the great car rental poll and ratings thread

[drfisher]

Just wondering what Royal is really like.

I just booked and PAID for a car in 2 weeks... We needed an SUV(7 passenger and they seemed good so far, but we have not landed yet!

They have offered so far
Quick email response , the best price, the most choices ,

However I see some reviews that say they don't have the car when you show up and they rent junk that breaks down and not very helpful.

Is this just one person posting several times or should I cancel the reservation and go with the Favorite here..Tropic...They are a few dollars more but I just want a decent car(that i reserved) and quick service.

Please tell me I never made a mistake as having a lousy broken down SUV would not be a highlight for our trip as we plan on doing some exploring and spending some time driving.

I have been with Alamo before and they lost our Confirmation and jammed us twice the price for a junky car even though I had a prebooked package...Live and learn...Never again with Alamo.

Now I am not sure who to go with ....Once bitten as they say...
Thanks
Derrick

[dwippies]

yes, i saw that there are a few negatives. your problem is that you need a larger vehicle so there are limited resources. so far, the positive votes far outweigh the negatives. i would contact them again 2-3 days before your vacation (btw, when did you say you were leaving?) and verify to remind them. then i wouldn't worry about it. it's been a while since the last complaint so i am assuming they corrected their problems.

Originally Posted by drfisher

Just wondering what Royal is really like.

I just booked and PAID for a car in 2 weeks... We needed an SUV(7 passenger and they seemed good so far, but we have not landed yet!

They have offered so far
Quick email response , the best price, the most choices ,

However I see some reviews that say they don't have the car when you show up and they rent junk that breaks down and not very helpful.

Is this just one person posting several times or should I cancel the reservation and go with the Favorite here..Tropic...They are a few dollars more but I just want a decent car(that i reserved) and quick service.

Please tell me I never made a mistake as having a lousy broken down SUV would not be a highlight for our trip as we plan on doing some exploring and spending some time driving.

I have been with Alamo before and they lost our Confirmation and jammed us twice the price for a junky car even though I had a prebooked package...Live and learn...Never again with Alamo.

Now I am not sure who to go with ....Once bitten as they say...
Thanks
Derrick

[roschone]

Originally Posted by getaway

Royal gives you a free cell phone? We do not use a cell phone in Aruba but the last visit, I was thinking...what if something happened when we were out and about and no phone.
How are their rates and service compared to Hans?

We normally would not care about a cell phone, but it does come in handy for calling the local friends we have made over the years, as well as reservations, etc. I can't compare to Tropic - we've never used them before. But then we are limited because of our need for a larger vehicle. We've always been pleased with the rates at Royal as well as the service. Boy, looks like I'm the only who has never met Hans!! We have not made our reservations for this year yet, but will in the next couple of days and then will post the rates for a van.

[roschone]

Originally Posted by getaway

Royal gives you a free cell phone? We do not use a cell phone in Aruba but the last visit, I was thinking...what if something happened when we were out and about and no phone.
How are their rates and service compared to Hans?

We made our car reservations with Royal, and the cost for a Van is $630 for 2 weeks (we have 6 people). For the next 10 days it's just me and Frank, so of course we downsize to a car and for the 10 days it will cost us like $225(?-I already forgot). He said we got a discount for renting 3+ weeks. And they will give a free phone if there is one available - that wording seems new this year. Apparently they have had issues with people not returning them. If it's not returned, the customer pays a fee, but Royal still doesn't have the phone available then and has to purchase more. One year we had to go back the next day to get our phone.

[lobe]

We find it easiest to book online from one of the major international companies that have offices at the airport. This is not the third world, where you have to use locals --you can use Hertz, Avis, National, Alamo, Dollar, etc.. Use a comparison site like sidestep.com to compare prices, or use your Entertainment/AAA discounts. Relax with the knowledge that a major company here in the States will have your back if you need customer service. Relax with a selection of cars, not just Yarises. Relax with frequent-flyer miles or rental-frequency points. Relax with the fact that no one's going to take your car away for a "surprise wash." Relax in knowing that no one will be trying to avoid airport vendor fees by trying to do paperwork on the sly as you're walking your bags through the airport.

