I always use Avis, I've never dropped off a car before or after hours of operation, but I do know that the car return experience has always run smoothly. The car lot is right at the airport, well within walking distance. No shuttle is needed. I recommend that the driver drop any passengers and luggage off curbside and then drive up to park the car. There is a rather steep stairway between the car lot and the airport that is difficult to maneuver with luggage.

We have dropped our car off with Avis at 6 a.m. in the past. As a matter of fact we will be doing it again on Aug. 9th. You should check with the person at the counter when you pick up the car as to what they want you to with the car when you return. I know that we have just left the car in the lot across the street at the airport and just left the key in it. It seemed strange to do, but it worked out just fine. Have a great trip!

Gerie and MB,

Thanks for the reassurance and tips. They help put my mind at ease at least with the turn-in process.

May I ask a follow-on question? Our plane is scheduled to arrive at STT at 8:05 p.m. I guess I began to wonder some when I read where some posters got in later in the evening like we will and found their car rental company was either out of cars or at least the one they had reserved. I believe it could have been a case where they reserved a 4 WD and had to settle for a car without it. In our case we've reserved a compact to make it a bit easier driving and parking there. Do you think with us getting in at that time of night we'd run into any concern like this with AVIS?

Thanks again.

Larry

I had a flight out at 8am last month and used Avis. Just make sure when you get the car you let them know it is an early drop-off. They will note it on your form and explain on what to do with the car. We called down on Sat. night after we got home to verify they got the keys and everything was good-just for my own worrying about whether I was going to be charged for a car I did not have:-). The airport is not that big you can see the car from the check-in area. Avis was the only company after reading the many posts on here that had an early drop-off. Have a great vacation. Also if you are lucky and did not rent a Jeep-when you get there they may upgrade, so ask,

Lojeep,
The car rental agencies at the airport are open until 10 pm. You should have NO problem getting the car you requested! Here's my suggestion: IF your plane will be late for any reason, CALL THEM TO NOTIFY THEM! This way they should wait for your arrival. This applies to ANY car agency! Also, go straight to the car rental agency to get your vehicle BEFORE getting your luggage! If they don't see any one right away, they may close down the counter and leave. This way you also beat the rush!
All car rental agencies have early drop off plans for early am departures! The only car rental agency that does not do late arrivals is Dependable that I know of. I work with them all!
Hope this helps! 🙂

Appreciate your insights and tips. We've been to STT via the cruise ships a few times but never out to the airport. So your personal experiences are reassuring and help give us a pretty good feel of what the setup is likely to be there. Bill's List is also of some help for the arrival.

For what it's worth, AVIS accepted our on line reservation request when I entered 6:00 am for the return time. But Budget's website would not, saying the time was outside their operating hours. We had emailed Dependable and Discount Car Rental over 10 days ago and haven't heard from them. With the rate code we are able to use AVIS was also cheaper than Budget. We didn't try Hertz or any others.

If you want to check try calling the other places emails isn't used as much as there as here.

We visited the islands in June and rented from AVIS at the airport. We reserved a 4WD (seeing we were going to be staying on St. John) and ended up with a minivan because they ran out (Our flight got in around 2:00). To make a long story short, it was a nightmare getting to our villa because of the steep grade. It managed OK when the roads were dry, but during the time of our stay, there were showers in the afternoon. One day we ended up hanging out at the Westin for a couple hours waiting for the roads to dry to make it to our villa. After the second day we had enough...called AVIS and they delivered us a 4WD at the dock. We made the switch, but accidentally left our villa keys in the minivan (yeah...we always do stupid things like that on our vacations). We contacted AVIS again and they sent them over on the ferry the following day. All in all, after the initial screw-up from AVIS, they well made up for it in the end and were very accommodating. Make sure you check your reservation online before you leave, because they also managed to cancel my reservation and I had to rebook. I am just glad I checked before we left the mainland. Returning the car was a breeze. I agree with Gerie on dropping off passengers and luggage before returning the car (we did that the hard way too) We had an awesome time!! I would never think of going there without renting a vehicle, preferably a 4WD.

Cheers and drink a Bushwhacker for me!

I agree with Gerie on dropping off passengers and luggage before returning the car (we did that the hard way too)

Actually, not just when returning the car. When you get the car, leave the luggage and fellow travellers on the curb and go the stairs to the lot to retrieve your rental. Drive it through the gate, picking up a ticket, and then get your passengers and luggage. When you hand in your ticket at the airport exit, you will not be charged a parking fee.

I travelled alone once and the car pick up and return were really difficult carrying all the luggage (too much luggage) up and down the steps by myself. Now I always travel with another person just for this reason. 🙂

Hi: We have rented a car from Avis at the end of July. I noticed the asked the driver's name on the info. Does that mean you can only have one driver? What if you have two adults? Thanks for the help!
Kerri

Often when there are 2 drivers, they charge an extra $5 per day. In this case, some do the charge and others don't when it is a spouce who is driving. Can't tell you which companies do this. They will also need the other drivers information!
Hope this helps!

Hi: We have rented a car from Avis at the end of July. I noticed the asked the driver's name on the info. Does that mean you can only have one driver? What if you have two adults? Thanks for the help!
Kerri

Avis always asks if there's another driver with me. It seems as long as we are travelling together it's good enough for them. I've never been charged the additional $5.