Monday, November 5, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Limos 101: How to Choose the Perfect Limo
It's all in the details
Selecting the right limo and the right limo service
often depends on the type of occasion, number of passengers in your group, and
the number of hours you'll need the limo for. Most limo services will want to
know the type of occasion you are booking for such as a wedding limo or vintage
car, concert, prom limo, birthday party or an anniversary - and they often
specialize in certain events to deliver the best possible experience. The more
details you can provide, the better the value and service you'll receive.
They may even have a staff member that specializes in specific types of
transportation like weddings or groups.
Get the whole price
Limo services will typically have their own unique
pricing policies. Most companies offer services priced by the hour - but may
also offer flat/guaranteed rates for airport transfers or all-inclusive rates.
Pay attention to "add on's" like fuel surcharges, credit card fees,
gratuities, or taxes and other service fees not included in the base price. We
always recommend that you ask for the All Inclusive price and get in writing as
a quote or via a confirmation when you make your reservation. Many limo
services will only quote you a base rate and then add on additional charges.
Safety first
Safety is the most important thing to consider when
booking a limo, sedan, or bus. Reputable limo services need to be registered
with their state or local regulatory authority, have the proper levels of
insurance which is typically $1M-$1.5M minimum, and be properly licensed. Never
book a limo with a company that can't promptly show you their licensing and
insurance documentation - don't take chances. You will also want to know
the age of the limo, sedan, or bus and if possible schedule a time to view your
vehicle of choice in person. This will allow you to also check out the
business as a whole so you can be comfortable with the limo service you choose.
First come, First serve
Book your limo, sedan, or bus as soon as you have
your plans set. For wedding limos and prom limos, some people book 6-12 months
in advance. Limo services typically have a limited fleet size so booking early
will give you the best availability especially for special events like major
concerts, sporting events, or an event like the CMA Awards. In general, it is
best to start looking 3-4 weeks before your event and ask the limo service how
many limos they currently have available for your date and time. After you've
selected the right limo service provider and limo, get confirmation in writing
with All Inclusive pricing.
Extras
Think about all the details of your upcoming limo
experience. Does the limo service you have selected supply drinks and
ice? Do they provide red carpet and just married signs for weddings? Do
they really know how to get to your pick up address? Do they have Wi-Fi
or iPads in the vehicles? Most importantly do they charge for these
extras. At Grand Avenue all of the above extras are included in our
standard pricing.
For more information visit us at
Since 1981, the Lincoln Town Car has been the industries
standard for limousine services and transportation companies worldwide.
This will all change as Lincoln stopped production in 2011.
With the town car at the end of its
line the limousine industry is at a crossroads.
“What
vehicle will replace the town car”?
This question was a hot topic for
the top 175 industry leaders at the LCT Leadership Summit this month in Miami,
Florida. I was fortunate enough to be asked to host a roundtable
discussion on this topic with my fellow operators. Here I was able to gauge
their opinions on the upcoming changes along with a representative from the
Ford Motor Company.
Over the course of the 90 minutes we
had seven focus groups discuss the next generation livery vehicle. Mixed
opinions and ideas were shared of how to deal with the upcoming paradigm shift
of a new industry standard.
The overwhelming theme of all the
sessions was a, “wait and see” attitude. This makes sense as the town car
currently has the lion market share of the limousine industry and the
replacement (Lincoln MKT) does not appear to be taking the direction the
operators predicted.
The Lincoln MKT prototype was on
display at the Summit and was viewed with mixed reviews. Operator comments are
listed below:
- Operators were concerned with the size of the back seat. It appears to only seat two passengers vs. three passengers in the Town Car.
- The luggage compartment is small and open to the passenger cabin. The open luggage compartment does not allow a secure location within the vehicle for clients to store valuables and will not hold enough luggage for four passengers.
- The vehicle looks like a combination of a crossover/minivan with the high roof and rounded back end. Operators were concerned about client adoption.
- The outer edge of the rear seat was very hard and uncomfortable for passengers to sit on as they entered the vehicle.
- The operators found it positive that the amenities of the MKT far outweighed that of the Town Car.
