Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No credit card - holiday ruined??

139 replies

Rockmehardplace · 10/07/2025 00:34

I’ve booked a driving holiday and need to hire a car. Turns out I need a credit card to use as a deposit against any damage and I don’t have one. I’m distraught as everything is booked & paid for. Have applied for a credit card via my bank but they’ve said it could be 7 days till they make a decision and I fly on Monday. Does anyone give instant credit cards (I have savings, no debt, good credit rating etc). To stop me losing all the money on the holiday and DC being gutted????
im already distraught about the whole thing so don’t need telling how stupid I have been :(

OP posts:
JeannieJo · 12/07/2025 17:46

I got a credit card from Starling within about an hour of applying that I could use via Apple Pay if that’s any use?

WimbyAce · 11/07/2025 18:32

I meant to reply to this the other day as we had a similar nightmare. Had booked with enterprise a couple of years ago to pick up a minivan for road trip. They did require a credit card. On the day we were due to pick it up other half realised he had "misplaced" his card. He uses it online but they were insistent they have a physical card, I even offered to leave a cash deposit but no. Was v stressful but in the end we had to pay to add me as a named driver as I had my physical credit card.

DahliaDreaming · 11/07/2025 14:09

This happened to us last week. We ended up having to pay for the full insurance policy which was quite expensive (maybe £200) but meant we didn't have to give cc details. We actually said after we would never have done the full insurance before but it was actually really worth it for the peace of mind as normally I spend the whole time stressing about something happening to the car and obviously didn't have to worey at all, so we said we'd do it again in future.

DahliaDreaming · 11/07/2025 14:09

This happened to us last week. We ended up having to pay for the full insurance policy which was quite expensive (maybe £200) but meant we didn't have to give cc details. We actually said after we would never have done the full insurance before but it was actually really worth it for the peace of mind as normally I spend the whole time stressing about something happening to the car and obviously didn't have to worey at all, so we said we'd do it again in future.

jjx111 · 11/07/2025 14:05

We had this in Florida. Car booked iin Husbands name and turned out he hadn't got a credit card. Can't recall if we used a debit card, or a credit card in my name, but either way it was fine. They didn't look at card details, just swiped. We used Hertz

jjx111 · 11/07/2025 14:05

We had this in Florida. Car booked iin Husbands name and turned out he hadn't got a credit card. Can't recall if we used a debit card, or a credit card in my name, but either way it was fine. They didn't look at card details, just swiped. We used Hertz

Magnir · 11/07/2025 06:18

That good OP, it also seems like even if you did have a credit card some companies will think of any other way to get the extra insurance out of you like the full name thing.

enjoy your holiday

Seeingadistance · 10/07/2025 22:29

Magnir · 10/07/2025 06:37

The other issue I came across with Spanish car hire companies was that they require you to have your full name on the credit card. Not just initials.

Yes, this, many credit cards only have initials, Barclaycard being one of them, means they can conveniently get you to pay the high priced extra insurance.

I had spotted this condition when I booked. Contacted Barclaycard and got my credit card re-issued with my full name on it. So I was all set, until some bugger used my card fraudulently and it was stopped a few days before my holiday with no time for replacement to arrive before I left! 😫

Velmy · 10/07/2025 22:29

Rockmehardplace · 10/07/2025 20:55

Thank you for all the responses - have eventually managed to find another hire company, who would accept debit card if I bought the enhanced insurance, for an extra £22 a day, it’s saved a lot of stress!

Great news!

Original poster
Rockmehardplace · 10/07/2025 20:55

Thank you for all the responses - have eventually managed to find another hire company, who would accept debit card if I bought the enhanced insurance, for an extra £22 a day, it’s saved a lot of stress!

OP posts:
Original poster
Rockmehardplace · 10/07/2025 18:09

Lovelysausagedogscrumpy · 10/07/2025 08:10

Do you have an Amazon account OP ? If so, they are offering instant access Barclaycard. You apply online through Amazon and they give an instant decision. If accepted you can download the app, set up your account and get immediate access to credit while you wait for the card to arrive. Not sure how smooth the process is but if it lives up to what’s advertised it might solve your immediate problem.

Amazing!!! Off to check this out now!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Rockmehardplace · 10/07/2025 18:08

beetr00 · 10/07/2025 01:30

@Rockmehardplace if you're going to Europe with the exception of Ireland, France and Portugal, a debit card should suffice.

check here

It's Ireland 😭

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 10/07/2025 14:56

It is not ruined.
Worse case if you cannot hire car is that you book taxis and cancel some plans and do different things
You will be on holiday
Enjoy!!

Ariela · 10/07/2025 14:48

@Rockmehardplace
Hope you find a means of doing this.
Whatever you do, make sure you thoroughly video the inspection of the car (and any damage already existing, no matter how minor) when you accept it, and also video every inch of it on handing back.

Isthisnormal10000 · 10/07/2025 09:57

Ive booked cars where they take a deposit if no card. 500 quid or so. Can you look for alternative car hire places

Overthebow · 10/07/2025 09:47

There are banks which give instant decisions, but to be honest you aren't likely to get the card before you travel on Monday.

You're best bet is trying to find a car company that takes debit cards. Some do depending on the location, although often you'll need to pay a large holding amount when you hire the car so make sure you have funds available.

BackinBlack24 · 10/07/2025 09:39

Revolut might be quicker ?

ButteredRadish · 10/07/2025 09:38

This reply has been hidden

This reply has been hidden until the MNHQ team can have a look at it.

ButteredRadish · 10/07/2025 09:38

No idea why my reply was hidden. It was just a link to a virtual credit card that I use!

ButteredRadish · 10/07/2025 09:37

This reply has been hidden

This reply has been hidden until the MNHQ team can have a look at it.

4naans · 10/07/2025 09:13

What country? I had this issue in Ireland

AndImBrit · 10/07/2025 08:46

NatWest let you add to Apple Pay straight away if that would suffice?

I’m sure I’ve had others that let you do this too but I can’t remember which… maybe Chase would as pretty sure the debit card was immediately available.

Fluffypotatoe123987 · 10/07/2025 08:45

Pay extra for the insurance

Bjorkdidit · 10/07/2025 08:41

But let this thread also serve as a reminder to the 'I don't need a credit card' crowd that this is why you do. Nothing to do with spending money you don't have but life is simpler, and likely cheaper, if you do.

Bjorkdidit · 10/07/2025 08:39

Powerplant · 10/07/2025 08:18

You can buy insurance at home before you go. I believe it’s quite a lot cheaper too. I’ve never done it this way so if you have time see if this is suitable.

But you still need to leave a deposit, that is usually £1k+ or pay the extra fee to have true zero excess on all risks, not just the standard version that excludes damage to half the car.

But if the OP says where she's going, people might be able to advise on a company that will take a debit card without ripping her off on extra insurance and also companies to avoid because they will try every trick in the book to rip her off, like the company above who wouldn't accept a credit card unless it has a full name on Hmm

Swipe left for the next trending thread