STJ car rental question for first timer?

[Hawaii]

Hi - We have reservations with STJ car rental but I put the down payment on my credit card. Does that mean I will have to fill out the paperwork? I just want to make sure my husband can drive since I put it on my credit card. I know this may sound silly but want to make sure everything is done by our trip in July. Thanks.

[Hawaii]

I am also trying to figure out how to get my ticker working. My code shows up but no picture. I am not very good with this stuff.

[PA Girl]

It doesn't matter whose card was used, when you arrive at STJ and do the paperwork you can designate the drivers.

One thing you will want to have ready is your on-island contact information. My husband walked in once with no clue about where we were staying or the villa phone number and he was scolded by the clerk. Now, I write everything down on a card for him.

[Gigi]

Make sure you read the insurance release letter that they sent with your initial reservation. You can decline the insurance if you used a Platinum card or AMEX personal card BUT
"The credit card used for insurance purposes must be in the name of the primary driver for the rental vehicle, and must be the same credit card used for the deposit payment and the final payment when turning in the vehicle."

You may also be covered on your personal auto insurance policy - just check it out before going down there.

[PA Girl]

Make sure you read the insurance release letter that they sent with your initial reservation. You can decline the insurance if you used a Platinum card or AMEX personal card BUT
"The credit card used for insurance purposes must be in the name of the primary driver for the rental vehicle, and must be the same credit card used for the deposit payment and the final payment when turning in the vehicle."

You may also be covered on your personal auto insurance policy - just check it out before going down there.

There is some iffy-ness with Amex Platinum that pertain to STJ driving.

Conde Nast had an ombudsman feature about Amex declining coverage after an accident. The short version is that someone rented a Jeep out west and had an accident on a dirt road. Amex said sorry, our policy states accidents on unimproved roads are not covered. This went back and forth with the cardholder getting all sorts of proof that all the roads in that region were dirt and so on but in the end, the cardholders were not covered.

I also read something recently (NYT maybe)that off-road vehicles (ie Jeeps) are not covered under that Platinum coverage.

Being that Jeeps and dirt roads are common on STJ, I am glad we are covered under our regular insurance.

[Hawaii]

Let me make sure I have this right. I just went over the form and it says if you use a Visa which we did it allows us to decline their required insurance. We have to bring a letter or fax to them stating we are insured for a 4wd vehicle and use of our personal insurance will allow the policy holder and spouse to drive regardless of policy. I think I just answered my own question by reading this but still want to make sure. So - I can still use my credit card and we both can drive - so sorry to sound stupid but want everthing to go well - also I am not sure I want to drive at least in the beginning on the roads of STJ. I appreciate everyone's help as this probably sounds silly to you all.