london wheels limo

Chauffeur-driven Cars Create Stellar First Impressions

Luxury travel is not just about avoiding complex transport logistics. In global cities like London, it is a statement you make. Give that statement out loud and clear at any high-end event, and you'll create an impression of a lifetime. Next time you head for a corporate party or a wedding, a red carpet event, or maybe even a private party thrown for a select, eminent few, avail a professional chauffeur service to further heighten their entire perception about you.

Create a Benchmark by Raising the Bar with Chauffeur-driven Cars

You do that much before raising the toast! But to do that, you need to take a few things under consideration. A professional chauffeur service is only as good as the people behind it, especially the chauffeur who will be appointed to take you places. You must, therefore:

1. Understand Your Requirements for the Event You're Attending

Identifying the demand of the type of event you'll be attending will set the theme of your choice. As meticulously you choose your apparel (including glasses, shoes, and watch) for an event, similarly finical you should be about your choice of vehicle type. Even your chauffeur must meet the standard of dressing appropriately to drive you there, without crossing or lagging behind the gear that suits the vehicle. Make sure your chauffeur, too, gets into formal attire, portraying professionalism and sophistication when he drives a luxury sedan like the Mercedes S-Class or a regal elegance while dropping you off at a wedding or a social occasion in the prestigious Rolls-Royce Phantom or the Bentley Flying Spur. If it's a prestige vintage, then period dressing is the way to go.

A word of caution here. Unless you have the hots for a specific vehicle model or vehicle type, leave it up to the chauffeur company to pick the vehicle best suited for your needs.

2. Track the Purpose

For airport transfers, a chauffeur service that tracks flight timings and offers a gala welcome should be your pick. Whereas services expert at more intricate route planning and offering zero-time restraints are best if you are to hit multiple sports at a go.

Such agendas can be discussed openly with the professional chauffeur service providing companies.

3. Run a Credibility Check

This is a comparatively easier thing to do. Run a check if your luxury travel agency meets the regulations set by the TfL (Transport for London). In that case, they've obtained the mandatory Private Hire Operator License for offering chauffeur services; a Private Hire Licence for every driver in their roster and TfL-approved Vehicle Licensing for every vehicle in service. Those aside, emission standards must also be met by every vehicle they run.

If a single one of these goes missing, consider it a red flag.

4. Run a Fleet Appraisal

Credibility also comes from a well-presented, well-maintained, diverse fleet. Usually, a professional chauffeur service will focus upon one or more specific types, which could be luxury sedans, prestige cars, luxury MPVS and luxury SUVs but they might showcase a substantial number of each. Those aside, also look for business vans for groups or guests with extra luggage. If Eco Options are offered, then all the better; for you'll then experience a sustainable travel.

Ask for recent photos of the actual vehicles and the number of years your preferred model is in service. If it's only stock images they can show or the vehicle is running for over 3 years, our advice - RUN AWAY!

5. Consider the Grade of Professionalism in the Hired Event Chauffeur

A vehicle is nothing if the chauffeur is not up to the mark. So both gear and grooming are deciding factors; so is an appropriate training in VIP Protocols. Discreetness, punctuality and courteousness are also what you're paying for, so those factors majorly come into play. Knowledge about traffic patterns all over the city of London, its roads and alternative routes are also major determinants.

Ask the luxury travel company what kind of training they put their chauffeurs through on all these aspects. Then you can choose one depending upon how sensitive or high-profile your occasion is.

6. Read Customer Reviews to Check Their Reputation

Beyond the star ratings, there are actual client reviews that give you the real picture of a professional chauffeur service. If it's a reputable event chauffeurs agency, praise will be galore for their punctuality, customer service, clean, up-to-the-mark vehicles, and stress-free experiences. Google or Yelp a bit and you'll know. You may also search online business directories and of course, LinkedIn for the corporate testimonials. You'll also find quite a bit of a lowdown on their pricing policies; namely, fixed quotes (daily, event-based, and hourly) bookings, inclusions and exclusions (fuel, parking, waiting period, tolls, VAT), and about refund amounts upon cancellation. Besides, if a change in plans also draws an extra fee.

An affiliation with industry bodies will further prove if such providers are indeed worth their salt. Find out if that affiliation exists with the British Chauffeurs Guild or the National Limousine Association if you are looking for very high standards.

Avoid companies providing just vague estimates or includes any hidden cost on their service. Top-tier chauffeur services are known for providing added perks and amenities like welcome notes, bottled water, Wi-Fi, Phone Chargers, In-Car Concierge Support, Umbrellas, face wipes and welcome drinks. However, for weddings or red carpet events, vehicle decorations, rollouts and convoy coordination, you might have to pay extra.

Our advice: Better pay slightly more and obtain a guaranteed service quality than choose the cheapest option.

Notes Before You Book Any of the Chauffeur-driven Cars

Booking in advance doesn't take away flexibility, despite the spikes during events like the Wimbledon or Royal Ascot or the Chelsea Flower Show. Neither do Corporate Summits or holiday seasons. However, it's always better to book your event chauffeurs several weeks in advance, for last-minute modifications and plan changes are not issues with renowned Chauffeur-driven Cars rentals.

TRENDING BLOGS

up-arrow-scroll-top up-arrow-scroll-top up-arrow-scroll-top