This is more of a heads-up really. I%26#39;ve used shared van rides from the airport to my accommodation all over the US without problem. I know people have differing views on whether they like using shared vans or not, which is all down to personal choice really.
Anyway, to my point. I pre-booked and paid our (2 adults, 2 kids) JFK to Manhattan and return Manahattan to JFK online at the Super Shuttle site in advance. Don%26#39;t normally do this but, I was busy booking and paying for numerous things in advance - and I%26#39;d done something similar for San Francisco earlier in the year, I just got on with it.
Followed all the prompts on the site and put in my home address, where I was travelling to and from in NYC and got my confirmation of booking and payment.
Pick-up went fine. Just used the phone in Arrivals and the driver and van turned up.
The trouble started when we got to our apartment rental (East Gate Towers). The driver gets out and tells us we owe him another $22 on top of the $46 we%26#39;d already paid. What followed was a long argument (with all the other van occupants looking on as we where the first drop-off). His reasoning varied from there was a problem with the website to a final declaration that the cost for visitors going to hotels and rented accommodation was higher than residents going to their homes! His varying reasons for the difference in rates did nothing to warm me to his declarations and left me thinking he was just trying to rip us off. There had been plenty of time for Super Shuttle to email us if there was a problem with the website and prices charged.
Well sorry, pre-paid is pre-paid and he got no further money out of us other than the tip we were going to give him anyway. Although he wrecked a $25 luggage strap when moving one of our bags so lord knows why he should have got that. After a long flight and standing in the pouring rain having this altercation you get a bit fed-up with it all.
Indeed he did give us a leaflet that seems to suggest that Super Shuttle in NYC has different rates dependant on your country of residence! $17 each for visitors (we paid the residents $12 each it seems).
As we were surrounded by New Yorker%26#39;s apartments I wasn%26#39;t entirely happy with the idea I had to pay more to get to the same location!
The guy on the way back made no mention of any of this so either the first guy has discovered a glitch in the system and is pocketing the difference when he can or the second driver didn%26#39;t give a d*mn!
So, if there are 2 of you $34 isn%26#39;t bad plus a tip compared to around $60 for a cab plus toll and tip. If you pre-book online it will be less and you%26#39;ll have to argue!
Trip Report: Super Shuttle from JFK... Beware
Sooo sorry you had this problem ebabe. I just hate this co. I HOPE you will contact Super Shuttle and let them know what happened. Try to give the exact date and time of the trip. Sounds like the driver is ripping off customers, perhaps w/o the knowledge of the co. (one would hope). I%26#39;ve also heard stories of prepaying for a roundtrip and not having the van show up for the return leaving people stranded and desperate.
Trip Report: Super Shuttle from JFK... Beware
I%26#39;m sorry you had a bad experience. I agree, it looks like the driver tried to rip you off. He probably gets away with that 90% of the time.
Years ago I used Super Shuttle frequently in California, and they were great. I believe the difference is that they were owner-drivers in Calif, whereas in New York Super Shuttle is operated as a fleet, so the drivers have no stake in the business.
That%26#39;s an interesting point Bettina as I use SuperShuttle out of LAX frequently without problem.
Indeed I will be in touch with SuperShuttle. I%26#39;m a frequent traveller and also visit the US regularly so was more than willing to make my point and not pay up! However I%26#39;m sure there others who, for a variety of reasons, do pay.
None of this spoiled our trip needless to say. NYC is a wonderful city, with wonderful people, and you can%26#39;t let one bad apple sour the experience!
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