Car rental in Turkey: debit card not accepted (urgent)

Hi there,

I’ve got a huge problem before my trip to Istanbul, and I feel like I’m the only one dealing with this...

I made a reservation for next week through AutoEurope in Istanbul to rent a car for 10 days with a 0 € excess insurance (the final rental company is Budget).

So far, so good...

Except when I read AutoEurope’s terms, I see "debit card not accepted, credit card only"—this applies to the deposit, because even with 0 € excess insurance, there’s still a deposit, for a ridiculous amount (around 100 €, cheaper than the car rental itself). And sure enough, after checking with AutoEurope, Budget, and even other rental companies like Hertz, Avis, Europcar, etc., NONE of them accept debit cards (for the deposit and sometimes even for paying for the car!!).

But in France, 90% of people have a debit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) and not a credit card. So I don’t get why I’m the only one in this situation!!!!...

I don’t know what to do... I’ve contacted all the agencies, and none will accept Visa or Mastercard debit cards, so I’m worried my AutoEurope reservation is useless, that Budget will refuse me the car once I’m there, and I won’t get a refund! Worse, I’m afraid I won’t find a car for my trip at all!!...

If you’ve got a solution, please help—I’m totally stressed out by this crazy situation!!

Thanks so much!

If rental companies refuse debit cards, what other solution is there besides asking your bank for a credit card?

Traveling with a credit card makes trips a lot easier.

Société Générale got back to me saying they don’t issue credit cards...!!

Proof that it’s not accepted in France.

I’ve got NO solution....

😕🏴‍☠️😐

Société Générale responded that they don’t issue credit cards...!!

Proof that it’s not accepted in France

I have NO solution....

😕🏴‍☠️😐

I can’t believe the thousands of French people who travel around the world all do it without a credit card.

Credit cards *are* accepted in France—I go there often. I think you might be misinformed, and that could be the root of your problem.

It’s impossible that there’s no way to get a credit card in France in 2015.

There aren’t 36 solutions if rental companies only accept credit cards

Thank you so much for your feedback, but I assure you:

I called my bank and emailed my advisor to double-check—the Société Générale doesn’t issue credit cards.

I’m the first one surprised, believe me.

And even if some banks do offer them, you won’t convince me that most French people have credit cards.

Around me, everyone has Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, etc.—all of those are debit cards, and they travel just fine!

Hi,

That’s really surprising! I’ve rented many times from the agencies you mentioned, and my Visa or MC payment card has always been accepted for the deposit. Could there be a mix-up between debit cards and credit cards?

Hi,

In my opinion, if there’s an issue, it’s probably only with Electron cards or -e-Blue Cards, or special cards with limits for minors or people who are more or less banned from banking.

I get the feeling that the T&Cs aren’t always followed once you’re there... It’s still stressful and shocking.

The only solution is to cancel my booking and visit each rental agency in person, because if I book in advance, every agency clearly states "debit cards not accepted"—and that’s what almost all French people have.

Hi Arnaud,

Isn’t this a distinction between immediate debit cards and credit cards? Otherwise, Sofinco and other credit organizations issue cards that are credit cards. *

Best to everyone and kisses to the others

BL

* EDIT: and apparently banks (some banks?) do too.

See: http://www.lelynx.fr/banques/infos-pratiques/difference-entre-carte-credit-debit-39026/

Expenses made with a credit card are no longer debited from a bank account but from a renewable credit or revolving reserve. Credit cards offered by banks allow you to pay or withdraw money "in cash" (debited from the bank account) or "on credit" (debited from the renewable credit). Transactions made on credit are grouped on a statement, usually monthly, giving the cardholder the option to pay off the credit in full or repay it in several installments, with interest. Banks aren’t the only ones offering credit cards: credit companies, as well as most major department stores and retail chains, have their own cards available for their customers.

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

No, I don’t think there’s a difference between immediate or deferred debit because they’re pretty clear in their T&Cs.

It has to be a "credit card," widely used in English-speaking countries for this purpose

If you have a Visa or MC card with a "CB" stamp, there’s no problem. For safety, call AutoEurope and ask them if the card you used to pay for your booking will be accepted for the deposit.

I wrote to them but AutoEurope told me a credit card is required.....

Ughhhhh

After checking with Auto Europe, Budget, and even other rental companies like Hertz, Avis, Europcar, etc., NONE accept debit cards (for the deposit and sometimes even for payment!!)...

