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Can anyone please recommend a good car rental company, I have a perkopolous program through work and the best deal looks like $900 us with a free vehicle upgrade for 15 days with insurance, does that sound reasonable? It does to me , but this would be the first time renting a car in JA.
Thank you
We use Island Rental Car which is at the airport, seems a bit high to me our quoted rate was $195 per week plus tax, we use a Am-Ex, and TD Travel Rewards Visa which covers the insurance. That's for an economy car. Just did a quick search on their website put in a few random dated looks like for travel in Jan. current rates are $240-$250 & end of Feb it was down to $205 ish range i booked several months in advance, so booking sooner than later will get you a better rate. Our rate is for the same time I put the random dates in.
that is really high. i have rented from island on numerous occasions for 14 days at a time . . . check them out. you will have the option to use your cc or buy extra insurance. . . . not sure that your perkopolous program would be honored in ja . . . also, the price depends on which time of year you are inquiring about. i also found negrilonestop.com has rates for island that are lower than island themselves. go figure. . . . but for the few extra dollars, i prefer to direct rent and not use a third party.
oh my goodness, thank you so much, newfigirl and jitterbug, you just saved us so much money- I called my CC company and I do have CDW theft , damage and vandalism - do I need any other insurance on top of that?
thanks again, so glad I asked I have never rented a car before !!
they will honor the free upgrade with my work perks, but that's through Alamo.
No Lapurr, you don't need anything else, if you have some time before your trip I would ask your CC company to send you a letter specifically stating that you are covered in Jamaica, I don't have a printer if you do they can just e-mail it to you as well. yup better to spend that extra $$ on Red Stripes and excursions.
newfigirl, again THANK YOU!! so I called back to visa to confirm if I have coverage in Jamaica and they said I have worldwide coverage...so that's good news and he is faxing me the CDW form for proof!! you are awesome!
I owe you a red stripe or a few!
I have used Negrilonestop for the car rental several times and no issues....I also bring the insurance coverage verification letter...sometimes they honor the letter other times they call to verify....Island is the way to go!
Wow...Worldwide coverage! Which CC is that?
MBJ- its a low interest card called- Rate Advantage RBC Visa
I need a low interest card because I always carry a balance =(
Gotcha...the cards that I have exclude JA
Citibank World is also worldwide I believe, I know it covers me while in Jamaica
the thing is, if you have an accident (god forbid) the car rental company will charge everything to your credit card company and you will have to hash it out with them. if you pay the deposit and buy extra insurance, the rental car company only takes the deposit. so your choice . . .
I had a brand spanking new vehicle last yr. less than 200 km upon del. because we stayed 64 days we had to split it up on 2 CC so when we brought the car back at day 32 to do the new contract on the other cc they found a bunch of scratches on the car. They do put a $750 hold on the cc for the car but they never charged us or withheld deposit when everything was said and done. so I have to disagree with you Jitterbug. I am requesting a older car ( 1-2 yrs) so i don't have to feel so bad about scratching up a brand new vehicle. One yr we had a car where the mirrors fold in and the sec. guard at our hotel pushed them in to allow more room for other cars to park in the small lot I come out and the mirror is hanging talk about having a freak out. we Jerry rigged it. So now i examine the car with a fine tooth comb take pictures and everything and i ask the person going over the check list to push in the mirrors before i leave the lot
Oh one more thing they may keep the deposit (hold) which they charge you anyway even if you have CC coverage if you have a major kerfuffle, but i believe if the card covers it they should refund it back after all is said and done, that may take a while, just be careful.
My suggestion - hire a driver with a car or van - probably cheaper and definitely safer and easier - no hassles with insurance, damage, repairs, accidents, getting lost, driving while under the influence, traffic tickets, flat tires, paint scratches, roadblocks, weather, and on and on and on .................
I would guess you could make a great deal with someone to be "on demand" for your needs - there are lots of driver referrals on the board. We did this for years while staying at Tryall and it was sooooooo much better then driving yourself - and cheaper too!
