PHANTOM HIRE'S BLOG

Finding the best chauffeur company in London chauffeur service for your particular celebration is absolutely essential. Whether you’re a pair of newlyweds heading for your wedding reception or a group of teenagers heading off for your high school prom, you’ll want your journey to the event to be just as enjoyable as the festivities themselves. However, with so many options for chauffeur driven travel available to you, it can be difficult to work out which company is the best fit for you. Here is our guide for finding the perfect London chauffeur service for your event. 

1. Define Your Needs and Preferences

First, you need outline the requirements for your transport, as these are factors that can affect your the chauffeur car service you choose to go with. The most important factors to consider are as follows:

• Event – Think about the event that you are hiring the car for; it might be a wedding, a high-school prom, a birthday party or even a funeral. Certain chauffeur companies & cars will be more specifically tailored to certain events (e.g. the Rolls-Royce Phantom 8 are typically used for VIP chauffeur hire), and will have certain benefits & perks that compliment that particular celebration.
• Type of Car – As stated previously, certain cars are more suited to particular events, but it is also likely that different chauffeur companies have different cars available within their fleet – for instance, Phantom Hire’s fleet includes the world’s largest collection of Rolls-Royces. You may also find that certain cars may meet your tastes & preferences more than others.
• Vehicle Capacity – different vehicles also have different seating arrangements – sedans will usually seat between 4-6 people, whilst limousines can seat up to 20. Think about how many people you need to transport to the event.

2. Research and Compare Companies

Now that you’ve identified your needs & preferences, you may be thinking, “But how do I know which is the best chauffeur service near me?”. The answer is to research and compare – look at the various companies in your area and consider the following questions:

• Are They A Reputable Company? – The last thing you want is to hire a luxury car with a private chauffeur, only to find that they are nothing like what was promised. The easiest way to check this is by looking at the company’s online presence. This might include:
  • Online Review & Testimonials – Google Reviews are a good way to do this; a score lower than 4.0 or fewer than 100 reviews is a good indication that a company should be avoided.  
  • Social Media Pages – Check to see if there is activity on their Facebook or Instagram posts; companies with few likes or comments are unlikely to be legitimate. 
• What Cars Have They Got in Their Fleet? – Different chauffeur companies will have a different selection of luxury cars within their fleets. Check to see what cars are in their fleet, see if they match your needs/desires and their availability – click here to browse Phantom Hire’s fleet.
• How Much Do Their Services Cost? – Money is not infinite, and though you may be seeking luxury travel, you also need to keep your budget in mind, so comparing chauffeur hire prices is essential.  

3. Assess the Booking & Pricing Structure

Now that you’ve chosen your preferred luxury car service, the next step is to check the company’s booking process. Some important things to watch out for include:

• Fixed Prices vs. Hourly Rates – This pertains to the payment process for the chauffeur company; in other words, are you paying a single fee for the entire journey (fixed prices) or are you paying per hour that you need the car (hourly rates)? This is important to note, as this can affect how much the car costs to hire, thereby impacting your event budget. 
• Look Out For Hidden Fees – Some companies may pass on certain expenses to the customer, such as the cost of petrol or parking fees. Before you book anything, check if these fees are included in the service and factor this into your decision-making.
• Ease of Cancellation – Typically, a chauffeur company will allow free cancellation prior at least 48 hours before the date of your booking. However, this may vary between companies, so make sure to check this before you finalise anything. 

4. Finalise Your Choice of The Best Chauffeur Company in London

Having considered every possible issue & factor by this point, it is now time to contact the chauffeur company and book your vehicle. However, there are still some things that you need to keep in mind when booking:

• Call By Phone, Not Email – While this can feel nerve-wracking, contacting the company by phone call as opposed to email gives you a better feel for their services, which can allow you one last chance to consider if this is the chauffeur service you want to go with. 
• Make Sure You Get A Copy of the Booking Confirmation – When you’re paying for something this expensive, you need to make sure all bases are covered, so make sure you get a copy of the booking confirmation emailed to you – DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THIS.
• Call At Least Two Weeks Prior to Booking Date – It’s important to make sure everything is in order, and calling a couple of weeks prior to the date of booking will allow for enough alterations to be made, should they be needed. 

Now that you’ve booked everything, enjoy your luxury car and chauffeur to the fullest! If you require more information on our luxury chauffeur services, check our comprehensive London chauffeur guide.