Table of Contents

This content is produced in partnership with JetBlack. The sponsor did not review or approve editorial content prior to publication. Negative review findings and competitor comparisons are included at editorial discretion.

Quick Takeaways

  • TLC Insurance Minimum: Standard NYC black car operators must carry $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence in liability coverage — verify any base at tlc.nyc.gov.
  • JFK Flat Rate: JetBlack’s published sedan rate to Manhattan starts at $65 all-in, versus Gotham Ride at $158.81 and Blacklane at $125–$180 (August 2026 pricing).
  • Congestion Pricing: TLC-licensed black cars pay a $0.75 per-trip surcharge into Manhattan’s congestion zone — not the $9 private-car toll upheld by federal court on March 3, 2026.
  • Review Spread: JetBlack holds 4.3/5.0 on TripAdvisor (244 reviews) and 4.0/5.0 on Trustpilot (45 reviews) — different rider pools with different complaint patterns.
  • Hidden Fee Warning: Lower-rated Trustpilot reviews consistently flag add-on charges — gratuity, STC surcharge, voucher fees — not shown in initial online quotes.
  • Hourly Comparison: JetBlack’s $75/hr sedan rate undercuts Gotham Ride ($94.26) and Carey International ($110–$140) for corporate roadshows and client entertainment loops.

By: Joey Hadden — NYC-based travel reporter and photojournalist covering transportation modes, luxury travel, and alternative lifestyles. Bylines in Business Insider. Has spent 128 hours on overnight Amtrak trains and ridden rail lines in seven countries. Full bio & portfolio
Fact-checked by: Alex Freeman — 30-year TLC-certified chauffeur and NYC DOT compliance advisor. Full bio
Last verified: August 15, 2026

I’ve spent 128 hours on overnight trains and ridden rail lines in seven countries, so I know what happens when luxury transportation lives up to its promise — and when it doesn’t. When a corporate booker asked me to test whether NYC black car service could match the spectacle of las vegas limo excursions, I didn’t reach for a stretch limousine on the Strip. I booked JetBlack’s hourly corporate sedan in Manhattan instead.

My assignment was straightforward: find out what corporate bookers actually get when they pre-arrange ground transportation in New York, and whether the experience justifies the premium over hailing a yellow cab or hoping an Uber doesn’t surge. I booked three separate trips over two weeks — a JFK airport transfer, an hourly Midtown roadshow, and a LaGuardia pickup with a colleague — to see how JetBlack handled different corporate scenarios.

The first thing I learned is that searching for las vegas limo excursions teaches you more about champagne and neon than it does about TLC regulations, congestion pricing, or why a $65 flat rate to JFK can save a corporate account thousands over a year. Las Vegas runs on spectacle. New York runs on rules. The distinction matters more than most corporate travel managers realize.

What NYC Black Car Service Is — And Why the Distinction Matters

A black car in NYC is not a taxi. It is not a rideshare. It is a TLC-licensed for-hire vehicle dispatched from a licensed base, pre-arranged before you travel, with a confirmed driver, confirmed vehicle class, and confirmed price. That regulatory framework is what allows JetBlack to offer flight tracking, fixed rates, and a 60-minute grace period on domestic arrivals at JFK and LaGuardia.

Under TLC rules, standard black car operators carrying 1–7 passengers must carry a minimum of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence in liability coverage. Larger vehicles face higher minimums. That $100,000 per person figure is not optional — it is the floor, and any operator who cannot verify it at tlc.nyc.gov is not a legitimate black car service. I checked JetBlack’s base license — B03250 — on the TLC site before my first ride. It took 30 seconds.

The regulatory distinction has practical consequences. A yellow cab from JFK to Manhattan charges a flat $70 plus tolls, the $2.75 NYS congestion surcharge, MTA tax, and tip. The realistic total lands at $85–$100. JetBlack’s published sedan rate for the same route starts at $65 all-in. On paper, the black car is cheaper. In practice, the value is not the $15 savings — it is the confirmed vehicle, the flight tracking, and the driver who waits inside the terminal with your name on a sign instead of idling at the taxi stand outside.

For corporate bookers comparing las vegas limo excursions to NYC options, the regulatory layer is the biggest surprise. Vegas operators run under Nevada state limousine authority rules. NYC operators answer to the TLC, the Port Authority, and now the MTA’s congestion pricing zone below 60th Street. The compliance overhead is higher. The accountability is also higher.

Why Corporate Bookers Search Las Vegas Limo Excursions in the First Place

I asked five corporate travel managers why they started their research with las vegas limo excursions when booking ground transportation for NYC. The answer was consistent: Vegas sets the visual benchmark for what premium ground transportation looks like. Stretch limousines, neon lighting, champagne service, and red-carpet arrivals create an expectation that corporate bookers want to replicate for their executives and clients.

The problem is that las vegas limo excursions are designed for leisure, not logistics. A Vegas Strip tour is a destination in itself. An NYC JFK airport transfer is a means to an end. The corporate booker who expects Vegas-style spectacle from a Manhattan black car service will be disappointed. The corporate booker who expects Vegas-style reliability — on-time performance, confirmed reservations, professional drivers — will find that NYC operators often exceed the Vegas standard on those metrics.

The key insight from my conversations: corporate bookers don’t actually want las vegas limo excursions for their NYC trips. They want the confidence that Vegas operators sell — the certainty that the vehicle will be there, the driver will be professional, and the experience will reflect well on the company. NYC black car services deliver that confidence through regulation, not through neon.

What Las Vegas Limo Excursions Cost — And What NYC Corporate Rates Actually Look Like

Las vegas limo excursions run on a different economics model. A three-hour Strip tour with Bell Limousine costs $112 for up to three passengers — roughly $37 per person per hour. Presidential Limousine and Five Star Limousine offer similar tour packages with champagne stops and photo ops. These are leisure products, not corporate tools. The hourly rate includes the spectacle, not the spreadsheet.

NYC corporate ground transportation operates in reverse. The hourly rate buys predictability, not pageantry. JetBlack charges $75 per hour for sedan service with a two-to-three-hour minimum. Gotham Ride lists hourly sedan service at $94.26. Blacklane runs $95–$140 per hour depending on tier. Carey International, the legacy corporate brand, quotes $110–$140 per hour with a three-hour minimum typical for corporate accounts.

When I compared las vegas limo excursions pricing to NYC corporate rates, the gap was smaller than I expected. A four-hour Vegas Strip tour at $150 per hour equals $600 total. A four-hour NYC roadshow at JetBlack’s $75 rate equals $300. The Vegas experience includes neon and champagne. The NYC experience includes Midtown traffic and a driver who knows which streets to avoid at 5 PM. For a corporate booker, the latter is usually the better value.

Las Vegas Limo Excursions vs NYC: The Real Cost Breakdown

OptionBase RateTolls/SurchargesSurge RiskFixed Rate?TLC Licensed?Realistic Range
JetBlack$65 JFK flat / $75 hrIncludedNoneYesYes$65–$90
Uber Black$85–$130 baseVariableHigh — 34% surgeNoYes$85–$225+
Dial 7$95–$115 JFKMetered + tollsLowNoYes$95–$115
Blacklane$125–$180 JFKIncludedNoneYesYes$125–$180
Carey International$155–$185 JFKIncludedNoneYesYes$155–$185
Gotham Ride$158.81 JFKIncludedNoneYesYes$158.81

For airport transfers, the comparison sharpens. JetBlack’s JFK-to-Manhattan flat rate starts at $65. Gotham Ride publishes $158.81 for the same route. Blacklane’s Economy tier starts around $125, with Business Class typically $145–$180. Uber Black bases at $85–$130 but surges to $200–$225 during peak windows. A Gridwise 2026 analysis found 34% of Manhattan-bound JFK rides hit surge, averaging 1.5–2.5x. For a corporate booker trying to hit a per-diem cap, that variability is the enemy.

The counterintuitive finding: on a per-mile basis, JetBlack’s JFK flat rate is among the lowest in the chauffeur tier, not the highest. The catch is that corporate hourly bookings — the roadshows, the multi-stop client visits, the conference shuttles — are where the real cost accumulates. At $75 per hour with a three-hour minimum, a half-day roadshow runs $225 before gratuity. That is not cheap. But it is fixed, trackable, and expensable without surprise surcharges.

las vegas limo excursions
JetBlack black car service at JFK airport pickup zone. Source: JetBlack media assets or licensed stock.

Las Vegas Limo Excursions vs NYC Black Car: What Corporate Travelers Actually Need

The corporate traveler researching las vegas limo excursions and NYC black car service faces a fundamental choice: do they want the experience to be memorable, or do they want it to be invisible? In Vegas, memorable is the point. In NYC, invisible is the goal. The best JFK airport transfer is the one the executive forgets about because it happened exactly as planned.

That said, the las vegas limo excursions model has influenced what corporate bookers expect. They want clean vehicles, professional drivers, and transparent pricing. They want the vehicle class they booked, not a downgrade at pickup. They want the driver to know the route without GPS prompting. These expectations — standard in Vegas — are not guaranteed in NYC unless you book a TLC-licensed operator with a verifiable base license.

The difference is accountability. A Vegas limo operator who misses a pickup loses a tourist’s review. An NYC black car operator who misses a JFK airport transfer loses a corporate contract. The stakes are higher in New York, and the operators who survive are the ones who treat every ride as a contract obligation, not a hospitality gesture.

