Wait Time Policy
Updated Oct 31, 2026
This wait time policy explains the car service grace period and wait times on True North VIP airport pickups, regular pickups and hourly service, and how extra waiting is billed. True North VIP is a chauffeured car service based in New York City, serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and Connecticut. Existing bookings keep their agreed terms and rates.
| Pickup type | Grace period or wait time | Clock starts |
|---|---|---|
| Airport arrival, domestic | 60 minutes | The flight's actual arrival time |
| Airport arrival, international | 90 minutes | The flight's actual arrival time |
| Regular pickup | 15 minutes | The scheduled pickup time |
| Stop on the way | 15 minutes per stop | Arrival at the stop |
| Hourly service | Part of the booked hours | Start of the booking |
Grace Period and Wait Time
Every regular pickup has a 15-minute grace period, after which waiting time applies. For airport arrivals, flight tracking is included, with a 60-minute wait time after a domestic landing and a 90-minute wait time after an international landing. Each stop on the way also has a 15-minute grace period. On hourly service, waiting is part of the booked hours.
The longer airport windows cover the usual time for bags and, on international flights, customs. If you think you will need more, call us so the chauffeur knows.
When the Wait-Time Clock Starts
For airport pickups, the clock starts at your flight's recorded arrival time, not the scheduled time, so a late flight does not use up your wait time. For regular pickups, the clock starts at the scheduled pickup time shown in your booking. See our flight delay policy for how we track flights.
| Situation | When the grace period or wait time starts |
|---|---|
| Flight lands 40 minutes late | At the actual landing time |
| Flight lands early | At the actual landing time; we make reasonable efforts to adjust |
| Regular pickup at 7:00 p.m. | At 7:00 p.m. |
| Stop on the way | When the car reaches the stop |
What We Need From You
To keep waiting to a minimum and avoid extra charges, give us accurate pickup details, keep your phone on and tell us right away about delays. For airport pickups that means the terminal, airline and flight number. If bags or customs are slow, or plans change at the last minute, call 888-887-0324.
| What to give us | Why |
|---|---|
| Terminal, airline and flight number | So we can track the flight and plan the pickup |
| A phone that works on the day | So the chauffeur can reach you |
| Delays with bags or customs | So we can keep the chauffeur ready |
| Last-minute changes | So we can update the booking |
Additional Wait Time
If waiting goes beyond the grace period or airport wait time, extra waiting may be billed. It is charged at the booked vehicle class's hourly rate divided by 60 for each extra minute. Waiting that is part of booked hourly service is not charged twice. Hourly extensions need approval from you and from us, and are billed in 30-minute steps.
| Vehicle class | Hourly rate used for extra waiting |
|---|---|
| Executive Sedan | $120 per hour |
| Executive SUV | $144 per hour |
| Luxury SUV | $165 per hour |
| Luxury Sedan | $200 per hour |
| Executive Sprinter and Jet Sprinter | The quoted rate |
Example prices from our booking engine, October 2026. Taxes, tolls and fees included; gratuity optional. Your exact price is shown before you book.
Each extra minute is that hourly rate divided by 60, so 30 extra minutes cost half the hourly rate.
For hourly bookings, added time or waiting may be charged to the card saved securely with Stripe at checkout, within the authorization window in our terms and conditions. If that charge cannot be completed, we may email a secure payment link instead.
No-Show Relationship
If you are not available within the grace period or airport wait time and have not contacted us to change the booking, the trip may be treated as a no-show. No-shows are charged the full service amount under our cancellation policy. A quick call to 888-887-0324 before the grace period or wait time runs out avoids this.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the chauffeur wait at the airport?
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There is a 60-minute wait time after a domestic landing and a 90-minute wait time after an international landing. It starts at the actual arrival time, not the scheduled time.
How long will the chauffeur wait for a regular pickup?
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Every regular pickup has a 15-minute grace period from the scheduled pickup time, after which waiting time applies. Each stop on the way also has a 15-minute grace period.
What does extra waiting cost?
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Extra waiting is the booked class's hourly rate divided by 60 for each extra minute. So 30 extra minutes cost half the hourly rate for the class.
Is waiting charged on hourly bookings?
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No. On hourly service, waiting is part of the booked hours and is not charged twice. Extensions beyond the booked time are billed in 30-minute steps with your approval.
Does a late flight use up my wait time?
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No. The clock starts at the flight's actual arrival time, so a delay does not reduce your wait time.
What happens if I do not show up?
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If you are not available within the grace period or airport wait time and have not contacted us, the trip may be treated as a no-show. No-shows are charged the full service amount.
How is extra waiting paid on hourly bookings?
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It may be charged to the card saved with Stripe at checkout. If that does not work, we may email a secure payment link.
Contact
For help with a pickup, call 888-887-0324, 24/7, or email info@truenorthvip.com. If you are running late, call before the grace period or wait time ends so the chauffeur knows. Read about meet and greet for airport arrivals, or book a ride.