First Class Car and Limo

This place is horrible. If I could give it zero stars I would. One star is being generous. They quoted 10 to 15 minutes and when we called back 25 minutes later they said another 10 or 15 minutes. We called back another 20 minutes later they said another 15 minutes because they had taken a car out of service and they had to send three different cars. Eventually we ended up taking a taxi and calling them for a credit which they refused to give. They repeated that since the driver was unable to be found they took him out of service as if this were an acceptable excuse and they were doing us a favor to call a second and then third car (gee thanks!). I spoke to a surly, rude, and unhelpful woman who had no concept of customer service and insisted she was the manager and there was no one above her. I had to pry the information out of her who the owner of the company was (she tried to convince me that it was a corporation and there wasn’t just one owner) but I actually heard his name in the background. When I asked to speak to him she proceeded to put me on hold for 20 minutes at which point I just hung up. We spent $ 25 on a taxi which was extremely annoying since their service was supposed to be taken care of complimentary from a doctors office we were at. Incidentally, after we got home another 15 minutes later the driver called me asking me where we were and that he was outside of the doctors office. He then got annoyed that neither me nor his company called him to cancel. This place is the WORST never use it!

Fast service and pleasant drivers

We have used this car service 2 – 3 times per week for months and generally with good results. Today however they dropped the ball, big time. It seems to be of recent that FC hires non English speaking drivers that know not where they are going. I was picked up and taken to the wrong location of the store I wanted, albeit the same store, different location. After being dropped off and realizing they made a mistake I called them back. I was then on hold for over 8 minutes after explaining what occurred 3 times to the dispatcher. So I called back and the second dispatcher I spoke to wanted to know why I did not correct the driver on route. I explained it was not my job to «drive» there since that is what service I was paying for and besides which I did not know where we were going except for the address. He then told me it was my fault and I should of known better. At which point I told him he was an idiot and this was the last time his company would be utilized. I called Über, the driver showed in less than 3 minutes and got me to where I needed to be. I also found a new car service to use on a regular basis in my neighborhood, Hudson Heights, called Riverside Car & Limo and we’ll see how they do.

N E V E R A G A I N W I T H F I R S T C L A S S.
They WERE good. I left a really nice review last year. Now they are crap to me and I will never use their service again. 3 times with different drivers I have wanted to jump out of the car.
EACH time I’ve called to explain (as rationally as possible) the various problems with the service, and spoke to «Jenny», the supervisor…
She has not once offered any true customer service, simply telling me that in the future I should request drivers in a specific way so I don’t run into these problems anymore. SERIOUSLY?!
So now according to Jenny I need to:
* ask for someone who takes credit card
* request someone who speaks even a moderate level of English
* request someone who either knows where they are going and/​or will use their GPS to figure it out
* ask for the rate for my destination (because the drivers never seem to know and ask ME to call in for it)
I had a REALLY important meeting this morning. I allowed plenty of time for my timely arrival, yet the driver was totally incompetent, refused to use his GPS, didn’t know where he was going, didn’t listen to me in English OR to my colleague who spoke Spanish!
2 blocks from where I needed to be in Brooklyn, he got us all turned around and then took the ramp onto the f-​ing Brooklyn Bridge BACK to Manhattan. We were yelling «No! stop» — but it was too late. Because he just did whatever he wanted and only getting on the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn did he FINALLY turn his in-​car GPS on… stating he didn’t know how to find «Brooklyn» on it.
I’m sorry. What? That’s a driver?
I was over 30 minutes late for an appointment I would have arrived right on time for if he hadn’t have done that.
I called the car company (First Class Car Service) and they wouldn’t even discount my fare. At the end he apologized and charged me $ 5 MORE than what the supervisor told me the fare would be. Um, I guess.
Now each time I book they tell me I should have to go through the ridiculous list to request what I think should be standard/​basic services offered for a car service?
I should have to do all this so I don’t have to navigate in the back seat while the driver either (doesn’t listen to me, has the radio blaring, is just choosing to ignore me, or can’t understand very simple phrases like «please exit here»)???
I am SO DONE with First Class Car Service. I signed up for Über today and took them on my return home. The ride was efficient, the driver was courteous and the charge at the end was almost the same what I paid for the crappiest ride of my life with First Class.
N E V E R A G A I N W I T H F I R S T C L A S S. They are no class now in my book.

