Is is possible to hire a car abroad ( States) without a credit card?

[temmy99]

I don't have a credit card and have managed well so far anyway. With 4 dc in toll , I would like to hire a car to travel to the out of town outlets when we go to New York in April but not sure if there is a way round it, does anyone know?..... thanks.

No, you can't. The hire companies need to take a swipe of your credit card (needs to have about £400 left on it) in case of accidents. They don't accept debit cards, DP forgot his credit card on a trip in the summer and was unable to hire a car at all. (Originally reserved a car with Hertz but other companies he tried such as Dollar wouldn't let him either.

Sorry!

I'm in the US and would be surprised if you could do this.

Have you looked at the out of town malls websites? Sometimes they have shuttles. I'm not sure about around NY? Did you have a particular one in mind?

No, and the credit card has to be in the same name as the person with the driving license as well.

Might it be worth applying for a credit card now and only using it for the car hire?

No car hire comapny will hire a car out without a CC ( so DP tells me- he works for hertz!)

Can you use public transport? If you know which mall you want to go to, I might be able to help a bit more.

Also, the discounts at those places are not always that good and by the time you've rented a car and paid for gas, you might not save that much. However, some are really good. If you go, please be careful if you buy from Gap Outlet - all their stuff has been total crap and a complete waste of money!

Thanks a lot, I didn't think it would be possible so I might just take out a card for the sake of it. OverRated, I have visited Woodbury Commons as it is the only one I know but we took the bus from Port Authority and the journey was over an hour, Also I couldn't leave when the children got tired because we had to wait for the bus. Now they are older (17 & 11) it might be different but I still have to think of the younger ones (5 & 1), Any suggestions deeply appreciated.Are there any other malls worth visiting?

I've asked on the All those in the US thread. The malls I know are probably too far away for you. I see why you want a car.

I think you can BUT in place of a swiped card they would ask for a humungous cash deposit (in case of any damage etc)

So easier and cheaper to get a card, just for this

I just found this post on a travelsupermarket forum:

And US car hire website says some places will accept a cash deposit of $250-500 per week (but doesn't specify who or where)

It isn't an outlet mall, but just wanted to make sure you knew about Century 21 Department store. I haven't been to NY since 2000, but everyone I know that goes there can't miss it, and the next time we go, I'm going to go there first.

The buses run to both the Wrentham and Woodbury Malls. Greyhound ones. Be a lot cheaper as you will also need car seats for the children if they are car seat age - law in the States. Trains also run to the Woodbury Mall . So I would seriously look at which Malls you want to go to and find their website and they all provide great transportation links. Have a great time.