A Ride That Isn’t Much Costlier Than Cab Fare

When you get off a plane, do you notice those guys holding little signs with someone’s name on them? These usually are drivers for car service firms, also called limo, sedan or town car services. If you’ve never tried one, you should consider it.

Each year, as a management consultant, I log more than 50 flights and 100,000-plus air miles, and when I land I usually rely on a car service instead of a taxi or rental car. Car services are more expensive than cabs, but not that much more, and the comfort and convenience makes up for it.

What sold me on car services was my first experience. I was picked up from the Narita Airport outside Tokyo. It’s a 90-minute ride from the airport to the city, and it was a pleasant alternative to waiting in line for an airport taxi. The driver drove, I settled into the back, sipped my coffee and made a couple of cell phone calls in peace. The price was competitive with a cab, the car was smoke-free, comfortable and it was a welcome relief from a hectic airport scene.

Since then it’s been my standard way to get around. But if you’re thinking, “I’m not Warren Buffett or a rock star, and I can’t afford a car service,” check a few of today’s going rates:

* LAX to downtown L.A.: car services (starting fees) $45 to $50, versus $27 to $32 for a cab.

* San Francisco International Airport to downtown S.F.: car services $35, cabs $25 to $27.

* JFK Airport to midtown Manhattan: car services $45 to $55, cabs $30 to $40; La Guardia Airport to midtown Manhattan: car services $30 to $40, cabs $20 to $30.

* O’Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago: car services $32 to $45, cabs $25 to $30.

* Dulles Airport to downtown Washington, D.C.: car services $40 to $45, cabs $38; Reagan National Airport: car services $22 to $25, cabs $14.

And ask for a discount if you plan to use a service multiple times for the same route. Most services won’t balk at offering 10% off the normal fare.

Car services have been common in New York City for many years. Recently, though, they have become an emerging cottage industry on wheels nationwide.

Aside from making you feel like a VIP, reliability and simplicity are two big reasons to try a car service.

How many times have you called several taxi companies in the hope that just one will show? With a car service, you call for an immediate pickup or arrange for a pickup at a preset time. Many taxi companies say they will do this, but many cab drivers will be a no-show at the last minute. And most taxis do not accept credit cards--it’s cash only--while car services almost always take plastic.

How to find a car service? Start with the Internet at https://www.limousinesonline.com/, which lists car service firms for major cities and offers price quotes and reservations not only at domestic locations but also at some overseas cities. Or try this firm, which has national and foreign limo services: Carey International, telephone (800) 313-8303, Internet https://www.carey-austin.com.

Or call a hotel in the area and ask the concierge for a recommendation. A travel agent also can make a referral, or you can check out the Yellow Pages under limousines.

Here are some car services that I have used, though not all are guaranteed to have the lowest rates:

San Francisco: Expo 365, tel. (888) 844-0365; Carryou, tel. (800) 748-9876.

Chicago: Naperville Chauffeuring, tel. (630) 357-5255; AirComm, tel. (800) 247-2666.

New York: Prime Time, tel. (718) 482-7900; Concord, tel. (716) 965-6100.

Washington, DC: Silver Bullet Sedans, tel. (703) 359-7540; Barnes & Barnes, tel. (800) 632-2763.

What are the signs of a good car service? One that arrives early and doesn’t charge an extra “waiting fee” if you come out to the car just after the exact minute of the agreed-upon pick-up time. You also want a car service where the driver handles payment paperwork before you get to the destination.

Most drivers in car services I’ve used knew their way to central downtown areas, but as a precaution, if you’re not familiar with the area, buy a local or area map. This can help ensure that you get to the general vicinity of your destination, or take a hand-drawn map that shows your destination relative to major streets or other reference points.

I remember one driver who was supposed to take me from New Jersey to a hotel near Times Square. He blurted out en route that he didn’t know where my hotel was. As I looked up from my reading, he assured me: “It’s OK. Our dispatcher knows where everything is.” I’m thinking “Why isn’t someone who actually knows New York driving this car?” Upon entering Midtown, he talked nonstop with his dispatcher as we crawled along--and like a pilot being talked down by an experienced air traffic controller, got us to the hotel. I was annoyed, intrigued and impressed all at once.

Not every car service trip is trouble-free. Once, I asked a hotel concierge to check to see if a car from a certain service was among the various cars shuffling around in front of the hotel. He told me, “I don’t see it.” Later, when only one sedan was left--not displaying any sign with my name, or even the car service’s name--I asked the driver if he was by chance from my car service. He told me he was. I asked how I was supposed to know this.

Occasional imperfections aside, it’s still worth it to hire a car service.