LAX Transportation

Question

Do not use 24-7 RIDE to go anywhere from LAX. We were quoted $76. We were charged $211. They calculate the quote based upon traffic at 4 am. Mid day cost us an additional $43. We were also charged for early pickup which we did not request. We communicated with the driver about where to meet him. He said he was nearby and could pick us up early, never telling us that the early pickup would be an additional $93. The company says all this information was in the electronic order. It was not in the reservation agreement or anything we received before the trip. And they threatened us with an additional $50 charge if we protested to our credit card company. And you cannot speak to anyone at the company by phone. Calls are answered with a prerecorded message. I have arranged transportation from airports around the world and never be treated this shabbily.

Answer

Hello,

It sounds like you had a very frustrating experience with 24-7 RIDE at LAX. Unfortunately, some ride services, particularly those without clear phone support or transparent pricing, can lead to unexpected charges. Here’s a detailed summary of your situation and advice on how to handle it:

Summary of issues:

You were quoted $76 for a ride, but the final charge was $211.
The quote was apparently calculated for 4 a.m. traffic, while your trip occurred midday, resulting in a $43 additional charge.
You were charged $93 for an “early pickup” that you did not request.
The company claims these fees were disclosed electronically, but you did not receive clear notification in the reservation agreement or prior to the trip.
The driver threatened an additional $50 fee if you disputed the charge with your credit card company.
You cannot speak with a human representative by phone; calls are answered with a prerecorded message.

Recommended actions:

Document everything: Keep screenshots of quotes, electronic confirmations, emails, and any messages exchanged with the driver or company.
Dispute the charge with your credit card company: Explain clearly that the final amount far exceeded the quoted price, included unauthorized early pickup fees, and that you were threatened. Credit card companies are used to handling disputes of this type.
File a complaint with consumer protection agencies: In the U.S., you can report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the California Department of Consumer Affairs if the company’s practices seem unfair or deceptive.
Leave honest reviews online: Review sites such as Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor can warn future customers and sometimes prompt the company to respond.
Consider alternative airport transportation in the future: Options include Lyft, Uber, SuperShuttle, or hotel shuttles, all of which typically provide more transparent pricing and customer support.

Precautions for future airport rides:

Always confirm in writing the final fare before pickup and clarify any additional fees such as early pickup, wait times, or traffic surcharges.
Prefer companies with live customer support and verified reviews.
Check cancellation and refund policies to avoid unexpected charges.

In summary, your experience with 24-7 RIDE at LAX is unfortunately not uncommon with some small or unregulated transportation providers. The best course of action is to formally dispute the charge with your credit card and report the incident to consumer protection agencies to prevent similar issues for others.

LAX Transportation

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