Q. If I freeze my credit report to prevent identity theft, will I be able to rent a car? I know that some companies check your credit report as well as your credit card.
If you decide to freeze your credit report, you can still rent a car this summer and pay with a credit card. Car-rental firms protect themselves by placing a hold on your card for the amount of the rental plus the cost of gas and insurance, if you select those options. That way, the company is assured of payment, and it's covered if you damage the car or keep it longer than your reservation.
However, you may not be able to use your debit card. To minimize their potential losses, Avis, Budget and Hertz check your credit report at the counter if you elect to pay with a debit card.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
You could unfreeze your credit report; it takes up to three business days and costs about $10 per credit bureau. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the largest car-rental firm, generally checks your credit report, too, but it may let you present other documentation, such as a utility bill or pay stub, to prove your creditworthiness. "We try to be flexible and accommodate our customers," says an Enterprise spokesperson. "We consider them our neighbors." Call the branch of the agency from which you plan to rent to discuss its requirements.
If you carry a cash identification card from Avis or Hertz, you can pay for your car with cash, traveler's checks or a money order. But you must apply for the card as many as six weeks in advance, and there is a nonrefundable application fee.
Get more advice: Go to Credit and Money Management
-
Four Surprising Signs You’ll Never Retire (and How to Fix Them)Gearing up to retire? If any of these four signs ring true, you may want to make some changes before you do.
-
Stocks Rise After Trump-Powell Fed Tour: Stock Market TodayNvidia hit a new all-time high intraday, but another renowned semiconductor name and some less iconic stocks were bigger movers Friday.
-
How to Find the Best Alternatives to Popular Travel DestinationsYou don’t have to bust your budget or battle big crowds to enjoy pristine natural beauty, rich culture, authentic cuisine and more.
-
Seven Golf Course Destinations to Vacation Away from the CrowdsBeat the growing crowds of new golfers at these golf course destinations off the beaten path.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
The United and JetBlue Partnership: Everything We Know About Blue Sky So FarBlue Sky, the United and JetBlue partnership just announced, will give frequent fliers more ways to earn and use miles. Here's what you need to know.
-
Struggling with How to Plan a Trip? These Companies Will HelpTravel Plans Sit back, relax and let the professionals handle the logistics.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
