FAQ
LAX Car Service FAQ — Booking, Pricing & Airport Transfers
MGCLS is a CPUC-licensed (TCP #37478) luxury car service based less than 1 mile from LAX. We provide flat-rate airport transfers, corporate transportation, and hourly chauffeur service throughout Los Angeles and Southern California — with no surge pricing, ever.
Below are answers to the most common questions about booking, pricing, vehicles, airport pickup, and our service.
Updated September 2026 · CPUC TCP #37478 · Serving Los Angeles since 2008
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance, and 48 hours for larger vehicles such as Sprinter vans, mini coaches, and charter buses. Advance bookings lock in our best published flat rate, give you the widest choice across all 11 vehicle tiers, and let you request a specific chauffeur. Your confirmation arrives within minutes with the driver's name, phone number, vehicle, and license plate, so you know who is meeting you before you land. Same-day and last-minute rides are available too: call (855) 255-2557 or use the live chat on this site, and our 24/7 dispatch team confirms the vehicle, ETA, and exact price before you commit. Because MGCLS dispatches from less than 1 mile from LAX, a chauffeur can often reach any terminal within minutes. Last-minute availability depends on which chauffeurs and vehicles are free at that moment, so the published flat rate and your preferred vehicle are only guaranteed with advance booking. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Do you monitor my flight?
Yes. Every airport pickup is tracked in real time using live FAA arrival data. When you enter your flight number at booking, our dispatch system follows the flight to touchdown and adjusts your chauffeur's arrival automatically, whether you land early or late. If the delay is less than 2 hours, there is nothing for you to do and no extra charge. If the delay is more than 2 hours, please call us at (855) 255-2557 so we can rebook the reservation for your new arrival time. There is never a fee for the delay itself. Two rules apply to late arrivals: if your flight lands after 11:00 PM, confirm the pickup with dispatch, and any airport pickup or drop-off between 11:30 PM and 3:00 AM at LAX, Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach, or John Wayne carries a $35 after-midnight fee. This applies whether the late landing comes from a delay or a scheduled red-eye; hourly charters are exempt. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478).
How long will my driver wait at the airport?
Domestic arrivals include 30 to 45 minutes of complimentary wait time after your flight lands; international arrivals include 45 to 60 minutes to allow for passport control, customs, and baggage. The window begins after your flight lands, so a delayed arrival does not cost you grace time. After the complimentary window, wait time is billed in 15-minute increments, and any additional charge is confirmed with you before it is applied. Non-airport pickups, such as a hotel or home, include 20 minutes of free waiting. Your chauffeur never leaves because you are running late; the reservation stays active until you are ready. If you are held up at baggage claim or customs, a quick text to the driver's number in your confirmation keeps everyone coordinated. The same wait-time policy is included on every airport ride we operate, including Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach, John Wayne, and Ontario. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Is gratuity included in the rate?
No. Every MGCLS rate is flat, with no surge fees, no fuel surcharge, and no service charge, and gratuity is not built in. A gratuity of 15% or 20% is suggested at checkout, and it goes directly to your chauffeur. When you book online, you choose your gratuity percentage before submitting the reservation. You can also skip the card gratuity and hand cash to your chauffeur instead; let us know at booking so nothing is added automatically. The only other add-ons are the $45 meet and greet (LAX pickups only, with airport parking added at checkout), the $5 airport ticket fee on airport pickups, and the $35 after-midnight fee for airport pickups or drop-offs between 11:30 PM and 3:00 AM. Tolls, wait time within the complimentary window, and flight tracking are already included in the flat rate, so the price shown at booking plus your chosen gratuity is the full amount. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Can I book a round trip?
Yes. You can book both legs in a single online reservation, so you manage one confirmation instead of two, and each leg is quoted at the same published flat rate. Enter your arrival flight for the pickup leg and your departure flight for the return leg, and both are tracked in real time. We also try to assign the same chauffeur to both trips, so the driver who met you at LAX is the one who collects you for the flight home, which makes them easier to recognize and reach. Return pickups are scheduled around your departure time and terminal, and your chauffeur arrives 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup. Round trips work for any route we serve, from LAX to Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Orange County, or Disneyland. Prefer to arrange it by phone? Call (855) 255-2557 any time, day or night, and dispatch sets up both legs on one confirmation. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
What if I need to cancel?
