I'm going on a vacation to the USA, and for that vacation I rented a car. It was advised to get a credit card, which we had to use for a security deposit (hope that's the right word).

How does that work? I'm from Europe, where credit cards are barely used. I heard that its risky to give your credit card. Will they at the car rental ask for my credit card, or the number of my credit card, or will I have to slide it through a scanner or something?

Please help.

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Romeo_Bravo

I'm going on a vacation to the USA, and for that vacation I rented a car. It was advised to get a credit card, which we had to use for a security deposit (hope thats the right word).

How does that work? I'm from Europe, where credit cards are barely used. I heard that its risky to give your credit card. Will they at the car rental ask for my credit card, or the number of my credit card, or will I have to slide it through a scanner or something?

Please help.

Thanks

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You usually need a credit card to rent the car.

They will process the card to make sure it is valid, and they will retain the card information to use if you failed to pay for the rental, or damage the vehicle in a way not covered by your current insurance, or the insurance you might purchase from the rental dealer.

You can always pay cash when you return the vehicle, and ask for the credit card slip back when you do.

If you pay cash upon return, then nothing should be charged to the credit card.

Make SURE that someone does an inspection of the entire vehicle when you return it, and that you get a copy or receipt stating that there is no damage, and that there will be no other charges than what you are paying for at the time of return.