Hi there,
I know there are similar topics here and elsewhere, but they’re a few years old, and I need an up-to-date answer to make sure I don’t throw over 1000 € out the window. Thanks for your patience.
I’m planning a trip from France to Alberta/British Columbia, and I’m unsure about which bank card to use for the security deposit with the rental company (I’m thinking of going with AVIS).
I contacted Avis Canada, and they told me a credit card is absolutely required. I asked my bank for a credit card (a *real* credit card), but they only offered me a deferred debit card.
My question: For a rental with Avis Canada, is a Gold International Mastercard deferred debit card usable for the security deposit needed to finalize the rental? Is the "CREDIT" label enough? (Some cards say "CREDIT" and others say "CARTE DE CREDIT"—seems minor, but it’s actually a big deal in how the card works.)
I’ve seen conflicting info everywhere I look... My bank says it’s *usually* okay (the deferred debit card), while Avis Canada insists it *must* be a credit card, not debit—even when I mention the deferred debit card.
I know the whole credit card concept is already confusing, and on top of that, some sites say a deferred debit card counts as a credit card, while others say it doesn’t.
Thanks to anyone who can share a recent experience!
Have a great day
My question: For a rental with Avis Canada, is a Gold International Mastercard with deferred debit usable to make the security deposit required to finalize the rental? Is the "CREDIT" label sufficient? (because some cards have the "CREDIT" label and others have "CARTE DE CREDIT" > which seems trivial but isn't when it comes to how the card functions).
Hello,
At Avis and other rental companies, what matters is the deferred debit feature so they can charge the deposit if needed.
The Gold Mastercard is a deferred debit = credit card, so no problem there.
PS: On the Gold Mastercard, it clearly says "CREDIT" below the card number.
After many trips without any issues using a debit card, I switched to a credit card for extra security—since more and more rental companies are refusing debit cards these days.
So, I asked my bank for a deferred debit card, which seems to be the French version of a credit card! It says "CREDIT" on it, and I’ve never had any problems with Alamo, Avis, Sixt, or Hertz... in the U.S., and it’s the same for Canada. My last trip was in October 2025 😉
Ask your bank for a deferred debit card, and you’ll be all set!
Happy planning
Texas en 2007 - Floride : 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2018 - 2019 - 2021 - 2023 - 2025 - Montana et Wyoming : 2022 - Arizona et Utah : 2023 - Montana en 2024 - Nevada, Arizona et Utah : 2025
http://acheterenfloride.blogspot.fr/
I’ve never had any issues anywhere in the world using a deferred debit card for car rentals.
And as it says on the card, it’s a credit card.
(Interest-free credit between the time of purchase and the actual debit at the end of the month on your account.)
I think you confused the rental agent by mentioning "débit différé."
I’m not sure that term exists in every country!
They heard "debit" and said no.
If you’d told them, "It says ‘credit’ on my card—is that okay?" without mentioning deferred debit, they would’ve said yes.
This link might be helpful.
Édifices religieux : concours de photos amical d'août 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de voter !
Thanks for your feedback! I’ll follow your advice and go for a deferred debit card.
If anyone else has more feedback, feel free to share—it’s never too late ;)
Thanks again!
Kamil
Here’s a list of available cards and their features. From my experience and based on your feedback, the "deferred debit card" is sufficient. No need for a "deferred debit credit card" or an "immediate-effect credit card", right?
I have a VISA PREMIER with deferred debit at the end of the month, and it says "CREDIT" on it, and I've never had any issues—even this summer 2025.
So in your list, the "deferred debit card" (the one in the middle at the top of the photo!) works perfectly.
Watch out: Even if you book prepaid, you’ll need this type of card when picking up the car.
Thanks for all your feedback! I booked with my deferred debit card, and now another issue has come up: insurance (especially third-party liability).
I’ve read that rental companies’ third-party liability insurance is minimal, with laughably low limits (CA$200,000). It’s possible to get extra coverage to raise those limits, but apparently only at the counter... How can I know what it’ll cost me?
And what about insurance to cover potential medical expenses for me and my passengers?
It feels like a never-ending process—every time I clear one hurdle, I discover new fees, haha
Interesting question—I didn’t find an answer last summer when I noticed Avis had lowered their supplemental liability insurance (SLI) threshold.
But normally, the SLI (supplemental liability), even at minimum amounts (like the $200k you mentioned), is included in the contract. Just check carefully. It’s the additional insurance options that you take at the counter.
One option if your booking is cancelable: go through a broker. They usually offer full insurance packages with SLI up to $1 million or even $10 million as an add-on.
I’ve never done it myself, preferring to rent directly, but I’ve often read on VF that it works well.
Sorry I can’t help more. If others have info, I’m also interested because last summer, I just crossed my fingers hoping nothing would happen. Which luckily, it didn’t.