For sedans and SUVs, cancellation is free up to 4 hours before pickup; inside 4 hours a 50% fee applies. For vans and buses (Sprinter Van, Sprinter Limousine, Mini Coach, Party Bus, and Charter Bus), cancellation is free up to 48 hours before pickup; inside 48 hours a 50% fee applies, and inside 24 hours the reservation is charged in full. Changes to an existing reservation need 6 hours' notice. Once your chauffeur has been dispatched, the reservation is charged in full. If you rebook a flight, send us the new flight number; without it the booking is recorded as a no-show and charged in full. Because your card is not charged until one day before the trip, an early cancellation usually means no charge ever posts. If your plans change, we recommend calling (855) 255-2557 directly; dispatch is staffed 24/7 and we are happy to work with you on rescheduling rather than cancelling. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Do you serve areas outside of Los Angeles?
Yes. MGCLS serves all of Southern California, including Orange County, San Diego, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and the Inland Empire, with flat quotes and no surge on every route. Popular long-distance transfers from LAX include Orange County at $145, Disneyland at $155, and San Diego at $395, all sedan-tier flat rates with no surge. We also serve every major regional airport: Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), John Wayne (SNA), Ontario (ONT), and San Diego (SAN), plus JSX private terminals at BUR, LAX, and SNA. Dedicated city pages cover more than 30 destinations, from Malibu and Calabasas to Newport Beach, Dana Point, and Thousand Oaks, each with a six-tier rate table. For a destination not listed, call (855) 255-2557 for a custom flat quote confirmed before you book. We do not operate pickups in Northern California. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Southern California since 2008.
Are your drivers licensed and background-checked?
Yes. Every MGCLS chauffeur is a full-time professional, not a gig driver or contractor. Each holds a valid California TCP license under our CPUC authority, TCP #37478, has passed a background check and drug testing, is commercially licensed, and completes ongoing training in executive transportation. Chauffeurs drive company-owned, company-maintained vehicles that are inspected weekly, so the car that arrives is the one on your confirmation. Every booking assigns a specific chauffeur and vehicle in advance, and you receive their name, phone number, vehicle make, and license plate before pickup, so you know exactly who to expect at the curb. Our chauffeurs are trained to assist with luggage, mobility aids, and child seats, and to handle LAX terminal logistics from curbside pickups to meet and greet inside baggage claim. MGCLS has operated under CPUC authority since 2008, and the same standards apply to every vehicle tier, from sedans to charter buses.
Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes. MGCLS accepts all major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Your card is securely stored when you book, but it is not charged immediately. Payment is processed one day before your scheduled pickup, so an early cancellation or reschedule does not trigger an unnecessary charge. After the ride, any additional items such as wait time beyond the complimentary window or an extra stop are finalized, and an itemized receipt is emailed to you automatically, which is useful for expense reports. Corporate accounts can use consolidated monthly invoicing instead of per-ride charges. You can also book a ride for someone else and prepay it on your card, which is common for visiting clients, family members, and elderly relatives. Cash gratuity to the chauffeur is welcome if you prefer not to add it to the card. Billing questions are answered 24/7 at (855) 255-2557. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Do you offer child safety seats?
Yes. Child safety seats are available on request at no additional charge. We provide rear-facing infant seats, forward-facing seats, and booster seats, and your chauffeur installs the seat before arriving at your pickup location, so you are not fitting hardware at the LAX curb. Add the request in the notes when you book online, or call (855) 255-2557 and tell dispatch the child's age, the seat type you need, and how many seats. Our Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, and Mercedes Sprinter vans have the cargo space for strollers and luggage alongside the seats, which is why families often choose them for airport transfers to Disneyland and Orange County hotels. If you prefer to bring your own seat, your chauffeur will help you install it. Car seats are available on every route we serve, including round trips and hourly charters. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles families since 2008.
How much does LAX car service cost?
LAX car service starts at $45 for a sedan on our shortest route, LAX to El Segundo, and rates rise with distance. Published sedan flat rates from LAX include Manhattan Beach $75, Santa Monica $95, Beverly Hills $110, Downtown LA $110, Hollywood $110, Long Beach $115, Burbank $115, Orange County $145, Disneyland $155, and San Diego $395. Every rate is flat: no surge pricing, no fuel surcharge, no hidden fees, and tolls are included. The price shown at booking is the price you pay. Each route is offered in six vehicle tiers, from the sedan rate up through midsize SUV, full-size SUV, luxury SUV, luxury sedan, and premium sedan. Airport pickups add a $5 airport ticket fee. Optional add-ons are the $45 meet and greet inside the terminal (LAX pickups only, plus airport parking) and a $35 fee for airport pickups or drop-offs between 11:30 PM and 3:00 AM. See /lax-airport-transfer for the full route table. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478).
What vehicles do you have?
