We’re on record here at OMAAT as preferring to avoid taxis, as our rides nearly always end up being highly entertaining, and not particularly efficient. When public transportation isn’t reasonably available, our defaults are Uber, Lyft, and even hotel cars — probably like many of you.
Continue reading: Blacklane: An Alternative To Uber & Pricey Hotel Cars
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I used Blacklane upon arrival in Doha where I was spending a few nights before continuing to Dubai. I booked the "Business SUV/van" option which on their website is portrayed as a Mercedes Sprinter or similar. What I ultimately got was an old beat up minivan with a completely unprofessional driver who didn't know where he was going.
The big difference between Uber and Blacklane is that when I complained, Blacklane did not offer to refund part of the charge instead only offering a small discount on a future ride (and it took a few days for them to get back to me). So from a customer service standpoint Uber wins hands down.
This is not to say Blacklane is terrible in all markets but since they rely on local companies or contractors their service can vary wildly. Without a customer service operation to hold these operators accountable it can be a risky proposition.
I used Blacklane in Bangkok to get from the airport to the hotel. I was nervous about cabs since it was my first time there. I had also read horror stories about unsafe driving/ operating conditions of the vehicles. The Conrad also quoted me a pretty high price for a hotel car. I had a man waiting with my name at the meeting point in the terminal. He took me to the curb where my E class Mercedes was waiting. The car was in perfect condition. The driver was professional. There was a cold lemon scented towel and cold water waiting. It was a really nice experience. I enjoyed it so much I used it to get back to the airport. It wasn't cheap (especially by Bangkok standards) but I enjoyed the experience. I use taxis at TXL because I have good luck with them. I used taxis in Singapore for the same reason. I am using Blacklane next month in Budapest to get to the hotel in Buda because the price is pretty good and I dont want to deal with a cab. I thought it was perfect for a place like Bangkok (somewhere I had never been before with a sketchy cab history). It is also a nice splurge for vacation. I don't have a referral code though.
I used Blacklane from the airport in Amsterdam most recently, and while the driver was professional and the car (Mercedes E Class) very comfortable, we were shocked to find it reeked of cigarette smoke. So much so in fact that it triggered an allergy attack for my husband and he spent the ride with his head out the window. Our complaint was met with regret but little recompense. Like your other reader, we were offered a discount on a future ride. I would be willing to try them again but only with an express no-smoking car promise. I shouldn't have taken that for granted in Europe I know, but I did, with unpleasant consequences.
Just looked into this from my flight into CDG to the Park Hyatt Paris in November. After the $10 savings it's cheaper than an UberX, and after arriving at 6:55AM after flying in Economy from AUS (thru PHL) this should hopefully provide us a comfortable ride to the hotel. I know public transit options exist as well, but after that long flight this might be just what we need.
I have used Groundlink, very successfully, all over the world. Blacklane sounds to be similar. My experiences with Groundlink have been flawless and economical.
Never used but will consider next time in Europe or Asia. During my last trip to Europe with family I did a lot research online and arranged a driver with local companies that had very high ratings on TripAdvisor. I paid a fraction of what a hotel car would charge me and got a way better service than just getting a taxi at the airport.
I've used them in Brazil and the drivers were fantastic. I had an early morning trip in a terrible thunderstorm to the international airport in Sao Paulo and it was comforting to have an English speaking driver. However, once in New York, my car went to the wrong Sheraton Hotel and I almost missed my flight. But overall I will use them again especially after a long international flight when it's really great to have someone meet you.
Groundlink is much better than Blacklane,
Groundlink have professional cars with hired drivers.
Blacklane, like uber lets drivers sign up and offer services for them, meaning its really hit or miss on what you get as a client.
I used Blacklane for a pickup at SIN and it was decidedly meh. The driver wasn't waiting and it took maybe 45 minutes (plus several Skype phone calls) to locate him. I haven't used it again since.
I use Blacklane everytime i can, However in some cities can be quite expensive like Auckland or Sydney, but when in Europe or Asia Blacklane is always my First choice, drivers are usually helpful and they provide a great service as well autos in very good condition.