I read that rental companies' civil liability insurance is minimal with derisory amounts (CA$200,000). It’s possible to take out additional insurance to extend these limits, but apparently only at the counter... How can I know what it’ll cost me?
For the US, it’s recommended to have liability coverage of at least $1,000,000. I’m not sure if it’s the same for Canada. In the US, intermediaries like BSP Auto and Autoeurope offer this level of coverage, and they’re very reliable (I use them regularly). But I don’t see anything similar when I run a simulation for Canada... On the other hand, if you go through Sunnycars (another reputable provider), you automatically get $10,000,000 in liability coverage, even in Canada.
One of the rare times I booked directly with a rental company was with Avis, and I ended up with extra charges taken from my account after returning the car (the counter employee had quietly added an insurance I didn’t ask for!).
What about insurance to cover potential medical expenses for me and my passengers...
With a Gold card, you get medical expense coverage for you and your family (children under 25). Otherwise, you’ll need to take out separate insurance.
Texas en 2007 - Floride : 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2018 - 2019 - 2021 - 2023 - 2025 - Montana et Wyoming : 2022 - Arizona et Utah : 2023 - Montana en 2024 - Nevada, Arizona et Utah : 2025
http://acheterenfloride.blogspot.fr/
I contacted Avis Canada, and they told me to get in touch with the Avis branch in Calgary, where I rented my car. So I did that, and the guy at the counter confirmed that minimum third-party liability (Liability Insurance) is included in the contract, with coverage up to $200,000 CAD. However, he insisted there’s no way to buy extended coverage for that insurance. Yet everywhere says rental companies offer this kind of service.
My insurer (AXA) told me they don’t cover this and that I had to check with the rental company.
As for special travel insurance for Canada like Serenitrip, they don’t cover third-party liability for vehicle damage either.
I checked Sunnycars, but their rentals are indeed twice as expensive as Avis (going from 1000 € for 25 days to 1980 €).
I find it surprising this isn’t highlighted more! I mean, insurance is pretty basic. And everyone’s passing the buck a bit, haha.
It’s a bit disheartening.
Hi there,
I rented a car in Calgary and then on Vancouver Island in September 2026.
I booked from France both times, and both were with Budget Rent a Car, but I always check the Rental Car site to find what seems like the "best car" for me. Payment was made from France with a Visa card. It’s absolutely essential to have a credit card, not just a debit card.
For the almost indispensable additional insurance, I take out an annual Serenitrip policy that covers all issues (107.81 €) for a year. I scratched the car in Mauritius, and Serenitrip reimbursed my deposit in full and quickly. It’s really worth it and much cheaper than the insurance offered by rental companies...
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Hi everyone,
I have to leave for Perth, Australia in a week, for 7 days, and I couldn’t get my international driver’s permit due to processing and delivery delays.
The information I’ve found about whether an international permit is required is contradictory. Some sources say you need one, others say you don’t.
Could anyone let me know if an international driver’s permit is necessary to rent a car in Australia (Perth), or if a French license is enough for a 7-day rental?
hi everyone,
I need to apply for a new eTA for Canada.
do I need the number from my old eTA or not?
because I can’t find my old eTA number anymore.
thanks for your replies, have a great weekend
Hello everyone,
Could a resident of Benin (Cotonou) kindly let me know which is the best mobile phone and internet service provider?
Thank you very much,
Best regards,
Juan
Hi,
I’m bringing Seresta, an anxiolytic (tranquilizer) from the benzodiazepine family,
to help me sleep.
I’ll have the prescription with me.
Will this be a problem at customs, and do I need to declare it?
Same question for antibiotics?
Thanks a bunch!
Hi everyone,
I’ll explain my situation.
Unfortunately, I lost my passport, and I only realized it two weeks before my departure for a humanitarian mission in Libya. I’m a nurse, and this mission really means a lot to me.
First, I applied for an emergency passport, but it was denied by the Val-d'Oise prefecture on the grounds that a planned humanitarian mission wasn’t considered an urgent reason.
So, I submitted a biometric passport application on July 20th. Since then, the tracking has been stuck, and the town hall can’t (or won’t) give me any clear information. Every time I call, I get a different story. The last update I received was that the passport had been produced since July 23rd with a status of "about to be shipped," but nothing since then.
I’ve managed to push my departure back to next Tuesday at the latest, but I’m starting to really panic.
Have any of you submitted an application around July 20th, especially in Val-d'Oise (95)? How long did you wait between the passport being produced and it being available at the town hall? Is it normal for this step to take this long?
This mission means so much to me. I had everything organized, and I’m also supposed to attend a friend’s wedding right after near the border.
Thanks so much to those who take the time to respond or share their experience. 😔
Can anyone tell me exactly if a passport "valid for the duration of the stay" is enough, or does it need to be valid for 6 months after the trip?
