Top 5 Things You Should Know About Limousines

Limousines play a prominent role in transporting us to major events throughout our lives—from special birthdays, to proms, to weddings, and anniversary parties. And while the primary goal of any limousine rental is to find a chauffeured car that will deliver you and your friends somewhere on time and in style, it can be hard for this to happen without a basic knowledge about limousines.

From negotiating prices, to selecting a style, to customary driver tipping, here are the top five things you should know about limousines:

1. Limousine Prices Are Negotiable. No matter how good a package rate or hourly limousine deal you find online, it is important to realize that this price is always negotiable. In general, limousine company representatives are more than willing to exert flexibility when it comes to pricing, especially if it means that a customer will splurge on a bigger vehicle or a few additional hours.

Even if a limousine representative claims he or she cannot go down any lower on a price, however, there is likely more that can be done to sweeten the deal. For many companies, this includes throwing in a bottle of champagne, flowers, or appetizers free of charge. It is almost always worth asking if the limousine company is willing to throw in any of these options to sweeten the deal, up until the point when the contract has been signed. That’s because once you have signed the contract, the company no longer has any incentive to negotiate a deal to make you happy.

2. Always Ask For References. Just as you would ask for references before renting an apartment to someone or signing a major contract with any other company, anyone thinking of hiring a limousine service should be sure to ask for the names and phone numbers of a few past clients. Not only will getting this information ensure that the company has been in business long enough to have a roster of past clients, but it can also help determine how reliable the company is when it comes to on-time performance.

While you may not need to call every reference listed, it may be wise to at least call two or three. Among the questions commonly asked of references include whether the limousine company was on time, whether they delivered the car that was promised, and whether there was anything wrong with the service received. If the answer to any of these questions is negative, you may want to consider finding an alternative limousine company to rent from.

3. Pick Your Limousine Type Wisely. There is nothing worse than trying to fit seven people into a limousine that only seats six. Unlike buses, where squeezing extra people in seems normal, people take limousines when they want to stretch out and relax. Because of this, as a general rule, most limousine drivers recommend selecting a style that fits a few more people than you anticipate having.

Once you have decided on what size the limousine should be, it is time to start thinking about the color and style. Although many people choose white limousines for weddings, and darker vehicles for more somber events, the choice is really up to you.

Additionally, anyone hoping to rent a more specialized limousine vehicle—such as a stretch SUV—should check with the company well ahead of time, since the majority of limousine rental firms may only have one of these vehicles in stock. In addition, because stretch SUVs are so popular, many get reserved months in advance. For the widest selection when it comes to the size, style, and color of limousine, check with the rental company and prepare to sign a contract as far ahead as possible.