TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Thrifty Car Rental

I just finished a thorough study on Tripadviser and the reports about Thrifty are not looking very good. Switching to Hertz. I know there are good, honest local companies as well, but the cars we have rented from them have been well worn and sometimes the A/C did not work so we are sticking with Hertz for now. Please let me know if someone has had a bad experience with Hertz. Thanks

We are first timers and with all the great advice on this forum, we have chosen Kenny's. Why go with a huge chain, when most of the responses are not great. Kenny's communication were excellent, did the paperwork on email, and he is meeting us at the terminal when are flight arrives, all for $40 a day, NO EXTRAS

you say you are switching from Thrifty to Hertz, and are sticking with them...so why ask for any more advice if you are already sticking with hertz?? If your mind is already made up...what difference would it make if you start to get all the negative comments about Hertz??? Obviously you aren't interested in swtiching..so why waste time? Sounds like another ''my guy is better'' thread concerning car rental. STick with your decision...and live with the results.

OK, please re-read their post. They said they were sticking with Hertz "for now" and wanted to know if anyone has had a bad experience with them.

Carol..u and I both know where this one is headed. The other car rental thread currently going on kind of explains the difference between the car rental companies, and the franchise brands that really have nothing to do with the name, since they are also locally owned.

the op mentioned that they scoured TripAdvisor for their information....i think everything is also covered here in the archives...especially when concerning car rental services. When the extra charges start coming through for cleaning of the sand, etc...we know what will be next.

I'm surprised at comments on charging for sand removal etc that some companies do. Every time I've rented from Hertz they have told me to come in any time and they will vacuum the sand and wash the car for free. When in the area passing by we have taken them up on that since we are there for a long time and have never paid for it. It's amazing how dirty a car can get, especially the windshield, with the salt air, sand and wind environment.

Thrifty Dollar and Hertz are one of the same.
Just like Avis and Budget are one of the same.
Also Alamo National and Enterprise are one of the same.

Kenny's is one of the best on the island

I think most of the rental car companies on SXM are a little "Scammy" if that is a word! I have had a 10 year relationship that has been great with a company, but I rent for myself and others many times a year so the continued business makes them treat me right. I am not going to "plug" them on here cause I am not sure others would have the same experience.

My advice is that if you vacation every year or more than once a year get a personal contact (Owner or Manager) and build a relationship. Will save you grief in the long run.

Thrifty and Dollar are the same company on SXM...we rented from Dollar during our last trip in Dec/Jan without any problems...reservation was made on Dollar's main website <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" />

i rest my case.

Na, you'll be back on this one again. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

OK, people, let's please stick to answering the poster's question--what has been your experience with Hertz. Thanks.

Ok, here goes. I rented from thrifty for years and never had a problem. I think in some part because I refused to use anything but Amex. Last year switched to alaine because the stories were getting worse and it was the easiest get go and return I have experienced and love it. Even had a cold beer waiting in the car for me when they picked me up!

And this ONLY applies in the states! People are not comparing apples to apples if they think what happens in the US holds true on SXM.

Sticking to the question. Hertz on SXM tried to hose me several years ago. Some people like them. I prefer Kenny's Car Rental.

thank you all for confirming our decision on Kennys <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Me, too, twice a year for I can't tell you how long and the man has never let me down yet!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thru the years, we have used both AAA & Thrifty, for quite sometime now I have stayed with Thrifty, just easier for pickup & drop off..it's what ever makes you feel comfortable,Mike.

Our experience with Hertz has been excellent...year after year!

They may be an overseas operation...but they maintain the quality and customer focus of their parent company that caused the big companies I worked for (Litton, Northrop Grumman, etc.) to choose them as the preferred supplier year after year...

I recommend them...

Just my 2 cents worth...

Another supporter for Kenny's. 8 years in a row and never a problem. Sometimes little is better, better personal service and no problems

and the thread is again right where i knew it would be. LOL

We have been renting from the Dollar / Thrifty location at The Sapphire and have been very satisfied. Newer cars, good condition, excellent service (including airport pickup and drop off), and competitive rates. They have a web site showing available cars and rates, but we contact the manager there ( Leo Jubenot, ljubenot@hotmail.com ) directly whenever we're going to need a rental car on the island. Great guy to do business with, very honest and straighforward, and never any funny business.

Our purpose in posting was simply to get learn from all of your experiences. We all know that knowledge is power. We in no way are plugging any company in particular. Thanks for your understanding.

Personally, I prefer the "well worn" car to a brand new one. The roads in St Martin are barely cow paths. I would prefer a company who isn't going to nickel and dime me for any little ding. We have always rented from local guys and once when the air conditioning was not up to snuff, we simply traded the car for another one. They were absolutely FINE with exchanging the car.

We have been renting from Vic at thrifty for about 8 years now, never have had a problem with there service. Price is a little more then some of the others but the cars are really nice.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

wildbill, Any link for Kennys? Thanks.

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