Those who have never had the bad experience of having a tough time renting a car because of bad credit may not realize the connection between bad credit and the ability to rent a car.

Living with bad credit prevents you from being able to live the mainstream life you see so many people enjoying.  Not having access to credit means having to budget every single dollar and living paycheck to paycheck. It also means having to wait to make big purchases such as appliances, computers and furniture.

While there are alternatives such as rent to own stores that allow you to rent appliances and computers and pay until you pay them off, you end up paying a whole lot more than others and your choices are very limited.

The same is true when you try to buy a car.  If you have bad credit, and you don’t have the cash to purchase the car outright you will inevitably be at the mercy of the dealer’s financing department. They will tell YOU what you can or cannot buy.  Again, your choices are severely limited.

Well, if you need to rent a car and you do not have a major credit card be prepared for the same type of scenario.  Most major rental car companies will require that you have access to a major credit card.  If you don’t then you can pay with a debit card but a credit check and a deposit will be required.  Some even ask that you bring utility bills to prove your local residency. It truly is a nightmare if you don’t have a credit card and have bad credit.

Thankfully, there are some rental car companies out there that will rent to this growing demographic.  Considering the current economic situation in the country, I can only assume (and hope) that the trend will continue to grow.

One such company is EZ Rent a Car.  They have flexible guidelines and will even welcome renters between the ages of 18 and 21.   Most well-known companies will rarely rent to individuals under 21, and will charge renters 25 and under a daily “underage” fee.