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Getting around Bonaire: CAR RENTAL
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2005-05-23 to 2005-06-10: CAR RENTAL
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ralph kiracofe (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 1:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Has anyone recently rented a dble cab pick up from AB car rental in bonaire? Do you know if the trucks are in good shape? Also will be using American Express card for insurance and they have told me that the rental agency needs to have liability insurance and AB has it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1396) on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 5:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ralph,
Search this site (see the button below) on information about American Express for renting a car. Then buy the optional coverage from them (AMEX), and skip the ripoff rates for liability and CDW charged by the rental agencies, including AB.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Stanfield (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 3:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ralph,
Have done about 20 rentals with AB over the past 5 years with no problems. Trucks may not be new but we prefer something a little used so we do not have too be concerned about every little scratch that may get on the vehicle from the terrain. They do take AMX and the optional coverage that Susan suggests is the way to go.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barry Gibbs (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 11:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Where is the best place to rent a car/truck? I am staying at the Divi. Should I rent at the airport or wait until I get to Divi? Is a cab the best transfer from the airport?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Julia Graves (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #651) on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 3:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Barry, I think it is best to book a car/ truck before you come. There are not usually any problems but there are a finite number of vehicles and if you come at a busy time your choice may be limited. Most people get a truck if they are shore diving and want to visit Washington Park. If you go to infobonaire you will find a list of car hire firms.
There are plenty of taxis but I pick my car up at the airport.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1404) on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 8:16 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

One thing: if you aren't in a big rush to do shore diving, and you've had a long flight in, I recommend taking the taxi to where you're staying, get settled in and a get a bit of rest, then making the arrangements to pick up the car/truck a bit later. Standing in a looooooong line at the airport in the hot sun (the rental places are booths set up across the parking lot from the airport) after a tiring trip can be a bit hard.

We've been the third person in line at AB and still ended up standing in the sun for over an hour. Island time in this situation is less than pleasant.

Also, a lot of the resorts pay for the taxi as part of the package, or else have a courtesy vehicle.



(Message edited by susanf on July 15, 2005)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josie (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1086) on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 1:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'd recommend Everts -- it's a small operation, I've never encountered a line, and the people are just great.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Belinda Z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #358) on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 11:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My warning about Budget:

Our keys were stolen in April and Budget charged our AmEx card $200 before we left the island. That's fine, we had AmEx premium car rental insurance and filed a claim when we returned.

Budget refuses to provide the necessary info to AmEx to process our claim.

I have finally challenged the charge on my credit card to try to force Budget to provide the needed information.

I would avoid Budget if you use the AmEx insurance as they are very unwilling to help with claims.

Belinda Z

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #370) on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 11:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK, that's good to know. We damaged one of Budget's trucks last April and had to pay the $300.00 deductible out of pocket upon departure from the island. After that, I signed up for the AMEX card assuming it would cover the damage should we use packages in the future that include a vehicle from Budget. We've always used AB prior to this and have now made the decision to go back to AB; for one thing, the deductible is lower than Budgets should you be forced to pay the deductible due to vehicle damage. Additionally, I'm fairly comfortable from reading posts on Bonaire Talk that AB will honor the AMEX insurance. I guess we'll find out in September.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #175) on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 11:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Amex will take care of any charges made to you as long as you use the Amex card to pay with..... No questions asked.. Police report stating what happend is needed and proof that the keys were in your possession when you returned the vehical. Ron

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Belinda Z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #359) on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 11:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ron,

I have spoken to AmEx several times and they need documentation from Budget that they have thus far been unable to get.

Belinda

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James Reilly (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 8:31 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello All:

We just enjoyed a carefree week driving a very nice Hilux we rented from Budget. There was no problem using my AMEX and its insurance - it was gladly accepted. Sure, they put a hold of $300 on my card, but it was only a hold and it was removed when I returned the truck.

I have rented from AB in the past and am a bit tired or paying their very high insurance rates. Especially since I discovered the last time I looked at the AB web site, their insurance now no longer cover you 100%. So, why pay more?

However, I've never had a claim (with any rental agency on Bonaire) and cannot comment on the problems one might encountered processing a claim.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #379) on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 11:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

James: As I understand it the deductible at AB is $169.00 with full coverage after that versus Budget's deductible of $300.00 with full coverage after that; additionally, the AMEX Card and its insurance is accepted at AB; therefore, I don't see how you would pay more at AB unless you have knowledge that they won't accept the AMEX Card which would force you to pay what I agree is very high insurance fees.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Francesca & Paola (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 10:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

we rented a dbl cab by Rento Fun. the truck was new, in perfect conditions. Prices with insurance and all taxes at 42,00USD. they picked up at lodge and they drived to the airport. very kind people. we suggest Rento Fun.

 


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