Questions to Ask When You Hire a Limousine

Hiring a limo from a New York luxury car service can make any experience special, from graduation to a first date. If this is your first time hiring a New York limousine service service, you may be uncertain what to expect from your experience. Here’s a quick rundown of the questions you should ask and the information you should have when you book a limousine or other luxury car from any NY limo service.

First Things First – What Kind of New York Limos Do You Have?

"Limousine" covers a large variety of luxury automobiles, from Hummers to executive sedans to exotic vehicles like stretch limos and party buses. If you have a particular make or model of limousine in mind, as the NY limo service if their fleet includes it. It would be a huge disappointment if you picture yourself arriving at the church on your wedding day in vintage Rolls Royce, but what shows up at your door is a 1997 Grand Marquis. Nice car, but not what you want. Avoid disappointment by specifying exactly what kind of limousine you’re looking for.

Not sure what kind of limo you want? When you call the New York limousine service, be prepared with details about the evening or afternoon you’re planning. Ask to see photos of the limos they offer for weddings and special events. Be prepared to tell the limo service how many people will be riding in the limo, and if there are any special amenities you’d like in the car.

If you’re planning for a special occasion, mention that when you call the limo service. Some New York limo services offer special discounts for certain events – for example, there are companies in New York that discount prom limos as a public service to promote safe driving on prom night. They may also have special packages for weddings – they may include a bottle of champagne for a toast after the service, for instance, or a bucket of tokens for the slots if you’re booking an Atlantic City casino trip.

The Devil in the Details

It’s always nice to be able to say “Price is no object,” but that’s seldom the case. Shop around for a good deal, but be aware that deep discounts in the limo industry often mean poor service and poorly maintained vehicles. There are, however, some ways to reduce the cost of renting a New York limo.

Weekday evenings and weekend afternoons – except during wedding season – are traditionally slow times for limo services, so many NY limo companies discount their rates during those hours. If you’re doing a wine country tour or trip to the casinos, or any other event where you’ll have the limo for a solid several hours, you may be able to get a flat rate for the afternoon or evening which will cost considerably less than the hourly rate.

If you smoke, be sure to ask whether you can book a limousine that allows smoking. If you don’t and you’re sensitive to cigarette smoke residue, ask about non-smoking vehicles and the company’s cleaning methods.

Whatever the occasion, a New York limousine can make it even more special. Make sure that you get all the details straight up front so that you’re not disappointed with your experience.