Blacklane is just like Uber except you request the service in advance. all the service providers as you would expect are from other limo companies or self employed. Now problem is this can be hit and miss.. when I last looked at blacklane a couple of years back the reviews were horrible. Especially for NY but NY limos are horrible anyways. Which is why for NY (where possible) I take Uber or Lyft where you can rate the driver.. you tend to get better service...that way. In other cities and Europe where the rates look MUCH better I would try without much hesitation. Tks for the heads up about Berlin good to know.
I have used Blacklane in some cities and had terrible experiences as the cars are always late.
The customer service always tries to place the blame on you and,not,the driver.
Most of the time the Blacklane drivers are also Uber Black drivers. I had one driver drop me off at an hotel and pick up and uber black fare at the same spot.
Used Blacklane in Barcelona this past August to get to a party at an out-of-town water park. Cars were decidedly NOT "Business Class" in that it was an older model Audi that wasn't is super great shape. But the driver was professional and knew where he was going. The car and driver weren't actively bad by any means, but there is considerable false advertising on the Blacklane site.
The return trip from the party we attended was a disaster as the driver was supposedly waiting for us with a sign, but wasn't visible at the exit. As another commenter mentioned, when I contacted dispatch to coordinate with the driver, we were blamed for not being in the right location. Plus the dispatcher refused to speak to me in Spanish (I'm fluent/bilingual) rather her pressed on in broken English. Furthermore, when I tried to call a second time, she insisted on using WhatsApp instead of just talking to me. She would not let me communicate directly with the driver to find out where he was and to coordinate meeting. Then when I asked her to ask the driver where he was, she told my group we should walk to him even though we still didn't know where he was. I gave her an exact location about 1/4 mile from where he supposedly was as we walked to hunt him down, and she initially refused to tell the driver to meet us there.
So overall, it was an incredible PITA with rude and unhelpful customer support. I wouldn't use them again and would actively dissuade others from doing so.
@adam yup those are the same comments I have heard for years. Looks like nothing has changed.
Yikes, expensive in Toronto and Ottawa. Just priced 2 different trips at about 6-7 miles and they show $200! That's about 4 times the price of Uber black!
Nice write-up Tiffany, I'm already comparing prices for Prague/Budapest transfers. Didn't know about this before. Thanks!
Ironic that you post this today as I just looked into a reservation with Blacklane yesterday. There was an ad / link for them in the TripCase app that I use. I compared their rates for a Mercedes E class sedan from Heathrow next week. Blacklane was only $13 less than the hotel's car service. I would have tried them if the difference was $30 but decided $13 was not enough. I will keep checking though for other trips.
I've used Blacklane a few times in Europe, in Paris and Amsterdam and another city or two. I specifically request a particular car as I tend to go for First Class which wasn't really highlighted in this article. MB S-Class, 7-Series or Audi A8 and always the Long Wheel Base version (LWB). Price wise, Europe is certainly better than Australia where in Sydney a First Class car can either be well maintained or not. But on one occasion I did receive a nice credit for my next ride as the vehicle sent was an Older S-Class and a very bad drive. Plus for a central
location pickup to the Airport was indeed pricey when Uber Black could have been cheaper but it's a hit and miss with vehicles and preferring a LWB car. I've done the Business Class option in Australia too which was a Holden's Caprice, similar to the E-Class but at a higher rate than a local Australian company which I was not impressed with (price wise - the car was OK)
Europe on the other hand, Blacklane are competitive to local companies. But in saying that the Private Drivers in Paris work with Blacklane and have their own companies so they're sourcing drivers which is great. I get the contact details that they offer and I use the driver again and again becoming ideal and now I have a fantastic guy in Paris!
I recommend Blacklane if you want to try it out, keep a drivers details and use separately but I'd always prefer to have a secured Driver to pick me up in an unknown city that I'm traveling to so Blacklane is great for that.
