MilesBuzz! - "beating the system" tip#41 rise above your station and ride a limousine from JFK to Manhattan

Most people assume that a limousine is only for the rich and famous.

Airport limousines (not buses and other scheduled sevices which call themselves limousines) are often only 30-50% more expensive than taxis. If the cost can be divided among several people, the premium is bearable. Particularly when you consider the usual benefits of a limousine:

* if you book ahead, your personal limousine is waiting for you (no inline staying)
* the seating is more spacious and comfortable
* you are charged a ficxed price and so, by mircle, the Limousine driver finds the shortest way to your destination (it his in his best interest; you might escape to see the Tappenzee Bridge again)
*you can pay by credit card

Limousines are also good if you have a lot of luggage or if you would need two ordinary-sized taxis for any reason (loads of luggage or more people than will fit in one cab). Limos will also stop enroute without adding a large premium to the fare, which can be useful if you've forgotten to take a toothbrush.

Rudi ... great topic, here is what I do. I use two different limo services when flying to NY. I noramlly book a sedan and often a strech turns up ... cannot beat those free drinks included in the price. I got this information from the AA O-board Magazine ... seen enough of those in my life. I have used both services and found them equally good. In fact, the rates are fixed, so some of my drivers have even taken "detours" when there has been bumper-to-bumper traffic on the freeway and had me in Manhattan 45 minutes after leaving the airport. Prices are from airport to Manhattan.

Strech Sedan
ZIP Connection 888-545-0404
JFK/Newark $40 $25
La Guardia $30 $15

Limosines-R-US 800-259-9101
JFK/Newark $45 $35
La Guardia $35 $25

Ooops ... formatting got messed up. The higher USD value is for a strech and the lower for a sedan (basically a Lincoln Towncar).

Has anybody ever gotten in one of the limos that are just hanging around the airport and ask you if you want to take a limo instead of a taxi. They say that they got a few hours to kill until their next job, so this is a way to make a few extra dollars on the side.

I am fully aware that they are not supposed to do this, and in fact, it is illegal. Nevertheless, has anybody here done it, and if so - any problems?

Never taken one steve100, but you do mean properly licensed drivers, right? I've just taken unlicensed gypsies way uptown in Manhattan, since this is absolutely unavoidable sometimes, especially trying to go to the airport(s) during a typical NYC rush hour!

Travelcrazy: please explain those rates you provided. I thought a regular taxi from JFK to Manhattan was a flat rate of $30 -- how can a limo charge less, or is that a per-person rate for a shared vehicle?

NYC Metro area is very competitive and limo's are no exception. I routinely book a limo to/from airport(s) since it's almost the same price as a taxi. No the taxis have raised fares and charge extra for everything from luggage to nuts! The only unplesant surprise was the first time I got hit with the combination of extra fees for waiting time plus for my delayed flight (Tx NW) and "after midnight charge!" You do want to avoid these surchares for sure- they can double the total price.

steve100-
Yes, I am sure that soliciting a ride without a reservation is illegal. There are signs in New York airports warning not to take a ride with them.

NYC limos are one of the best deals around. When you have a choice, take Rudi's advice and go for the Limo or sedan service.

NEVER< EVER EVER take one of those scam "Want a Ride people."

Once I got home from my London trip so tired and frustrated because I was still depressed over my aunt's death a year ago and this guy says "I'll take you home." HE seemed alright so I accepted. (remember i"m a novice flyer trusting everyone.)

The normal Fare is 24 bucks.

We get to my home and He wanted 50 bucks... EWR to Jersey CIty< I gave him 20 bucks and said that's all I have.

He started to drive off saying I could NOT get out of the cab until I payed him 60 bucks (He said 10 extra for "taking him away from paying customers.)

I open the door, throw my bag into the street and start screaming. He stops lets me get out and calls me every profane name in the book. (See "South Park: for some of them.)

SO I write down his license number and call Port Authority police.

Never saw him again.

It's not nice to be dishonest... especially to the CATMAN.


