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Shop Around
One of the best ways to find a good limo service is through referrals, either from associates or the Better Business Bureau.
First-hand referrals and published reviews go a long way to ensure satisfaction. In addition, determine what you want or need from the service by asking about available amenities. Whether you want entertainment media, food or alcohol, spaciousness or simply a nice ride, there are services for many budgets.
Know the Car Facts
“Limos” come in all shapes and sizes—from town cars to stretch SUVs—therefore price points vary. Inquire how many vehicles a service owns, vehicle age and their capacities. Although the number of cars does not predict quality of service, it indicates the company’s focus. Small companies typically offer one type of highly personalized service. Medium companies have a variety of vehicles and services. Big companies handle large-volume corporate accounts. All vehicles should have fewer than 200,000 miles, or well-maintained older vehicles should have million-dollar insurance policies. Also important is the availability of backup vehicles for emergencies.
A Timely Matter
With the exception of flat-rate airport transfers, limo prices are based on hours of service, not mileage or passengers. Prices usually include a three-hour minimum, so if you use a limo only for one hour, you are charged for three. During busy seasons minimums may be as high as eight hours. In addition, rates are affected by seasonal and daily demand so budget accordingly, knowing weekends and holidays are higher. Since pricing is variable, if you book more than two cars, ask for a discount; it’s worth your while to negotiate. In addition, industry standard allots for one hour of billed travel time in which the car goes to the pickup location and back to the garage after drop-off. Be wary of companies padding this time much beyond that.
Charge of the Limo Brigade
Rental fees include a booked number of hours, but know company policies for driver gratuity, overages, surcharges and hidden charges. Quality limo services automatically charge and invoice a 15- to 20-percent gratuity (additional tips are allowed). When booking a limo for a specific time amount, know what happens if you go over. Quality companies will bill in 15-minute increments until service is completed, but some automatically charge extra full hours or even an extra six-hour time block despite actual time spent. Although discounted services may seem inexpensive upfront, they often make their money in surcharges. Typically companies charge a 10-percent administrative surcharge for automotive and workman’s compensation insurance and maybe a 5-percent fuel surcharge. Anything else is nonsense. Also look for hidden charges. Reputable companies charge for tolls, parking and airport tax, but limousine services are not subject to local or state sales tax.
Be Driver Driven
Simply put, the company with the best chauffeurs has the best service. By law, limo chauffeurs must be drug tested and have a physical. Good companies follow state mandates and run criminal background checks on prospective employees. Drivers also should have a clean driving record and be familiar with the service area. The best drivers are career chauffeurs who are consistent and reliable. They take pride in their profession and are educated and experienced, thus very well paid. When setting up an account, inquire about driver pay and benefits compensation; the best drivers go with the money. House drivers usually earn $7–10 per hour with 20-percent gratuity; independent operators make at least 65 percent of the base rate with 20-percent gratuity. All drivers should receive vacation time, regular days off and benefits.
Quality Infrastructure Says Service
Business experience is important, and longer-running companies are usually better than start-ups. However, with a new business, ask about the operator’s background; some great boutique companies are new but run by managers and drivers with years of experience. Make sure a solid corporate infrastructure is in place. Backup generators, secure data servers, remote dispatch and reservation systems and employee communication networks need to function smoothly in case problems arise. Lastly, a service should offer corporate billing and detailed invoices to provide transparency. Each invoice should have full reservation-tracking information, which can be verified and corrected.
Cover Your Assets
Every limousine service requires a license number issued by the state; it allows a company to operate legally. In addition, every car needs commercial vehicle insurance. Town cars are required to have minimum liability coverage of $750,000; vehicles carrying eight passengers or more need at least $1.5 million. Plus, you should know the company policies and your rights and liabilities should an accident occur so ask for proof of insurance before you sign anything.
Get it in Writing
When you’ve decided, ask for a contract, and make sure everything is in writing. A contract should include (1) the year, make and model of the limo; (2) detailed rates, including gratuity and charges; (3) deposit amount and cancellation fees; and (4) the company’s liability in case of breakdowns or no-shows. In addition, cancellations are common for limo companies, and if problems arise, you should be able to cancel your reservation so get in writing and review the cancellation policy.
The Green Scene
Houston has long been considered the Energy Capital of the World, and as such, it has been making a concerted effort to continue to be one of the nation’s “greenest” cities. In addition to many companies offering charter and party buses for moving large groups to reduce emissions, Houston also has several programs in place to further this effort and others on the horizon and expanding all the time.
One of the best ways to find a good limo service is through referrals, either from associates or the Better Business Bureau.
