Saint Martin Tourist Traps

What the Thrifty sales staff won't tell you is that some St. Mateen's thieves check to see if some rental cars are unlocked by jimmying the passenger lock. You may not notice the lock is damaged till much later, or not at all if you never use the key to enter from the passenger side. When you return the car and the damaged lock is reported or discovered, you wind up paying up to $165 in added repair costs (unless you are prepared to pay initially additional insurance for a lower deductible). That's when you find out it is a frequent if not ordinary occurrence. Even though local Thrifty sales representatives state this vadalism "happens all the time", the rental agreement does not see this as "ordinary" and Thrifty refuses to refund this added cost. Even if you ask about the frequency of these incidents before you rent, you are still liable for it later.

Unique Suggestions: Try parking, as much as possible, in places where there is some security, or where your car is withing view. Even if you are extra careful about where you park, as I was, you may not escape such vandalism.

Fun Alternatives: Ask how other car rental companies handle such vandalism, and choose one that anticipates it by including it as "ordinary use".