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MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!!

i agree with catman. never take a ride with one of the guys who hustles fares at the baggage claim area...or that's exactly what you'll get: taken for a ride.

the most important thing to remember is that many of them are unlicensed or unisured or both, so if you get into an accident, you/they're not covered! and even the ones who are insured may not be covered if they take you on as an unofficial fare, without being dispatched.

of course, everything is relative. many new york city cabs don't have the proper insurance, either. you're lucky if you get a working seat belt!

we (my company) use several car services to get to the NYC airports. they don't send limos, but nice, recent model sedans. it's a great time and headache saver. i'd recommend them, but i believe they only handle company accounts. no actual cash changes hands...it's all a voucher system.

It's especially dangerous to take the first offer in 3rd world countries. I always walk straight to the information desk the first time at a new airport. I'm always trailed by a bunch of guys shouting "taxi sir!" but I do my best to ignore them.

It's really bad in the middle east and eastern Europe.

Rudi, you're right on as always! Flew into JFK in May & hadn't booked a car ahead for Manhattan. Big mistake.

Super Shuttle said there was a 45 minute wait, NY Shuttle busses came by every 15 minutes, were full and never stopped. There were no cabs either...which is curious since it was 4:15PM. Finally shared a cab with 2 other people in the same predicament, but we were crunched because of luggage.

Book a car ahead.......

Great new Limo deal, FF fanatics. Starwood has now partnered with Boston Coach to offer 500 Starpoints per limo ride, out of 7 major metro areas, including Boston, Chicago, Phila., Newark, New York and Wash. D.C. Their rates appear competitive with other limo services in this area, so I know how I'll be getting to and from the airport for my corporate clients now. That's an extra 500 miles each way!! check out the details at the Starwood site, and then www.bostoncoach.com (http://www.bostoncoach.com) for limo rates in your area.

Djlawman

Hope I don't lose my wings for this radical post, but to tell you the truth, I don't like limosines--especially when I am travelling solo. They make me feel isolated and lonely.
Truth be told, when I have time, I love Shuttles. It is a great way to meet people, learn a little about a city and get a tour of areas I might not otherwise see. Also gives me a chance to get oriented.

Bear in mind, of course, that this opinion is coming from a woman who loves to get lost on the subways in NYC, so take it for what it is worth.

It's true, it's true. http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I am surprised (and soooooo proud) that somebody got "back to the future" on this board and did "reanimate" my guerilla tip#41.

what are your comments to the guerilla tips #1 to #40?

(Punki - as Catman can testify, if nobody personally waits for me at JFK, and if I can handle my luggage, I take the bus to the metro station and than the subway: and right-away I really have the right New York feeling!
it's true, it's true too http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Taking a limo from the airport in Vancouver, B.C. into town is a particularly good deal. A cab runs $21-$28; stretch limo is a flat rate - about $21 U.S. - no matter how many passengers. Operates 24 hours a day and no advance notice needed. They're always waiting at the airport.

letoile, your cab fares are in Canadian dollars, so a limo really costs about the same/a little more. But for a dollar or two the extra comfort may be worth it.

Same in Toronto - limos are always waiting and the fare to downtown is a flat Cdn$35.

Taxis cost Cdn $30-35 depending on destination so limos work out very well.

The cab fare in Vancouver that I mentioned is actually in US dollars. Sorry, I didn't mention that.

letoile - I was in Vancouver in early May. The taxi fare between the airport and (to and from) the Four Seasons [in the heart of downtown] was in the CAD range you mentioned: I seem to recall it being $23 one way and $27 the other.

Limos are still a very pleasant option...

I hope it doesn't hurt if I repost another related "guerilla tip" from last year: "beating the system": the best strategy for dealing with unmetered cabs
http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000285.html

and Topic:"beat the system" tip #31: going downtown from the airport http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000223.html

Hey everyone, thanks for reviving this thread. I would have never seen some of the information/limo services had I not looked in here. I know what I am going to do next month on my trip to JFK.

Confirm Rudi, travelcrazy and doc regading NYC area limos as a 'good deal'

steve100- those limos also cruise around midtown Manhattan and for generally less than a cab will take you to your destination in comfort (it is especially good if you are with a group). The driver is usually waiting for his passenger who is having dinner, drinks, a meeting etc and this is a good way for him to pick up a few extra bucks off the books.