4 ms·
They can charge more on the credit card later if necessary (like if the car is kept too long or is damaged), whereas they cannot charge more on the debit card a
by CydeWeys 5y ago
They can charge more on the credit card later if necessary (like if the car is kept too long or is damaged), whereas they cannot charge more on the debit card as it was authorized only that one time using the PIN.
- samus 5y agoThey could think about a deposit and reserve that amount on the debit card, then remove that reservation if everything is fine. Depends on legislative environment of course: this likely won't fly if they would be stuck with fines and unpaid parking tickets after a renter left.
- smsm42 5y agoNobody would pay a deposit of the size that's enough to cover a damaged car. Car damage is very expensive (a simple fender-bender can run four figures), and people would be reluctant to lock up thousands of dollars to facilitate a 100 dollar rental.
- CaptainZapp 5y agoActually it's very much the norm to block a retainer on the card when you rent a car in most of Europe. The amount can vary depending on the rental company, the type of car and - obviously - the location and is usually an amount between 1'000 and 3'000 Euro. It's usually the amount of the deductible if you break the car. Some hotels will do that too. The amount is released after you return the car, but during the time of rental it's deducted from your card limit. E: clarification
- smsm42 5y ago3000 Euro just to rent a car? That doesn't sound very practical. In fact, I've rented in Europe and I don't remember ever paying any deposits like that. That'd definitely block any other operation on the card, I didn't have very high limits back then - I'd remember something like that.