Cars and Debit Cards

While renting a car at Budget Rent a Car at San Francisco Airport recently, I was informed that they would no longer honor debit cards, regardless of their association with Visa.

I contacted Budget to be told only that they have had “too many problems with debit cards” and will no longer accept them as payment. I find this contradictory to the highly touted message of “Use it just like a Visa.” Readers should be aware that if they possess a debit card with a Visa logo, Budget will not accept this as a form of payment or as a reservation hold.

PAUL R. EDMONDSON

Laguna Beach

Editor’s note: Budget Rent a Car spokeswoman Kimberly Mulcahy said the company’s current policy is to accept debit cards as final payment but not to initially secure the car; for that, a credit card is required. She said the concern is that background checks for debit cards may not be as thorough as those for credit cards. “We’re talking with the credit card industry to work through this issue,” she added.