Use of a debit card / providing UK insurance details when renting in the US
Mar 7, 2024, 6:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL GM, AA PLT.
Posts: 537
Use of a debit card / providing UK insurance details when renting in the US
Just had a slightly odd experience when renting at PIT.
Despite having paid in advance with a debit card, the agent said that "forbidden" and so a credit card had to be used for the whole transaction. Never had that before in 25 years of renting.
The agent also claimed that I had to have proof of car insurance in the UK. To be clear, that wasn't to show my insurance at home would cover a US rental (it wouldn't) but apparently to show I have car insurance per se.
The suggestion was if I didn't hold any car insurance in the UK, I couldn't rent from Avis.
All very odd. A case of an agent misunderstanding company policy perhaps?
Despite having paid in advance with a debit card, the agent said that "forbidden" and so a credit card had to be used for the whole transaction. Never had that before in 25 years of renting.
The agent also claimed that I had to have proof of car insurance in the UK. To be clear, that wasn't to show my insurance at home would cover a US rental (it wouldn't) but apparently to show I have car insurance per se.
The suggestion was if I didn't hold any car insurance in the UK, I couldn't rent from Avis.
All very odd. A case of an agent misunderstanding company policy perhaps?
Mar 8, 2024, 8:01 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL GM, AA PLT.
Posts: 537
"I'm just telling you for your own information." Felt like the whole thing was being made up as they went along.
Mar 8, 2024, 10:29 am
#4
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
He was talking absolute poppycock. However, whether these special rules apply to Debit Card payments I do not know. I never pay with a Debit Card as they are not always protected under Section 75? It's part of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.This does not apply to Debit Cards.
Mar 11, 2024, 3:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 341
Avis's website has very vague language discouraging use of debit cards (and suggesting that they may not be acceptable at some locations).
