Help w/ flt change and my options

[KTinTX]

I posted last week about Delta changing my flight times around, and they've moved me a little later yet again. We are NOW "scheduled" to arrive shortly after 4 pm on Sunday, June 20. There is a distinct possibility that we won't be arriving on STJ until after 6 pm now, which could make the Jeep pickup a potential issue. (especially a Sunday nite?)

Anyway, with Delta's change procedures I can rebook equivalently priced flights without a change penalty (at least that's how I understand it). We can rebook our flight from Houston to ATL for Saturday evening and then be able to make the first ATL-STT flight on Sunday a.m. (leaves more than 2 hrs prior to our original and you can't get to ATL early enough from Houston to catch it on the same day).

Is this "security blanket" and getting to STJ a couple of hours earlier worth the cost of a hotel room for one night (about $100 after tax). I would only pick somewhere with a free shuttle, and we are traveling with carry-on bags only. Two adults and kids aged 14 & 11.

Any thoughts? I tried moving the STT flight to Saturday or even Friday, but it comes out WAY more expensive.

[waterguy]

Where are you renting your car from most of the agences will leave the keys in the car with your name on it so you can pick it up and come back the next morning to do the paper work.

[Gromit]

What Waterguy said.

Even though the travel day is a long one, I prefer to just suck it up and get there in one day.

Most rental co's will let your villa greeter pick up the keys and you just have to head back sometime the next day to fill out your paperwork (we've done this with STJ Car Rental several times).

I know others have had luck with agencies willing to wait for you as long as it's not too late-- though STJ Car rental usually won't stay late.

Of course since you're traveling with kids you know their limits. Would they be better if you broke the trip up like that or would it make it seem twice as long to them?

I say, let the car rental co know that you are coming in late and let the villa agency know so they can pick up the keys for you.

That's the way that I would roll.

[KTinTX]

We're renting our jeep from Conrad Sutton, who we used last summer. Their website shows hours of 6pm, but it might be worth a call to first the villa mgmt (Destination St. John), and then to the Suttons.

Breaking the trip up could still result in you being on the 4 pm ferry if you can't make the 3 (a 2 pm landing), so is STJ time worth $50/hr and the airport hassles?

Thanks!

[michele]

We rented from Courtesy and they were great about meeting us at the Ferry after hours and then took us to the office to fill out paperwork, etc.

[KTinTX]

I've convinced myself that splitting the travel day just to save a few hours is not worth the hassle or the risk of compounding problems due to delays. If we were not able to fly out of Houston on that Saturday due to weather or something...we'd end up missing the flight on Sat. a.m. out of ATL because it leaves earlier than any connecting flight can get you there.

I've emailed the Suttons to ask how they normally handle this situation. We had a very good experience with them last summer, and they noted on the reservation that we were repeat customers. It will work out.

[Diana2]

We NEVER arrive on STJ before the rental cars have closed. Our villa agency ALWAYS picks up our Jeep keys and we do our paperwork the next morning. That's how we roll every trip.