LIMO SERVICES

can someone with experience tell me about limo services airport to hotel, what to tip the driver, reliability.  appreciate the help.  early july visit. 

I have experience, many times.  I once asked my Host (who arranges the limo) what is as reasonable tip.  He said, and I quote, "They'll be very happy with twenty-five."  I'd say a little more if there are two of you ( or $25 each if you aren't husband and wife...I never got that clarified).  Or if you have a ton of luggage maybe a little more tip.  Your call, though, absolutely.  As always, tip is not mandatory but is customary.

Limo drivers are professional, friendly, and certainly "dependable".  You don't have to worry about the "long haul" issue, etc., 'cause they are there to pick you up and get you to the hotel in a happy mood.

Anyway, they usually call or text you the minute you land or are walking through the airport, telling you they are there and waiting.  As you go down the escalator you see limo drivers from the different hotels (formally dressed) holding signs with passengers' last names.  You walk up to yours and say hi I'm here.  Your driver will already know which carousel your luggage is coming out at.  They like to pull the luggage themselves and roll it themselves.  Once it all has dropped they get it and roll it outside to their limo.  They offer you bottles of water.  Most are as chatty during the ride to your hotel as you want them to be.  You can ask questions like "where is the new stadium" or "what are some good shows to see", etc. 

When driving up to the hotel entrance tell the driver if you want a bellman to take your luggage to the Bell desk or VIP or your room if you already know that.  Tip the bellman too, like $5, for managing your luggage at the hotel.  Or you can act like a high roller (maybe you are one!) and tip with C-notes.  But remember, you will likely never see the same limo driver again even if you limo again and again, so no need to be concerned about impressing the driver with a huge tip.

I've read of folks arranging for special things during the ride, like champaign or a stop at a store to get groceries, etc., but I've never done that.  I'm sure most limo drivers will accommodate any special request you have.  Just tip a little more if they do more.

That's all I can think of right now.  Ask me if I've left out something you are wondering about.

Have a wonderful time during your visit!

Candy

Get one with a hot tub in it. It can be a long ride from the airport.

Candy thanks for all the info. i suspect that Limo service companies are pretty much on point, just the cost might be different but pretty close.  Been going to Vegas for decades but pretty much rented cars, that however is not worth the costs, gas, or parking fees. Do you have a regular limo service you use? or should i just pick one out from the interweb?

Kevin, no hot tub.  don't want to scare the tourist or the driver.  but thanks.  

Ray, my limo rides have been arranged/comped by my Host at a Strip hotel.  Somehow I got on the good side of a Host and the rest is limo history.  Presidential is the only name coming to mind right now, and I think we used them once...long ago.   Yes, look on the web.  You call, they ask your flight info, hotel destination, etc., and they give you a price, set up the pick up. 

There was an LVA member who moved to Vegas after retirement.  He started driving for a limo company.  On LVA he was known as Larry the Limo Guy and I hope someone remembers him and who he works for, if he still does work.  He had the personality for it (great) and had posted that he would especially welcome business from any LVA member, not free of course but those of us who remember him could guarantee his service would be top knotch.  It wasn't his own company, but you could ask for him when you called to make the arrangements.  Good luck.

Candy

I think I remember reading that the two biggest limo companies in Vegas (Bell and Presdiential?) are now owned by the same company. We've used Bell the last several trips, but the last two both included mixups on Bell's part in which the driver didn't show up and we cooled our heels in baggage claim for 30 minutes or so while they found another driver. Not a fun way to start a trip. In the future I think we'll just Lyft to the hotel.  

thank you all for the information, it really helps. maybe Lyft is the better way this time.  i understand that Lyft is better than Uber in Vegas.  anyone chime in? 

I've used Lyft twice and Uber once. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give Lyft a 4 and Uber a 3.

Lyft's driver got lost at the airport, gave up, called me and said she wasn't coming, and I got "fined" $5 by Lyft for supposedly canceling the ride. Uber had 150 minutes to get me to the airport and barely showed up in time for me to catch my flight. And both of them charged about $40 for a trip that would have been $50-ish by cab. So given their unreliability, the savings aren't worth it to me.

This is one of the many reasons I drive to Vegas even though it takes me 18 hours. Air travel sucks, and ground transportation blows.

thanks Kevin. good points for sure. i might try Turo, the car thing that rents you a private owner car. 

That might be a good alternative, but be super super super diligent about whether your liability insurance covers you in that situation. Also, be sure you've worked out with the owner what happens if there's collision damage, or what happens if he claims there's collision damage.