Posts by Nono537

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

Ughhhhh

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

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.

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!

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....

😕🏴‍☠️😐

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!