How to avoid one of the biggest pitfalls in global travel

(Sponsored Content)

Travelers take great strides to piece together the perfect itinerary.  Each aspect of global travel involves numerous conversion points: your front door to the departure terminal, arrival gates to hotel entrances, and every start- and end-point in between, until you return safely back home.  The barrage of choices you face to assure foolproof travel arrangements tends to tempt many of us into ignoring one of the most critical elements of travel—namely, ground transportation. 

We think hard about airlines to select.  We are careful to choose places to stay and our sight-seeing destinations.  Yet, even as ground transportation is the one link which connects all of these aspects into a single, cohesive trip, we do not think about making arrangements until the moment we need it.  Unfortunately, one bad ground transportation experience can spoil an entire evening, spurn unnecessary stress or, worse, stain the memory of an entire trip. 

Consider these three questions to avoid the common pitfall of “winging it” when it comes to ground transportation and assure total peace of mind—wherever your travels may take you:

Where does the supplier offer service?

Consistently high standards are a must when it comes to finding peace of mind in global travel.  A smooth ride on Saturday and a frustrating wait time on Sunday can sully any occasion out of town.  Finding a ground transportation supplier with proven service experience across the globe can help to assure a consistently superior standard of service.  Scan the company’s website to see if they boast wholly-owned operations—and in how many cities or countries.  Do they have a global footprint in the places you plan to travel?  When a company takes pride in owning its operations, and in vetting their independent franchises, you can avoid the risk of booking with a provider that blindly subcontracts ground transportation services to suspicious third-party operators or fly-by-night drivers.

How “professional” are so-called ‘professional drivers’?

The seeming ease of hailing a taxi or downloading a ride-hailing app often entices travelers into winging it when they venture into a new town or city.  Doing so leaves travelers vulnerable to drivers who are often late, lack critical training, possess dubious credentials, show up in a vehicle lacking in space for fellow travelers or luggage, or are impolite.  If you are booking in advance, take an extra minute to review service and etiquette guarantees on the supplier’s website or marketing materials.  Are background checks performed on each driver and are drivers fully-vetted for alcohol and substance abuse?  Are motor vehicle record reviewed?  Does the supplier train and/or certify their drivers before they take the wheel?  Do drivers reliably arrive at pick up points at least 15 minutes early?  Ask before booking.

Will your travel consultant go the extra mile?

Every skilled travel consultant values joyful feedback from their clients and positive word of mouth.  After all, where would travel agents be without enthusiastic clients who tell others to take a chance on them and their services?  Your Adelman travel consultant will take the extra steps needed to deliver you a “wow” experience by making premium chauffeured transportation a part of your global travel itinerary.

Contact your professional Adelman travel consultant for more information on maximizing your ground transportation options.