Honest comparison
Continental vs Carey
Carey is a global chauffeured-transportation network with a presence in LA. Continental is LA-only, family-owned, and specifically focused on Cadillac Escalade ESV service. Both are professional-chauffeur services — this comparison is about footprint, fleet, and dispatch model.
Where Carey is genuinely good
We'll tell you where they win first.
- Global footprint — same brand in 1,000+ cities worldwide
- Multi-city corporate accounts with single billing
- Established brand recognition among large enterprise travel managers
- Vehicle range from sedans to vans and motor coaches
- Integration with corporate-travel platforms (Concur, GBT, AmEx)
Where Continental wins
What you get with Continental that you don't with Carey.
- LA-specific expertise — we know front-drive staging at every flagship hotel + venue
- Family-owned, owner-supervised — Danny still personally oversees every corporate account
- All-Escalade fleet — no mixed sedan/SUV inventory
- Flat-rate pricing, no Carey-network markup
- Direct dispatcher access — a real LA phone number, not a global call center
- Higher hospitality standard per ride (concentrated focus on a smaller market)
Feature-by-feature
Side-by-side breakdown
| Feature | Continental | Carey |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic coverage | Greater LA | ✓Global (1,000+ cities) |
| Fleet | All Cadillac Escalade ESV | Mixed sedan, SUV, van, coach |
| Driver model | ✓Full-time W-2 chauffeurs | Mix of W-2 + affiliate-network drivers |
| Pricing | ✓Flat rate | Hourly minimums + variable surcharges per market |
| LA hotel relationships | ✓Direct partnerships with major flagship properties | Through enterprise corporate-travel desks |
| Booking method | Web, phone, dispatcher | Web, phone, corporate-travel platform integration |
| Corporate accounts | Net-30, dedicated dispatcher | ✓Net-30, integrated with Concur/GBT |
| Multi-city same-trip | Not offered | ✓Standard offering |
| Average LAX-to-Beverly Hills | ✓$135 flat | $150-$210 (varies by tier + time) |
| Personal account manager | Owner-supervised, family-owned | Corporate account manager |
| 24/7 dispatch | ✓Direct LA phone number | Global call center |
| Same chauffeur on multi-day | ✓Available on retainer | Possible but inconsistent across affiliate network |
When each is the right call
Pick the right tool for the trip.
Continental wins when
LA-based business or hospitality clients who want the best LA-specific car service. Single-market corporate accounts. Hotel concierge recommendations to VIP guests. Anyone who values the 'owner answers the phone' family-run model.
Carey wins when
Multi-city executives who need consistent brand across global markets. Large enterprise accounts with mandated supplier relationships. Travelers who book LA service as one leg of a multi-city itinerary integrated through Concur or GBT.
Continental vs Carey — common questions
Is Continental cheaper than Carey?
Typically yes, by 15-30% on the same route. LAX-to-Beverly Hills is $135 flat at Continental vs $150-$210 at Carey depending on tier. Continental's flat-rate model removes the per-market surcharges Carey applies in busy markets.
Why pick a LA-only service over a global brand?
Specialization. Continental's chauffeurs drive these exact LA routes thousands of times a year. The front-drive staging at the Beverly Wilshire, the post-Bowl pickup strategy, the LAX terminal-loop timing — these are second-nature for us, but Carey's affiliate-network drivers may be doing them for the first time.
Does Carey use Cadillac Escalades?
Sometimes — Carey's fleet varies by city and tier (Premier, Executive, First-Class). LA Carey Premier-tier service may use an Escalade, but it isn't guaranteed across all bookings the way it is at Continental.
Can Continental handle a multi-city executive trip?
Not natively — we're LA-only. For multi-city itineraries, our typical play is: Continental handles the LA leg with concierge-grade service, and your corporate-travel desk arranges Carey or similar for other cities. Best of both worlds.
Which is better for a CEO visiting LA for the week?
Continental, in our genuine opinion. Same chauffeur the whole week (retainer model), the chauffeur learns your preferences, and you arrive at every meeting with the same level of car. Carey's affiliate-driver model varies more across a week of service.
Try Continental
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Flat rate, professional chauffeur, 24/7 dispatch. Try one trip — you'll see the difference.
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