Hello,

There might be some terminological confusion (to be verified). After checking Auto Europe’s website (based on your message), I found:

http://www.autoeurope.fr/agb_FR.cfm



Having rented various vehicles over the years (in France and abroad), companies like HERTZ, EUROPCAR, AVIS (e.g., in THAILAND), SIXT (notably in CROATIA & GREECE - CRETE) accepted premium cards like AMERICAN EXPRESS or VISA PREMIER without restrictions for both booking/payment and the deposit when picking up the vehicle (at least until the end of 2014, my last rental).

However, the common terminology seems a bit contradictory with the "financial" definitions (assuming they’re strict):

http://compare-cartes-bancaires-rechargeables.fr...

It would be interesting to know if your rental company is actually refusing standard bank cards like VISA or MASTERCARD.

Have a great day.

Like I told you and as Aixois54 mentioned, there’s some confusion around the term "credit." "International credit card" = "Credit Bank card" (Visa, MC, Amex, etc.) Don’t worry....

In France, we misuse the term "credit card."

Here’s what’s written in my AutoEurope contract:

*The main driver must present at least one valid credit card (no debit cards), issued in their name, when picking up the vehicle. The credit card is required as a security deposit, and the amount will be held by the car rental company. Limited mileage: Rentals of 30 days or more are limited to 4,000 kilometers. Each additional kilometer costs around 0.20 € per km, VAT included, to be paid on-site.

*Note: Regardless of the payment method used for the booking, a security deposit will be required when picking up the vehicle. This deposit will be blocked on the main driver’s international credit card. Be aware that cash deposits, prepaid cards, and debit cards (Carte Bleue Visa, Visa Electron, Maestro, etc.) are NOT accepted by the rental company on-site. The blocked amount is at least equal to the excess/deductible + a full tank of fuel + VAT. This amount will be released at the end of the rental if the vehicle is returned in its original condition.

And when I emailed Budget, Auto Europe, and all the other rental companies in Istanbul to ask if they accepted "Visa or Mastercard debit cards," the answer was... NO.

Honestly, the situation is unbelievable.

Either they’re writing nonsense and it shouldn’t be taken seriously, or there’s a real logical issue with how this works.

Either way, I’m still shocked that I’m the only French person concerned or asking questions about this!

Thanks everyone, anyway—I’m going to cancel my booking and figure it out on the spot, even if it means paying more... no choice.

I think you're gonna cancel your reservation for nothing. But hey, if you don't feel it...

Have a good trip anyway.

Warning: cash deposits as well as prepaid cards and debit cards (Carte Bleue Visa, Visa Electron, Maestro, etc.) are NOT accepted by the rental company on site

After reading AutoEurope’s terms:

http://www.autoeurope.fr/agb_FR.cfm

it states:



excluding credit cards (in common terminology) issued for domestic use only (limited to the country of issue) and those like MAESTRO and/or ELECTRON.

As Fred mentioned, the decision is yours, but if you have a credit card that works abroad (let’s say a VISA), you can always rephrase your question (it’s free) like this: "Does the rental company accept a VISA CARD as a credit card for the deposit?"

Wishing you a great trip.

Hi there, I don’t think you need to worry. There’s a terminology and technical translation issue with bank cards. Cards issued in France by banks don’t actually offer credit... but we commonly call them "credit cards." They guarantee the merchant will be paid, and that’s what matters to them—they don’t want a debit card that wouldn’t offer that guarantee. I’ve never had any issues using an international Visa card (like renting a car with Budget in Croatia, for example). If your strict (and technically correct!) interpretation of "debit card" were right... we wouldn’t be able to travel at all. If you say you have a credit card (not a debit card)—a Visa, for example—they’ll tell you it’s OK. Personally, I’ve given up trying to understand the difference between "debit card" and "credit card" on ATMs or websites from one country to another. I just try both options until my Visa Premier goes through... Don’t cancel anything—your card will work. Have a great trip! I was in Istanbul in May, and Visa works everywhere.

Hi there,

I came across your post—it’s a bit old, but I’m currently in the same situation as you. Could you let me know what you did or if your bank card worked normally in the end? Thanks so much for your help! Cathy

Hello, I had commented on the post above to say that I had a Visa card that worked without any issues for car rentals. However, I’ve since learned that my card, being a deferred debit card, is actually considered a credit card under international regulations, whereas immediate debit cards are debit cards. All banks offer both, but you may need to change your contract. It’s very quick—just check with your bank. Since 2015, French banks have been labeling cards as either "debit card" or "credit card." They aren’t linked to a line of credit, so no need to worry.

Thanks so much for your reply. Could you tell me who you rented from, and whether you had full insurance or not? No issues on return? That’s always my biggest worry. Have a great evening

Sorry, I’ve never rented a car in Turkey. I only replied about credit or debit cards. Safe travels!