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Car rental Avis, Europecar, or thru Broker w/ Amex, Visa, Or MC

Car rental Avis, Europecar, or thru Broker w/ Amex, Visa, Or MC

Old Aug 29th, 2013, 01:35 PM
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Car rental Avis, Europecar, or thru Broker w/ Amex, Visa, Or MC

Hello, all. I'm thinking about other car rental brokers but want to focus on discussion on Auto Europe to not muddle things up.

Holds on credit card when using Visa, MC, Amex for CDW in Spain car rental.

1. Will use CC for CDW. Leaning towards "AMEX $24.95 per rental Premium Insurance." 2. Basic rental, NO CDW from AutoEurope (or another broker.)

Because I declined the CDW package from AutoEurope, will Europcar or Avis or another car rental put a hold on my credit card when I pick up the car? What's your experience regarding holds when you have used your Amex or other CC.

Thank you.
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 02:38 PM
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My experience is that the rental agencies do not put a hold on your credit card. They take the information in such a way that if need be they can charge the credit card for repairs. When I damaged a car in Portugal, the rental agency did not have to ask for my credit card because they already had the information. I had to sign an estimated repair and eventually was reimbursed by Visa. I've had no problems using the same credit card for subsequent purchases while traveling.

Sometimes the rental agency will try to scare the customer, as by telling them that s/he is liable for the 15,000€ value of the car, to which I feel like replying that this above the limit of my credit card.
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 03:43 PM
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Thanks for replying Michael. That's what I want to know. If Car rental company will hold total cost of the car when we make reservation thru AE or other broker w/ no CDW. Using our credit card coverage as CDW.

If Europcar or Avis will put a hold on my Amex, how much? If car rental company wants to put on hold the whole price of the car--$20k for example--then I will not be able to go through w/the rental because I carry only a max credit line of $10k.

What then? Car rental company will cancel my reservation? And I have to scramble at the last minute trying to find a car from other companies.

So how much "deposit" will car company hold on my CC if CDW is declined because Amex covers CDW. What's customary in this situation. $1k or total cost of the vehicle?
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 03:58 PM
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We went through the same process as Michael but in Italy, returning the damaged car to Linate airport.. We always book with AutoEurope.
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 04:37 PM
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We always book thru Avis, use our platinum AMEX card, and add the 24.95 premium insurance, declining the CDW. Have had no issues. This is at least twice per year, renting from AVIS on arrival in Zurich.
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 05:07 PM
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How much funds was put on "hold" from Amex or credit card your're using when you picked up the car?

At time of car pickup, did you just hand over your credit card at car rental counter? They run and authorization through it and that was it? Did the clerk tell you how much they are putting on hold?

Thanks
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 05:08 PM
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If Europcar or Avis will put a hold on my Amex, how much? If car rental company wants to put on hold the whole price of the car--$20k for example--then I will not be able to go through w/the rental because I carry only a max credit line of $10k.


If there is an actual hold and the CDW is carried by the credit card, I believe that the hold will not be more than the deductible (500€ to 800€).
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 09:53 PM
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I've rented cars in Europe umpteen times and have never had a hold on my credit card.

Maybe it's because I primarily use Hertz.

I now have a Citibank Platinum card, which takes the place of the $24.95 fee.

However, in the past I had no such card and have never had a hold.
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Old Aug 30th, 2013, 07:01 AM
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Re the additional insurance from AMEX:

A. Amex, like VISA and MC, provides coverage that takes the place of the Super CDW.

Ask them to email you the contract to see what is NOT covered - eg, off road driving.

B. The additional insurance that you get for your $24.95 covers people in the car.

You might or might not need it.

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Old Aug 30th, 2013, 10:27 AM
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I've rented at least 150 cars in Europe and there has never been a hold on my credit card (though the company always has my cc information, of course, so if need be they can charge for damages).

You really might consider public transportation options, Mike, as you seem incredibly nervous about renting a car.
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