>>that when a few people post here about a particular limousine service, then everyone else acts like a sheep <<

I wouldn't call it "acting like a sheep", the whole concept of this sight is to get ideas/recommendation, so should everyone ignore everyone's recommendation not to look like a sheep????????

Obviously, best is to carefully read all comments and note the difference between an insignficient "problem" which is easily and satisfactorily resolved, and a major flaw in the service such as having no one meet you at the airport and no one answering the phone when that occurs, or a more serious problem that does not get resolved.

I plan to continue recommending JustAirports and using myself.

Regarding the miscalculated "waiting time", this could easily just have been a misunderstanding. Perhaps the driver arrived early for us and simply got mixed up with regard to our official arrival time. The amount of time in question was only 20 minutes. I have repeated this incident so many times that, this particular time, I inadvertently omitted the fact that the driver was profusely apologetic and seemed so sincere that we tipped him generously, as everything else was just fine and most pleasant.

The point of posting my comments was merely to remind everyone that it's best to bring along a copy of your e-mail confirmation, which includes itemized charges and clearly explains free waiting time, and to be sure to check the time when you arrive and again when meeting your driver.

After I received the above response from Charmaine privately, I suggested that her list of vehicles with their people/bags capacity be displayed on the website to make it clear to all of us wishing to book which type of vehicle we would require before beginning the online booking form.

She replied within hours, "Will get someone to look into the site to make the changes..."

To be agreeable with anyone would just be baaaaaaaad.

Haven't ever used JustAirports. After the driver for Swiss Cottage waited an extra hour for us at Heathrow (no add on charge), drove us into Mayfair in a spotless and comfy Mercedes while cheerfully pointing out sights along the way, we were very happy. When we got to the hotel to find that the power was off, our driver walked in with us, helped negotiate with the candle-lit front desk people to get us a better room over at the Grosvenor House and stayed to make sure we were settled into a cab paid for by the hotel, he'd earned them a loyal customer. And himself a nice tip.

Clifton, as a long time promoter of Swiss Cottage Cars here, but not having used them since they added their website and seemingly jacked their prices way up, I'm curious. When was this experience you mention? And what was the charge from where to where? I've been told that if you call them to arrange pick-up, it's quite a bit less than the website price, so I'm just curious.

For the record, your experience with Swiss Cottage Cars sounds about right. We always had great experiences with them, having used them about a dozen times -- including the time we were going to take the tube from Covent Garden out to Heathrow, and just an hour before found out the line was closed. We called Swiss Cottage Cars and in less than an hour they picked us up for a very successful alternative.

I always use Aircars2000.com they offer an highly personalised and ultra professional service.

Patrick, it's been awhile since we've been to London (2002) so I intentionally left off pricing. That, plus frankly, I couldn't remember that last price. The mind goes first...

We found them some years ago before I stumbled on these forums and had such a great experience, that we didn't shop around after that.

Keep in mind that "jacked up" prices are probably the result of "jacked up" petrol prices. I read the other day that a gallon of gas/petrol in the UK costs almost 4GPB per gallon which is just a little over 7USD.

This is an update on my complaint about Just Airports. I had an email from Charmaine to inform me that she spoke to the driver who denied everything but as she feels sure that it was a scam they will not use him again. She also understands my reluctance to use JustAirports in future. I think it was very good of Charmaine to follow up and I certainly feel much better about the company now.

As I had mentioned earlier in this thread I was going to use Just Airports.com when I went to London.

I'm happy to report that everything went extremely well! When I got in, the driver was waiting for me with my name and he was extremely polite & was a bit of a tour guide on the way to the hotel, pointing sites out to me, the car was clean and he was also extremely helpful. Somehow I had missed the ATMs outside of customs, so when I met him, I asked him if he knew where the nearest ATM was in the airport. I told him that I needed it to pay him, he told me not to worry about it, that he would find one for me in Earl's Court, where I was staying. He make a special stop before arriving at the hotel and I was very grateful.

When leaving, I had my hotel call to confim, just in case. He arrived about 5 minutes earlier than scheduled, but I was ready, so we took off. Again, this driver was extremely clean looking as was his car. He wasn't talkative at all, which was just fine. He got a cart for me at the airport for my luggage and pointed out exactly where United Airlines was and made sure I didn't go in the American Airlines terminal.

