St. Thomas Budget Car Rental Opening Hour

[sheilas]

We have rented a car in St. Thomas. Upon departure Budget's opening
hour is 7:00 a.m., our flight leaves at 8:15. Will we have enough time to return the car at 7:00 and get to our gate by 7:45?

 

[Tia]

Ask when you pickup and there is probably a drop box for the keys and location they direct you to leave the car at.

 

[DeniseM]

If possible, I'd drop it off the night before so you can check it in yourself, so you can get the final bill and make sure you aren't charged for damages or other fees you don't owe. Then take a cab to the airport.

 

[sheilas]

I thought of dropping it off the night before but there is 6 of us and taxi's charge per person.

 

[DeniseM]

You might get charged a lot more, if you aren't there to check in the rental yourself and get the final bill.

 

[Ken555]

If you drop it off while the office is closed, be sure to take pictures of the car (in their parking lot) for your records.

 

[sheilas]

Thanks for your kind advise. So no one thinks that if we check our luggage in and then before we go through security go and return the car that we would have time? Is the Budget lot in St. Thomas on the grounds of the airport?

 

[Tia]

Yes they are on the grounds of the airport.

 

[Talent312]

In a perfect world, you could drop everyone off with all the luggage at 6:45, return the car at 7:00 and be at the gate by 7:30. But the reality is that you may encounter a galloping hoard of the unwashed masses all trying to do the same thing at the same time, and all it takes a couple of folks who have "issues" to throw a monkey wrench in the best laid plans.

But IMHO, returning the car to a live-person won't protect you from a false scratch+dent claim made later. The check-in person usually doesn't do more than check the gas guage, odometer, and issue a receipt.

IMHO, using a drop-box is okay, as long as you filled out a scratch+dent sheet at pick-up, prior to leaving the lot, and kept a copy for yourself.

 

[islandguy]

I've returned the car in the early morning at STT (budget) and had no problem. Just get their about 0630 or 0615.

The parking lot is on the road above the airport lobby. So drive into STT and go past the rental lot and into the terminal, drop off your passengers and luggage have them go to the airline and process. After dropping them off drive up the hill turn right at the parking lot attendent box (no fee for you) and then guide left in the rental parking lot and select a budget slot to park. Write down the milage and lock the car. Then walk down the steps and go and check in yourself at the airline.

Once you have processed yourself then turn in keys to the budget desk upon their opening. Once that is done at 0700 the go thru security and to the plane. (I've done this many times without a problem.

Remember your in the islands and the car will already have many bumps and scratches. They will not bill you unless you have a fender bender type damage. Never had a problem in USVI with the rental car.

It's easy and simple to catch an early flight -- just arrive early and do the ariline thing and then the car turn in at the desk.

Hopes this helps

 

[sheilas]

Thanks so much, that is what we will do !