Point-to-point town car on demand in Las Vegas?

[gingerbread]

I'm a big fan of Uber (www.uber.com), it seems like Uber is a natural fit for Vegas, but from what I understand they're having some trouble dealing with the taxi authority. In the meantime, I'm looking for an alternative. We just got back yesterday from Vegas and this conversation from the wife explains it pretty well:

Her: "We just waited in line outside for 10-15min to get four of us crammed into a dirty cab with a surly driver. All that cost $20 (rounded up from $17-ish, it was an agonizingly long slow ride from to Wynn). Why didn't we do Uber?"

Me: <explaining that Uber isn't in Vegas yet, they'd have to charge roughly $40 min per trip because they're classified as a livery service>

Her: "$20 for waiting in line and crappy ride vs. $40 for Uber? The four of us are going to spend $400+ tonight on dinner and drinks, not counting what you lose at craps. Tell Uber we'd pay $40!"

So, I'm looking for an alternatives or advice from you all until I can convince Uber to show up in Vegas. In terms of what Vegas offers now, I think what I want is called point-to-point town car service on demand. We do make reservations for dinner and shows in advance, but it's Vegas so the schedule is fluid and I'd like to not have to book one more thing in advance. Here's what I thing I want:

• Clean, upscale, bit more space than a taxi. Basically a town car. Don't need a limo, but I won't turn it down. Don't want to cram into a taxi and have the girls worry if they're getting their new dresses dirty on the way to Hyde. Driver doesn't have to be wearing a suit, but the clean car is a must. It's pretty easy to feel upscale from a Vegas taxi.
• On-demand. Ideally I could call a number from inside the casino or from the room and know that the car will be there in 10-15 (or 30 at worst) minutes. We can continue drinking, playing, getting ready, whatever. What's important is I know how long it'll take and that the time is accurate and not just some dispatcher's stock answer he gives to everyone. It would be better if the driver arrived and called me when he's outside. If I have to paying for an hour and I'm only using 1 0min for a drive down the strip, the driver can wait 5 minutes for us to finish paying the check. I would also be OK just walking outside and getting a town car in front of the casino if I could be sure that I wouldn't wait more than a couple of minutes and that it would actually be there and not be a taxi. The key is that I want to be doing other things in Vegas besides waiting in lines for cars.
• Easy payment. Uber has my credit card, no cash exchanges hands with the driver, not even tip. You get out and go. In Vegas, I'd like something as close to this as possible. I would use the same company over and over if they let me do this. I'm a bit conflicted on this, because I believe in tipping well for excellent service and Vegas is a tipping meca. If I can't get credit-card auto charge (along with the driver being tipped and knowing they'll be taken care of), then maybe what I want is a fixed quote including tip.

JC folks, can I reliably get a town car or limo from the front of the casino on demand for less than $50? What's the expected tip? Is this true even on Weds night? I bet there are limos waiting on Friday before dinner, what about 2am on Weds or Thurs afternoon returning from MGM Grand? I want to know how to get this no matter that time. Is there a reliable, upscale point-to-point service on the strip?

[Jhaulotte]

Twice I have used a limo when walking out of casino after a club. 1st trip was 35 and the 2nd was 40. In both cases we gave 50. I have no idea if we overpaid or underpaid to be honest with you. It seemed like there wasnt really a set rate, it was kind of like he just threw a number at us and it seemed good. I am sure there could be negotiations but who cares at 4 a.m? Neither ride was up and down the strip/ Both were direct from casino to casino. So we paid roughly 30 more tham a cab. There has always been limos waiting at nearly every resort on the strip that I have seen.

[Chuck]

Presidential has point-to-point and dedicated chaufer services...I've never looked into pricing though. Towncar point2point has to be close to $40 b/c they're only $45/hour anyway. Cabs do suck...I need to look into this more for sure.

[gingerbread]

Maybe if high rollers like Jhaulotte and Chuck contact Uber like I did they'll be more encouraged ;-)

In the meantime, we just got back from a trip so it's fresh in my mind and we'll be back in early Dec for the wife's birthday so I've got to figure out a way to not put her in a cab. Even if we don't do it again, it'll be her birthday! I'll call Presidential during the week and see what they say. Chuck, I know you have recommended them in other threads has Presidential been consistent for you? I've never done towncar/limo service in Vegas, but in other cities I've had mixed experiences with limo service.

I'm still open to creative solutions on this thread. I wonder if I nice tip to the concierge at whatever hotel (likely Aria or Bellagio) to hook us up with sort of "on demand" service from the casino's car? It's not an insane number of trips, one or two per day max and not every day.

[Chuck]

Presidential is fantastic. I've never had a bad experience with them. I've used them for at least 7 airport transfers and a couple limo charters. Their fleet is very nice, the drivers have all been great, and I almost always get a category upgrade on airport transfers without asking. The hotels definitely have cars available...that's a great idea asking the concierge about setting up a car for you. I'm sure they would with a decent tip.

[gingerbread]

I contacted a few places (including Presidential). I think I'll setup an account with them, but I'll guess still end up tipping the driver in cash. For the towncar, it's going to be $50 ($45 + $5 fuel surcharge) plus tip per trip, which is more than I'd like. I'd really like it to work some sort of volume deal, where I owe the standard rate for one trip, but if I use them 2-4 times in one night (out and back during the day, out and back at night). It's not $200 total. We'll see.

[JCase]

I contacted a few places (including Presidential). I think I'll setup an account with them, but I'll guess still end up tipping the driver in cash. For the towncar, it's going to be $50 ($45 + $5 fuel surcharge) plus tip per trip, which is more than I'd like. I'd really like it to work some sort of volume deal, where I owe the standard rate for one trip, but if I use them 2-4 times in one night (out and back during the day, out and back at night). It's not $200 total. We'll see.

That could definitely add up quickly, especially if you're doing it for more than one night. I have a driver that I call personally when I'm in Vegas and he's done point to point trips for us on top of limo charters from the airport. I was going to try presidential on this last trip but I wanted to keep my ties strong.

I'm pretty sure if you find a driver just hanging around, you could probably setup a deal straight with him. Some will have base tariffs that their company charge but there are ways around it

[Chuck]

I vaguely remember one trip a driver from Presidential gave me his card and said to call him directly if I needed anything during our stay. It would seem that drivers have some latitude to drum up business on their own, but they probably have to return some minimum amount to the company when they do that. But maybe they can squeeze in other rides "under the radar" if you're able to be a little flexible on pickup times.

@gingerbread ... did you ask about the dedicated chaufer services?

[Jay]

I have pretty much done the towncar/limo thing for my last few trips. You are looking @ 45+tip for a town car. Suv/limos usually start @ 60+tip, depending on where you are staying just pick one up at the hotel.I have a guy who I have used as a private driver who works for a smaller service. He is very reliable over the last 2 years. if you are interested send me a pm, ill pass along his info.