I really can't see how it would be cheaper, I don't drink and drive anyway so that's not an issue. If the weekly rental is lets say 240 incl tax. and you want to do even 1 excursion to lets say YS/ Pelican. you are looking at $200 for just the driver, nevermind the convienience of being able to just go. I don't drive after dark so i still use a taxi if i go out. But for the extra $40 i will always have to go with the car. I like getting lost. I could tell some stories of situations I have found myself in What adventures, i have had driving around.
The OP said that they have never driven in Jamaica.
Keep that in mind
Cap
Cap I have driven in Jamaica, we have just never rented before and we do not have a car anymore. I don't mind driving-except for the potholes-
but I would rather not and my husband will be doing a lot of driving back and forth from Sav (daily) so we figure this will be the best option.
When I first started coming to Jamaica I had the best driver, but he's in Heaven now....RIP Alfred-
Alfred is driving in heaven now he was also my driver for the first 2 trips he was a incredible human being.
My daughter just got back from Florida Keys she went to BRT weekend, rented a convertible mustang- they wouldn't give her a Beemer because she was under 25-"Poor ting" eh! ...but she got a little present (invoice) in the mail from Budget last week 3 tickets 2 in one day...that budget paid for and if she didn't pay them back they would charge her cc.
Sorry I misread your OPQuote:
Originally Posted by Lapurr
Cap
Your daughter have a LEAD foot much. LOL That's diferent tho i would charge the cc too. I bet it cost her much more than $500 JD what a waste of the paper it was written on. I just didn't want to chance getting in trouble at the airport and not be able to leave over $5. Maybe that wouldn't of been a bad thing tho.
Been renting a car in Jamaica for years now.........Words of advice.........Keep one eye on traffic and the other watching for pot holes.......I was following a truck one year and my view of the road was blocked.......Pow....hit a pot hole and flattened the rim and got an immediate flat......Just be warned.....
Ken
you got lucky . . .Quote:
Originally Posted by newfiegirl59
i also would prefer my own ride than a driver . . . always much, much cheaper.
Auto insurance contracts are full of terms and conditions that effect coverage, and may limit or exclude coverage when one or more of those conditions are breached. Auto insurance has two main parts:
1 - Physical damage to the vehicle which is devided between the peril of collision and comprehensive perils which covers losses like theft, fire, vandalism, etc.. Assuming your buying both sections, know what your deductible is for each and when you are responsible for that deductible.
2 - Liability covers you when your legally liable for bodily injury and property damage resulting from the use or operation of the vehicle. Although these types of loss are less frequent, their potential for financial loss is by far your greatest exposure.
Expecting that a potentially devastaing accident will occur, read your insurance contracts VERY carefully. You should know who's covered, where they are covered, and what they are covered for. Pay particular attention to limitations and exclusions. In short make an informed choice knowing your risk and potential loss.
I'm with you. The hassle is not worth any savings.
To each their own....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Oil
Having rent cars / vans and driven ourselves and had a driver over the last 36 years we found the price about the same. We just made a deal with a driver to be on call / on demand for the entire trip for a flat fees. You would be surprised how reasonable it can be if you negotiate a little. The driver looks at it as guaranteed money, you get peace of mind and no hassle. Some days we used him, some days we didn't. On the days we did not want to go anywhere, we gave him permission to go hustle up some business on the side. Win - Win for everyone.
Now we hardly leave the beach except for a few trips up to the cliffs as a change of pace.
Enjoy yourself which ever way you go ................ be safe in your travels.
We're back, and no problems, got a great SUV from Island, those people are wonderful to do business with..was a little pricey $640 U.S which was about $830 Canadian (our dollar has really taken a dive) but whatever had it for 2 weeks, with no issues, it was great- is it just me or do the roads seem a little calmer?
there was a fella returning his rental and he wasn't so lucky, also another messy accident on the cliff road, very risky if you are a first time driver...
thanks to everyone that recommended Island..we will use them again in the future for sure =)
I think you can consult to AMEX Car RENTAL service provider?
The secret to saving money on car hire is to buy the basic package only. Use online agents such as holidayautos.co.uk, argushire.com, auto-europe.co.uk to check hire prices first, but also look on the sites of the major players, such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt and AMEX Car RENTAL.