stevev@tekchips.UUCP (Steve Vegdahl) (01/11/84)
I believe that rent-a-car companies want a credit card require a credit card so that they have some leverage if you steal/wreck the car. I would be surprised if they refused to accept cash with a credit card to back it up. Steve Vegdahl
dickey@wxlvax.UUCP (Tom Dickey) (01/13/84)
Some companies will rent cars with cash deposit (Budget, Hertz), but not others (Avis). However, the amount of the cash deposit is larger than the anticipated bill.
larry@ihuxf.UUCP (Larry Marek) (01/14/84)
Anyone who has tried to sign into a motel without a credit card will also be treated to the SUB-HUMAN treatment. A few years ago I travelled with a person that had not been tempted to the "plastic money" (his words). However, after the first few times of trying to sign in at motels, he soon gave in and applied for one! -- Larry Marek ihnp4!ihuxf!larry
tll@druxu.UUCP (LaidigTL) (01/14/84)
The motels I go to do not require (or desire) to see a credit card. But, of course, I go to the cheapest motels I can. Motel 6, for instance, refuses to look at credit cards. Cash is the only thing they accept (they don't want to pay 5% to the credit company). Tom Laidig AT&T Information Systems, Denver ...!ihnp4!druxu!tll
rpw3@fortune.UUCP (01/16/84)
#R:tekchips:-51400:fortune:6700027:000:2023
fortune!rpw3 Jan 15 17:57:00 1984
Here are the ways I know of to rent a car with cash:
1. (Avis, maybe others) Get yourself "cash qualified" by calling the
800 number and asking for same. They will check you out much like
a credit card company would. Once you are on their "good guy" list
you can rent for cash by giving your "cash qualification" number,
or some such. (Maybe they give you an I.D. card?)
2. (Budget, maybe others) Make your car rental reservations through a
local-to-you travel agent. They will arrange to allow a "reasonable"
up-front cash payment when you rent the car. "Reasonable" means the
expected charge plus some deposit against overage charges. Your change
from the deposit comes back in cash when you return the car (but don't
be surprised if smaller out-of-the-way rental locations want to give you
a voucher for the difference. Take it, and cash it with the travel agent.)
3. (All companies) Make your car rental reservations through a local-to-you
travel agent. Buy an MCO (Miscellaneous Charge Order) from the travel
agent with cash or check for the expected amount of the rental (the
rental company's computer will tell them when you make the reservation).
Give the MCO to the rental car clerk as pre-payment when you rent the car.
Pay for the insurance, gas (if applicable), and any excess fees with cash
at the counter when you turn the car in.
I have used #2 & #3 many times with little trouble. When using MCO's
with Avis, they said that cash would have been easier(!), and suggested
trying method #1. MCO's may also be used for hotels, ski rentals, and
virtually anything esle. They look like airline tickets, and are generally
used in "package tours". Your travel agent has to be accredited with
the issuing authority for the MCO (usually an airline), so that's how
the recipient is protected.
Rob Warnock
UUCP: {sri-unix,amd70,hpda,harpo,ihnp4,allegra}!fortune!rpw3
DDD: (415)595-8444
USPS: Fortune Systems Corp, 101 Twin Dolphins Drive, Redwood City, CA 94065