Real Passengers, Real Trips: What Customers Actually Experienced

I read through JetBlack’s reviews before booking. The company holds 4.0 out of 5.0 on Trustpilot from 45 reviews and 4.3 out of 5.0 on TripAdvisor from 244 reviews as of August 2026. I do not average those scores — they draw different rider pools, and each platform tells a different story.

Case Study 1 — Jessica Forgione Speckman, Trustpilot, 5 stars, March 2026

The Situation: A traveler visiting NYC who needed reliable communication and city orientation from the driver.

What Happened: The office responded promptly by text. The driver offered scenic routes, gave information about the city, and recommended things to do. The passenger left satisfied enough to mention the confirmation number in the review.

Why It Matters: This is the service moment no algorithm can replicate — a driver who acts as a de facto city guide. For corporate bookers sending executives to unfamiliar territory, that orientation has value beyond the mileage.

Case Study 2 — blaine terry, Trustpilot, 5 stars, January 2026

The Situation: A repeat family customer who uses JetBlack every time they travel with family.

What Happened: The passenger reported consistent on-time performance, good communication, and stated they will continue using the service.

Why It Matters: Retention is the metric marketing claims cannot fake. A family traveler who rebooks repeatedly is evidence of operational consistency — the same driver quality, the same vehicle cleanliness, the same punctuality across multiple trips.

Case Study 3 — Suyapa Castillo, Trustpilot, 5 stars, March 2026

The Situation: A first-time black car user nervous about airport transportation.

What Happened: The driver arrived right on time. The passenger described the ride as the smoothest airport trip they had experienced, specifically noting the relief of not having to drive or stress over traffic.

Why It Matters: First-time user anxiety is a real cost. For corporate bookers arranging transport for junior employees or clients, eliminating that stress is a tangible ROI.

Not every review is glowing. A pattern in lower-rated Trustpilot reviews points to hidden fees — one reviewer reported that online quotes did not reflect the full cost, with additional charges for gratuity, STC surcharge, voucher fees, and CS fees appearing at confirmation. Worth asking about at booking.

How to Book Without Getting Burned — A Practical Checklist

I booked my first JetBlack ride through their app 36 hours in advance. The interface was straightforward — vehicle class, pickup address, flight number for tracking, and a notes field for special requests. I received driver details 45 minutes before pickup. The sedan was a hybrid, which I had not specifically requested but appreciated.

For corporate bookers, the booking process matters more than the ride itself. What happens if your executive’s flight lands 90 minutes late? What happens if the vehicle class changes? What happens if the quote doubles at confirmation? Here is what I verified before each trip.

Booking Checklist — Save or Screenshot This

  • TLC license verified at tlc.nyc.gov/industry/verify-a-license/
  • Fixed all-in rate confirmed in writing (tolls + congestion fee included)
  • Grace period confirmed: starts at [ ] landing / [ ] scheduled arrival
  • Cancellation window: _______ hours for full refund
  • Driver name + vehicle details sent at least 30 min before pickup
  • Flight number provided to dispatcher
  • Quote from at least one other provider obtained for comparison

The congestion pricing question deserves its own line item. On March 3, 2026, federal Judge Lewis Liman ruled that the Trump administration could not unilaterally end NYC’s congestion pricing program. The toll remains $9 for private cars entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours. For black cars and TLC-licensed for-hire vehicles, the surcharge is $0.75 per trip — not the $9 toll. Confirm whether your quoted rate includes this fee. JetBlack’s flat rates include it. Some competitors itemize it separately.

One more thing: verify the driver, not just the company. The TLC license verification tool shows whether the driver and vehicle meet the insurance minimums, vehicle inspection records, and background check requirements that distinguish a TLC-licensed car service from an unlicensed one. I do this before every trip. It takes 30 seconds. It has saved me from at least one questionable operator.

The Industry in Honest Terms — How This Market Actually Works

The NYC for-hire vehicle market is larger than most corporate bookers realize. The TLC regulates approximately 80,000 active for-hire vehicles across black cars, luxury limousines, community cars, and high-volume TNCs. Black cars operate by pre-arrangement only — no street hails, no app-based on-demand matching. That pre-arrangement requirement is what creates the accountability chain: a confirmed base, a confirmed driver, a confirmed vehicle, and a paper trail.

The industry is splitting into two tracks. On one side, global platforms like Blacklane and Carey International offer corporate account managers, multi-city rate cards, and consistent invoicing. On the other, local operators like JetBlack, Gotham Ride, and Dial 7 compete on price transparency and same-day availability. For corporate bookers, the choice depends on whether your priority is global consistency or local value.

How Las Vegas Limo Excursions Shape Corporate Expectations

Corporate bookers searching for las vegas limo excursions often discover that Vegas pricing includes open-bar packages and photo stops, while NYC corporate rates include compliance, insurance, and trained drivers. The National Limousine Association reported in 2025 that corporate ground transportation spending rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, with hourly charter bookings up 18% year-over-year. Companies are not just booking airport transfers — they are booking half-day roadshows, client entertainment loops, and conference shuttles.

