Thursday, December 5th
2024 Limo Service Reviews
Carmel Limo
- Based in the Tri-State Area of NY-NJ-CT
- Can make bookings worldwide
- Can book directly through the website
- Bookings can earn miles/points with select airlines
- In business for over 35 years
Carmel Limo has provided transportation in New York City for over 35 years. Over time, they expanded their services to include partner relationships across the globe, and you can even earn airline rewards points with every ride you book (just check the site to see which airlines are included).
Well-appointed fleet for NY-NJ-CT
If you're using Carmel Limo in their primary service area (NY/NJ/CT), you'll have a full range of vehicles to choose from. Those include full-size 4-door sedans, stretch limos, passenger vans, sprinters, minivans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and passenger buses with capacities ranging from 24-40 riders. Of course, if you're booking a ride outside of that area, your vehicle selection will depend on Carmel Limo's partners in those locations.
Book local or worldwide
Wherever you're headed, the online quote process is pretty easy to use. You can tell that Carmel Limo is based in the Tri-State Area of NY-NJ-CT because it's the first option in the dropdown list, but you can easily click over to another city, to the Worldwide tab for adventures further afield, or to By Airport if that's what makes the most sense for you.
Online booking requires a few extra details
We plugged in our sample traveler profile that we used across the limo services in our review: a group of 5 flying into Orlando (MCO), needing transportation to one of the Disney World resorts. It required us to enter our travel details (something that we didn't always see with competitor sites) and to provide the street address for the resort (many rival sites were able to populate that info as we started typing the name). It earned Carmel Limo some points that we were told exactly what type of car was available and that we were able to book it right away; no need to wait for a quote via email or a phone call from a representative.
You may not have many limos to choose from
But, we were disappointed in the vehicle selection. Carmel Limo's only offer was an SUV for $96. There was no option for a stretch limo or any other kind of style upgrade. They also declined to tell us any other details: leather seats? Late model year? Riders evidently just have to wait and see what rolls up to pick them up. But, at that price, it's understandable if you're tempted: most rivals' quotes were in the neighborhood of $200.
Reputation has tanked
However, we'd advise against rolling the dice in that way: Carmel Limo's reputation has taken a nosedive since our last evaluation of the service. Not only does the company now have a "D-” rating from the Better Business Bureau, with 32 complaints filed in the last three years (and 6 of those got zero response from Carmel), but their ratings in many other places are almost always below average. Ratings on the BBB? 1.5/5 across 34 reviews (and those are separate from the complaints). Tripadvisor? 2.5/5 spanning 1690 reviews. Trustpilot? 2.3/5 from 115 reviews. Words that stand out in the complaints across all of those platforms include "nightmare”, "worst service”, and "avoid at all costs”. People describe being yelled at by drivers, pressured into giving a tip even after a scary ride, and not reaching US-based customer service representatives when calling Carmel Limo's toll-free number for help. And that's assuming that your ride even shows up: we spotted more than one rant from travelers left stranded despite having paid a pretty penny well in advance.
From "almost first” to "worst”
That all adds up to Carmel's drop from our #2 limo service all the way to the bottom of our list. You'd honestly do better with an Uber or Lyft ride than taking a chance on Carmel Limo. But, if you still need something a little more stylish, jump over to Carmel's higher-ranking rivals on our list of limo services.
More Limo Service Reviews
Where Can You Find the Best Limo Service?
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.
Limo Service FAQ
Continued from above...
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:
- Ease of getting a quote. Ensure the company offers a straightforward process for obtaining quotes, either through an online form or a quick phone call/email.
- Reputation. Look for reviews and testimonials from previous clients to gauge the company's reliability and quality of service. Has the limo service been rated favorably by the Better Business Bureau?
- Types of available vehicles. Check the company's fleet to ensure they offer the type of vehicle that fits what you have in mind.
- Service area and partnerships. Confirm that the company can provide services in your desired location and has the necessary partnerships for nationwide or international bookings.
- Professionalism of chauffeurs. Make sure that the company employs trained and professional chauffeurs to guarantee a safe and pleasant ride.
Ready to roll? The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have checked out some of today's most well-known options for booking a limo service, providing you with detailed information and ranking them from best to worst. Enjoy your next ride... in style.
Compare Limo Services
Select any 2 Limo Services to compare them head to head
Trending Limo News
Related Limo Service Reviews
Since you're interested in Limo Services, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
