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Original poster

Trying to hire a car in Mallorca without a credit card

38 replies

Rollergirl11 · 15/08/2021 17:53

Is this achievable?! I am in a ridiculous situation where I booked and paid for a car rental with EasyJet Car rental. I used a debit card as we don’t have credit cards. The payment was debited from my bank account. Then I had an email from easyJet to say that the car hire company does not accept debit cards (despite the payment already going through) and if we cannot present a credit card with the same name as the primary driver on the booking then they will not give us the car. Have had no choice but to cancel the booking. Oh, and EasyJet will refund the money within 21 business days!!!

I can’t believe this. Is this a thing??! Not being able to use a debit card. Will we be able to hire a car at Palma airport in person with a debit card?

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 15/08/2021 23:30

Pre-paid credit card? I think you used to be able to get them fairly instantly…

Frazzled2207 · 15/08/2021 23:33

Hope you get sorted op
I knew that car rental firms like credit cards but never occured to me that you had to have one. I assumed that instead you’d have to pay a higher deposit.

ChequerBoard · 15/08/2021 23:42

@NoSquirrels

Pre-paid credit card? I think you used to be able to get them fairly instantly…
This is unlikely to work. The car hire companies ask for a credit card so they can run a pre-authorisation (blocking of funds), most prepaid cards do not offer this facility.
Couldhavebeenme2 · 15/08/2021 23:47

We hired a shed in the resort last time we went, without a credit card. No air con, not a straight panel on it, CD player wasn't working. But it was cheap as chips and we didn't have to worry about breaking it.

Blueberrycreampie · 16/08/2021 00:20

We hired a car in Mallorca without a credit card but it was years ago. However, we have recently hired a car at Alicante Airport twice without a credit card from 'Drivalia'.I think they have expanded and are now in Palma. We have a credit card but OH doesn't like to use it for car hire after being ripped off! We found Drivalia very good.

Laquila · 16/08/2021 16:34

Ugh we had this problem 20 years ago in France and literally had to hike miles across Marseille with enormous backpacks to make it to the only rental place that would accept a debit card! FWIW it was the rental arm of a large dealership - maybe they're less concerned with clients absconding?! Hope you get sorted.

Marmitemarinaded · 16/08/2021 16:57

All those that have hired without a credit card

How does the car company protect it’s very expensive item that it’s hiring out? It seems unusual to be able to hire without providing a CC

Marmitemarinaded · 16/08/2021 16:58

Added to which
I would want the CC protection if a dispute

Palavah · 16/08/2021 17:24

@Marmitemarinaded

All those that have hired without a credit card

How does the car company protect it’s very expensive item that it’s hiring out? It seems unusual to be able to hire without providing a CC

They use your debit card to charge you a deposit which is refundable after safe return of the car/clearance of any fines.
Bryonyshcmyony · 16/08/2021 17:27

I've never had a credit card and not has dh but we've hired cars for years including in Mallorca in 2019!

NautaOcts · 16/08/2021 17:28

Wow I didn’t know this
Don’t have a credit card

liveforsummer · 16/08/2021 18:00

You can put a hold on debit cards - my hotel did it the other week. The deposit money sat in pending then went back in to my account. Annoying OP.

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