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San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Jose and Oakland host many trade shows each month. Often smart business traveler hires a limousine or car service for airport pick-up and delivery to the trade show or hotel.

But when hiring a San Francisco limo or car service there are several hidden charges
an executive assistant or trade show planner should be aware of.

First, understand the cancellation or rescheduling fees of the car service. If a flight is canceled and you are put on a later flight, you may be charged for 'rescheduling". Many firms do not charge rescheduling fees for customers with profile accounts, unless the driver has actually been dispatched. At most reputable limousine and car service firms, there are no cancellation fees of any kind for established accounts.

Second understand the car service policy for waiting time and charges for delays. For example, Quicksilver TownCar (www.QSTC.net) allows a 10-minute grace period for reservation pickups, including loading and unloading a vehicle. Be aware that some firms add charge after 5 minutes.

It is important for trade show managers to understand the cost for waiting while executives and others on international flights clear customs. Most firm figure in a waiting 30 or 40 minutes no charge, grace period after an international flight arrives. But at some point a waiting charge will kick in, for example, while the sales team from Australia is celebrating their arrival in San Francisco.

Schlepping Last Minute Press Kits

Third, schlepping last minute press kits, giveaways and brochures can add up. If you will be loading up the limo for your trade show, find out in advance if there are 'extra' charges. Sometime extra boxes can cause another $20+ charge to the trip. If you know in advance that you will be arriving with a lot of trade show materials ask your car service of an SUV.

The Bay Area is home to the legendary Golden Gate Bridge and other spectacular bridges. Find out if any bridges are to be crossed and how much will be charged. Generally no receipt is available because the car service pays via electronic transponders.

When sending people to a trade show in the San Francisco Bay Area the savvy executive assistant or trade show planner should know the questions to ask advance regarding all the charges are when hiring a car service.

Free SFO Parking For Cell Phone Use

If your trade show schedule has you picking up at SFO, airport management has provided a free parking lot where people can wait for cell phone calls from arriving passengers. It's free for now, Location: http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/parking/options/cell-phone/index.html

A similar lot at Mineta San Jose (SJO) was eliminated during construction of the new airport is the North Concourse, currently under construction, located between Terminal C (American Airlines and Southwest) and Terminal A (the rest). For more information check in with SJC: Mineta San Jose International Airport Ground Transportation: http://www.sjc.org/travelers/ground_trans.html

By the way, all Quicksilver TownCar drivers carry cell phones with radios. When you land, just call quicksilver dispatch and dispatch will notify your driver to pick you up.