- Higher fuel efficiency was a positive as fuel costs are one of the biggest budgetary concerns for a limousine service or transportation company.
Additional vehicles that are being
tested by operators to replace the town car are the Toyota Avalon, Chrysler
300, Cadillac DST with a new XTS coming out in 2012, the Lexus 460L, and the
Mercedes S550, amongst others.
The general consensus is that the
industry will dictate what becomes the next gold standard sedan, but many of
the operators will wait and see before jumping on the bandwagon of the MKT by
purchasing high end vehicles that will increase rates to clients. The industry
standard may take 2-3 years to develop with new entries into the livery
segment. The Town Car is a proven workhorse, so my recommendation would be to
stock up on the remaining town cars before it is too late. We did.
What vehicle would you like to see
replace the town car?
6 Essentials for the Executive Traveler to Stay Connected
Executive Travel Must Have's
Staying connected, powered up, and prepared for your big presentation are vital for executive travelers no matter how long your trip is scheduled. We all know it is nearly impossible to make through a full day on a single charge for your mobile phone. Below is a list of must have's for all executives to pack on your next business trip.
1. Wireless card / Mi-Fi - Airports and hotels are charging more today then in 2007 for internet connections. With the average 3-5 star hotel charging $20.00 per day it makes sense to travel with with a wireless card or Mi-Fi card to stay connected. The typical monthly cost for a Mi-Fi if $50.00 per month and you can connect up to 5 devices.
2. iPad / Tablet - If you are not going to type long documents a tablet is the way to go to stay fully connected on business trips as long as you have 3G you won't need a wireless card. An iPad is a great option for your next presentation as long as you have Keynote and the correct adapter or you can even use a mini projector.
3. Ethernet cable - There is nothing more frustrating than checking into your room at a nice hotel, sitting down at the desk to review your presentation and check your email, and then you notice the ethernet cable is missing or broken and the hotel is out of stock and sold out so can't change rooms. Pack a small 3ft ethernet cable in your luggage to avoid this misfortune. This has happened to me twice in the last five weeks. This is one reason I always have a laptop and an iPad when I travel.
Some hotels require you to plug into their high-speed Internet connection using an ethernet cable. We recommend bringing your own cable just in case, as the hotel may or may not able to supply one for you. To connect to a high-speed network, you'll need a network interface card (NIC), which most laptops have already installed. If yours doesn't, you can purchase one from your local computer supplier.
4. Battery pack - If you are like me, your day starts early and you use your smart phone for phone calls, email, social media, and to check the web for flight info, directions, etc. This takes up a lot of battery life so I recommend you invest in a back-up battery pack if you travel extensively. Gaining access to the limited outlets in an airport terminal is like getting a last minute table at a New York Steakhouse.
5. Mini projector - We all know how hard it is to give a presentation on a laptop when your clients projector or TV is not able to connect with your computer. Bring a mini projector that connects to your smart phone or tablet and you eliminate the need for delays while waiting on your clients IT guy to show up and you can even leave your laptop at home. Most mini projectors will project up to a 60" screen onto any surface including walls.
6. Voice recorder - This something that I see very few executive travelers utilize, but it can be a life saver as well as a time saver when return to the office and need your notes from your big meeting in Chicago. You can purchase a nice pen that also records up to 60 minutes at Best Buy or Office Depot for less than $100.00. Many of these pens will also download the recording into a Word Doc saving time and ensuring accurate notes for follow up.
Bonus Tip - Select an executive car service that has Wi-Fi or iPads in the vehicle. Many limousine and sedan services such as ours provide these services at no additional charge. Most sedan services will have these tablets set up with apps for local restaurants, weather, flight tracking, etc that can come in very handy in unfamiliar cities.
What are some of the essentials you travel with? Let us know if we forgot any items you think should be added to the list.
Top 10 Questions You Should Ask Before You Charter a Bus
Chartering a bus can be a daunting task to handle if you are not experienced in dealing with bus companies not to mention managing the schedules of a large group that will be filling your charter. Below we have put together the Top 10 questions to ask your potential bus company before you book your next bus trip.
