What to expect from an executive chauffeur in Milton Keynes

People use the words taxi and chauffeur as if they mean the same thing. They do not, and the difference matters most on the journeys where it would be embarrassing for something to go wrong.

Here is what actually differs.

The price is agreed before you travel

A taxi meter tells you the cost when you arrive. A chauffeur transfer is a fixed price, agreed when you book, and it does not move because of traffic, roadworks or the time of day.

There is no surge pricing. A 5am run to Heathrow on a bank holiday costs what the price list says it costs. All of our airport prices are published on the prices page, so you can check the figure without ringing anyone.

Parking, tolls and the London Congestion Charge are charged at cost. We do not mark them up.

The journey is planned, not dispatched

A taxi firm sends whoever is nearest when you ring. A chauffeur booking is a specific driver, in a specific vehicle, for a specific job, assigned in advance.

That means the driver knows the route before the day. They know where they are going at the other end. If it is an airport run, the flight is already being tracked.

Flights are tracked

If your inbound flight lands early, we are there early. If it is delayed by three hours, we are there three hours later, and you are not paying for the wait.

This is the single thing people notice most after switching from taxis. Nobody is ringing you while you are still taxiing to the gate.

Meet and greet, not a text message

For airport arrivals we meet you inside, in the arrivals hall, with a name board. We help with the luggage and walk you to the car.

The alternative is standing outside a terminal at midnight reading a text that says the driver is in the short stay car park, level four.

The vehicles

We run a Mercedes fleet, kept clean and presentable, and we publish the passenger and luggage capacity of each one so you can see what fits before you book rather than finding out on the driveway.

• Executive Car, Mercedes E-Class, for up to 4 passengers
• Large MPV, Mercedes Vito Tourer, for up to 8 with full luggage
• Executive Minibus, Mercedes V-Class, for up to 7 in the most comfortable configuration

Luggage is the thing most people get wrong. Four passengers with four large cases is not an E-Class job, and we would rather tell you that when you book than when we arrive.

The drivers

Suited, DBS checked, and used to carrying people who need to arrive composed. They know not to make conversation with someone preparing for a meeting, and they know when a passenger wants to chat.

It sounds like a small thing. It is most of the job.

When it is worth it

Honestly, not always. For a short hop across town on a Saturday, ring a taxi.

It is worth it when:

• You are collecting a client, a visitor or a senior colleague, and the first impression counts
• It is an early flight or a late landing and you need certainty rather than hope
• You are travelling with luggage, or in a group
• You are on a corporate account and want one invoice rather than a drawer of receipts
• The journey is long enough that comfort stops being a luxury

Corporate accounts

Most of our work is for local businesses on account. It is free to open, there is no minimum spend and no contract, and everything comes on one monthly invoice instead of staff claiming expenses. You can apply on the corporate accounts page.