Car hire credit Card in Ireland

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I called Hertz Dublin. Very helpful information which contradicts their website FAQ's which seems to generic.

I can use a Visa Debit Card or a Credit Card in the drivers name when I collect the car. Not sure if this applies to all Hertz outlets or just to Dublin.

Otherwise I think the cheapest option, barring getting a credit card in my own name, would be to name my wife as a driver on the booking and use her credit card.

Upvote:8

Personal experience in Ireland (and generally with car hires, but not with Hertz Ireland) says: the credit card must be in the name of the driver and not be a prepaid one.

There's three options to possibly get around that:

  1. Ask the company to take the money that would usually be only be "reserved" on your credit card from your debit card and refund it once you return. (Note that this means having a debit of about €1500 from your account, so make sure there's sufficient funds. Also this is accepted only rarely, so read on.)
  2. Get your wife added as second driver, that will in most cases cost you some money, but might get her card accepted. (Note: this does not work for all rental companies, so no guarantee. Also your wife needs to meet all the age/license requirements of the company.)
  3. Take out the additional insurance that reduces your excess to zero - more costly than the other options, but gives you peace of mind completely and usually rental companies then accept to have a debit card only (If get have an agent who doesn't like you - there's no guarantee for this either..)

Effectively there's no guarantee that either of those will be accepted by the company - some pleading and asking nicely may go a long way and especially if you take out the full additional insurance companies usually are quite happy to give you the car without a credit card.

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