My wife and I will be visiting New York to celebrate our 20th
Anniversary and I would like the visit to be relaxing. To this end I
would like a Car to meet us at the airport and take us to the hotel. I
would like to pre-book to reduce stress on our arrival. Is there a
licensing scheme for such transport? Or if not how should I choose a
reputable Cab/Limo company?
Thanks in advance.

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Clarification of Question by swill-ga on 25 Oct 2004 09:47 PDT

Thanks delaware-ga - valid point !
We will be arriving at JFK and staying in a hotel in Park Avenue South.
Thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by aht-ga on 25 Oct 2004 10:48 PDT

swill-ga:

Further to nelson-ga's suggestion of dialcar.com, here's their Airport
Pickup information:

b. Airport Pick-ups
 

http://www.dialcar.com/rates_pricing.htm
 
"You can make a reservation or call us when you arrive at the airport.
You should be able to get a car within 5-10 minutes. We recommend that
you meet our car at the designated pick-up area. There is no extra
charge for this service. If, however, the driver is required to meet
you inside the terminal after parking the car, there will be a $10.00
charge and the waiting time will start 10 minutes after reservation
time. Parking fee will be additional. This is called a "MEET AND
GREET" service. Customer will be met at the baggage claim area or at
the gate by our driver holding a Dial sign with the passengers name.
On any reservation or "MEET AND GREET.' If your car or driver cannot
be seen, call Dial immediately-1-800 DIAL743. Direct DIAL telephone
service is available at all major airports by ground transportation
desk near baggage claim area."
 

Your two options are to either call them (1-800-DIAL743) after you
have picked up your luggage, and meet them at the designated pickup
area (airport staff should be able to direct you there easily, as Dial
Car is a major service provider), or you can pre-arrange for a Meet
and Greet service that costs substantially more, but will have the
driver meet you outside the baggage claim area to guide you to the
private limo.

Before I post this as an Answer, though, I wanted to get a
clarification from you. If you are comfortable mentioning the hotel
that you are staying at, there is a possibility that they may have a
preferential agreement with a private car service for airport pickup
that would be worth looking into. If however you are satisfied with
Dial Car, we can just post that as your Answer.

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher


Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by swill-ga on 25 Oct 2004 11:08 PDT

Thanks aht-ga. After nelson-ga contributed I looked at the dialcar
site and had seen the info you posted.

The gist of my question was intended to be whether there was a body
regulating cab companies in New York to ensure fair rates, honesty,
safety etc, or failing that, how a visitor can be assured of the
integrity of any of the multiple companies vying for business.

If you can assure me that there is no such body and if you can explain
why dialcar is the company to choose above the other competing
companies then I will accept your answer.

Thanks.

swill-ga:

There is indeed a body that regulates taxi and limo services in New York City. 
This is the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/home/home.shtml

However, their price regulation only covers a fixed fare for taxis
from JFK to Manhattan, of $45 (plus any tolls). No fixed price exists
for trips TO JFK from Manhattan. Private car service does not fall
under the same pricing control, as indicated on this following frame
from the Port Authority New York and New Jersey website:

http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsmain.htm#manhattan

(see the flat rate mentioned for taxis, and the "prices vary" label
under the private car services)

(The PANYNJ regulates services at and involving the airports in the NYC area)

The majority of the private car operators only offer hourly rates,
with waiting time being 'on the clock'. Dial Car is one of the few to
publish a fixed rate for travel TO JFK from Manhattan; when you call
to pre-arrange pickup, the operator can confirm for you the total rate
applicable depending on whether you want the Meet and Greet service as
well. Another company that offers set prices is Carmel Limo:

https://carmellimo.com/WebApp/rates.jsp 

Note that their prices for JFK to Manhattan are listed for full-size
sedan private car service, not luxury sedan (ie. Lincoln Town Car)
service. Meet and Greet service is additional with Carmel, as well.

Dial Car has a better record with the NY Better Business Bureau than
Carmel, but this may be a result of Carmel having a more diversified
service offering (ie. in addition to private car services, they also
do proms, events, etc):

Dial Car
http://www.bbbnewyork.org/businessreports/Default.aspx?id=36843&page=1&NameValue=dial%20car&action=search1

Carmel Limo
http://www.bbbnewyork.org/businessreports/default.aspx?id=1519&page=1&NameValue=carmel&action=search1


In any case, complaints about either taxi service or 'for hire'
private car service can be filed with the New York City Taxi &
Limousine Commission through their website at:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/file_complaint.shtml

However, this is targeted more at operators of the yellow taxis that
you can hail on the street, rather than the pre-arranged private car
services that you initially inquired about.

You will note in the Answer I just provided to your other question
regarding NYC tours, that one of the NYC tour companies (Romancing
Manhattan Tour) I mentioned can also include airport transfers in
their custom package for you, this is an option worth considering to
reduce the number of vendors you need to work with.

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

A full and useful answer. Many thanks.

Which airport are you flying into?
Which hotel are you staying in? Or if you would prefer not to say,
then what is its general location.

This information would probably help getting you a more specific answer.  

Sincere regards,

http://www.dialcar.com/