One gripe I have with Blacklane is that if I book a car for local pick up where ever I am at say 8am or even 6am to head to an International Airport, Blacklane email you the drivers detail and confirmation about an 1 hour before pick up. Some occasions I don't have wifi or a local mobile with internet so I never get the info once I book online as they have to source the driver and confirm a driver too. 1-2 hour before a pick up at early hours is not suffice and a hindrance if as once before, I couldn't get a driver for an early pick up and had to source via Uber! They should really confirm two hours or four hours Max after you've booked. I normally do so the day before or even weeks before!
As I am being based in Berlin I use Blacklane as my primary option to get from and to the airport. I use them approx. 3-4 times a month and never had to complain on anything. Even when you get a luggage loss and have to walk to the baggage service center to make a claim the driver not only waited, but picked us up at the baggage center so we did not have to walk back to the terminal. And at no extra costs although her lost approx. 30-40 min waiting for us.
Cars are always top notch and I never waited for a driver a single time. They are usually at my house at least 10 min early and wait patiently outside for you to get ready.
Hard to imagine how I dealt with all the 'friendly' taxi drivers back in the days before Blacklane 😉
I've used Blacklane for a few years now. They were amazing and super well priced. However, in the past several months, I've had issues with them many times. The drivers they have weren't professional or safe (different drivers and areas), and they have been unresponsive to issues or any contact for that matter (such as updating a reservation). This has been the same issue on at least 5 rides on the past 3 months.
I do NOT recommend using any longer. Sad as they were once incredible!
@Raheem - Thank you for your feedback and I would like to apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment caused by the vehicle model used for your pick up.
As mentioned on our website, specific models are subject to availability in different business districts and while, for example, the Mercedes E Class is the standard Business Class vehicle for much of Europe, the Lincoln Town Car is most commonly used in the USA. While we always do our best to accommodate specific vehicle requests mentioned in the booking, this is not guaranteed.
Thank you for your understanding and I hope that in the future we will have the opportunity to provide you with a transfer more in line with our high quality standards.
Best,
Ella
@ Chris - Many thanks for the great review! We are looking forward to driving you soon!
Best,
Ella
@Lalo Prentice, @Felix -
Our prices initially are between what a taxi and limousine service charges, but prices tend to fall over time as volume increases and also depend from one market to another.
We are continuously reviewing our prices in all cities that we are active in, to ensure we provide a fair price that reflects the standard of service we deliver. As such, you may see some price changes now and again. Additionally, we may increase prices for specific dates to make sure that we can ensure the availability of drivers for you, however these changes are always done in advance.
Thank you for your understanding and for your honest feedback.
Best,
Ella
I've used Blacklane extensively in Europe over the past year or so. Generally a good experience, but keep in mind their cancellation policy.
While not usually a problem, flight delays or cancellations create issues where Blacklane is very inflexible about moving the pickup times. They try on 'best efforts' basis, but this can result in being charged the entire fare even if you cannot take it (because you are still in air, for example).
Wingz is a new service out of Silicon Valley that is Great! Focused on the US at present but will be expanding. Great iPhone app.
I've used Blacklane mainly in Germany and I think they have a good service, often a similar price to a cab and way nicer rides. So I'd recommend. One issue I have had is that you book the ride then they confirm, and sometimes they can't confirm because they don't have enough cars available at that time, so you have to find an alternative. I guess this will change as the network develops and this issue was a year ago in Berlin. The fall out of this is if you use your discount code on a ride they can't supply it's bye-bye discount code, because you can't use it twice.
Blacklane sucks, what they advertise on their website is not true, and if any one complains then they would say you didn't read the fine print when you booked, I guess this is heir way of doing business.
Go Uber and don't make my mistake.
To say Blacklane has no hidden charges is a joke. 8 out of 10 rides I have tried to book were at least 20% higher than say, booking my ride from a local limousine service directly. Tried to book a ride in Singapore and it stated $125 for a Mercedes E-Class. Guess what? I easily found 6 other local companies who are happy to pick me up in their Mercedes E-Class between $60-$70 and I will be more than happy to offer a whole list of 20 limousine companies that charge lower than Blacklane. Even 5-star international hotels in Singapore quoted me $100 tops for Mercedes Benz E-Class whenever I have to book airport transfers for my clients.
