Flat-Rate vs Metered: What's the Actual Difference?

Understanding how you're actually being charged, in plain terms.

Car service pricing isn't always transparent, and the terminology can be confusing. Here's the honest breakdown of the two main approaches.

Flat-rate pricing

You get an exact price before the ride even starts, based on your specific pickup and destination. That number is fixed — traffic, time of day, an unexpected detour, none of it changes what you pay. The risk of a longer-than-expected trip sits with the company, not you.

Metered or per-minute pricing

The price builds as the ride happens, based on distance and time together. It can occasionally work out cheaper if traffic is unusually light, but it shifts the risk onto you — sit in traffic longer, pay more, with no way to know the final number until you arrive.

Why we use flat-rate

For airport transfers especially, where traffic is genuinely unpredictable, we think you should know exactly what you're paying before you get in the car — not find out after sitting through an unexpected backup on 610.

Common Questions

You're quoted an exact price before the ride starts, based on your specific pickup and destination. That number doesn't change regardless of traffic, time of day, or how long the trip actually takes.
The quoted fare is what you pay, with tolls and tax calculated the same way every time. It won't increase due to traffic delays — that risk sits with us, not you.
Metered or per-minute pricing shifts traffic risk onto the customer — sit in traffic longer, pay more. It can work out cheaper on a lucky day, but it's unpredictable in a way flat-rate isn't.

Get Your Flat-Rate Fare

Know exactly what you'll pay, before you book.

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