A forwarded note from the president. Allan Allan Gilreath, RPT Vice President - Piano Technicians Guild vp at ptg.org 706 602-7667 _____ From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ward & Probst, Inc Sent: Monday, July 06, 2009 9:25 PM To: caut at ptg.org Subject: Re: [CAUT] [PTG-L] Taxi / Car Rental to Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Thanks Randy, Here is what I could find out- >From the PTG Convention Website: >From the airport to the Amway Grand: Metro Cab (616-827-6500) offers traditional taxicab and luxury sedan service at the curbside. Taxi fare to downtown Grand Rapids is approximately $32 (U.S.). Luxury sedan service to downtown Grand Rapids is approximately $37 (U.S.). "The best deal is to grab a Metro Cab at the airport. They run 7 passenger mini vans and the cost is approximately $35 to downtown. There is no extra charge for additional passengers." from the convention bureau >From the PTG Convention Website: The Rapid Public Transit (616-776-1100) The Rapid bus system includes a stop at GFIA on their route. Bus rides cost $1.50 with one transfer pass included. The latest schedule is available <http://www.ridetherapid.org/airport> online. Route 17 serves the airport. Best, DP Dale Probst Registered Piano Technician pres at ptg.org -----Original Message----- From: ptg-l-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:ptg-l-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Randy Potter Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 9:37 PM To: PTG-L Subject: [PTG-L] Taxi / Car Rental to Amway Grand Plaza Hotel FYI - On calling the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel earlier today to find out how to catch their hotel shuttle from the airport - I was informed there is no longer any shuttle service to their hotel. Upon enquiring further I was told I "should take a taxi or rent a car" - which they will NOT reimburse, she said. Here are a couple hints: When you arrive at the airport look for other people who look like piano technicians, and share a cab with them. There will be a bunch of us arriving on Sunday, and again on Wednesday. The desk manager said it should cost "about $20-25" to the hotel. Remember that when you arrive at the taxi stand you do NOT have to take the next taxi in line. I always have the attendant call up a station wagon, which is usually not the next one in line. I do this partly because I have a couple large cases, and partly because I am usually sharing a cab with at least one other person. As a rule only two people with scant luggage can share a sedan, but three with lots of luggage can fit in a station wagon - yet the cost is the same. (Some will want an extra $1 or $2 for each piece of luggage, but you can also negotiate a flat rate price to the hotel, if you ask first.) Further, I tell them I want a non-smoking driver who speaks English. Hard to find in some cities, but possible is most. If you wish to rent a car have your travel agent book it, and book it as far in advance as possible. I know we can all get "the best price" by doing it ourself (and maybe you can), but my travel agent always finds better prices than I can. And it saves me a lot of time. One time she got me a car for $4 a day for a week - when the going rate was $16. And remember that some credit cards (such as my Delta AmEx) provide the extra insurance so I don't have to buy it, which can save you another dozen dollars a day. Some rental companies allow a second driver for free if you are a AAA member. Bring your own cell phone with GPS and save payiong $8.95 a day to them. Things like that. And remember, "asking is free". Randy Potter, RPT -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090707/2eafe2fb/attachment.htm>
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