[ArubaMichele]

Originally Posted by lobe

We find it easiest to book online from one of the major international companies that have offices at the airport. This is not the third world, where you have to use locals --you can use Hertz, Avis, National, Alamo, Dollar, etc.. Use a comparison site like sidestep.com to compare prices, or use your Entertainment/AAA discounts. Relax with the knowledge that a major company here in the States will have your back if you need customer service.

NOT TRUE!!! We had issues with Avis in Aruba in 1998. It is a company that LEASED THE AVIS NAME. They paid a fee to Avis to use their name. We had no support from Avis in the USA and was told there is nothing they can do because of the name lease agreement. This is the same with several of the "Major Intl Companies". In fact, the Hertz location in Aruba is a division of DePalm Tours not operated by the Hertz corporation.

Trust me when I tell you that the local companies treat you much better than the big companies. Besides all of the local companies offer discounts with either internet bookings or if you own a timeshare on the island. I will rent with the office site locals any day over the "Major Intl Companies".

[getaway]

Originally Posted by Darryl

Has everyone forgotten about SKYPE??? If I remember correctly, it costs about $.021 per minute from Aruba to the USA or vice versa. Of course, both the calling party and the number called must have Skype. But....how can you beat that? I've tried it for the past few years to call home, speak to the grandkids, etc. ...it's like Mom's apple pie!!

Someone else mentioned SKYPE to me. I'll have to check it out when we travel again. Thanks for the reminder, Darryl. Hope it's not too complicated for this old broad.

[dwippies]

getaway, it is really easy. i taught a friend a few weeks ago and she has no computer experience. skype is great and simple. saves a fortune on phone calls and makes life very very easy. you will love it.

Originally Posted by getaway

Someone else mentioned SKYPE to me. I'll have to check it out when we travel again. Thanks for the reminder, Darryl. Hope it's not too complicated for this old broad.

[getaway]

Thanks Sherry....will definitely be checking it out.

[roschone]

Originally Posted by ArubaMichele

NOT TRUE!!! We had issues with Avis in Aruba in 1998. It is a company that LEASED THE AVIS NAME. They paid a fee to Avis to use their name. We had no support from Avis in the USA and was told there is nothing they can do because of the name lease agreement. This is the same with several of the "Major Intl Companies". In fact, the Hertz location in Aruba is a division of DePalm Tours not operated by the Hertz corporation.

Trust me when I tell you that the local companies treat you much better than the big companies. Besides all of the local companies offer discounts with either internet bookings or if you own a timeshare on the island. I will rent with the office site locals any day over the "Major Intl Companies".

You are SO right ArubaMichele. I would never use Avis, Hertz, etc. Like ArubaMichelle said, they aren't run by the companies they're named for. They are the biggest ripoff going, and they do not offer any more safety or reliability, and they certainly don't allow you to "relax". They actually rely on customers thinking that using the so-called Major Intl Companies is the best way to go. But that is so wrong. Local is the only way to go here.

[PTgirl]

Hey all, we were just in Aruba and rented a 4 wheel drive jeep from Royal Car rental for a day. They had the jeep at our rental house a few minutes early to make sure they could find the place. Paperwork was easy to fill out. Jeep was relatively nice, the glove box wasn't the best, but just what we needed for off roading on the East side. They came back the next morning at 9 am to pick up the jeep and finished the paperwork with no problems! Very happy with the experience.

[lobe]

Sorry, Roschone and Michelle -- I always check with the US-based customer service offices, who ensure that I will get the car class I requested and be charged exactly what their booking engine quoted -- and if not, they offer to gladly step in and fix the problem or offer a refund. Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, National - they've all been wonderful to us!

