Need Advice... :(

[johnt]

My wife and I have worked out that if we save about a hundred pounds a month between us from now till August (up for a challange)then we should be able to afford a few days abroad.

I'd like to hire a car from an agent such as budget rent a car or Avis.

The problem is we neither have credit cards, and you need one for payment and confirmation of identity. Paying cash in full is not an option, even if you have the money.

So what to do. Asking someone else to pay on there card is no good. Both firms insist your the card holder. Pre-paid cards are no good as well. Am I totally stuck?

[jandc]

I think you are. I know a few places locally take a debit card. You might be able to ask them if you could put a cash deposit down instead of them taking card details. The only reason they do that is if you smash the car up they can take their insurance excess etc.. You can only but ask if they would take a cash deposit or a debit card. If not, it sounds like you might be a little stuck!xx

[luluj]

On the buses it seems then ....... we were in Cyprus last year and all the car rental companies wanted was a credit card payment - we could not get through any of them - in the end we used the public transport - ok it took longer, but it was an experience and a hell of a lot cheaper - just think what you could do with the money you saved from renting a car - we had a great holiday - cheap and cheerful, but at least we had comfort from knowing it was all paid for upfront and no credit card bills to come back to .

Lulu

[johnt]

may have found a solution. I phoned a company called Carhire3000. They can do a deal with a local AVIS rental on the day who will take a payment on your debit card, but there is a higher excess fee and road tax of 300 Euros. All the booking and flight information have to be seen in advance with a passport as well. The lady I spoke too at Carhire was extremely friendly and helpfull.

I've been researching posts elsewhere about them, and it seems they have a bit of a reputation for being one of the very few major car hire firms who can do this, and have helped a number of people out all ready.

Not ideal, but I can borry the extra money from my family and then pay them straight back as soon as the excess is returned.

[cr15py]

I remember going on holiday to Thassos in Greece in July 2005, and the buses there were actually not too bad! If anyone is fancying a holiday, then it is one place I can definitely recommend!

Chris

Visit my blog at http://cr15py.blogs.iva.co.uk

1 down, 59 to go!!

[Adam Davies]

Hi
Why are pre paid cards no good ?
Something like the cashplus card is a pre paid mastercard [www.mycashplus.co.uk] and I have used this for my own car hire,as I am currently on holiday in Florida,with no problems
Regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson and Website Manager

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp

[Skippy]

I think Cashplus is the only card that you can hire a car with Andy. When I looked into applying for one it said on the website that you can have the car hire facility activated when you have been using the card for a while. They may do it automatically when you have a good history with them.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[Adam Davies]

Hi
I think that it pays to pay for the car hire before you arrive as part of your holiday package and go for the all inclusive price.You are then left to pay your fuel charge only and any extra fees that you incur whilst driving.
Last year I even paid the fuel upfront and did not have to produce a card when picking the vehicle up.
Regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson and Website Manager

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp