AB Car Rental AMEX

[grahamfairbank]

I know this has been half hashed many times here... but...

Does AB take AMEX? Looking to use my "premium rental insurance" here.... OR.... are we just better off to stick with one of the american franchisees

Thanks!!!

 

[Warmwater Wank]

No problem. Book your reservation w/ AB using your AMEX card, then decline the collision & comp insurance you will be offered when you sign for the vehicle. AB is good to deal with and we've used the AMEX coverage a few times now, though haven't had to make a claim.

Thought we were going to have to once, though. Turned in the truck at 0 dark thirty, they claimed there was a gouge on the rocker panel not noted when we signed the rig out. I argued that I didn't do it but yeah, it had been missed on the check-out sheet. They said they couldn't get in the office safe to check old records so we left to catch the flight w/ a +$300 charge on the card--grrrr. 10 minutes after being dropped at the airport someone from AB came and found us in line. They said they had gotten the manager up and he checked back and found it was previously recorded, there would be no charge and they didn't want us to worry on the flight. Good outfit to rent from IMO. // ww

 

[grahamfairbank]

Thanks !

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[vann evans]

we have used AB many times with AMEX insurance. Be aware that they will charge an extra $25 for using AMEX and they also will imprint your credit card for $1500 as a damage waiver deposit. When you turn the vehicle back in, they return the credit card charge slip. they are honest and good to work with as far as our experience over about 7 rentals.

Vann Evans
Sand Dollar A4

 

[Waterskier1]

You might want to confirm that they (or anyone on Bonaire for that matter) still take AE. I read somewhere that the banks no longer have an agreement with one of the credit card companies, therefore no one on island can clear the charges. I *think* it was AE, but I'm not sure. If I can find the reference (I think it was on BonarieTalks.com) I'll let you know for sure. This took effect either 10/10/10 or 1/1/11, so it is sort of recent.

 

[Waterskier1]

I found the reference. It is on the Total Rental Car web site. The state "As off 31/12/2010 the local banks will no longer provide administrative support for American Express Credit Card. Reason why we no longer accept American Express." I can not validate this statement, but I will be there in a few weeks.

I have found that the folks on Bonaire Talk are quite informative, and you might post there for more information.

 

[Waterskier1]

I found the reference. It is on the Total Rental Car web site. The state "As off 31/12/2010 the local banks will no longer provide administrative support for American Express Credit Card. Reason why we no longer accept American Express." I can not validate this statement, but I will be there in a few weeks.

I have found that the folks on Bonaire Talk are quite informative, and you might post there for more information.

Further info from Bonaire Talk (referenced above). At least a couple people have rented cars with their AMEX cards since 1/1/11. So, it appears that this is just Total's decision, and they are trying to bluff the blame on the local banks.

Sorry for the confusion, but better to have looked into this before, than incur unpleasant surprises when you arrive. I personally don't have an AMEX card, so it wasn't really an issue to me when I was making arrangements last month.

 

[cerich]

also, double check with Amex, when I was a sales rep to the carib my Amex did NOT cover the insurance outside the US Virgins

 

[mbs]

So if you decline coverage and get lets say a flat tire and the tire is ruined, whats the process? I have personally seen folks told to go find a garage and repair or replace the tire. I have been paying the full insurance at AB just to not have to deal with it. Just thought I'd mention it...

 

[Waterskier1]

AB Car Rental's website shows two types of insurance. The "standard CDW" which most of us usually take, and what I think AMEX covers (other credit cards cover CARS, but not TRUCK, including Pickup Trucks). This coverage is only for damage to the rental car due to the fault of the renter (or damaged caused to a 3rd party) with a $350 USD deductible. For only $19 a day, you can get "Full Coverage" insurance, which reduces the deductible to $100, and also included "other" damages to the car by "third party, flood, fire, act of God, etc." This is a newer (to me anyway) coverage to try to cover damage by thief, along with other "natural" causes. I'm not sure if this would cover a tire or not, but it would still be subject to $100 deductible.

An interesting sideline to this is that rental car companies are required (at least in the USA) to carry liability insurance on their cars. So, they just select a higher deductible coverage for themselves, and levy that higher amount on the drivers, who don't take the waiver. In other words, the price we are paying for the CDW is only for the rental car company's deductible, not the cost of full coverage (i.e., like our 300K/100K liability plus collision plus comprehensive). I'm not sure about medical, but suspect there is none.

I take the standard CDW, and to date haven't had a problem. But, I have traveled with others in a large group who didn't, and the car rental company (not AB) went over the truck with a fine toothed comb, finding anything that wasn't documented at checkout, to charge them for. Usually, people are in a hurry to make their flights, and can't afford the time to challenge the potentially false claim. But, with the CDW, they just give the car a quick glance over. That's been my experience, YMMV.