car rental ? St thomas or St John

[Teresa_Rae]

jenxogirl- From which STT company did you rent?

tothectothec - We used Avis on our first trip to STJ in 2003. We have since switched to renting only Jeeps and they don't have Jeeps (at least not the last time I checked)...or maybe they do now and their prices are high? I can't remember.

[mindehankins]

I had the same question. I just know it wasn't Amalie.

[jenxogirl]

We rented from Dependable.

You can read my first post-trip review here:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... le#p242047

And the response from the company here:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... le#p242094

A year and a half later it all seems funny now! It wasn't while we were there though! There is always plenty to be thankful about though.

To the original poster, I am sure our experiece was a 1 in a million possibilty. You can find great experiences from STT car renters all over this forum, we just wouldn't risk it any longer.

[Dome526]

I originally had a car rented in STT. Changed my mind, and rented on STJ. I did not rent for the full 15 days we were there, BUT, I want to try our next trip WITHOUT a car. We loved Cinnamon Bay campground, and figured what would we want to leave! Taxis are readily available, and I am going to try that next time.

[bigyellowtuna]

I stand corrected - having car trouble on St John with a car from St Thomas can be a nightmare. I also now realize from my research that renting from Budget on St Thomas is not smart. Your STT Budget reservation might more closely resemble a lottery ticket than a car rental reservation. They know how to take the reservation, but they don't know how to hold the reservation. I also realize that if there are only 2 in your party, you will be spending more money on the rental / ferry if renting in St Thomas than if you rent in St John. Hours or research tells me the best bet is Courtesy or St John Car Rental.

[mindehankins]

I'll finish your sentence, tuna ......or from Amalie on STT.

[bigyellowtuna]

yes, research told me Amalie is first class, but for a party of two, you'll end up spending more money on transportation if renting in St Thomas. Not counting tips for taxis and gas, I estimated 5 day rental with Amalie my transportation costs would be $536 vs a 4 day rental on St John at $450.

One thing I included in my estimates but that I could use clarification on are per bag charges by the passenger ferry and the taxis. Do they charge for carry-on type bags that you secure on your back and/or lap or just bags that exceed carry on size?

[BillVT]

As far as bags are concerned, if you can can put that backpack or messenger bag on your lap you probably will not get charged for it. If the carry-on rolls or takes up any space besides what you yourself take up, than you will probably be charged for it.

We have always rented on island except for the year when our best friend was not well. We live on an island ourselves about the size of STJ in the great white north. We appreciate people who prefer to do their business on our island. We try not to be a hypocrites.

[mindehankins]

When we bought our ferry ticket recently, the agent asked "how many checked bags do you have?" I was carrying quite a large backpack on my lap - no charge.
BYT: You are most likely correct that Amalie would cost a little more. For us, it's worth it, but I understand that for some, it might not be. Different strokes and all

[Effie]

Has anyone rented with Hertz on STT? We definitely want to rent in st Thomas and get a pretty good rate with our AAA discount.

[toes in the sand]

Personally I just really like the experiences I have had with the rental company we use on StJ. I also like promoting a StJ business. Its not like most of the STT rental agencies are not local to STT or the USVI but I like picking up the jeep at the ferry dock in Cruz Bay and dropping it off their when we are leaving. I like the vehicles we get from them. I like that they answer emails promptly and do not require a long distance phone call to clear up small matters.

[toes in the sand]

One more thing, I like riding the passenger ferry. Always have.

[toes in the sand]

Has anyone rented with Hertz on STT? We definitely want to rent in st Thomas and get a pretty good rate with our AAA discount.

I have not, but there is one STT rental company that does not allow their vehicles onto the car barge. Check to see that it is not Hertz before you rent from them.

[hoosierdaddy]

Has anyone rented with Hertz on STT? We definitely want to rent in St Thomas and get a pretty good rate with our AAA discount.

We rented from Hertz 4 years ago and had to wait for more than an hour to have a vehicle ready. We rented from Dependable 2 years ago and they are not at the airport but had a much better experience. They were there to pick us up in just a few minutes after we called. This year we are using Amelia's and have been impressed by the personal service we have recieved so far.

[Effie]

I would prefer to rent in St Thomas because my parents are coming with us. My mom tends to be a bit of an over packer and we don't want to have to lug everything in taxi, on the ferry etc. I have put in a inquiry to Dependable but haven't heard back yet and will check with Amalie. Any other local St Thomas car rental companies that people have had good luck with? Thanks!