Renting a party limousine can make a special occasion such as a birthday, bachelor/bachelorette party, prom or wedding one to remember. LA cruising in a decked out luxury ride is one that will be remembered by your friends and family. But, reserving a limo is not as simple as booking any available car. Follow a few key tips and you can guarantee that you work with a top notch LA limo service and get the most out of your rental experience.
This article will discuss eight recommendations to get the best limo service LA has to offer. Once on board, we’ll see how to research companies, plan a trip, choose the right vehicle, understand costs, confirm details, make requests, prioritize safety, and get the most out of the limo’s features. If you’re getting ready for a special occasion or just want to be a little bit of Hollywood glam on a fun night out, these tips will help your rental go off without a hitch. Read on for the inside scoop on how to throw an unforgettable LA party on wheels.
Choose the Right Limo Service
Choosing the perfect transportation company is the first step to scoring an exceptional limo rental in Los Angeles. LA seems to have endless options, so this can get overwhelming fast. That’s why it’s so important to do thorough research.
Instead of opting for the first LA limo service you find on the web, spend some time reading reviews on Google, Yelp and other sites. Examine how past clients feel about stuff like vehicle condition, on time pickup and the professionalism of the driver. Cross reference multiple review outlets to verify that companies really are what they’re hyped to be. You can check out testimonials and see what ratings are to know how satisfied customers are.
Make sure any limo rental service you consider has reviews, and on top of that, be sure they have proper licensing and insurance. If you ask reputable companies they will provide documentation upon request. Also, ask to see proof that chauffeurs do background checks as well. Verifying credentials takes a bit more legwork on the front end, but it at least gives you peace of mind that you’re working with good people. Once you have a couple of good LA limo rental candidates on the ground, you can request quotes and see what you can get for your money.
Plan Your Itinerary in Advance
Trips around the city are effortless and exciting in party limos. However, if you don’t plan your itinerary ahead of time, you can lose time and miss out on opportunities. Decide where you want to hit up the hot spots or the landmarks. Create an order and estimated duration of stops schedule.
Is your bachelor party going to be bar hopping downtown? Are your bachelorette girls posing for selfies in front of Instagrammable murals in Venice Beach? Are you celebrating a milestone birthday with dining at luxury restaurants on Melrose Avenue? Agenda time it out and plot it out. For weddings, you want to confirm what the ceremony is, when you will have access to the reception hall, what time photos will be, and what time you will be send off.
Tell your chosen LA limo rental company at least 72 hours in advance your detailed itinerary. It enables them to decide the fastest way of travelling to various locations, calculate appropriate time separations for each destination, and also if they have to link them with other vendors. Prepared, early communication of an agenda takes the guesswork out of coordinating everyone and everything.
Select the Appropriate Vehicle
LA limo rentals come in anything from 6 passenger luxury sedans to 20+ passenger party buses, so picking the right wheels is a must. Knowing your group headcount, choose a vehicle such that everyone rides comfortably. Think about amenities too. Will you use built in sound systems, lighting effects, and entertainment? If it’s a bachelor/bachelorette group, stocked bars and dance floors might work for them, but families and corporate clients might be looking for something with WiFi and charging ports.
If you reserve an LA limo rental service, be sure to give them your party size, event type, and activity agenda. Companies that have been around for a while can advise on vehicles that will meet your specific needs. It also helps to test drive different models before hand to narrow options. As a rule of thumb, it’s better to overestimate than to cram too many people into too little space.
Understand the Pricing Structure
The cost of limousine rental varies such a lot based on vehicle types, customized features, service durations etc. Be warned – avoid sticker shock by educating yourself on the pricing structure of the LA limo rental company you’ve signed up with. They bill by the hour, and charge more on weekends and holidays. Look for more competitive rates for specialty vehicles like party buses, exotic cars and vintage rides.
Beyond the hourly rental fee, limo companies may tack on other charges like:
- Typically 15 – 20% for the chauffeur
- Vehicle detailing and sanitizing after use – Cleaning fee
- Fluctuating gas prices – fuel surcharge
- If meeting flights, airport parking fee.
- For destinations over 50+ miles, out of area fee.
