For ordinary personal travel, price is usually the core factor.
But for corporate executives, key clients, foreign guests or conference attendees, the more sensible way to buy business transport is to assess a supplier's ability to deliver first, then compare price.
You can use the scorecard below.
| Dimension | Suggested Weight | Question to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Punctuality & dispatch | 20% | Are vehicles and drivers locked in ahead of time? |
| Contingency | 20% | Is there a backup vehicle if something breaks down? |
| Itinerary review | 15% | Will flight, date and time logic be checked? |
| Driver service standard | 15% | Is there uniform etiquette, dress and service? |
| Multi-city capability | 10% | Can cities beyond Shanghai be managed consistently? |
| Response speed | 10% | Who owns itinerary changes? |
| Price | 10% | Is the quote transparent and complete? |
The key shift here: price is only 10%, not 100%.
Because for important business receptions, what an enterprise is really buying is: get the right person, in the right vehicle, to the right place at the right time — and still complete the job when things change.
A practical screening method: ask the supplier 5 questions
Procurement or admin can simply ask:
1. When are the driver and vehicle finally confirmed?
2. How are flight delays handled?
3. What happens if the vehicle breaks down?
4. Who coordinates same-day itinerary changes?
5. If Suzhou, Hangzhou, Beijing are involved, is it still the same team managing them?
If the answer is only "Don't worry, we have cars," the information is actually still insufficient.
A typical mistake
The client gives: flight at 1:00 AM on Sept 18, leaving the hotel at 9:45 PM.
If entered mechanically, the departure might be recorded as 21:45 on Sept 18. But flight logic says to verify: should it actually be 21:45 on Sept 17?
So an important order should go through at least one pass of: date → departure time → pickup time → route → early airport arrival, logic validation. This capability often matters more than the vehicle itself.