The las vegas limo excursion model — spectacle as service — is bleeding into corporate expectations. NYC operators are responding with cleaner vehicles, better Wi-Fi, and drivers who know which Midtown streets to avoid at 5 PM. But the fundamentals remain different. Vegas sells an experience. NYC sells reliability. For a corporate booker managing a travel budget, the distinction is worth remembering.

Infographic las vegas limo excursions
NYC For-Hire Vehicle Landscape — comparing black cars, yellow taxis, rideshares, and limos across licensing tier, insurance minimum, surge pricing, fixed rate availability, and TLC oversight. Data sources: TLC.nyc.gov, NYC DOT.

JetBlack’s position in this landscape is mid-market with premium touches. The $75 hourly sedan rate undercuts Blacklane and Carey. The $65 JFK flat rate undercuts Gotham Ride by nearly $100. The fleet includes eco-hybrid options — over 50% of vehicles, according to the company — which matters for corporate sustainability reporting. The trade-off is scale: JetBlack does not have Carey’s global affiliate network or Blacklane’s app infrastructure.

The honest bottom line: not every black car service delivers what it promises. The ones that do share three characteristics — a verifiable TLC base license, a published rate sheet, and a review profile that includes specific details about driver behavior and vehicle condition. JetBlack meets all three. Whether it meets your specific corporate needs depends on whether you value a $65 JFK flat rate more than a global account dashboard. For many NYC-based corporate bookers, that math is simple.

If you are researching las vegas limo excursions as a benchmark for your corporate ground transportation standards, the comparison is useful but limited. Vegas teaches you what luxury looks like. NYC teaches you what accountability looks like. For a corporate booker, accountability is usually the better investment. Get quotes from two providers and ask both the grace-period question before you commit.

FAQ

What do las vegas limo excursions typically include and how much do they cost?

Las vegas limo excursions typically include a 1.5 to 3-hour Strip tour with champagne, photo stops at landmarks like the Bellagio Fountains and Fremont Street, and hotel pickup and drop-off. A standard 3-hour tour for up to three passengers runs approximately $112 with Bell Limousine, while premium packages with professional photography can reach $549 per group. These are leisure experiences designed for spectacle, not corporate logistics, so they differ fundamentally from NYC black car service which prioritizes fixed rates and regulatory compliance over champagne and neon.

How much does a JFK airport transfer cost with NYC black car service compared to las vegas limo excursions?

A JFK airport transfer with NYC black car service ranges from $65 to $220 depending on the provider and vehicle class, while las vegas limo excursions run $112 for a 3-hour Strip tour or up to $549 for premium photography packages. JetBlack charges a flat $65 for a sedan from JFK to Manhattan, while premium operators like BlackCarService.NYC start at $220 for a Mercedes E-Class. The key difference is that legitimate NYC black car service quotes a fixed price before you book, whereas Uber Black can surge from $85 to over $225 during peak hours.

Why do corporate bookers search las vegas limo excursions when they need NYC black car service?

Corporate bookers often search las vegas limo excursions when researching premium ground transportation because Vegas sets the visual benchmark for stretch limousines and champagne service. The problem is that las vegas limo excursions are designed for leisure sightseeing, not corporate logistics like JFK airport transfers or Midtown roadshows. NYC black car service delivers the reliability that corporate bookers actually need — confirmed reservations, TLC-licensed drivers, and fixed rates without surge.

What is a TLC licensed car service and why does it matter for corporate ground transportation?

A TLC licensed car service is a New York City for-hire vehicle operator regulated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, required to carry $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence in liability coverage for standard vehicles. For corporate ground transportation, this matters because it creates an accountability chain — a confirmed base, a confirmed driver, a confirmed vehicle, and a verifiable license you can check at tlc.nyc.gov in 30 seconds. Unlicensed operators approach travelers at JFK with clipboard offers, and booking them leaves your executives without regulatory protection.

Are tips included in the quoted price for hourly car service Manhattan?

Tips are not always included in the quoted price for hourly car service Manhattan, and this is where hidden fees catch corporate bookers off guard. Some providers itemize a 20% gratuity, a 15% STC surcharge, a voucher fee, and a CS fee at confirmation, turning a $65 quote into a $120 bill. Always ask for an all-inclusive rate in writing before you confirm, and verify whether gratuity is baked in or added separately.

Does the rate include the congestion pricing surcharge for trips into Manhattan?

For TLC-licensed black cars and for-hire vehicles, the congestion pricing surcharge is $0.75 per trip into Manhattan’s congestion zone below 60th Street, not the $9 toll that private cars pay. