TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico Car Rental Help

Hi there~

Looking for info on car rental companies in St Thomas for an upcoming trip. Need a reliable but not fancy car for four adults to see the island and possibly to take it to STJ for the day. 1 week rental. Would love some suggestions of the best companies to contact, any and all info appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I only use Avis, right in the airport...Avis, Hertz, Budget all have counters in the airport and also websites online

We've had good luck with Zip Rental over 4 trips. They are a smaller local company with slightly older "island" cars. Never an issue with reliability and their service is second to none IMO. Just know you will not be getting a brand new car. A/C has always worked well and again no issues at all. We had a Rav4 from them for our 10 day trip to STJ this past July and enjoyed the vehicle. It would be a good fit for 4 adults with luggage as well. No website but their phone number is: 340-715-1501. They will drop car to you at airport and meet you there for pickup at the end of your trip. Really convenient. If you decide to give them a call tell them Chip from Texas referred you. I get nothing from it but want them to know I appreciate their service.

Have a great trip.
Chip

Thanks just tried to call that number for Zip and is said no longer in service. Any other ideas of how to reach them?

No I don't. Let me see if I can find an alternate number. I hope all is OK with Lisa and Marcellus. As I said we rented from them in July and all seemed fine. I'll post back here if I can find another way to reach them.

Got through to them must have been my cell phone as got through on land line. Thanks!

You might confirm that whomever you rent a car with is aware that you intend to take it to St John. Some companies do NOT want to deal with a broken down car over there! You might also try Amalie Rentals. We've not used them for a few years but were very satisfied with them. Small company same deal, met us at airport to pick up and drop off.

Not for sure we would take car to STJ just heard this is an option. Thanks for the info.

Glad it worked. I called them earlier too and got the same message. Good to know they are still around. Could have been an issue with their provider down there. I'm sure it happens.

We like Amalie and have been hearing good things, including this week, from friends about the new owners. I like the airport pickup service - sign the paperwork and drive away - (340) 774-0688.

Cheers, RickG

I prefer to rent from locals than chain companies if I can. How is Zip when it comes to sand in the cars, scratches, etc. The reason I ask is I am hearing some of the companies are getting really sticky about stuff like this. I am used to SXM and never had an issue, though I have had both on my car when I turned them in. We don't trash our cars and are very careful, but if you go to beaches it is hard to avoid a little sand and people are really bad about trying to fit in too tight of parking spaces, makes this stuff inevitable. Just curious.
Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

We have used Zip and as said the cars are old and have scratches and dents noted on the form. The only negative is they are not very good with emails and answering phones. We did a month rental and got a great deal, none of the national chains could get close to the price we were offered. For one or two day rental, I would go with a bigger company.