Best car service reliable decent fare rates new and clean cars on time best car service in Manhattan and the Bronx and Westchester County

When I take a cab uptown I always use First Class. They are usually reliable and the drivers are polite. I’ve made time calls for early flights to Laguardia and they have always gotten me there safely and early. My only gripe is occasionally I’ll call in and they’ll tell me «5 minutes» and it’ll be more like 10 – 15. There’s been a time or 2 I’ve had to a flag a cab down because I couldn’t wait any longer and would’ve been late for work. Overall, a solid car service in my opinion.

Aarrrrgh! I booked a car last night for 5 AM. At 5 AM I’m outside and no car! Fortunately I padded my trip in the event of traffic but 16 minutes late is unacceptable. I could have been to the airport in a little more time than that!
Apparently the dispatcher booked my reservation for the wrong day!!! Word to the guy on the phone: telling me three minutes every time I call does not help my situation or my disposition!
I added a star because the driver was pleasant in the face of my ire and tried to get me to LGA on time… he failed.

2 stars — we did not reserve a car service — they flagged us down when we were waking to the taxi line @ JFK
Pro: takes credit cards, clean, fast
CONS:
(1) they told us «same price as regular taxi — $ 65 from JFK to UES». IT WAS NOT. it was $ 65 JFK to UES, plus $ 15 for toll (usually only $ 5), plus $ 5 for credit card fee (total of $ 85)
(2) they lied to us when they said they were UBER so I couldnt get my AMEX cash back (AMEX had a deal where if you use über and spend $ 50 or more, i get $ 20 back).
bottom line? i would use a cab. it had all of the pros (takes credit cards, clean, fast) but without the hidden expenses. (used NYC Taxi from UES back to JFK and they only charged me $ 63.38 including $ 5 toll and including tip)
also wanted to point out — our driver did not speak english well (we had to repeat «1^st and york» over and over again) and while he was driving we were looking at google maps on our phones and he passed our block by 3 blocks before getting to the correct destination (one way streets) so seemed like he didnt know where he was going.

i cannot say enough about this car service –i was in nyc w/​7 other family members, all with luggage and all needing to get upstate that day. the person on the phone (can’t remember her name) was just absoluetly amazing –she asked all the key questions (how much luggage per person, any stops, etc.) and set us up w/​a fantastic car, perfect size for all of us. she was incredibly polite, helpful and called back to confirm all the details, pricing, timing, etc. The driver was great (he played dvd’s for the kids and helped my daughter with her spanish on the way!). they were incredibly professional, incredibly reasonably priced and probably the best customer service i’ve had in a long while.
i travel a lot for business and i can be pretty picky and demanding about some things and without a doubt i’d recommend these this company.
calling them now for the ride to Kennedy Airport and looking forward to the experience!

WOW! Pains me to write this I have used this service for 10+ years. Not sure what happened but after back to back to back HORRIBLE experiences I am forced to write them off. Drivers actually have NO IDEA where they are going, I mean like which way is north or south, seriously. Not once several times. Used to be best drivers on the city, bar none. Disappointing. Seaman or All Town from here on out. Get it together folks.

For the most part this is a fantastic company. I’m giving it one star so people will read my warning. There is a driver named Carlos, a middle aged serious acting tall man with graying hair, who will insist that the trip costs more than it should. He did this to me at least twice. Most recently I took a car trip that the base told me was 15 – 18 dollars, and I gave Carlos 20 to give him a tip. He insisted it was 25. I told him I take the same trip every day and it is never 25 dollars but he was insistent. I called the base afterwards and they apologized but not sure they will say anything to Carlos, so rider beware. I wish I hadn’t given in.