Find out upfront what is and isn’t included in the quoted rental cost. And don’t forget a tip for good service. Full pricing breakdown provides the ability to budget realistically. If you’re booking for extended celebrations, also ask about discounted hourly packages. The longer you rent, the better overall value you get from most LA limo companies.
Confirm Reservation Details
A week or two before your LA limo rental date, touch base with the transportation company to verify all booking specifics. Double-check that you, the client, share the same details for:
- Date & start/end times
- All pickup and drop-off addresses
- Vehicle model reserved
- Payment method & due date
- Point person & contact info day-of
Reconfirming these key reservation components reduces day-of delays, mix-ups, or confusion. Review your contract one final time as well to ensure all stipulations and legal responsibilities are clear. Flag any discrepancies for correction by the limo company ahead of time. Following up shows good faith in the partnership and holds both parties accountable for a smooth process.
Communicate Special Requests
Part of the luxury limousine experience involves customizing aspects to match the client’s preferences. As you coordinate with an LA limo rental service, communicate any special requests openly. Maybe you want complimentary champagne ready or need a red carpet unrolled for dramatic photos. Perhaps the party bus needs hip hop pumping through speakers as your crew rolls up. Communicate must-haves at the time of booking.
For weddings especially, limos often coordinate with other vendors hired for the couple’s big day. Florists may adorn the car’s interior with floral arrangements. Photographers may stage shots with the ride ahead of time. Discuss how to incorporate the limo seamlessly into the overall vision. Also, if anyone in your group requires accessibility accommodations, ensure the transportation company can provide ADA-compliant vehicles and assistance as needed. Speaking up about personalization needs and accommodation requirements well in advance is key for flawless execution.
Adhere to Safety Guidelines
Luxury limousines make everyone feel like a celebrity, but that’s no excuse for reckless behavior. When renting a party limo in LA, adhere to all rules and safety protocols outlined by your transportation company. That includes no underage drinking, illegal substances, weapons, or standing through sunroofs. Most companies forbid smoking anything inside cars too.
Beyond banned items and activities, insist that all passengers wear seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving. Avoid overcrowding past stated weight loads and occupancy limits too. Report any incidents, accidents, messes, or damages right away per company guidelines. Following these regulations protects all riders, other motorists, and the vehicles themselves from harm.
Remember that party limos provide a safe, reliable means for hopping between destinations too. Never attempt to drive yourself or have an intoxicated person get behind the wheel. Leave operations solely to the professional chauffeur. Taking safety seriously ensures your LA limo experience stays stress-free.
Maximize the Experience
Once you nail down logistics with a top-notch LA limo rental service, focus on maximizing the onboard experience. Queue up a killer playlist encompassing all your group’s favorite songs to set the mood. Stock the limo’s bar with choice spirits and mixer packets provided. Decorate the interior with twinkle lights, streamers, balloons, signage, or whatever fits the occasion. Bring games, props for photos or videos, awards for fellow passengers and more.
When out and about, keep an eye out for iconic landmarks near routes traveled. Spotting the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive’s luxury shops, TCL Chinese Theatre, Venice Boardwalk and other hot spots makes sightseeing special. Have cameras ready to capture Instagram-worthy moments throughout your time in the LA limo rental. Take advantage of roomy interiors by safely dancing en route to the next destination too. With the right attitude and advance planning, your customized party limo becomes the ultimate sightseeing vehicle and entertainment hub rolled into one.
Conclusion
When you book a limo rental for your next Los Angeles special event, that’s taking things to the next level. By following the eight tips above, you can lock in a top rated LA limo service, coordinate logistics easily, plan an epic itinerary, and get the most out of your time on an over the top luxury vehicle. Researching rental companies, planning in advance, choosing the right size vehicle, understanding all costs, confirming your reservation, communicating any special requests, making safety your top priority and having fun while onboard will ensure a 5 star rental experience all around.
Next time you’re throwing a bachelor party, bachelorette bash, prom night, birthday milestone, or wedding celebration in LA, upgrade transportation with a party limo. These handy tips put you in the right place for limo rental success by taking the guesswork and stress out of coordinating. The experience is so on point that friends and family will think you have some kind of insider access to Hollywood. And so you can cruise in VIP comfort to all the hottest venues and attractions LA has to offer.