[cameronh90]

"I didn't even know you could use a debit card,"

Is there ever a situation that you can use a credit card but not a debit card? There are occasionally places that only accept debit cards, but I think the only time I've had a debit card refused was when hiring a car.

[stevesimmons]

The reason for that is the car rental company does a "pre-auth" that ties up some of your credit limit (reduces your "open to buy" amount), in case you damage the car or don't return it with a full tank of petrol.

Hotels will sometimes do the same for a room night plus potential minibar charges.

The pre-auth gets released when you make the payment at the end of the car rental period.

[AnssiH]

"Pre-auth" works the same way for VISA/MC debit and VISA/MC credit.

The amount is (temporarily) deducted from my available balance when I use a debit card, just like it is deducted from the credit limit when I use a credit card.

[maccard]

About 10 years ago a hotel I had prepaid wouldn't take a debit card for a damage deposit, but that's the only time in my life I've been asked for credit instead of debit.

[andrewshadura]

At some point Uber only accepted credit cards, but not debit cards.