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Wednesday, November 6th
Carey International, founded in 1921, is one of the oldest and most established names in the chauffeured transportation industry. The company began as a small fleet of cars in New York City, providing premium transportation services to an elite clientele. Over the decades, Carey expanded its operations and reputation, becoming synonymous with luxury and professionalism in ground transportation.
Book transportation worldwide
Carey can help you book limo services in over 1000 cities around the globe. They offer 24/7 support to help you get where you need to go, regardless of which partner they use to provide your transportation. Carey refers to the vehicles in its fleet, but we're not sure which locations have the limos they describe:
From what we can tell, availability will depend on where you're booking limo services and which vehicles that partner has.
Most expensive limo service on our list
Carey came in as the most expensive of all of the limo services on our list. When we asked for a quote for a party of 5 flying into Orlando (MCO) and needing transportation to one of the Disney resorts (a drive of maybe 30 minutes), we were only given one option: a SUV for $336.20. While we appreciated not having to wait for an email to get a quote, we probably wouldn't have booked that limo service on cost alone, since it was $100 to $200 more expensive than most rivals' quotes. Wondering if that was really the best they could do, we reran the quote from the beginning. Lo and behold, we were also offered an Executive Sedan for $204.80... but that wouldn't carry the 5-passenger group we had specified. Back to the drawing board.
Reputation is hit-or-miss
Carey's reputation can be a little hard to pin down as well. Looking for a listing from the Better Business Bureau, we found several locations but nothing designated as a headquarters. Most of the reviews we found online (via Yelp, Tripadvisor, and so forth) were dependent on the specific office; most rating averages were in the 3-star range. Finally, we looked at the reputation in the two app stores, since Carey's app lets you book rides on your phone, see a photo of your driver, and track the vehicle's location in real time. Even those were mixed: iOS users gave the Carey app an impressive 4.6-star average across 700+ reviews, while Android users' feedback only spanned 44 reviews and gave Carey a 2.6-star average. On both platforms, unfortunately, the more recent reviews complain that the app doesn't work very consistently for booking or tracking limo services.
Good but not great
Still, we give Carey a "good enough” rating. We wish they came in more competitively with pricing, and that they offered more information on their website about how they operate. But, we didn't find a long list of complaints from Carey clients, either, which puts this limo service above some of its competitors in our evaluation. You may want to get a few quotes from Carey's rivals first, then see if they're willing to meet or beat those prices. It could be worth it to get your limo service from a company that's been around for more than a hundred years.
Limo services offer a luxurious and comfortable mode of transportation for a variety of occasions. Special moments like weddings, proms, and bachelorette parties are common events where limos are the transportation of choice, with elegant and spacious interiors that provide a perfect setting for celebrations and deliver a memorable experience. Corporate events and business travel also see significant use of limo services due to the professional and sophisticated image they project.
Moreover, limos provide a stress-free travel experience with professional chauffeurs ensuring timely and safe transportation. The types of vehicles available typically include stretch limousines, SUV limousines, luxury sedans, party buses, and classic cars. Stretch limousines are the most iconic, often used for weddings, proms, and formal events. SUV limousines offer more space and a robust look, suitable for corporate events or larger groups.
Luxury sedans provide a more understated elegance, ideal for business travel or airport transfers. Party buses are perfect for larger groups looking to celebrate on the move, such as for bachelorette parties or birthdays. Classic cars offer a vintage charm, often chosen for weddings and special anniversaries.
Choosing a limo service over ride-sharing options like Uber or Lyft often comes down to the level of service and experience provided. Limos offer a more personalized and luxurious experience, with amenities such as high-end sound systems, minibars, and plush seating that ride-sharing services do not provide. For events like proms or bachelorette parties, the experience of traveling in a limo adds to the festivities and creates a sense of occasion. Limo services may also include extras like red carpet rollout, professional chauffeurs dressed in formal attire, and customizable services to meet specific needs, which are not typically available with ride-sharing services.
While most limo services operate within a specific geographic area, they typically have partnerships with other limo companies, allowing them to offer nationwide or even worldwide reservations. This network of partner companies ensures that you can rely on a single service provider for your transportation needs, whether you're traveling locally or internationally. This coordination should offer convenience and consistency, as customers can reasonably expect the same level of service regardless of their location.
When deciding which limo company to use, consider the following criteria:
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