After all the headaches of the CDW choice etc, we just added tons of extra insurance from AMEX for $24.00. Way cheaper than CDW, with lots of coverage,have to be a card member to get it though.

Can you explain this more? When you rented your vehicle did you just charge to AMEX. Did you have to make arrangements with AMEX ahead of time? Did you wave CDW? My sister has an AMEX card so she could use it to rent the vehicle and we can just pay her our portion. Thanks for info.

I second all the questions posted by Gail.

In addition, should I reserve ahead of time or get a vehicle at the airport?

Thanks!

Thomas - one thing I believe is true - you get a better deal if you reserve ahead. Checking the InfoBonaire site I wrote down all the posted rates but when I contacted some of them personally they were cheaper. We've always reserved ahead just to make sure we get what we want. Lynette - I'm still interested in a response - still confused. Thanks

the only problem we ever had renting a vehicle was on our last trip when we found out about three days before the trip that visa and mc do not cover insurance on trucks (even little trucks). i thought of switching to a jeep to avoid the cdw but found the jeeps (samurai's) were more expensive anyway...bottom line was that a truck with cdw was about the same price as a jeep without it.

This trip, I rented a mini-van, which is covered by visa and mc insurance, and am very happy with it. Far prefer it to the pick-up I had last trip.

Following Lynette's advice above, I contacted a local travel agency identified on AmEx's website. They arranged the car rental through Budget and I purchased insurance. Cost is $32 per driver(depends on age of driver) for 50,000 medical expense coverage, 200,000 medical transportation, 1,500 baggage insurance, 500 baggage delay, 1,000 travel delay, 500 missed connection, 25,000 collision loss damage and 50,000 travel accident. Only problem is that it does not cover pickups or SUVs, so we are renting a Toyota wagon in order to fit tanks in the back. Insurance is not AmEx insurance and anyone can purchase. Hope this is helpful. Karen

Hey Karen,

I was trying to follow the same advice, and, being particularly dense, I was not able to find a local travel agency to contact on the AmEX website. I called AmEx, and got them to connect me to their travel agency, but the person I spoke with had never heard of such a thing!

Could you possibly tell me who the "local travel agency" was, and who helped you? I sure would appreciate it!

Oh, and you mentioned a cost of $32 per driver. What period did this cover?

Thanks!
Bret

I'd like to point you all to a posting of mine in the other insurance thread.

Thomas, reserving upfront is always a good idea, since Bonaire's popularity is growing and finding available cars is getting harder and harder.

Marc van Wijk
Manager, AB Carrental

(PS Jake, maybe you should combine the 2 threads?)

Doh... I should have drank more coffee today. Didn't notice this thread is old...