What to Ask Your Limousine Service
What to Ask Your Limousine Service
Before hiring a limousine company, whether for business or for pleasure, there are some very important questions that need to be asked. By asking the appropriate questions prior to selecting a particular company, you will be able to make an educated decision based on facts supplied by the company itself.
What are the standard requirements to make a reservation?
Depending on the type of service requested, most limousine companies will likely ask for a valid credit card and a deposit in order to secure the date of service for you. If you choose to pay with a debit card, be aware that most companies will need to authorize your account for a higher amount in case your service exceeds the length of time you originally desired. You should strongly consider a credit card to allow more spending time.
When does the billing start and stop?
Some limousine companies charge you from the time their driver leaves their garage until he returns. The deciding factor is how far your pick up location is from the limo service you hire. Many companies will waive the travel charge if your pick up location falls within a 15-25 mile radius, or if you are planning to rent multiple limousines from their company on the date of service. You should definitely inquire about this while searching for prospective outfits to rent from. Another important question would be to ask how the billing is incremented. Some limousine companies will charge half-hour increments, while others may only charge in whole hour increments.
Do I still pay for the limousine in between our events?
When renting a limousine for the evening, you are still required to pay for the service even when you are not actually in the limousine. Your driver has been assigned to you and your entire party for the evening. No limousine service will try to accommodate rides between each other, jeopardizing the safety of both the driver and the event for you, the customer.
What is the standard gratuity to my chauffeur?
The industry standard is customarily 15-20%. You can always choose the amount to tip your driver, but you will find that most services are 20%.
How important is it that I stay in contact with my chauffeur during my trip?
It is highly recommended that you exchange phone numbers with your driver prior to your trip. Also, it is probably a good idea to give your driver at least 2 other phone numbers from members of your party, as he may need to contact you as well, in the event of an emergency. This will come in handy when you are ready to move on to your next location. Most restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc., will not allow limousines to park in front of their building, so you will want to notify your driver at least 10 minutes before you need him to pick you up.
What happens if I need to cancel my limousine?
In the event that you need to cancel your limousine, do not expect a delightful response in return! Most companies will have already accepted a deposit which will not be refunded if a cancellation occurs. In addition, if the cancellation occurs within certain parameters of the contract date, you may be charged for the full amount of the service, including gratuity. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the terms of the agreement the limousine company is offering you. There are some exceptions, however, which may include severe weather conditions that could disable safe driving conditions.
Also, as a common courtesy to your limousine company and your wallet, you should never cancel a reservation via email. If you do decide to go this route, make sure you receive a reply back via email, including a cancellation number. Most limousine operators are on the road much more than they are in the office checking their emails. The preferred method when it comes to cancellation is to call the limousine service directly, verbally cancel the reservation and make sure to get the name of the person that you spoke to.
What is your smoking and alcoholic beverage policy?
Many companies no longer allow smoking inside of their limousines because smoking can cause burn marks in the interior, in addition to leaving an undesirable odor inside. Some limousine services will pull over to allow you to smoke outside, but this is definitely a question that will need to be confirmed with each individual company.
Most limousine companies vary with their alcoholic beverage policy, depending on their state laws, so it’s best to verify this with each company individually. Many limousine services are not licensed or do not have the authority to bring alcohol on board. However, some states will allow champagne for weddings or other special occasions. Minors are always forbidden to bring and/or consume alcoholic beverages inside any limousine. If caught doing so, most limousine companies will cancel the ride with no refund whatsoever.
What happens if I accidentally leave my personal belongings in the limousine?
Most limousine companies have a lost and found department. In addition, if you still have the driver’s phone number, you can call him directly, but don’t wait too long. Be sure to have the driver look the limousine over thoroughly, as personal items can often get wedged between the seats and may not easily be visible. A good rule of thumb is to ask your driver to keep all personal items in the trunk. This way everything is kept in one compartment for easy retrieval.
What is the limousine damage policy?
Nothing is more upsetting than having damages incurred to a limousine from rowdy clients. As well, nothing is more upsetting when the guarantor of the service is held responsible for the damages. Most limousine companies will stress to the guarantor of the service that he/she will be held responsible for conducting the group in a calm and respectful manor. Damages to limousines are not easily repaired and are often very time consuming. In addition to damage charges of a limousine, downtime and loss of wages can be sought for having to cancel the remaining services on this particular vehicle.
In addition, it is important to mention any malfunctions you may notice prior to the beginning of your service to rid yourself of any blame.