Transportation

By air, by land, by Uber: However you like to travel, these businesses can get you where you need to go in style, with comfort and ease.

BY BECKY ANTIOCO

BEST PRIVATE JET COMPANY

>>PINNACLE AVIATION

Celebrating more than 25 years in business, Pinnacle Aviation prides itself on providing the highest level of service to its aviation clients. In 1988, founder Curt Pavlicek started the company with an commitment to developing long-term relationships by offering clients safety, dependability, knowledge and excellence. Today, those values are still at the core of the organization, which is now the largest private aviation company in Arizona. Pinnacle Aviation provides premier aviation services both domestically and internationally with an impeccable safety record garnering the industry’s top awards and certifications for aviation operations and maintenance. It operates four companies under its banner including Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions, Aircraft Charter, Aircraft Management, and Aircraft Maintenance. With a long list of prestigious clientele, including large corporations to professional athletes to the Hollywood elite, Pinnacle Aviation continues to exceed expectations as the go-to company for private aviation solutions at the highest level. pinnacleaviation.com. 

2014 WINNER

BEST DEALER SERVICE: MERCEDES-BENZ

>>SCHUMACHER EUROPEAN LTD

The goal of Schumacher European’s sales staff is to get people into the car of their dreams while making it the best car-buying experience they’ve ever had. And your relationship with the dealer doesn’t end when you drive away in your new or pre-owned Mercedes. Their service department is trained in the latest service and diagnostic techniques and stocks manufacturer-approved parts. For accessories, visit the Star Boutique, located right inside the dealership. For the widest selection of new Mercedes- Benz and smart cars, visit the showroom or browse the inventory online. schumachermb.com.

2014 WINNER

BEST DEALER SERVICE: AUDI

>>AUDI NORTH SCOTTSDALE

Repair or retail—Audi North Scottsdale can handle both with aplomb. Visit the dealership in person to browse all of the latest new and used models, or search the inventory online. By maintaining the highest operating standards, raking in high customer satisfaction scores, and excelling in overall business performance, Audi North Scottsdale is a member of the prestigious Magna Society Elite, which recognizes top- ranking Audi dealerships across the country. audinorthscottsdale.com.

BEST DEALER SERVICE: BMW

>>BMW NORTH SCOTTSDALE

Passion and innovation are the hallmarks of the BMW brand, and BMW North Scottsdale looks to uphold those qualities with distinguished service and an expansive inventory. Their technicians are factory trained in all aspects of BMW repair and can assist with everything from routine maintenance to major repairs. In addition to all of the latest models, BMW North Scottsdale has many Certified Pre-Owned vehicles in stock, which you can browse and inquire about online. They are part of the Penske Automotive Dealership Group. bmwnorthscottsdale.com. 

2014 WINNER BEST VALET

>>AMERICAN VALET

You’ve seen them: The red-shirted valets waiting to park your car so you don’t have to make that 10th circle around the lot looking for a parking space. The guy (or gal) running in the 100-plus-degree heat to retrieve your car from a distant parking lot so that you don’t have to. American Valet has been operating in the Valley since 1980, and with more than 600 employees in 80-plus locations, is now a staple at shopping centers, hotels, restaurants and even hospitals. They will even provide valet service at private events. Strict key-control procedures and professional staff ensure that you’re leaving your vehicle in good hands. americanvalet.com. 

BEST DEALER SERVICE: FORD

>> BELL FORD

Bell Ford is family-owned business that first opened its doors in 1979. The dealership completed a full remodel four years ago, installing solar technology to make it more efficient, expanding the service department to more than 100 bays, and creating a new customer waiting area with a complimentary cafe. They don’t believe in high-pressure sales tactics and treat each customer like a member of the family. bellford.com.

BEST DEALER SERVICE: CADILLAC

>>EARNHARDT CADILLAC

Formerly Legends Cadillac, Earnhardt Cadillac joins the Earnhardt Auto Centers team of 17 Arizona dealerships. The Earnhardt family personally oversees the operations and can be seen at the dealership daily. Since 1951, the family has been selling cars and trucks to customers across the Southwest, and is proud to add Cadillac to its brand roster. This particular location has been selling Cadillacs since 1998, and the tradition of unmatched customer satisfaction and selection of new Cadillacs continues under the Earnhardt leadership. Their GM Certified Service department will service any GM makes and models. earnhardtcadillac.com. 

BEST MOTORCYCLE DEALER

>>HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF SCOTTSDALE

Owned by Valley businessman and philanthropist Bob Parsons, Harley- Davidson of Scottsdale is passionate about Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the people who ride them and the community in which they ride. Their mission is to create meaningful and long-lasting relationships with customers and the community while accurately representing the iconic brand. The business does this by employing well-trained and motivated sales and service staff, promoting safe and responsible riding, and actively connecting with and giving back to the community. hdofscottsdale.

BEST PLACE TO PURCHASE A BIKE

>> RAGE CYCLES

For 24 years, Rage Cycles has been nationally recognized for both its customer service and its diverse and eclectic selection of bikes and accessories. Mountain bikes were the shop’s original focus, but today, they offer the widest range of urban bikes, cruisers and BMX cycles as well. And when your beloved bike breaks down, they have the parts to get you back on the road or trail, and ones that withstand the rigors of Arizona riding. With close to 90 years of combined service experience, Rage Cycles will repair your bike for you, or just give it a tune up, at a fair price. They moved from their original Tempe location in 2001, taking up residence in the historic Saunders Gallery. ragecycles.com.