I had 20mins to get to Laguardia airport and thanks to First Class I made it!!! Driver was there 3mins after I made the call, he was courteous, and quick!!! Who says you can’t get good service in the Heights???

Just used this service for the first time to go from Riverdale (Bx) to LGA. The guy on the phone was very polite and spoke English well (which is not to be taken for granted). The driver was on time and had a very clean car. He was also polite and asked if the radio station we were listening to was okay. The only thing preventing me from giving 5 stars is the driver asked me, «Did they tell you how much the ride is?». I told him $ 50 (which the dispatcher never said, I just knew other people in the neighborhood paid that much). He said that wasn’t correct if I was paying with a CC. He said it would be $ 54. I did’t argue since my company was paying for the ride. The thing is, if you pay with a CC, the machine also charges $ 1.50, so without tip, the ride was $ 55.50, i gave him an even $ 60. So before getting into the cab, I would be clear what the rate is, and I would pay cash if possible — that will definitely save you a few $$. I’ve been to LGA often from Riverdale, using a yellow cab or a black car and with tip, it always comes out to right around $ 60. So, overall I would use them again.

Pros: They take credit cards, it’s clean and cozy and air conditioned
Cons: There’s no standard rate to the airport (I read a Unilocaler saying they paid $ 45 to get to LGA from Inwood, so I said that — he said it was $ 57, I said «well I was told 45» he said «well see there’s a $ 5 fee» I said «that would make it $ 50 not $ 57» he said «it’s $ 53» I said «including tip?» he said «no.» — now THAT’S some great dialogue, folks. feel free to use that in your next theatrical event.
The driver was nice though. Just way too expensive, ya know? Sigh. It took less than 20 minutes to get to LGA (which is great! but half the time it took for a car service to LGA from Prospect Heights, and paid $ 33 on average.)
Oh tedium.

I got a limo from this place for my prom, (way back when) and they were great. Super cheap and super easy to deal with. It was a hike heading all the way up to the heights, but totally worth it. Most car places are a complete rip off, so I would send anyone I know here for a car or limo

I used First Class 3 times this week to go between Manhattan and the Bronx. I never had to wait long on the phone and the time quoted to wait was accurate — 5 min, 8 min. The drivers were professional and even asked what route and radio station I preferred.
This is the best service I have used on the handful of trips I have made to NYC this year and the prices were very reasonable.
If you want to use a credit card, let the guy on the phone know when you request the service.

They are animals, do not use them unless you want a car ride to hell.

Clean car, friendly driver who greeted me AND the toll booth attendee with a genuine «Good morning» despite the ridiculous 4 am pick up time. The dispatchers were helpful and my car was on time. I paid $ 45 from Inwood to Laguardia, which was a bargain compared to what I paid earlier in the week.
I’ll be calling First Class next time I visit NYC.

First Class cars and SUVs regularly idle outside my building honking at everyone who walks by… at 7am! They park in front of fire hydrants, in bike lanes, in commerical parking lots and double park, disturbing the flow of traffic and putting people at risk. This behavior has gotten worse in 2010.
I have used them in the past, but will not be using them anymore. I encourage everyone to use only car services that respect the people and neighborhoods they serve. First Class certainly does not!

My friend had to move from a sublet on 207^th and Isham to another sublet on East 7^th between B+C. As I contemplated the nomadic nature of living in NYC we called First class. We inquired if they had a mini-​van or SUV they did. The SVU arrives-​shiny, sparkling with a suit clad driver who helpfully shuffled some items as we loaded them.
The cost for this was $ 60 maybe steep but he was so pleasnt, the SVU so clean and the drive down the FDR so pleasing.
We did have to deal with the people on the phone who were pleasant but there was a mild languge barrier. It all worked out. I would recommend First class to people in the area with the caveat that I think our experience was out of the ordinary.