I would definitely use Just Airports again. I have NO complaints at all.

I'll write a complete travel report later and I'm also getting my pictures on the internet for anyone who wants a little taste of London as a preview (as I sure enjoyed before my trip) or as a quick of being in London for those who miss it, as I do.

These comments make me glad I use the tube. For just a few GBP and takes me just a couple of minutes from my B&B.

RJ007,

As much as I loved the tube during my stay, and I did! I wouldn't want the hassle of carrying my suitcase and then rolling them up the stairs/escalators on the tube. I absolutely loved being picked up like, having my bags handled for me and being dropped off in front of my hotel. Made my life much easier after a 14 hour travel journey (2 hours to the airport, 2 hours at the airport and 9 hours on the plane). I like my life simple after all that time and no sleep. But my friend swears by the tube to get herself to the hotel.

lyb

I agree that a car service is more comfortable and convienient than the tube. But you pay for that convienence. Since I have just one suitcase w/shoulderstrap, it's not a problem. The Piccadilly line is a straight shot to my B&B - no escalators to worry about. I can't sleep on planes either, but start exploring London right away. No jet lag (coming from CA). So, for me the tube is fine.

Well, I must admit that after raving for years about the advantages of a car service in London, this summer, in a fit of "cheapness" we decided to take the tube. Since our flat is less than a block from the Covent Garden tube station (the one with elevators), and requires no change of line, it couldn't have been easier. What's more we got "door to door" in exactly an hour -- pretty much the same amount of time a car service has always taken us. I just may do it again!

Patrick

The money I save by using the tube goes right to a theatre ticket.

Now that's a smart thing to do!

I have used the Gatwick Express train and the Heathrow bus that goes to Russell Square with success--and no need to spend mega amounts on a private car hire service. If my hotel is, say, far from Victoria Station and I am using the Gatwick Express, I can simply take a cab from there and not have to worry about which car hire service is best.

It does pay to be selective in what you pack. I have some Travelsmith items now that are reserved for trips--and do make it easy to pack light. There is no need to take your whole wardrobe. Every time I have taken more than one pair of shoes, I ended up wearing the same pair of New Balance black walking shoes the entire time. I now just bring them. Shoes can really take up space and weigh you down.

I have one of those expandable suitcases, so there is always plenty of room for souvenirs coming home.

I love Eagle Creek luggage for European trips!

We just returned from London.

JustAirports was fabulous. Round trip was £51. Drivers took care of our bags, in both directions. Heathrow Express would have been £50, and we would have had to get ourselves, and our bags, to the platform at Heathrow, then from Paddington Station to the hotel.

The weather is SO variable in London (and nearly everywhere) that I've learned it's worth dragging a variety of outerwear for being comfortable while out and about, all day long, day after day (and presentable), shoes too. And, we prefer to pack for dressing up a bit for the nicer restaurants and so forth.

Nowadays, we travel with two medium, expandable, rolling suitcases (one each), a tote we check, and a tote we carry on (and check coming home).

It is every so fabulous to have everything you need along, and dress very nicely while there, without having to haul your bags all about on public transportation, for about the very same expense.

We pack our very favorite everyday and evening clothing, none of which is "reserved for trips". And, shoes are positively critical. We wear our very most comfortable for pounding the pavements all day, every day, without metal, shoes, and pack a pair of really comfortable "dressy" shoes (low-heeled pumps for skirts and dresses) and suits and "dining/evening". And, I've learned to throw those incredibly comfortable sandals in if there's any possibility I'd regret having left them home...especially as they really take not much room in the suitcase.

I would suppose that traveling as a couple is a bit different than traveling as a single...and that much would depend upon your plans while there...

I am so happy to read your post, djkbooks. After reading plenty of positive reports on Just Airports, I booked several trips with them for my family's upcoming -- and sort of complicated -- trip to London.

We have always traveled light and used mass transit for airport transfers in the past. Now we are traveling with a toddler. It will be a few years before we are able to tackle arriving and departing via underground or metro.

Thanks for giving me more confidence about my choice.