BEST LIMO & SWEET RIDES

>>SCOTTSDALE CAR SERVICE

Need a ride to the airport? Going out for a night on the town? Looking for stylish and reliable transportation to a sporting event or concert? Scottsdale Car Service has you covered for those and any other occasions when you need more than just an ordinary ride. They provide safe, reliable transportation for business and leisure needs, taking a concierge approach to delivering full-service chauffeured transportation solutions. With a pristine fleet that can transport one or 56 (depending on the vehicle), Scottsdale Car Service gets you where you’re going reliably and in style. scottsdalecarservice.com.

2014 WINNER

BEST DEALER SERVICE: INFINITI

>>INFINITI OF SCOTTSDALE

Infiniti of Scottsdale has a proud tradition of offering the best service and sales in the Phoenix area, rolling out the red- carpet for every buyer from the moment they enter the lot. From the brand new Infiniti Q50 sports coupe to the lineup of crossover vehicles, Infiniti of Scottsdale has a complete inventory of new cars. If you’re looking for a used vehicle, you’ll find that here as well. In fact, their most popular car is the pre-owned Infiniti G37. And with every purchase of a new or used Infiniti, you receive four years of the Infiniti Personal Assistant, a personalized concierge service providing movie times, driving directions, scores, dinner reservations and more. The top-notch maintenance and repair facility can keep your vehicle running well for years to come. infinitiofscottsdale.com.

BEST AIRLINE

>>US AIRWAYS

Despite its recent merger with Dallas- based American Airlines, which will go into full effect later this year, US Airways will always be Arizona’s hometown airline. As America West, the airline began flying in 1983 with service from Phoenix to Kansas City, Wichita, Colorado Springs and Los Angeles, and doubled its size during its first full year of operation. America West merged with US Airways in 2005, and with American Airlines last year. With 270 daily departures from Phoenix, and 340 destinations in 57 countries, US Airways has gone from serving the West to circling the globe. usairways.com.

BEST ALTERNATIVE PERSONAL-DRIVER SERVICE

>>UBER

You know a company has become ubiquitous and made it big time when its very name becomes a verb. How do you get somewhere in an unfamiliar city when you don’t have a vehicle? Uber it. Need a ride for a night out? Uber it. Cashless and convenient, Uber uses your phone’s GPS to detect your location and connect you with the nearest driver. You can track your driver’s location on the map, and they will text you when your ride has arrived. The driver’s name and car details always appear in the app, so you can message or call when necessary (and be sure that you’re getting into the right car). You can even customize your choice of ride from low-cost uberX to SUVs for more people and Lux when you want to ride in style. uber.com. 

BEST DEALER SERVICE: LEXUS

>>BELL LEXUS

Bell Lexus, Arizona’s original Lexus dealer, is the top Lexus dealer in Arizona in new vehicle sales and No.1 in the nation for service satisfaction. They are also the only Gold Leed-certified dealer in the state, setting the highest standard of energy efficiency and promoting renewable clean energy. They continue to set the benchmark for amenities accessible in their service department, always offering an entire fleet of Lexus loaner vehicles, a gourmet cafe with complimentary food, assorted drinks and a beautiful boutique featuring designer clothes, jewelry and handbags. belllexusnorthscottsdale.com. 

 

2014 WINNER BEST CAR WASH

>>TOM’S THUMB FRESH MARKET

Once you’ve been to Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market, you may find yourself looking for an excuse to get your car washed. Your car isn’t the only thing that will be pampered when it comes in for detailing; Tom’s Thumb is an artisan market, wine bar, barbecue café and service station all in one. While your vehicle is making its way through the car wash, grab a cup of coffee from an expert barista, select some cheese and a bottle of wine or craft beer, or enjoy some barbecue so good that it was recently featured on The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market is dedicated to making mundane activities extraordinary. tomsthumbfreshmarket.com. 

AFM FAVE

BEST PRIVATE JET COMPANY

>>JET LINX

Jet Linx has been operating out of Scottsdale since 2012 but has locations across the country. In each city they fly out of, the company has a local operations base to manage every aspect of the experience, from scheduling a flight to flying on local planes with familiar pilots. Their Jet Card program offers two options: With Longitude, you get pay-by- the-hour, unlimited charter flight hours, with no upfront deposit, on any size private jet. The Latitude card guarantees access to a private jet in 25-hour increments with a pre-paid deposit, with options for jets of different sizes. jetlinxscottsdale.com.

2014 WINNER

BEST TAXI SERVICE COMPANY

>>CLEAN AIR CAB

The first eco-friendly taxi company in Phoenix, Clean Air Cab started in 2009 with a fleet of 10 Toyota Priuses. Since then, their fleet has grown to more than 40 vehicles, 100 percent of them hybrids. To them, “going green” isn’t a trend; it’s a way of doing business. The company purchases carbon offset credits, subsidizes the planting of trees, and reconditions used vehicle batteries, sending any unusable parts back to the manufacturer for recycling. And, their friendly drivers get you where you need to go on time and safely. cleanaircab-px.rtrk.com.