Completely off topic mini rant!

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

So, I recently purchased a nice little used car. Great shape, but I wanted to "cherry" it out and it needed a couple hundred in cosmetic items, etc. Dropped it off and the nice lady said they would have to order a few parts. "OK" I said. Went home and proceeded to try and rent a car for a day or two. Only tried two "Enterprise" and "Alamo". Prepared to give them all info over phone, After said and done, both co's said...You have to have a credit card. "I don't have a credit card, will a debit card do?" "No! You have to have a CC", "How about cash?? "No!" You have to have a credit card. WTF?? Debit card is no good!!? Cash is unacceptable??? I have to charge the cost? I just cannot wrap my head around it. So bottom line, I wasn't "allowed" to rent a car because I have money. End of Rant.

I believe what most do(I won't speak for all though), is actually put a hold on your card, or debit card(with credit card logo) for a nearly absurd amount of money, and then after return of the car, they then do the official charge and release the held funds. I only know this from one time my buddy had to rent a car, they held some crazy amount of money on his bank account(might've been in the $7-800 range, and the rental only ultimately cost him like 300. What's worse is that the hold doesn't release immediately either. So be prepared for that amount of money to be Un-available in your account for up to a week...