I have $20 worth of unused credits sitting in my Uber account, but when I flew into LaGuardia (LGA) last month I found a much better deal on ground transportation to Manhattan with Dial 7 car service.
I am a budget traveler so limousines and black car services are not my thing — but this car service was the cheapest and fastest way to get my family of three and our bags to the hotel.
The driver was punctual, polite and pleasant and the cars were comfortable, convenient and commodious.
The regular fare from LaGuardia to downtown is $34 plus tolls and tax, but I used a discount code for $5 off. Unlike Uber, car services are regulated and required to carry insurance.
How to Book Dial 7 Car Service from New York Airports
You can call Dial 7 at (212) 777-7777, but it is easier and cheaper to book ahead online. The airport specials available with online booking are as follows:
| From LaGuardia Airport | $34 |
| From JFK Airport | $48 |
| From Newark Airport | $48 |
Rates do not include tolls or gratuity.
Special coupon codes are frequently available. Check these sources:
For instance, I recently spotted this deal on Twitter: $5 off LGA rides (Code: DECAIR1); $7 off JFK/EWR rides (DECAIR2).
When you get to the airport and have gathered your bags, you simply call Dial7 and they will direct you to your waiting driver outside.
There are many similar car services in New York — this is just the one I happened to try.
Everything worked seamlessly, on the busiest travel day of the year! It beat standing in the cab line in the rain or taking the airport shuttle bus and stopping at a dozen hotels.
Thoughts?
Is this a flat fee for all riders?
Yes it is. No extra charge for additional riders or for bags, but you do have to pay tolls and tip.
Uber offered me a free ride (the whole ride.) I think I got the offer because I created an account with them and then didn’t use the service for a while. They sent me a code for “your first ride free.”
There is no place to sign up for this deal; I just received the offer in email after I’d been an Uber customer for several months but had not used them yet.
Unfortunately for me, in between the time they sent the email and I received it, I had already taken my first Uber ride and paid for it; but if you are thinking of using them and haven’t yet created an account, do so. Maybe you’ll get the same offer I did.
I haven’t tried Uber yet.