TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin local car rentals

I find that the Big Name Auto rentals are very high priced. Can you recommend several local auto rental sites ( email addresses)
I am looking to rent for 3 weeks & my partner is looking to rent for 5 weeks

You will get the best price from Empress Car Rentals on Airport Road. There is no charge for a second driver and liability insurance is included if renting for 2 weeks or more. They are also a supporter of TTOL and you can find them in the listing at the top of the main page of this forum under TTOL sponsors.

Just go to the TTOL sponsors list and check with several of them. They are all locally operated.

I have used Empress several times but I used Ace in October and the price and service were superior.

Don't forget to ask for an all in price, tax and any extra's you might need ie liabilty

J&B

I have used Empress for the last 4 years. Excellent cars,price and service. Using them again this year. No need for email. Just reserve online and car will be there. Print reservation for backup, but I have never needed it. My name was on list at airport.

Even though Sxm hertz is a big name it is locally owned and operated. Been using them for over 15 years without a problem. Competitivly priced and their quote includes all tax airport fees and liabilitythey also include a free GPS and window heat deflector to use.

Over the 20 years of visits we've used both Big Name and local companies. The best service has been from the small independent ones. This year we tried Kenny's since they are a sponsor and have had great reviews posted here. We've had the car for a week and it's been the best one ever! It has a great ride and excellent brakes! Pickup was direct at the airport and in just a few minutes we were on our way. The drop off should be just as easy too!

Yes. Lesley with Kennys is the best for us too!! Completely hassle free!!!

Empress had a great selection of cars, but we reserved with Unity because they were $200 less. Does anyone have any experience with this company? We needed a van, there aren't too many out there

Islandgem, curious why you mention free liability insurance and second driver when Empress website lists charges for those items. WE were thinking of renting from them this January, so would like to know how to get free items.
Peter

She did say this was for rentals of two weeks or longer so perhaps that's the reason? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Yes, Pat is correct. As I stated, it is for rentals of two weeks or more. We have been staying a month or more and have contacted all the sponsors and Empress has always had the best price for us.We had rented from others in the past and never had any real problems, but always had to pay more for a smaller car and no liability included.I always recommend you choose the company that makes you happy as we are all different.

Contact Lesley at Kenny's - we used his services last week and it was great. He greets you outside the terminal and you leave the car at the terminal with $3 for him to pay the parking fee. Doesn't get any better than that!

Is liability included with Leslie.

We've used Unity for the past 15 years or more. They are reliable and competitively priced. Most importantly they have provided fine service whenever we had any problems.

We have used Unity many times over the years. Its been awhile since we used them but just booked them for next year. Hope they are good as they have been in the past.

We have been using Unity, for many visits. They are a great group to deal with. Michael is always available, if we ever need him. Will see him, very soon !

island gem,,,,do you know if they have vehicles that would accomodate 5 adults with luggage....i guess I can also check their site if I can find it. Obviously you have been happy with their service,,,did you get airport pick up?

If you look at the top of this page, there is a link for 'TTOL Sponsors.' Click on it, then scroll down the page to 'SXM Sponsors' and there will be a link for 'Empress Rent A Car.' Click on that link.

Empress' site has a list of the cars they rent and a number are listed as 5 passenger cars, although for some of those vehicles, that may be a squeeze.

They do have larger vehicles and some definitely will accommodate 5 passengers with luggage. They have a booth at the airport for check-in and they pick you up often in the car you will be renting and take you back to the office to sign the papers and then you are on your way. It is nice not to have to transfer your luggage from one vehicle to the other.We have been very happy with the service Empress provides.

Have to preface my thoughts with the comment I love a good car reantal thread!

For 5 adults and luggage, I would use Wilfred Brooks [TTOL sponsor], pre book an airport pick up, lots of room in his van
I would have the rental car delivered the next morning where you are staying [or later in the day if an am arrival]

That is our approach � we normally land 4 ish, makes arrival day relaxing and we get to catch up with Wilfred

My other comment is - instead of one large car for 5 why not 2 small cars, you can split up if you want to or drive "convoy" - smaller cars easier to park for sure
Have fun
J&B

We will see him or his designated stand in on 12/31/16 (God, weather, and Delta willing). Good way to end the year.
Hope we get in early enough to do Grande Marche for provisions (coffee/1/2&1/2, sugar, Crown Royal, Vodka, Rum, Ceres Fruit juices)knowing that everything is closed 1/1/17.
Don't really care since Belair Mini Mart (used to be "Jody's Place") will allow us to survive.

Does Unity do airport pickup like Kenny's or it is off-site pickup?

Unity picks up from the airport in a van and transports to their office near-by.

Sometimes when we are the only ones coming in, Unity picks us up, in the car we are renting.

Thanks, Harry!

Where do you get the car? I see 3 locations, none on Dutch side???

Tiple AAA with Alain Arnell...no comments? Used before, was satisfied. Did have to go from airport to his place right near Beach Side Villas...price was right! But, I do like the FREE Liability and FREE GPS!

It was suggested earlier in the thread to look at SXM sponsors for an appropriate rental company since all are good companies.

I use Alain at Triple A all the time but don't see the need to chime in to every "Which car rental agency is best" post. I could rattle off 5-6 decent companies BUT they are ALL in the list of sponsors..just pick one.

Dear Bouchard, I was also stating my experience and opinion for the OP who was asking. While I was at it, I had questions, as I like to compare, find the best fit, etc. I do not think my "chime-in" was out of line. Sorry to have caused you any inconvenience.

Sorry for upsetting you. I just thought the original suggestion to just pick a sponsor was appropriate...EVERYONE has their favorite and I bet not all the same company..I like Kenny's and Triple A...but they ALL give good service.

Was wondering if you could point me in the direction of the free liability insurance if renting for more than 2 weeks, and I cannot locate it on the TTOL site or on the Empress Site. TIA!!!

Sammy--I couldn't find it either, but I asked them and they confirmed in the last time I rented from them. You might have to call them... or you could e-mail them: info@empressrentacar.com

It used to be on their Web site. If it is not there now, just mention it in your comments to them and it will be included. Have you rented from them previously?

I rent from them every year, including just this past month for over 2 weeks and was charged the liability coverage as I asked for it. I will go back to them and see what they say. I remember seeing it on their advertisement here on TTOL, but it is no longer on here. Thanks for the info.

Just got a quote from them which included separate charge for liability.
Asked them about free liability and they replied they no longer offer it.

If renting with them for more than two weeks, we have always had it included. It has never been included for shorter term rentals.

I remember it being on their website, but it is no longer there and I just had a 18 day rental with them and was charged the $5/day rental and you see the response I received from them yesterday.