towne car payment question, do you pay ahead?

[Patpat15]

I remember using a towncar service and they made me pay in advance for the return trip when I paid the driver when we arrived at the resort. This made me uneasy since if the driver doesn't show up for the return trip later in the week I am out the money.

Any advice on this, or am I worrying for no reason.

 

[Bill From PA]

We pay Tiffany for both legs of the trip when we're dropped off at our resort on arrival. On the return we only have the tip to consider. If you go with any of the reliable services folks recommend here I wouldn't worry about being stiffed. If you reserve a RT with Bubba's TownCar & Massage, you may have a problem.

Bill From PA

 

[CarolA]

I'll be honest. I probably wouldn't pay in advance.

I have read way too many horror stories of town cars (including TIffany) where they didn't show and were difficult to deal with on getting reimbursed for the more expesive cab fares.

 

[padisneylover]

We used Tiffany twice and paid in advance with no problems and I know what you mean. The first time is was anxious about the return trip but it they showed up without any problem as they did the next time. We now use Premier Town Car service and we have paid them up front as well. In fact last time they took us to AKL, Sea World, Universal and Discovery Cove and picked us up at each place as well as the resort for departure to home and we never had a problem with them. In fact it became a game where we tried to get to the front of the park or the entrace to the resort ahead of them and we always lost. There service is just wonderful and was better than Tiffany at the same price.

 

[canwegosoon]

I have used Happy and QS...I paid in advance both times...no problems. If you think it might be a problem...you might email the car company you are dealing with and ask for a supervisor, and review the policy and procedure with them, including return trip confermation.

 

[IamAnniM]

I've used Tiffany over 6 times. I've always pay ahead. I've never had any problems with anyone NOT showing up. I frequently get the name of the driver's I liked or felt comfortable using and requested them for return trips. I've also used them for hotel transfer (Disney to Universal).

 

[yayagoofy]

Most towncar/limo companies simply take your credit card information to secure the reservation (just like a hotel), in case you are a no show. They don't run the card in advance. When you are dropped off at your hotel you have the option to pay by cash or credit card. Same for the return trip to the airport, you don't pay until you are dropped off at the airport. You should not have to pay in advance for the round trip, reputable towncar/limo services in Orlando do not charge roundtrip up front.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

We just used FL Tours for DCL cruise transportation and paid on our first leg. FL is awesome and since we had flawless service a few weeks ago, we are using them again in April.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Most towncar/limo companies simply take your credit card information to secure the reservation (just like a hotel), in case you are a no show. They don't run the card in advance. When you are dropped off at your hotel you have the option to pay by cash or credit card. Same for the return trip to the airport, you don't pay until you are dropped off at the airport. You should not have to pay in advance for the round trip, reputable towncar/limo services in Orlando do not charge roundtrip up front.

I have booked a towncar quite a few times, with several different companies, and never had to give them my credit card information.

We always paid when we got dropped off at our resort and were always picked up for the return trip to the airport.

 

[yayagoofy]

I have booked a towncar quite a few times, with several different companies, and never had to give them my credit card information. We always paid when we got dropped off at our resort and were always picked up for the return trip to the airport.

So, if you have a reservation but you don't show up at the airport.. Your driver travels to the airport, enters the commercial parking area (which is not cheap, minutes add up quick), waits for you, and waits, and waits.. and you don't show up. How would the transportation company get paid for you not showing up?

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We have used car services to and from MCO to WDW many times. We have never been asked for credit card information ahead of time. I understand the point of the previous poster. If you are not there the driver and company is out money. This is basically a situation where you are contracting for service and the car company trusts that you will be there. They always ask for flight numbers and times so they know when you will be arriving and leaving. They also track the incoming flight so they know if there is any kind of delay. If for some reason you will not be at the airport when scheduled (not including flight delays) it would be a nice thing to call the car company and tell them.
We have always paid for the round trip after arriving at our Disney resort. If you pay via credit card you really do not have to worry about being out money if the return ride does not show up. Although I don't believe this happens often....if you have paid and the return car is a no show.... after you get home you can contact the credit card company and dispute the charge.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

So, if you have a reservation but you don't show up at the airport.. Your driver travels to the airport, enters the commercial parking area (which is not cheap, minutes add up quick), waits for you, and waits, and waits.. and you don't show up. How would the transportation company get paid for you not showing up?

If you didn't have the courtesy to call and cancel, then, yeah, they would show up for nothing.

I would hope that most people who book, then decide not to use the company, would call to let them know, but I'm sure there's some that don't.

I'm guessing that it doesn't happen often or the companies would start making you hold your reservation with a credit card.