Do these towncar rates sound right?

[k_hase]

We're taking a trip in August that will be three legs, MCO to Universal, Universal to Disney, and then Disney to MCO. I checked the websites of TTC, FL Tours and Happy and found one-way rates but wondered if they make any consideration or offer other rates for my situation.

Anyway, only Happy got back to me and their quote doesn't even match the website, its more. They quoted me $160: $50 for each MCO leg and $30 for the Universal to Disney leg, plus $4 for tolls and $26 tip. On their website it lists one way between MCO and Universal and MCO and Disney at $45 (for my hotels), its says nothing about gratuity included or extra for the tolls.

Does this make sense to anyone?

Also, TTC and Fl never got back to me, even after two emails, but it seems that TTC would be slightly less based on their webpage and FL alot more based on theirs.

Advice?

Oh, and we aren't renting a car because so far this will be less unless I find the deal of a life time for a midweek-no saturday stay rental car.

 

[TLinden16]

Do you use AOL? I have problems with e-mails from FL Tours and Tiffany Towncar going to my spam box. That could be why you didn't receive a response from them.

Karen

 

[k_hase]

Nope, no AOL, but I've been checking the junk mail just in case it went there. Nothing yet.

 

[skippelm]

Did yo question them as to why the rates were different than their website? I'd be interested to hera their reasoning! Good Luck!

 

[k_hase]

I received a reply this morning. The extra $5 is an airport surcharge and I have to pay the tip they include, but if I have a complaint or want a refund on part of my tip I can call after the fact.

Oddly, I received another quote from them. (I sent two emails so I don't know if one is a response to my letter or to one of my original requests) that quote the rate of $154: $50 MCO to US, $30 US to BWV and $45 BWV to MCO with $4 tolls and $25 tip.

Perhaps I have been undertipping drivers all this time, I have never tipped them 20% because its just two of us and we usually only have carry on luggage so their isn't alot of lifting. I tip 20% in restaurants, per bag to the bell people, per person to the mousekeepers, but I never realized that drivers tips were based on a percent of the fee, I thought it was like bellboys or housekeeping, based on the amount of people/bags.

 

[skippelm]

We've used the towncar services before - it was either happy or ttc- but there was no airport surcharge, nor was there a mandatory tip! I would try the other places again...

 

[skippelm]

FYI- On searching Happy's website I did find the surcharge and tip mentioned-

TTC says it does not include the tip and there is a $5 coupon on the site. Since their rates are slightlty higher than Happy perhaps they include the surcharge?

 

[Lewisc]

The airport website says the approx fare from MCO to International Drive hotels is $29-34.

You previously posted the waiting rates. The price for a 30 minute grocery stop is $10 plus the mileage and time to get to and from the store. Someone following your suggestion of hailing a cab shouldn't expect a free stop.


I've never seen a cab driver meet and greet. Further that takes away from your idea of not making advance plans but just hailing a cab.

Pay the meter for the ride and grocery stop YOU'LL PAY MORE WITH A CAB.

Originally posted by pmj4002
Quicksilver

I must correct you. I drive Universal to MCO EVERYDAY and it IS $25, maybe $30 if traffic is bad. I ALWAYS help with luggage. A Cab can meet and greet at baggage claim JUST LIKE A TOWN CAR.

And apparently you have never looked at the year -- or the milage of the town cars. I have seen(just yesterday) a town car with 375000 miles on it. ANd many drivers such as myself would stop for groceries is a heartbeat with no extra charge, especially if the customer is a round trip "stash".

Plus I would never call a Lincoln Town car a "luxury" vehicle. It is only one step up from a Grand Marquis, the most popular cab in Orlando.

The only REAL differences between a cab and a town car are 2.
1. Cost considerable more for the same ride
2. The driver wears a Monkey Suit

 

[k_hase]

I called TTC just to see what I would get and I should have stuck with them in the first place. They are charging a total of $117 plus tip, $90 is a roundtrip fare even though I am at two different hotels, the rep told me because I am going back to the airport they consider it round trip and then a $27 rate for the transfer between RPR and BWV. The toll is included, there is no surcharge unless its wrapped in the price already and if I tip 20% this still comes out to $140 ($20 less than Happy wanted).

I looked for the tip and surcharge info on Happy's site also after I emailed them, but I guess I want to know all the fees right upfront, I don't want to search for them.

As far as a cab goes, well, I'd just rather know my rates for certain ahead of time and not when I get to the airport. And maybe your cab is nice, but lots of them aren't.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Tiffany is the way to go. No extra charges, tolls or anything. Just add the tip. We used them for a three leg trip this past November and everything was great like usual.

Just be sure to confirm your reservation at one week, and the day before you travel. When you arrive go over it again with your driver to make sure he has all the right info.

 

[theboysmom]

Tiffany Town Car is a great choice. We used Happy in 2002 and we were not Happy. At that time they did not great you inside (dont know if they do now) we had to call for a car upon arrival. We could not get through on several attempts to there 800 number. In 2002 they had no one in their pickup area to help you (I dont know if this has changed). The return to MCO was no problem. In 2003 we used Tiffany Town Car and requested one of the vans that seat 9. LOVE THEM. Our driver was Dave Gilbert. He was OUTSTANDING. He did everything. He greated us at the bottom of the escalator, helped get the luggage off the belt, loaded the cart, pulled it to the car and loaded up. He than took us to our grocery stop and gave us his shopper card so we could enjoy the savings. He then loaded up our groceries for us. We had him for our return and he was there waiting for us when we came out of the BCV. Great guy and great car service at a fair price.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Originally posted by pmj4002

[Disney to MCO: $35(Pop Century)-$50(Animal Kingdom) + tip
TOTAL: $83-$105 + tip

Honestly, I don't see what all the hullabub about towncars is. They cost more and you never know when or if they will show up-]



How can you say a towncar cost more than a taxi? You have a price listed of $50 from AK to MCO. Thats $100 round trip. Tiffany will take you round trip for $85. Thats with the $5 off coupon. To me it sounds like the towncar is cheaper.

 

[thirdtrip]

I have a 3 leg trip planned with TTC. MCO to Swan , Swan to Hard Rock , Hard Rock to MCO - $120 minus the $5 online coupon for $115 with a grocery stop. Seemed like a good deal to me.

 

[pluto's fan]

Originally posted by k_hase
We're taking a trip in August that will be three legs, MCO to Universal, Universal to Disney, and then Disney to MCO. I checked the websites of TTC, FL Tours and Happy and found one-way rates but wondered if they make any consideration or offer other rates for my situation.

Anyway, only Happy got back to me and their quote doesn't even match the website, its more. They quoted me $160: $50 for each MCO leg and $30 for the Universal to Disney leg, plus $4 for tolls and $26 tip. On their website it lists one way between MCO and Universal and MCO and Disney at $45 (for my hotels), its says nothing about gratuity included or extra for the tolls.

Does this make sense to anyone?

Also, TTC and Fl never got back to me, even after two emails, but it seems that TTC would be slightly less based on their webpage and FL alot more based on theirs.

Advice?

Oh, and we aren't renting a car because so far this will be less unless I find the deal of a life time for a midweek-no saturday stay rental car.

I am sooo glad I came across your thread k_hase! I will be doing EXACTLY the same thing in August. I was trying to find the best way to do this so Im gald you had the same question I did. Roughly, I was thinking Mears one way from MCO to Universal(I dont mind stopping at defferent resorts) then TTC from Universal to Disney and Disney to MCO. After reading this thread the best way to go is just TTC. I have used them before and I love their service.