OT. Car service in NY recommendations

[aussietravellers]

I am looking for recommendations for a car service that we can book from JFK to our hotel in Times Square (and return).

I know there are shuttles and trains, but as I have a torn artery in my neck I will not be able to lift anything, so dragging our luggage around and on and off trains is not a good idea. I would prefer not to use a shuttle as we arrive at night and will be tired and don't really want to be going to everybody elses hotels before getting to ours.

I thought a car service would be good because they will meet us (inside at the baggage claim hopefully), help with our luggage and it's direct from the airport to the hotel.

I have googled it and I really don't know if they are good or bad, so would love some recommendations from anybody who has used a car service (and any companies to avoid )

Thanks for your help.

 

[SSRFred]

We have used Carmel several times and are happy with their service. http://www.carmellimo.com/Coupons.shtml (for coupons)

In my experience they have not waited for us at baggage claim and have met us outside once we have picked up our baggage.

 

[Lewisc]

Taxi fare from JFK to Manhattan is a flat rate of $45 (+tip). I don't think limo drivers meet you in baggage claim. Taking a taxi is probably the easiest solution.

 

[ClearScreen]

As someone who works in NYC and has used many different black car services, the best one I have found is Dial Car: http://www.dialcar.com/

THey have a list of services, including the "Meet and Greet" one you are requesting.

ClearScreen

 

[aussietravellers]

Thanks for your replies.

I do think a meet and greet would be better. With this torn artery in my neck (vertebral artery) I am not allowed to lift over 2 pounds , it's ridiculous I know and I am finding that side of recovering to be the hardest thing. It is very hard to not lift anything. Anyway I thought having a meet and greet, the driver could assist with the luggage (for a good tip of course). We usually do travel with a driver waiting to meet us when we travel elsewhere in the world, its just easier getting off a long flight, tired and in a foreign, unfamiliar city (our first trip to NY) to have somebody greet you and not have to think about anything, join queues, call and organised the pickup etc. We will be getting off about 24 hours of travelling when we arrive in NY, so with that and the no lifting I think it would be nice to have somebody meet us.

 

[Lewisc]

Meet N Greet isn't the norm. There may be an extra cost associated with it.

 

[ClearScreen]

Meet N Greet isn't the norm. There may be an extra cost associated with it.

That is true. For Dial Car, I think it is $10 more. But you can check the rates. I do know that they offer the service.

ClearScreen

 

[Tara]

Taxi fare from JFK to Manhattan is a flat rate of $45 (+tip). I don't think limo drivers meet you in baggage claim. Taking a taxi is probably the easiest solution.

I don't know what happens for domestic flights but for customs, but it is correct that limo drivers do not meet passengers in baggage claim because that's a secure area. They meet passengers just outside the doors after they claim their bags. I've been through this several times this year, and I'm flight from London to JFK tomorrow with a car service picking me up meet-and-greet style, but it's a service from my town 3 hours outside of NYC, not a NYC-based livery, or I'd recommend them to you!

I do think that a car service is far preferable to a cab.

OP - what Times Square hotel are you staying at?

 

[aussietravellers]

I don't know what happens for domestic flights but for customs, but it is correct that limo drivers do not meet passengers in baggage claim because that's a secure area. They meet passengers just outside the doors after they claim their bags. I've been through this several times this year, and I'm flight from London to JFK tomorrow with a car service picking me up meet-and-greet style, but it's a service from my town 3 hours outside of NYC, not a NYC-based livery, or I'd recommend them to you!

I do think that a car service is far preferable to a cab.

OP - what Times Square hotel are you staying at?

We will be arriving on a domestic flight from LAX, there aren't any direct flights from Australia to NY unfortunately, they all go via LAX where we clear customs. So hopefully I will be able to get a meet and greet hear baggage claim, I've heard Wirolimo is good, so we may use them.

We are staying at Doubletree Times Square.

Thank you everybody for your help , it's a little daunting going to an unfamiliar city and particularly as I have never travelled and not been 100% healthy, this time with the tear in my artery I have to be so careful with lifting. What looks great on a website can be completely different in real life so I really appreciate all of your assistance