Not all bus companies are the same
and the bus or motor coaches they operate vary widely as well, so we always
recommend that you visit the bus company you plan to charter with prior to
booking. Making this visit will allow you to see the bus companies
operation and also view the bus in person to be sure it will meet or exceed
your requirements. The age and mileage of the bus are two things to check as
well as insurance, but what about Wi-Fi if this is a corporate charter, or
satellite TV if you are going out of town for a football game or sporting
event?
Also, be sure to get your quote or
confirmation in writing and if you charter will take you out of town get the
mileage rate in writing as well. Mileage rates can vary widely from
company to company and may also change by season. Remember you want to try and
get an All Inclusive rate if you can. This is difficult as most bus
companies do not include driver gratuity with their standard rates, so be sure
to ask if this will be an additional cost.
- For trips over the road: How many local miles are allowed per day after reaching your destination? What is the charge for exceeding them?
- Does the quote include parking and tolls?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Who pays for the driver's hotel room and board? Is 10% the standard driver gratuity with your company?
- What is your procedure in the event of a breakdown?
- Can you provide proof of insurance? (The state requires a $5 million policy for interstate transportation)
- Does your company own the bus, or will it be brokered out?
- Is the bus available for inspection before chartering?
- Are you members of any associations? (UMA, NTA, ABA, MCC)
- Does your company have its own maintenance facility?
6 Wedding Tips to Ensure a Stress Free Day!
You've got lots of decisions to make and arrangements to coordinate for your wedding day. There are some helpful tips to consider when reserving transportation to cover all aspects of your wedding celebration.
Don’t wait until the last minute Your wedding to-do list is long, but don’t overlook the detail of choosing transportation for your big day! Start looking for your Nashville limousine service 2-3 months before the wedding day. Make sure to consider the time of year you will be getting married. Limousines are in high demand during prom season, the busy summer wedding months, and vintage vehicles are limited in Nashville.
Consider how the bridal party will be transported the day of the wedding There are several different configurations for transporting the bridal party to the wedding. It is customary for the bride to ride with her parents to the wedding and for the groom to ride with his attendants. A third vehicle will carry the bride’s attendants. After the wedding, the best man and maid of honor often ride with the bride and groom while the rest of the attendants ride in the second vehicle. The family follows in the third vehicle. These vehicles can vary in size from a Vinatge Rolls Royce to a sedan or even a full size bus to transport the guests.
Decide what types of transportation you’ll need There are a lot of options available to you for your Nashville wedding transportation. Not only can you choose traditional wedding limousine service, but there are a multitude of vehicles available that all serve different needs. You may want to arrange shuttle service for out of town guests from Nashville International Airport to the hotel, transport all of your guests from the ceremony to the reception, or offer transportation home for guests that have drank alcohol at the wedding and can’t drive.
Get your questions answered Ask for specifications on all available vehicles; including size, how many people it comfortably sits, colors, makes, and models. You can visit the vehicle fleet in person or ask for pictures. Request information about the chauffeur’s uniform and confirm details about what is included with the vehicles you selected.
Cover all your bases A reservation simply isn’t enough, insist on a written contract or confirmation that includes the date, schedule, makes and models of all vehicles, vehicle colors, and rates. Double check the contract to make sure that gratuity, taxes, and fuel surcharges are included. You don’t want to be surprised on your wedding day when the limo company requests extra payment. Having the contract may not be enough, confirm with the limousine company that you are still on their schedule two months and two weeks before your wedding.
Dot all your I’s, Cross all your T’s In your confirmation communication with the company make sure you provide the detailed schedule of your wedding day. Confirm they have correct addresses for all venues and the name of each person they will be transporting.
Don't be left wondering how you (or your bridal party) will get to the wedding, take care in planning your wedding transportation so you can focus on your big day and all the fun you've planned! If you need a wedding limousine service please feel free to check us out at www.transgateslimo.com
Thanks
Executive Administrators ask a lot
of questions when they contact a potential limousine service. Rightfully so
because they are typically booking trips for their boss, clients, or staff and
the trips must go perfectly. Below we have compiled the Top 7 Questions
Executive Admin's Ask when booking ground transportation.
- Do you provide airport transportation?
- What type of sedans and SUVs do you have in your fleet?
