rentalcars.com Did not provide correct information on credit card deposit requirements: Won't give refund ! Internet

We had booked through rentalcars.com a 12 person passenger van. We paid with a pre-paid Visa Card, which was charged in full. When we double checked with our bank about using the card for other services while we would be vacationing in Orlando, they assured us that we could use our card as any normal credit card, as it is like any other credit card.

When we arrive in Miami to pick up our car, so we can drive to Orlando, the Budget car rental rep (with whom rentalcars.com confirmed the rental with), refused to give us our (fully pre-paid) car. They claim that they cannot accept the Visa card. Nor would they accommodate us by accepting a cash deposit. Instead they showed us to the car rental next door to get another car!

That car rental E-Z- Rental car saved our lives and gave us a 15 person van for the price of a 12 person van and they did take out Visa card to hold for a $200 deposit.

When we asked the Budget rep about the money we had paid for our rental, he said to claim with the company with whom we booked the car from, rentalcars.com.

After a long and tiresome drive to Orlando (the same day), I went online and send rentalcars.com an email explaining what happened.

After several emails, explaining that I couldn't cancell before (didn't have internet access at Miami international airport), nor was I near our hotel (which was in Orlando) to be able to call someone, this is what I get:

CANCELLATIONS RESERVATIONS FULLY PAID FOR AT THE TIME OF BOOKING:

Can be cancelled online free of charge up to 48 hours before the start of the rental. Reservations cancelled within 48 hours of the start of the rental will be charged a fee equal to a 3 day rental. There will be no refund or additional charge for reservations less than 3 days in duration. Where the vehicle cannot be picked up due to insufficient documentation or failure to provide a valid credit card this will be treated as a cancellation made within 48 hours provided we are advised at the pick-up time.
NO SHOWS A 100% cancellation fee will be charged where we are not notified of cancellation prior to the start of the rental. This includes where the vehicle cannot be picked up due to insufficient documentation; failure to provide a valid credit card; and/or failure to collect the car at the specified time / date

This matter is now closed.

Kind regards,
Maddox Davenport

No where in their terms and conditions does it state that the car rental company won't take pre-paid credit cards.

How were we supposed to know that, especially since rentalcars.com did accept our card for the full week rental and so did every other place we used it at, including the other rental company, the hotel for the incidental deposits and other establisments in the US?

Was our card an 'invalid' credit card? and if so, how did rentalcars.com charge us for the full rental then?

This was a rental of 731.11 Euros, which is almost $1000,-!

This was a big time rip off!!