I am an American who traveled to Mexico City with my sister. We spent 5 days in the city and quickly adapted to the adjusted pricing in the area—$60 for a 5-star, 4-course dinner for 2; $50 a night for New York Times-endorsed lodging; shop til you drop for $75. On our last day we decided to take a car to a town 2 hours away. We looked at Uber and the cost would have been around $30 roundtrip, but we were concerned that the driver wouldn't wait with us and, not knowing the area, we didn't want to be stranded without a ride back. So I Googled other methods of driver services.
That's when I came upon Blacklane. I spent a number of hours trying to book the service because the app was glitchy. My sister and I took turns trying to book the driver at (what we thought was) the rate of $671 in Mexican pesos -- the equivalent of less than $40 American.
The ride was nice and the driver was a wonderfully kind man who spoke English to us and told us about the area. I can't complain about the service in general. But it came to me as a HUGE shock when my bank account was charged $671 American dollars for the experience.
- Firstly, it just wasn't worth that much. Our ENTIRE vacation cost less than that.
- Secondly, we never would have booked a car at that expense if it was clear to us that we were being charged that much. My sister and I both spent alot of time on the app and never knew we were being charged in American dollars. She has a college degree and I have two masters degrees; we can't be the only people to suffer from this confusion.
- Thirdly, why would they charge us American dollars? They are a German company with service locations across the globe. Why would they default to American dollars instead of the currency of the country where the transaction was taking place? Or at the very least, why not produce side-by-side comparisons in the converted currencies so that there isn't a possibility for confusion?
I literally got sick to my stomach when I realized what had happened. I reached out to the company multiple times and was told that the mistake was mine and I should have been more careful, and they offered me a $50 voucher. Ultimately all they did was add insult to injury. In some ways, their "offer" disparaged me even more than their willfully misleading price page.
Clearly I would encourage potential customers to utilize another car service for their travel needs. In this day and age, where lifestyle brands are at the center of our hearts and consumer engagement, we should patron establishments that have our best interest at heart and not just their own.
Blacklane is horrible. They abandoned me at the airport after a long international flight; bags were delayed, but I was in contact with the driver who told me "No worries, take you time". I kept the driver updated, got my bags and cleared customers, and the driver was gone. They left after 60 minutes and charged me for a 'no show' even though I was in continuing contact with the actual driver. Called an uber, got there in a few minutes at half the price.
Well, I have drove for Blacklane, for two years (and 110.000 miles).
Firstly, you cannot compare Blacklane with other companies, as they do not pay local licensing, for example Uber pays millions of £ in private hire operator fees, while Blacklane doesn't.
Blacklane is just a booking portal, they do not own any car. They take the booking then resells it to the lowest bidder, for example they pay the drivers in London £35+VAT from Heathrow to Central London (up to 1h parking included which is 7£ on driver's expense, congestion charge £15/day)
They also state on their website that all fees and tips are included, but they never pay any tips to drivers.
furthermore, instead of dealing directly with drivers, they have to deal with licensed private hire operators in London and they usually keep up to 35% commission fee - so think before you book with them next time and lower your expectations. Put yourself in the driver's position, who's driving up to 2 hours for less than £25...
Blacklane is not legit in London and they are currently being investigated by TFL as they operate in London, but they don't pay any license
Don't use Blacklane
I just received a call at 6:11 PM that they would not be able to honor a confirmed ride for 9:26 PM today leaving me 3 hours to make alternative plans.
I will never use their services again because their previous reliability was the reason that we used their services and were willing to pay a premium for their service.
This ride was for my family members who are presently on a flight. If I had been the one on the flight then I wouldn’t have found out until I landed at 9:26PM.
This is unacceptable and clearly tells me that they prioritize income over service - overbooking rides like an airline or car rental service.