If you’re about to hit the road, but discover your own car just isn’t up for the trip, or you’re flying somewhere first, you’re going to need to rent a car. But what if you don’t have a credit card? You’ve heard that you have to have one in order to rent a car, but is that true?
Renting a Car Without a Credit Card
While most companies do you require you to have a credit card to rent a vehicle, there are some tips and tricks to get around that annoying little piece of plastic.
1. Have Enough Cash in the Bank
If you don’t have a credit card, but do have a debit card, you may be able to rent with the debit card, if you have a certain amount of money in the bank account linked to the card.
The amount of money you’ll need in the account will vary from company to company, and possibly car to car, but you should expect that the rental company could put up to a $350 hold on your account, along with the full rental price for the car.
2. You Must be the Driver
Most of the time, rental companies require the renter to be the driver of the car. That means your mom and dad can’t rent a car for your road trip with your pals for spring break. You’re going to need to get the rental out in your name, on your debit card.
3. You Might Be Able to Pay Cash Upfront
Some select locations at rental companies will allow someone to rent a car with cash up-front. However, most of these sites require a round-trip airline ticket indicating that the renter is not only from out of town, but will be returning home or to a different location with a specific end-date to the visit.
Or, if someone is locally renting the car, that person might be able to pay cash if they present forms of identification apart from a driver’s license. Proof of address is the main focus for these, so be prepared to show utility bills, a pay stub, or even your lease.
Exotic Cars Rental Options
The average car rental place will not carry exotic cars, just like a bookstore isn’t going to carry a first edition of Birds of America by Audobon. Works of art aren’t handed out to just anybody to destroy.
But there are specialty places that cater to a particular audience and make supercars like Ferraris and Aston Martins available to people for rental. Some places like Enterprise also have a collection of high-end exotic cars for rental available as well, though these will be more limited than companies who specialize in supercars.
Remember When You Rent
When you rent a high-end car like a Maserati, you’re going to have different expectations from a exotic cars rental company than a budget car rental company. For example, you will definitely have a credit check. You will also need a clean driving record, and will have a large hold on your bank account.
But even if you’re renting a basic Chevy Sedan, you’re still going to go through a series of hoops if you’re renting without a credit card.