First-hand referrals and published reviews go a long way to ensure satisfaction. In addition, determine what you want or need from the service by asking about available amenities. Whether you want entertainment media, food or alcohol, spaciousness or simply a nice ride, there are services for many budgets.
Know the Car Facts
“Limos” come in all shapes and sizes—from town cars to stretch SUVs—therefore price points vary. Inquire how many vehicles a service owns, vehicle age and their capacities. Although the number of cars does not predict quality of service, it indicates the company’s focus. Small companies typically offer one type of highly personalized service. Medium companies have a variety of vehicles and services. Big companies handle large-volume corporate accounts. All vehicles should have fewer than 200,000 miles, or well-maintained older vehicles should have million-dollar insurance policies. Also important is the availability of backup vehicles for emergencies.
A Timely Matter
With the exception of flat-rate airport transfers, limo prices are based on hours of service, not mileage or passengers. Prices usually include a three-hour minimum, so if you use a limo only for one hour, you are charged for three. During busy seasons minimums may be as high as eight hours. In addition, rates are affected by seasonal and daily demand so budget accordingly, knowing weekends and holidays are higher. Since pricing is variable, if you book more than two cars, ask for a discount; it’s worth your while to negotiate. In addition, industry standard allots for one hour of billed travel time in which the car goes to the pickup location and back to the garage after drop-off. Be wary of companies padding this time much beyond that.
Charge of the Limo Brigade
Rental fees include a booked number of hours, but know company policies for driver gratuity, overages, surcharges and hidden charges. Quality limo services automatically charge and invoice a 15- to 20-percent gratuity (additional tips are allowed). When booking a limo for a specific time amount, know what happens if you go over. Quality companies will bill in 15-minute increments until service is completed, but some automatically charge extra full hours or even an extra six-hour time block despite actual time spent. Although discounted services may seem inexpensive upfront, they often make their money in surcharges. Typically companies charge a 10-percent administrative surcharge for automotive and workman’s compensation insurance and maybe a 5-percent fuel surcharge. Anything else is nonsense. Also look for hidden charges. Reputable companies charge for tolls, parking and airport tax, but limousine services are not subject to local or state sales tax.
Be Driver Driven
Simply put, the company with the best chauffeurs has the best service. By law, limo chauffeurs must be drug tested and have a physical. Good companies follow state mandates and run criminal background checks on prospective employees. Drivers also should have a clean driving record and be familiar with the service area. The best drivers are career chauffeurs who are consistent and reliable. They take pride in their profession and are educated and experienced, thus very well paid. When setting up an account, inquire about driver pay and benefits compensation; the best drivers go with the money. House drivers usually earn $7–10 per hour with 20-percent gratuity; independent operators make at least 65 percent of the base rate with 20-percent gratuity. All drivers should receive vacation time, regular days off and benefits.
Quality Infrastructure Says Service
Business experience is important, and longer-running companies are usually better than start-ups. However, with a new business, ask about the operator’s background; some great boutique companies are new but run by managers and drivers with years of experience. Make sure a solid corporate infrastructure is in place. Backup generators, secure data servers, remote dispatch and reservation systems and employee communication networks need to function smoothly in case problems arise. Lastly, a service should offer corporate billing and detailed invoices to provide transparency. Each invoice should have full reservation-tracking information, which can be verified and corrected.
Cover Your Assets
Every limousine service requires a license number issued by the state; it allows a company to operate legally. In addition, every car needs commercial vehicle insurance. Town cars are required to have minimum liability coverage of $750,000; vehicles carrying eight passengers or more need at least $1.5 million. Plus, you should know the company policies and your rights and liabilities should an accident occur so ask for proof of insurance before you sign anything.
Get it in Writing
When you’ve decided, ask for a contract, and make sure everything is in writing. A contract should include (1) the year, make and model of the limo; (2) detailed rates, including gratuity and charges; (3) deposit amount and cancellation fees; and (4) the company’s liability in case of breakdowns or no-shows. In addition, cancellations are common for limo companies, and if problems arise, you should be able to cancel your reservation so get in writing and review the cancellation policy.
The Green Scene
Houston has long been considered the Energy Capital of the World, and as such, it has been making a concerted effort to continue to be one of the nation’s “greenest” cities. In addition to many companies offering charter and party buses for moving large groups to reduce emissions, Houston also has several programs in place to further this effort and others on the horizon and expanding all the time.
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Send submissions to
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If accepted, your submission will be edited for length and clarity. There is no monetary payment if your item is used; instead, you can publicize yourself through a five-line biography with your contact information that will appear at the end of the article.
Send submissions to
editorial@MeetingPlannerResources.org. We will contact you if your submission is chosen.