Originally Posted by BugsyPal

*Update*

Got on the phone with EC CS to see what is the deal, and apparently things have changed but vary by location.

The official line is that National still only places CC holds equal to the total cost of rental. However, and this varies by location, an additional fee/hold is now added at some locations. Obviously did not make the nice CS rep check very single National location in the USA and worldwide but here is a sampling.

It seems here in NYC all the locations in Manhattan, and the one in Brooklyn are now charging an additional $250 deposit on top of the credit card hold for total rental. LGA charges the same but only for renters who did *NOT* fly into the airport. So if you are someone (like me) who goes out to LGA to pick-up a vehicle then you'll likely be subject to the new hold requirement.

Asked the nice CS rep to check one other location at random, and we got Detroit, MI. That location adds and additional *$300* (again according to CS rep) hold on top of total cost of rental.

Upshot seems that one needs to contact or ask at time of rental from a specific location what their CC hold policy is regarding anything above the total cost of rental.

The EC CS rep stated while looking up the information that he already had several other telephone calls earlier today asking about these charges. He also agreed that fraud is happening *everywhere* which could be the reason behind this move by National. For what it is worth Enterprise long placed huge holds on CC for rentals, so guess someone decided it was time to tighten things up across the board.

I welcome anyone to contact National EC CC or their favourite location to verify. Would hate to be giving out false information. For the record cannot find any mention of these changes anywhere on National's website or anywhere else. Also do not know if these changes apply to rentals outside of the USA.