OK, rent a car then. Or book an airline ticket.
Tell me how you accomplish that.
Renting a car with a debit card is not much different than using a credit card. With a debit card if you are at your credit limit, you might not be able to rent the car. With a debit card, you have to have enough money in the bank (with no interest payments in my life that is easy).
With both a debit card and credit card, the rental car company will tack on a “reasonable premium” to cover the rental period and potential overages such as fuel and damage to the vehicle.
On the debit card, there will usually be a hold of two weeks on the deposit.
You do have to check around. Not all rental counters accept them even at the same company so you are partially correct a credit card is easier.
Here is a run down off the internet.
■Hertz: You can reserve a car with a VISA/MC debit card and a hold will be placed for an “estimated amount of the rental charges plus a reasonable amount to cover any incidental charge.” No mention of what “reasonable amount” means though.
■Enterprise: Policies appear to vary from location to location so you’ll have to call the rental site for actual requirements.
■Budget: Again, like Enterprise, some locations accept them and some don’t. Under 25 can’t use a debit card though. The ones allow debit cards require a hold for the estimated charges plus the greater of 25% or $300 (or $500 in the Northeast and North Central regions).
■National, Alamo: These companies are both owned by Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc. so they have the same policy of allowing debit cards.
■Avis: They allow debit cards and they will put a hold for the estimated rental charges with a minimum of $500. If you don’t spend $500, the balance will be returned but may take up to two weeks!
■Dollar: They allow debit cards and will put a hold for the estimated amount of the rental plus 15% or a “minimum amount,” which isn’t specified. In that General Policies page, it’s section F. Credit Qualifications/requirement.
■Thrifty: Some locations will allow debit cards and may require a “debit card check and credit inquiry screening,” whatever that means. The debit card must also be a VISA/MC debit card, anything else isn’t accepted.