How to Hire an Airport Limousine Service

One of the easier limousine services to book is the airport limousine service. What makes it easier is the number of people and companies that can make the arrangements for you, such as hotels, travel agencies and corporate travel planners. Although many, if not most, general limousine operators will make an airport run, specialty airport limo services may be the way to go if you want to guarantee a smooth, unsurprising ride.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Assemble a list of limousine services, both general service and specialty airport services. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations, as well.

2. Reduce the list to a manageable number, perhaps three or four, based on the services' locations, published rates, availability, reputations or special offers and/or discounts. Be comfortable with all of your choices, as you won't know which one you will hire until all is said and done.

3. Call each of the prospective limousine services that you are looking to hire, and deal first with all the preliminaries such as insurance, performance guarantees, on-time record, driver quality and contract specifics. Ask about the cancellation policy.

4. Negotiate the rate, if the person with whom you speak is amenable to the idea. You may have leverage to get a discount if you foresee repeat business in the future, can promise a certain number of referrals or perform some sort of service (or sell a product) that the limo service may be willing to take in lieu of payment or partial payment. It never hurts to ask for a lower rate, promotional consideration or some kind of premium (a discounted future trip, for example).

5. Inform the limo service of any special needs, considerations, treatment or assistance that you or one of your fellow passengers may need. Wheelchairs, access ramps and crutches, for example, can be arranged beforehand by you, or if you are pressed for time, a good limo service will help you obtain what is needed once you have made the decision to hire them.

6. Read the entire contract before you sign it and pay any deposit. Treat the limousine and the driver with courtesy and respect. Immediately report any problems, with the driver or anything else, to the limo service manager or owner.

7. Tip the driver if all goes well, and let them know you will be using the service again.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to provide your flight departure information to the limousine service to ensure that they will get you to the airport with enough time for check-in, baggage check and security.