Aruba Royal Car Rental

[mickny999]

Hello, I am Going to Aruba in June. I have read this message board and heard some good things about Aruba Royal car rental. Has anyone had any bad experiences with them? I am a little nervous about using one of the non major rental agencies But I am willing to try them. So, just checking to hear what people have to say. Thanks

[Arubalisa]

We have used many rental agencies on the island and the so- called "majors" are simply franchise operations. We have had some of our worst rentals with Hertz and Avis. Customer service here in the US, says, "oh well, out of our control, they are there and are 'only' franchisees".

Having said that, for a weeks compact rental many here use Tropic Car Rental.

We have used Royal and Amigo without any issues in the past. They are locally owned long established companies. Do not hesitate to use either.

http://www.tropiccarrent-aruba.com/
http://www.amigocar.com/
http://www.arubaroyal.com/

[Randi]

I agree with Arubalisa. Our worst experience was with Hertz. We have used Royal for a number of years and they are no better or worse (except Hertz) than probably any other car companies.

From reading on this board, it does sound like Tropic has a fantastic track record but since we need a van we can not use that company.

[ginette]

We did rent with Royal and no problem very nice people pick-up at they airport and drop off at they airport .We did have a slow tire I call them and in 1/2 hour they change tire at they hotel .That was a very good service .They look like they are cheaps one around .I already reserve for next year Feb 2010
Good Luck Ginette

[BigOldXJ]

Unless I hear otherwise, I will be renting from Royal this June. Thier prices are pretty good....and they give you discounts! I havn't made my reservation yet but it looks like you can get a small SUV or Jeep Wrangler for a week for about $280 after thier discount. Hopefully its not a gimmicky price that they just add tons of fees and taxes to. We will see....

[Chadd]

We got a jeep from royal last month and no gimmicks. They do charge a 3% fee for using a credit card but that's only a couple bucks and no big deal. The jeep we got from them was a hunk of junk though, I was not impressed at all. We had to put air in the tired every day or so.

[ArubaTech]

Used Royal 3 times, friends have used them 3 times = 6 rental experiences. Royal is GREAT! Locally owned, great prices (pay cash and save even more), and NEVER any problems. Two thumbs up for Royal Car Rental.

[Randi]

Well this is my Royal experience:

We decided to switch to Royal from Hertz after they institued their daily airport tax and service also became an issue. First time with Royal, no real problems got an ok car but they were very pleasant and easy to deal with. Picked us up the airport on time. No problem. Second time we dealt with them, car wasn't available that we had ordered so they decided to give us a different car but the back seat was too squishy for our 3 tall sons. We agreed on another car and finally left the lot. Within 5 minutes this car was not performing properly, we called the office...no answer. We called the emergency number....no answer. It was HOURS until we finally got hold of someone. They came by our hotel and traded cars with us the following day.

Despite this, we still rented a car from them this past March but this is where I feel that our relationship may come to an end. We picked up our car and left. Upon arrival to our hotel we noticed that the price on the contract was significantly different from the price quoted via email. The person who did the quote was not available as we called right away. Finally after a few days we connected and were told that it wasn't a problem the original price would be honoured. This was done via email confirmation as well as telephone confirmation. Everything went well until it was time to drop off the car. DH phoned to find out if traveller's cheques would be treated as cash and was told YES. Off he went to drop off car (I was staying in Aruba longer without a car). First, no record of the contract change and the person we needed to confirm was not at work. Then when DH went to pay with Traveller's cheques they said they wouldn't take them. DH was furious as he could have cashed them beforehand but didn't as was told that they would take them as cash. They sorted what to do for the moment and he returned the car with the understanding that the credit card slip would be held and charged the following day when the appropriate person returned and paperwork would be dropped off to me at the hotel. To make a long story short, it took them 2 weeks to bring me the paper work (calling and emailing them every 2nd day to remind them). They finally dropped it off the day before I left. DH asked them to charge us the rate of cash not credit card due to the error of the employee. They agreed to do so but "forgot" to do it in the 2 weeks I was waiting for the paperwork. I have been emailing and trying to sort this one out since my return on March 20th. Numerous emails sent with no response. Finally, at the end of April, I got a response (sort of) as I ended my email stating I am not sure why you are not answering my emails, are you not interested in my continued business? I got a response that my emails were going to spam (after 2 years of doing business with this company and all of a sudden my emails go to spam???). Unfortunately, he didn't answer my enquiries about my refund. I sent another two emails plus send messages through their reservation form online.

You guessed it, no response in weeks!! This has not been resolved to our satisfaction. Although the refund is small it is the principle. I was reluctant to share this story as I had hoped this would have been resolved quickly and I could have continued to deal with them as a customer. However, this has gone on too long and really how can one deal with a business who just ignores the customer once they get your money. This last dealings with Royal has pushed us too far, regretably!

[Arubalisa]

We too have moved on. The condition of their vehicles has gone downhill. The last time we had 3 vehicles and the only one in good shape was the Lexus. Dh tried to get a vehicle from them last June at the last minute for just one day, but they were booked. Just as well.

We'll probably rent for one day with Hertz this year. We have had lousy vehicles from them in the past as well , but they have a desk at the Tamarijn so most convenient. Easier than having Amigo deliver, drive to their office and then do the opposite upon return.

The only good thing about Royal was that they delivered the vehicles to the resort and did the paperwork right there.

[fattypatty]

Can anyone else confirm the condition of royal's cars? are their yaris a "hump of dump" as someone suggested?

what's the safest car rental to go with wrt quality and price?