MGCLS operates 11 vehicle tiers, all late-model, black, company-owned, and inspected weekly. Executive Sedans (Lexus ES 300, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 5 Series, Tesla Model Y) carry up to 3 passengers and are the base flat-rate tier. Luxury Sedans (BMW 7 Series) and Premium Sedans (Mercedes-Benz S-Class) are separate tiers for executive travel. Midsize SUVs (Cadillac XT6, Lincoln Nautilus) seat 4 with luggage; the Full-Size SUV (Chevrolet Suburban) seats 6; the Luxury SUV (Cadillac Escalade, 2024 or newer) seats 6 with captain seats. For groups: the Mercedes Sprinter Van (up to 13 passengers), Sprinter Limousine (up to 15), Mini Coach (15 to 25), Party Bus (up to 25), and Charter Bus (30 to 50). Every flat-rate route is available in the six transfer tiers from sedan to premium sedan, and larger vehicles are quoted for airport transfers and hourly charters. Vehicle photos, capacities, and features are on the /fleet page. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
How does curbside pickup work at LAX?
Curbside is the default pickup at LAX and it is free. Before you land, you receive your chauffeur's name, phone number, vehicle make, and license plate. After collecting your bags, follow the Ground Transportation signs to the arrivals level and text your pillar number to your driver. We track your flight in real time, so your chauffeur is staged nearby and pulls up to the second curb the moment you are ready. Domestic arrivals include 30 to 45 minutes of complimentary wait time after landing; international arrivals at Tom Bradley International (TBIT) include 45 to 60 minutes to clear customs, and your driver meets you at the international arrivals exit. If you prefer to be met inside, the $45 meet and greet add-on (LAX pickups only; airport parking is added at checkout) puts your chauffeur at baggage claim with a name sign. MGCLS dispatches from less than 1 mile from LAX. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving LAX travelers since 2008.
How early will I receive my chauffeur's information?
Your chauffeur's full details, including name, phone number, vehicle make and model, and license plate, are sent at least 24 hours before your scheduled pickup. For same-day bookings, the driver and vehicle information is sent immediately after the reservation is confirmed. Every booking assigns a specific chauffeur and vehicle in advance, so the information you receive is the driver who actually meets you, not a placeholder. If you would like the details earlier for an advance reservation, for example to share with a family member or an executive assistant, let us know and we will send them right away. The confirmation also includes pickup instructions specific to your terminal. On the day of travel, your chauffeur texts when arriving at the curb, and you can call or text the number in your confirmation at any time. Dispatch is available 24/7 at (855) 255-2557 if you need anything changed. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Are toll road fees included in the price?
Yes. All toll fees are included in your flat rate, and nothing is added after the ride. For longer transfers, such as LAX to Orange County, Irvine, Newport Beach, or Dana Point, our chauffeurs use toll roads when they reduce travel time through Los Angeles traffic, and the cost is already built into the published price. The flat rate you see at booking covers the ride, real-time flight tracking, complimentary wait time, and tolls. Beyond the flat rate, the only charges are gratuity, the $5 airport ticket fee on airport pickups, the $45 meet and greet add-on with its airport parking, wait time beyond the complimentary window, extra stops you request, and the $35 after-midnight fee for airport pickups or drop-offs between 11:30 PM and 3:00 AM, each shown at checkout or confirmed with you before it is applied. There is no surge pricing, no fuel surcharge, and no service charge on any MGCLS ride. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Can I tip my driver in cash instead of adding it to my card?
Yes. You can hand a cash gratuity directly to your chauffeur at the end of the ride. If you plan to tip in cash, let us know at booking and we will note it on the reservation so no gratuity is added to your card automatically. For online reservations, mention it in the notes or reply to your confirmation email, and we will adjust the total and send a modified confirmation. If you prefer the card option, you can choose 15% or 20% at checkout, and either way the gratuity goes directly to your chauffeur. There is no service charge hidden in the flat rate. Adding gratuity to the card puts it on your itemized receipt, which is convenient for expense reports, while cash is welcome for travelers who prefer it. Both options are available on every ride, including airport transfers, hourly charters, and rides booked for someone else. Questions about gratuity go to dispatch at (855) 255-2557, staffed 24/7. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478).
When exactly is my credit card charged?
Your card is securely stored at booking but is not charged right away. Payment is processed one day before your scheduled trip. This timing means an early cancellation, for example more than 4 hours before a sedan or SUV pickup, or more than 48 hours before a van or bus pickup, usually results in no charge posting to your card at all. After the ride, any applicable additions such as waiting time beyond the complimentary window or extra stops are finalized, and an itemized receipt is emailed to you automatically. Any additional charge is confirmed with you before it is applied. If you are booking on behalf of someone else, the ride can be prepaid on your card and the receipt sent to you. Corporate accounts can replace per-ride charges with consolidated monthly invoicing and itemized receipts. Billing questions are handled 24/7 at (855) 255-2557. All rates are flat, with no surge and no hidden fees. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
What happens if I'm not ready at my scheduled pickup time?
