Hard Pull from Avis

[bigman023]

Just wondering if anyone knew if securing a rental car from Avis is a PP for a hard pull. 

Im in the process of requesting that certain hard inquires be reclassified as soft pulls.

Thanks

[haulingthescoreup]

Did you have to pay cash or use a debit card or something?

I've never gotten a hard inq for a car rental, but I always use a CC.

[bigman023]

Yes, I used debit card.  I did not have my CC with me. 

[daisyduke]

BigMan,

I just had a rental car while my car was in the shop. I went through Enterprise and I can confirm, no checking credit. The usual, license and get your CC.

[llecs]

Long before myFICO, in my stupid credit days, I didn't have any CCs and went to use a debit card at Avis. They turned me down due to the lack of a CC (maybe rules changed). But I clearly remember going to a couple of competitors and vividly remember reading the terms and conditions looking to see if they take debit cards. I do remember both companies (can't recall who) saying they'd pull my credit if I presented cash or a debit card. I remember being scared and not wanting to go through what I went through with Avis...rejection.

[MattH]

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@bigman023 wrote:
Yes, I used debit card.  I did not have my CC with me. 

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Unfortunately, you just learned something the hard way, it's buried in the fine print but not always emphasized as it should be: it is always to your advantage to use a credit card when renting a car.  You may, if you wish, pay with a debit card when you return the car, but you should always use a credit card when you rent the car.  This is because they are literally letting the customer drive off with a major capital asset so they want some reassurance (1) that they are likely to get it back and (2) that they will get paid.  With a credit card they at least know the credit card company is willing to extend credit; with a debit card they don't have that assurance so they take additional steps to protect themselves.  In addition to a hard pull of your credit history, many car rental companies will also place a hold of several hundred dollars on your bank account when you rent a car with a debit card, because merely checking your balance does not guarantee the money will still be there later.

[Anonymous]

Hey, don't despair.

Not all hard inquiries are in the same category.  For example, credit/store card hard pulls are the most damaging.  So, even though you see a hard pull that doesn't mean it's like getting a hard pull from, say, Kohl's or something like that.

I got a hard pull when I bought my car with cash.  Go figure.  But it's not the same impact as a hard pull for an auto loan.  Just rather shocking to the system when you first see it.

So, not all hard pulls are created equal - not even close.

ETA and posted down below: 

Well, it's a good thing I'm on a diet, because I'm now eatin' a big plate of crow!

Evidently, my understanding is incorrect and all hard inquiries are scored the same.  Sorry for posting the misinfo!

And I was so dang excited for a day or two - thinkin' that darn hard pull was something less than it is ;( !

** Note to self:  next time I buy a used car, I'll buy it from a private seller ;(  **

Message Edited by beamMEup on 02-22-2010 01:18 PM

[haulingthescoreup]

This is a new one on me.

[TXempress]

Yep I have an inquiry on my EQ credit report from last July when I paid with a debit card. I was not thrilled when I saw it there but now I have learned my lesson.

[bigtim]

My girlfriend has stellar credit and she used a debit card instead of a CC to rent a car while we were in Miami last year - hard pull on her report, the only one.