- Can you do a Meet and Greet? Is there an additional charge for this service?
- Are your rates All Inclusive including gratuity?
- Will you email me a confirmation?
- Can you supply me with the chauffeur's name and cell number?
- What happens if the flight is delayed?
The Ultimate Guide will arm Executive Administrators and Business Travelers that use chauffeured transportation with all the right questions to ask when researching new limousine companies to use as well as the answers.
If you like the Ultimate Guide and have additional questions please feel free to contact one of our Corporate Client Service Representatives for a free consultation.
10 Reasons to Choose TransGates Limousine Services.
For the safety of the public, TransGates Limousine operates under intense scrutiny from Houston Public Utilities Commission and the Highway Patrol. The following is an example of the regulations we abide by. Chauffeurs must pass a pre employment drug and alcohol screening. Operators must have a substance abuse program in place and its chauffeurs subject to random drug and alcohol screening. Chauffeurs must maintain complete and accurate daily hours logs. Restricting the amount of hours they may drive. Chauffeurs must do a pre-trip inspection on vehicles before taking a vehicle on the road. Operators must due complete vehicle inspections every 45 days on every vehicle. Operators are required to have the Texas DPS do an annual terminal inspection to check all vehicles, logbooks, vehicle inspection reports and drug testing compliance. Operators must participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles pull notice system, which informs us if a driver has been cited for an infraction that might preclude him/her from continued service as a chauffeur. |
Airport Taxis & Ground Transportation
Car Services & Taxis will both
provide door-to-door transportation. Car services are not supposed to pick up
Passengers unless they have been reserved in advance. If you would like to
reserve a car service or limo in advance, please click here. Taxis are not
reserved in advance but rather can be "hailed" from the street. Taxis
have base fares, and then $ per mile/time…and expect some form of gratuity.
Taxi Rates & Limo Prices: Always
get a confirmation of your rate in advance. Most taxi's and Limo services have
base fares and are not all inclusive. For example, NYC has a 2% tax on car
services, 8.625% NY State and local sales taxes, and tolls are almost never
included in your quoted price. You can often avoid additional toll charges by
asking the driver to take a specific route of your choice. Some taxis will try
to take advantage of you, even though their rates are standardized.
Airport Pickup: Limo Services and
Car Service offer indoor pickups, providing an extremely stress-free pickup at
any airport (your driver will meet you at baggage claim with a sign). Indoor
pickup usually costs extra, plus any applicable waiting time or parking fees.
With Outside pickup, the driver will meet you at curbside pickup.
Disadvantages
of Airport Taxi:
- Waiting time. After a long flight, waiting in line for a cab is not ideal
- Drivers are not always familiar with area
- Cars are not reliable, and can break down en route
Advantages
of Car Services:
- No Taxi lines
- Inside Pickup Option
- Can be Paid for in Advance
- Can accommodate more than 4 people
- Professional Drivers
- Can Reserve Online
- Can be hired hourly to provide you with transportation around the city
- Can get car service discounts when booked online
When
Considering Limo Services:
- Typically more expensive than taxi service (though often it is only a few dollars more expensive)
- Often requires a credit card to book
- Penalty if not cancelled in time (ask about cancellation policy)
Car
Service Options:
- Economy Town Car - Can accommodate 1-4 passengers, with a moderate amount of luggage (3+ good sized suitcases).
- Luxury Sedan –Lincoln Town Car (new model), Mercedes or Cadillac. Same space as a full sized sedan, but more luxurious
- VIP Sedan – New Town Car models with very professional drivers
- Platinum Sedan – Longer models of the standard Town Car, satellite radio and wireless Internet in the car along with our most professional drivers
- Minivan or SUV - Can accommodate 5 passengers and about 5 pieces luggage (sometimes 6 passengers with minimal luggage)
- Vans - Can accommodate 6-14 passengers and their luggage
- Stretch Limousine - Can accommodate 6-14 passengers (depending on the limo), but luggage space is the same as a standard Town Car.
- Stretch SUV, Stretch Hummer - Can accommodate up to 14 passengers. Recommended for large groups traveling around New York City, rather than to/from the airport
to book your next reservation go to: TransGates Online Reservation
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