Your chauffeur waits. MGCLS never cancels a reservation because a passenger is running late; the driver stays committed until you are ready. Every pickup includes a complimentary grace period: 30 to 45 minutes for domestic airport arrivals, 45 to 60 minutes for international arrivals, and 20 minutes for non-airport pickups such as a home, office, or hotel. Waiting time beyond the grace period is billed in 15-minute increments, and any additional charge is confirmed with you before it is applied. For airport pickups, real-time flight tracking already accounts for delays, so the grace period begins after your flight lands rather than at the scheduled time. If you know you will be held up at baggage claim, customs, or a meeting, a quick call or text to the number in your confirmation lets your chauffeur adjust. Your chauffeur arrives 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time, so being early is never a problem either. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Can I trust MGCLS to transport my elderly parents or relatives?
Yes. Many families rely on MGCLS for exactly this. Our chauffeurs are full-time professionals trained to assist senior passengers with boarding, luggage, walkers, and canes, and they provide true door-to-door service rather than a curbside drop. You receive the chauffeur's name, phone number, vehicle, and license plate in advance, and you can track the chauffeur live and receive step-by-step updates until drop-off, so you know your parents are in the car and when they have arrived. Driving is safe and unhurried throughout the journey. The $45 meet and greet add-on suits elderly arrivals at LAX: the chauffeur meets your relative inside the terminal at baggage claim with a name sign and walks them to the vehicle. Rides can be prepaid on your card, gratuity can be added in advance, and every chauffeur is background-checked and drug-tested. Book online or call (855) 255-2557 any time. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles families since 2008.
Do you guarantee on-time arrival?
Yes. MGCLS maintains a 100% on-time record, and your chauffeur arrives 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time, every time. Two things make this possible. First, our office and dispatch are based less than 1 mile from LAX, so chauffeurs are not repositioning across the city or the Valley to reach the airport; average dispatch time for last-minute pickups is roughly 8 minutes. Second, every booking assigns a specific chauffeur and vehicle in advance, and dispatch plans for traffic, route conditions, and parking before the ride, not during it. For airport pickups, real-time flight tracking means your driver is staged when you land, whether the flight is early or late. For departures, pickup times are set around your terminal and flight so you are not waiting at the curb or rushing through security. If your plans move, changes need 6 hours' notice. Dispatch is staffed 24/7 at (855) 255-2557. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478), serving Los Angeles since 2008.
Are your vehicles inspected regularly?
Yes. Every MGCLS vehicle undergoes a full inspection every week and is maintained to commercial standards. A vehicle must pass inspection before it is dispatched for any ride, whether a sedan airport transfer or a charter bus. Because the fleet is company-owned and company-maintained rather than a mix of drivers' personal cars, the same standard applies to every vehicle tier, from the Lexus ES 300 and BMW 5 Series sedans to the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, and Mercedes Sprinter vans. Vehicles are late-model and black: the Cadillac Escalade is 2024 or newer, and the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class are 2023 or newer. Each vehicle is professionally detailed, so the car that meets you at the curb is clean inside and out. MGCLS has operated under CPUC charter-party license TCP #37478 since 2008. If you ever have a concern about a vehicle, dispatch is available 24/7 at (855) 255-2557.
Is MGCLS cheaper than Uber Black or Lyft Lux from LAX?
MGCLS flat rates are consistently lower than Uber Black for LAX transfers, and MGCLS never surges. An Uber Black from LAX to Beverly Hills typically costs $130–$160 depending on demand and can rise further during peak hours, holidays, and bad weather. MGCLS charges a flat $110 for the same route regardless of demand; LAX to Santa Monica is $95 and LAX to Downtown LA is $110. Lyft Lux is priced comparably to Uber Black. The difference is structural: MGCLS dispatches from less than 1 mile from LAX, so there is no deadhead repositioning cost built into the price. We always recommend advance booking to receive our best published rates. Every MGCLS ride also includes real-time flight tracking, 30 to 45 minutes of complimentary wait time for domestic arrivals (45 to 60 for international), and a full-time professional chauffeur assigned in advance who tracks your flight, arrives early, and handles your luggage, not a gig driver in a personal car. Full comparison: /lax-car-service-vs-uber. CPUC licensed (TCP #37478).