I checked the embassy’s website, but that info is missing.
Hi there,
I’ll be arriving in Seoul on November 18th after spending about a month in India.
Do you know if I’ll need to fill out any additional documents besides the e-arrival card?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
I’m a bit embarrassed because I need to travel to Quebec from February 27th to March 13th. I’m a regular visitor to Canada—this will be my 10th trip since 1997, plus a year as a permanent resident (2000–2001) and a cross-country run from Vancouver to Halifax in 2011. So, I’m definitely not a terrorist!
But since our last trip in July 2015, they’ve introduced this eTA thing. Seems more like a way to make money than to actually secure Canada, if you ask me, but anyway, that’s not the point.
I applied for an eTA for myself, my wife, and our two kids. They all got approved within hours, but not me! I was asked to create a GC key and then an IRCC account, which I did. Normally, you get news within 72 hours, but since Monday, January 15th, nothing!
In the "message" section of the account, it says "explanation letter (required)" with a deadline of January 25th, but I can’t find any explanation anywhere—despite searching the Canadian government website and Google. No links, nothing!
I’ve emailed them but haven’t heard back yet. I’m thinking of calling the Canadian embassy in Paris tomorrow. Even though I’m not stressing yet, it’d be a bummer if everyone else got to go without me!
If anyone’s had this issue before or knows what this explanation letter is about, I’d love to hear more.
hi there
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So, to anyone who’s successfully gotten the authorization, could you tell me which address you used to get that "elusive" approval?...
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JL
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I’m planning to go to Algeria with my family.
The vehicle registration lists my company as the owner.
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Thanks for your help.
Worst case, I can add my personal name as a co-owner on the registration, but that would be a real shame!
Hi,
I’m writing to ask for some info—I’ve heard that you **must** have travel insurance to land in Zanzibar.
What’s the process, and which insurance should I get?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Seb
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It was closed for a while.
Thanks for any info!
I bought a one-way flight (Ryanair) and a return flight (EasyJet) to spend a week in Morocco in April.
My passport expires 3 weeks after the return date.
Some websites say the passport must be valid for 3 months at the time of entry.
However, it will still be valid both on entry and return, but its validity will only be 1 month at the time of entry (and 3 weeks on the return date, everything prepaid).
It's an individual family trip.
The consulate can't give me an answer—they're still looking into it (really!)
Last year, we stayed for 3 months in Thailand, north of Khao Lak, and were able to benefit from the 2-month visa exemption, renewable for one month by going to Takua Pa to validate a 1-month extension (1,900 baht).
This year, it’s a disaster for us—not only were we planning a 4-month stay, adding a visa run in between (which some say is quite risky), but the law is apparently changing in the coming months with the return of the 1-month exemption (plus the usual 1-month option). So, we looked into applying for a 6-month multiple-entry visa, allowing a maximum of 60 consecutive days in Thailand. However, I can’t find anywhere the minimum time required outside Thailand between two stays—do any of you have an idea?
Thanks for the info! If you’d like tips on Khao Lak and the surrounding areas, we’ve got some experience, though things change fast!
Cheers,
Bruno.
My partner, our 8-year-old daughter, and I are going on vacation to Gex.
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Hello,
We’ll soon be moving to Madagascar long-term.
As a French national, I need to obtain a short-stay visa that can be converted to a long-stay one. To do this, I have to send the required documents to the Madagascar embassy in Paris.
No issues with that procedure so far.
If I get this visa, once I arrive in Madagascar, I’ll need to provide the same documents to the Ministry of the Interior in Anosy. I’m trying to find an email address or website for the Ministry to check which documents I need to submit (I think they ask for additional ones).
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I filled out the B2 form to apply for a visa, created an account on Atvis to pay the visa fees and schedule a meet-up, but every time I try to pay with my Boursobank Visa 1st card, they refuse the payment with a message telling me to check my details (address), even though everything is correct. Does anyone know why this is happening, or maybe they don’t accept Visa cards? Are you aware of this?
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Hi there,
In November, we're heading off on a 4-month trip. We'll be landing in China and plan to leave the country via a land border into Vietnam.
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Just a question that’s probably been asked before (though usually the other way around for my situation :))
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No issues for travel, I hope I did the right thing with the ticket?
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I saw on the French Embassy in Peru’s website and the Peruvian Consulate in Paris’s site that the rule is to have a passport valid for 6 months *after the arrival date* (not the return date).
I arrive in Peru on August 13, 2019 (for about twelve days), and my passport is valid until February 16, 2020.
That’s 6 months and 3 days after my arrival date in Peru. In my opinion, I’m good to go.
But could I still be denied entry if they say I don’t cover the return date or that I’m too close to the 6-month mark?
