Don't rent a car from Avis or Hertz on the island.....

[dmoore19]

Well, the only way to avoid credit card problems is don't use them. I've had $1,000 fraudulent charges to mine after returning from Mexico twice. My bank called me immediately, stopped the charges, no losses - just had to replace the card. These can happen anywhere tho. Forging your signature to an inflated charge is different, but can happen anywhere. You dispute it, even if it takes some time. My credit card sig is a D followed by chicken scratch; maybe I should use a legible one? Well, I would on a car contract.

Thanks for sharing the story on a new one to watch for.

Don't know about Mexico, but in the US you can't rent a car without a credit card.

 

[DandyDon]

Don't know about Mexico, but in the US you can't rent a car without a credit card.

I haven't in a long time. I bet it's still possible, but difficult. A Visa debit card might work and limit exposure. That's what I use for other needs in Mexico now, a special account with limited funds I transfer to it. My bank does charge conversion fees to it, but credits those back with a call since my main account doesn't pay them. Wells Fargo conversion rates can suck tho, so I try to use cash as much as possible. Pesos instead of dollars becomes more important on the mainland too, from my experiences - but I am drifting.

 

[ianr33]

Car rentals anywhere outside the U.S. and Canada are a PITA and best to be avoided

I've rented many cars in Cayman. Zero problems.

The whole (potential) car rental crap is one of the reasons I've never been diving in Mexico.

 

[DandyDon]

I've rented many cars in Cayman. Zero problems.

The whole (potential) car rental crap is one of the reasons I've never been diving in Mexico.

I've rented a few on the mainland, but really never need one on the island.

 

[judydivescoz]

We rent every trip and mostly uses Isis. I used Thrifty once and they were fine. I have never had a surprise charge from either. Last trip I rented for 5 weeks for just under 1000. Including insurance. Thought It was fair.

 

[azscubadude]

I haven't in a long time. I bet it's still possible, but difficult.

Don.. There was a thread a while back on the same subject but with an accident involved and as I remember it there was a HUGE problem because even though the OP said they paid for full insurance it was not purchased by the rental company and the OP was in real hot water and couldn't prove otherwise. So it turned into a he said, they said situation. Not sure what the outcome was.

And.. There have been several "Investigators" (Phx News) about never, ever using a Debit Card while on vacation. Said you are not protected in any way from fraud or reimbursements because of fraud, including overcharges or overdraft fees like with a credit card.

 

[wmperry]

Don.. There was a thread a while back on the same subject but with an accident involved and as I remember it there was a HUGE problem because even though the OP said they paid for full insurance it was not purchased by the rental company and the OP was in real hot water and couldn't prove otherwise. So it turned into a he said, they said situation. Not sure what the outcome was.

And.. There have been several "Investigators" (Phx News) about never, ever using a Debit Card while on vacation. Said you are not protected in any way from fraud or reimbursements because of fraud, including overcharges or overdraft fees like with a credit card.

You are still protected with a debit card but the time period is drastically reduced. As in 3-4 DAYS instead of a billing cycle or longer on a credit card. Their automated fraud detection also tends to be... Shabby. Check online often, or I set mine up to warn of any transaction via email, and lazy thing over $100 via text message.

 

[k ellis]

I rented a car from Thrifty and some guys asked me if I was interested in taking a tour of a time share to get the free rental. I agreed and got it in writing. Well when the time came for the time share I went to this BEAUTIFUL hotel that was amazing! I went in sit down and the guy started talking away as I was looking around I really never heard anything he said. He then asked me what kind of payments I was looking for and I said "Well with the bankruptcy I........" He simply stopped me in mid sentence and stamped my rental receipt and motioned some girl to escort me out. I was really upset because I wanted to see this beautiful resort but none the less I had to settle for 5 minutes or his talking and a free weeks rental car. Oh the agony!!!!

 

[DandyDon]

Good one K Ellis :laughing:

Don.. There was a thread a while back on the same subject but with an accident involved and as I remember it there was a HUGE problem because even though the OP said they paid for full insurance it was not purchased by the rental company and the OP was in real hot water and couldn't prove otherwise. So it turned into a he said, they said situation. Not sure what the outcome was.

Yep, I remember, even made reference to it above. I don't recall all the details. If you have the insurance in writing on the contract, that should bind the company - but then I can't read Spanish.

And.. There have been several "Investigators" (Phx News) about never, ever using a Debit Card while on vacation. Said you are not protected in any way from fraud or reimbursements because of fraud, including overcharges or overdraft fees like with a credit card.

You are still protected with a debit card but the time period is drastically reduced. As in 3-4 DAYS instead of a billing cycle or longer on a credit card. Their automated fraud detection also tends to be... Shabby. Check online often, or I set mine up to warn of any transaction via email, and lazy thing over $100 via text message.

I did say Visa debit card which does include some protection, but I'll have to check on that...

 

[dmoore19]

Please allow me to correct myself. When I said credit card, I included a debit card that can be used as a credit card for the transaction, such as the visa debit card. Without a credit or debit card, you cannot rent a vehicle at the major car rental companies, Avis, Hertz, Dollar etc. Maybe through a local company but the major car rental companies will not rent you a car without a credit card. I know this from experience, I have had 2 different people hired, as consultants, that were not able to get to work because they did not have a credit card or debit card. They would not even take a cash deposit.