Budget Rentals

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:53 am

Hi all,
I know this question has been asked alot but the VIOL search isn't working today. I will be going to St. John in June with the wife and 3 kids. We have always stayed the first night in STT at Emerald Beach. We usually walk from the airport to EB and take the 1pm ferry from CA the next day. Is it easier and cheaper to just rent from Budget and take the car ferry. When we first started going to St. John you didn't have to pay for luggage for the taxi or ferry ride (just the fare) but its starting to add up for 5 people each way.
You thoughts would be appreciated. My kids are seasoned travelers to St.John and pack light but its the luggage charges that are starting to add up from years past. Thanks

gibber161 · Post by **gibber161** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:08 am

Hi Traveler:
We are renting from Dependable for the second year in a row after being burned by Budget. (we sang Budget's praises many times in the past, but when they didn't deliver on a car we reserved and gave us an inferior vehicle, we changed) We call Dependable right after landing, get a rum drink and wait to be picked up by Dependable's courtesy van. Fill out the paperwork at Dependable and you are on your way. Easy drive to Red Hook (we always go past Havensight and use route 30 to get there)and plenty of inexpensive places (the Food Center)to shop at before hitting the car ferry.

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:13 am

Thanks Gib, How far is their place from the airport?

BillVT · Post by **BillVT** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:18 am

I would stay away from Budget and use one of the local St Thomas agencies. A few years ago, while traveling with a friend and his wife, she reserved a car from Budget. My friend had Parkinson's and it was easier to rent on St Thomas rather than getting him in and out of cabs and ferrys. When we got to Budget they no longer had the vehicle that she had reserved and we had to settle for a 2-door Wrangler which necessitated that one of our party had to take a cab to the ferry while the Wrangler took the bags. I have heard much better of the local agencies like Amalie and Dependable. Budget will overbook thinking that they can cover any shortages from local Budget agencies. Though this policy may work fine stateside, it falls apart in the islands. If you are traveling in the off season this overbooking may not be as big of a concern.

Here is another option. Reserve a room at the Crystal Palace in Charlotte Amalie. Ronnie Lockwood the owner will pick you up at the airport. Spend the day & evening in CA and in the AM walk down the hill and catch the CA ferry to STJ. No cabs just the ferry and you can support the local car agencies on STJ.

gibber161 · Post by **gibber161** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:19 am

5 minute car ride with traffic and lights.

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:30 am

Thanks Gib
Bill- Thanks, sounds like a great idea for the next trip for the wife & I but my boys love the pool and beach at Emerald Beach and it is there as soon as we get off the plane.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:09 pm

I have had 2 sets of guests in the last month that have had their car given away by Budget - try Dependable or Amalie instead

Pia

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:17 pm

Thanks Pia,
I see that Amalie is downtown CA but will they pick you up at the Airport or Emerald beach like Dependable?

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:12 pm

We're renting from Amalie next week. They will be waiting for us at the airport, when our flight arrives. They've been really, really nice to deal with.

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:54 pm

We've rented from Budget 7 or 8 times and never had too much of a problem. The one time they gave our car away they gave us a nicer one instead.

The last time I did the math it was before they were charging luggage fees for the people ferry and it was still less expensive to take the car ferry as long as you have 2 people or more.

FinsUp · Post by **FinsUp** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:19 pm

I HIGHLY recommend Amalie. They are awesome and will be waiting for you as you get off your plane with your vehicle parked just outside the door!! Car ferry is approx $27 one way. We travel with 3 small boys and lots of baggage. No worries at all!!

BRY1105 · Post by **BRY1105** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:16 pm

gibber161 wrote:...but when they didn't deliver on a car we reserved and gave us an inferior vehicle...

Ditto. They overbook on purpose and it burned me once. It won't happen again.... if you catch my drift.

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:28 pm

Thanks for the warning all, Budget is out, waiting to hear back from Dependable and Amalie. Hows the car barge with the kids?

BRY1105 · Post by **BRY1105** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:07 pm

The car barge is no problem. I don't have kids but I don't see how having kids would make it worse. Ive thought about renting a jeep on STJ because some offer parking on their lot (which would be nice), but getting one on STT is pretty convenient; you're not lugging around your luggage on taxis and the passenger ferry.

gibber161 · Post by **gibber161** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:55 am

On at least one of the car barges there is an observation deck you can go up and enjoy the ride over to the island basking in the sun. Some even have a working, albeit very, very small bathroom. When we shop before getting on the car barge, we always make sure we buy some cold beverages for the ride over and have snacks handy.

usvi-on-line

Login or Register with your Facebook account

Budget Rentals

Budget Rentals