[john]

Just returned from 5 weeks in paradise. We rented from Hans at Tropic. The rates were the best and so was the service. When we left terminal hhis man had a sign with our name on it. We walked to parking lot and he loaded our bags. We gave him the form we had filled out online and we were on the road in 5 mins. Halfway thru the visit Hans came out, picked ou the car and washed and cleaned it. Never had that happen before. When we left, we met his man in front of departure terminal. He gave us our copy of bill and done in 5 mins again. What a pleasure to do business with Hans. Highly recommended!!!

[Darryl]

See? You have joined the ranks of Hans' devoted customers! Tropic and Hans would not receive SO MANY accolades if they didn't provide the service that they do! Keep up the great work, Hans and Denis!!!

[lalala]

I wish i would have known about this rental poll before renting with ACe(Usave) It would have saved me a day of head ache.

budget saved in the end

cheers

[hcazoo]

I have started the process of setting up a rental with Hans at Tropic, got an initial email back stating that it was not a confirmation, apparently wanting me to confirm that I would use their service. I responded, several times now, and have not heard back.

From the glowing reports regarding his level of service, my concern is that something might have happened to Hans.

I continue to await a reply. I will have to make a reservation with another company if I don't hear from him (arriving on the 23rd). I have never used Tropic in the past, but decided to go with them after reading the rave reviews on this forum.

If anyone in Aruba would like to check in and make sure Hans is ok, that would be great.

Henry Allen

[Darryl]

Hello! Hans had written to me a couple of weeks ago that he was preparing to leave on holiday with his family to Holland. Perhaps you should try to contact his partner, Denis. You're right, it isn't like Tropic not to respond. Denis may just be swamped with business while Hans is away.

[dwippies]

you are totally right. when denis picked us up last friday he was swamped and looked exhausted.

Originally Posted by Darryl

Hello! Hans had written to me a couple of weeks ago that he was preparing to leave on holiday with his family to Holland. Perhaps you should try to contact his partner, Denis. You're right, it isn't like Tropic not to respond. Denis may just be swamped with business while Hans is away.

[hcazoo]

OK - I will wait a little longer to hear from Denis. Thanks for the replies!

Henry

[Darryl]

You might try phoning Denis...if he's not in the office, he, I'm sure will respond later on.

[hcazoo]

Got an email from Hans today - all set. Now I can stop sweating the details and look forward to sweating as I walk the beach!

[Darryl]

You can always count on Hans!!!

[ruba4ever]

I'm hoping to hear from Hans myself....we have already sent him our info and he hasn't sent me the forms to fill out yet. I am waiting patiently...but at just 34 days away....I will probably send him a note at the 30 day mark....glad I checked this thread....now I know that he was on holiday.....love this bb................
ruba

[dwippies]

ruba, he sends them a week or two before usually.

Originally Posted by ruba4ever

I'm hoping to hear from Hans myself....we have already sent him our info and he hasn't sent me the forms to fill out yet. I am waiting patiently...but at just 34 days away....I will probably send him a note at the 30 day mark....glad I checked this thread....now I know that he was on holiday.....love this bb................
ruba

[ruba4ever]

*sighing with relief*....thanks honey.....I didn't want to panic...but I couldn't remember how long it took last year for Hans to get the forms to us......I will now wait patiently....

get to fun...that's an order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darryl]

Seeing Hans when he greets us at the airport is one of the highlights of our stay in Aruba!!!

[ruba4ever]

I'm with ya Darryl...it means you have arrived and that you are on your way.....woohoo....

[JohnJT]

Just made our arrangements for Payless/Optima for September.
Received a very professional response and a good rate (which I believe is between 5% and 10% less than last year).
This is our 3rd year with their agency.
Payless seems to work well with the off-airport business. I really like that they bring you back to the airport and drop you off in front of the departures building...no hassle with car return at the airport.

(Have used several others depending on need over 20 years...Econo, Economy, TRAC, Tropic and maybe a couple more.)