Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently asked questions:

• Why can't I just book the cheapest limousine I can find?
• What to look for in a limousine company?
• Why do you need my credit card information if I will pay in cash?
• Why do I have to pay for the limousine while we are not in it
• Can I just rent a limousine for an hour?
• Can we drink alcohol in a limousine?

Why can't I just book the cheapest limousine I can find?
A limousine rental is a luxury experience for most people and as with most things in life the old saying holds true for luxury goods - you get what you pay for. Selecting a nice restaurant for the anniversary dinner or a luxury hotel for that special occasion based on price alone usually results in serious disappointment and the ruined event. If your priority is to find the "best deal and the cheapest limousine in town", your best bet is not to hire a limousine at all and find alternative transportation to your event. Every week we hear very similar stories from our clients:

• The limousine company called and cancelled the day before our wedding - (they found somebody who was willing to pay $25 more at the last minute).
• The car was really old and smelled like it.
• The chauffeur didn't look or act professional - (professional chauffeurs usually don't work for the cheapest limousine company in town).
• A/C didn't work. - (About 4 years ago certified limousine builders started adding second A/C compressors to handle the hot and humid Michigan days. Prior to 2003 build year A/C problems with the limousine were very common).

Why are some companies priced cheaper than the other? The way we look at it - each limousine company in town knows what they are worth and they charge accordingly!

What to look for when you hire a limousine?
The Limousines:
What type of limousine do you require? Stretch limousines come in many different styles and colors. If you want a specific vehicle and the latest design makes sure the limousine operator can provide it. Also, watch out for older vehicles. Many older limousines are likely to have a higher mileage, which will show wear both in interior and exterior, unlike new Regal Limousines.  Also, many older limousines don't have the amenities that modern coach builders provide (i.e. flat screen TVs, MP3 players, dual A/C units and more).

The Limousine manufacturer:
If you are planning to rent a limousine, the National Limousine Association (NLA), the QVM-CMC Vehicle Manufacturers Association and Ford Motor Company/GMC strongly recommend that you only ride in limousines that are built by manufacturer certified coach builders. Ford Motor Company's certification program is called, "QVM" which stands for Qualified Vehicle Modifier. The rules governing the QVM program are stringent and are designed with the vehicle capabilities in mind. All of Regal Limousine Service vehicles are certified QVM cars and have a long list of safety and comfort features present not available on the cars the were not built professionally. Some of the features are: upgraded suspension, brakes and transmission, heavy-duty springs and steering, wider opening door hinges and much more. Also, don't forget that we have seat belts installed for every passenger in our car.

The Insurance:
Insurance is an expensive overhead for any limousine business and therefore some companies may cut corners when insuring their vehicles and occupants. All limousine companies are required by law to have proper private hire insurance. It is advisable to enquire about a company’s insurance policy before you book a limousine and, if you are in doubt, the company should provide you with a print out of their insurance details on request.

The Permits:
Please make sure your limousine company has valid state of Michigan and US DOT operating authority. All of our vehicles are inspected and permitted to operate in Michigan and in interstate commerce.

The Chauffeurs:
The chauffeur of your limousine is not necessarily something you would immediately consider when hiring a limousine. Chauffeurs are however an important factor to consider:  a professional chauffeur, dressed in suit attire, who will open your doors, take your luggage and ensure you have everything you require throughout your journey can greatly enhance your limousine experience. Make sure that your limousine company employs experienced chauffeurs who are very familiar with the areas to and from which they transport their customers.  A responsible limousine company and professional chauffeurs will always require their customers to provide addresses for all of the destinations clients are planning to go to in order to make sure that chauffeur is ready for the trip.

The Contract:
Always make sure to ask for a limousine contract. Your contract should state all of the charges. Some limousine operators overbook their vehicles (just like the airlines do) and end up canceling customers with the lowest quoted rate at the last minute.

Why do you need my credit card information if will pay in cash?
A valid credit card is required for all limousine reservations. Just like the airlines and hotels do, we collect credit card information ahead of time to eliminate customer no shows and make sure we are not holding a vehicle for somebody who doesn't actually intend to rent a limousine. A credit card is only used to take a deposit to hold a reservation; payment is always collected at the time of the trip.

Why do I have to pay for a limousine while we are not in it?
Even though, you may not be in the car physically at all times (such as while attending an event, dinner or concert), you will still have to pay for it.  Also, since the limousine is not being used anywhere else during this time, we have a minimum rental limit of 2 to 3 hours. When Regal Limousine Service rents a limousine for 3 hours for example, the 3 hours belong to you and nobody else. The car will not leave the immediate area and the chauffeur will be on standby to pick you up as soon as you need your car. Some limousine operators will drop-off passengers and leave to do another job, but you are risking your car being late to pick you up or not coming back at all (stuck in traffic or busy with people who are paying more per hour).

Can I just rent a limousine for an hour?
According to the latest research 95% of the limousine industry doesn't offer 1-hour rentals. To maintain a high quality of service, we spent 2 to 3 hours on average preparing the car both before and after the rental. Preparations include a thorough detail job both on the inside and the outside of the vehicle, wet bar refills with ice and water, mechanical check up, destination planning and much more. It is simply not efficient for us to rent a limousine for short periods of time.

Can we drink alcohol in a limousine?
We do allow clients twenty-one (21) and over to bring and enjoy responsibly their own beverages provided:

• Minors may not possess or consume alcoholic beverages.  Underage drinking and intoxicated parties in our vehicles will not be tolerated.
• All of the damage to the vehicle (i.e. spills, sickness, broken pieces of interior, etc.) will be charged for in full according to our policies.

Can we use tobacco products in your vehicles?