One of the biggest upsides of using travel loyalty points is the chance to experience things you’d never justify paying cash for, like flying business class to Asia, staying in luxury hotels in Europe, or booking a last-minute getaway just because you can. But with that freedom comes unpredictability. Sometimes, you find yourself taking flights at odd hours or dealing with unexpected logistical challenges that make you question whether the ‘free’ trip was really worth it.
Why Early Morning Flights Can Be a Challenge
That’s especially true regarding early morning flights, where saving points often means sacrificing convenience. Award availability often dictates less-than-ideal schedules, and navigating an early departure from a city like New York can be a real headache.
On one of our quick getaway trips to New York, we were staying in Lower Manhattan. Rates in the financial district often are less expensive on weekends because most of the usual visitors are there for business, leaving the hotels empty. However, the reduced number of visitors also means it can be more difficult getting around.
The Transportation Dilemma in NYC
Our flight home on Monday was at 8 AM from JFK on JetBlue. I had never tried to get to the airport that early in New York, so I learned some things along the way. Public transportation is an option and the subway and JFK AirTrain take about an hour. But with infrequent trains that early, there would be little margin for error.
Taxis have a set fare of $70 plus tolls and tip, but availability at that hour can be uncertain. Uber and Lyft estimates typically range from $70 to $90, with no guarantee of how long you’d need to wait or if a driver will accept the ride.
In this case, I decided using a car service would be the best option. It’s more expensive than a taxi or rideshare, but I’d have the peace of mind knowing we’d have a confirmed ride to the airport. When our hotel valet booked our ride, he said the price would be $85 with a $5 surcharge for using a credit card.
The Consequences of Not Confirming Prices
Everything about our ride was uneventful. At 5:20 AM, our room phone rang, notifying us that our driver was waiting for us outside the hotel. We drove to JFK and when we got to the airport, the driver asked for my credit card and handed me his phone showing a charge of $105, asking if I wanted to add a tip.
What could I do? I didn’t confirm the price when we got in the car, as I thought it was a set rate for hotel guests. The price quote I received was from the valet parking staff to the front desk. Maybe one of them got it wrong like in a game of telephone.
Without confirming the price in writing or asking beforehand, there’s little recourse when faced with an inflated bill at the airport.
Key Takeaways for Early Morning Flights
The key lesson: If you’re booking an early morning flight from New York, be prepared for limited, inconvenient, or costly transportation options. And if you arrange a car service, always get the price in writing to avoid surprises at the curb.
Cover Photo by Nicolas Poupart from Pexels
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