Renting a car with debit card?
I know this is on Yahoo answers, but some of the repsonses are roughly 2 years old so I wanted to get some updated info before showing up at a rental counter and making a total ass of myself. So here is the situation:
I am 25, a military wife (so yes, at the moment unemployed…but going to school), and I am flying in to Orlando, FL. I am visiting my parents for a week and need a car to drive to the Keys. I have a debit card that will have plenty of funds on it, and my husband is also giving me his credit card in case I need it for emergencies (like needing it for the rental car). I will admit my credit is not all that great (please no judgement passing..) because I am in the process of paying off some old student loans…which are credit murder. My flight lands in Orlando at 1147 pm, so I dont’ want to be stuck in the airport in the middle of the night because I didn’t plan properly enough. Any suggestions on the easiest way to get this done? Thanks so much for your help!!! 
We rented a car from Budget last week and they were okay with a debit card. The way it works is they place a hold on a particular amount of funds – $400 minimum, but will be more if the rental contract is for more – so the money to satisfy the contract will be there when you return the car. Signs in the office indicated the minimum hold (not the minimum charge) had recently gone up from $200. That hold is just like paying in advance and getting the balance back a couple days after you settle up. In the situation you describe I don’t see a problem. After all, you have money, the rental company wants money. I’m sure they can work it out.
It’s possible, you just need to shop around. Policies vary by each outlet of each rental agency. At minimum you will have to put down a deposit, or confirm travel itinerary, or have a "hold" placed on your card for a certain amount of money in case of damages. Call the counter (not the main 1-800 number) first to confirm this.
More information at:
http://consumerist.com/2010/09/why-wont-rental-car-companies-let-me-use-my-debit-card.html