cars, too.
TIA
You don’t usually HAVE to give a credit card number when reserving the car (over the ph; the Internet might be different) but you need to present one upon picking up the car - and they won’t let you use someone else’s card unless that person is with you. That person doesn’t have to be the renter of the car - i.e., you can sign the rental contract - but you can’t provide a third party’s CC# without that person being present. You can’t PAY for the final rental charges before you ever get the car because neither you nor the rental company knows what those charges are going to be, exactly, until you return the car.
A hotel will take a card - anybody’s card - as a guarantee against a no-show. When you get there, you don’t have to give them that same card for the imprint but I think they normally want some kind of card - but if you don’t have one, what are they going to do? Just look them in the eye and say you don’t have one. They’re not going to cancel your reservation. They will probably ask you to pay for at least the 3-nights of room up front, and will hope you don’t rack up any other charges that you can’t cover.
If you want to completely pay for your 3 nights before you ever get there, they will still ask for a card to imprint because you might use the minibar or phone. But if you have paid for your whole stay, and you don’t spend anything, then they won’t put any charge on your card upon check-out.