There is something that separates exceptional businesspeople from your average ones. It's not just the suit they wear, or the way they carry themselves. It goes deeper than that-to their innate business sense, their ability to sniff out the best value, their skills at netting the finest things at a bargain price. Case in point: an airport limo.
Sure, an airport limo may not be the deal breaker that decides whether a businessperson will launch their career to the boardroom. But it's sure an indication of an eye for class and cost-effectiveness.
Just think of all the time and money you can save having a limo pick you up at a foreign airport. Instead of waiting in line for your rental car, then wasting time getting lost on the way to the hotel, you could get picked up in style, without any waiting and without even straining to drag your luggage around. During the ride to the hotel, instead of squinting at the map and burning gas, you could lounge in the back of the stretch limo, prepare for your big meeting, or catch a catnap before the important conference.
Lastly, have fun. We could tell you not to do anything immoral in the back of that limo, but we'll leave that speech for your parents.
The most difficult part about getting an airport limo-and it's no hard decision for a business pro like yourself-is choosing among the types of vehicles out there. The key to this choice is planning for the number of other people in your travel party. For instance, here are the three major styles of limo you can pick from, with their typical corresponding occupancy rates :
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Sedan : Seats as many as 3 travelers with luggage.
Limousine : Seats as many as 8 travelers with luggage.
Private Van : Seats as many as 14 passengers with luggage.
Then there is price. Good business folks also know when it's worthwhile to spend a bit on something more to guarantee quality. That is definitely the case when choosing among limo companies.
Never pick on lowest price alone.
It could be crucial for your comfort to also ask whether:
The limo is smoking or nonsmoking. For smokers this is a no-brainer, for non-smokers that don't ask, your may be picked up in a smoky smelling limo.
Ask if the company guarantees direct service between the airport and the hotel. Some vans will fill up with strangers and stop at each of their hotels along the route. Let's say your pickup time is 6:30. That should give you plenty of time to make your 8:30 flight, right? Not if you make 8 stops along with way. Did you ask if it's a shared ride?
After you finally found your baggage claim, hunted for your luggage, do you want to start hunting for your limo driver? The company should offer the classic meet-and-greet: the service where the driver holds the sign with your name on it at the airport terminal.
Do you need a multilingual chauffeur? It would be nice to have someone that understands you and the locals when traveling overseas.
Of course, that's not to say you shouldn't consider price. Donald Trump wouldn't let his limo service take him to the cleaners, after all. So inquire when making your limo reservation about the logistics of your rate. Most companies will have a flat fee for airport runs. Beware of companies that charge by time if you're within a 10 mile radius of the airport. What if traffic is bad?
Here's one that most people never consider and many get hit with. How much does it cost for your limo driver to wait for your late flight? Will you be charged extra, by the minute, if your flight is delayed?
How much will the cancellation charge be if your flight never makes it to your destination?
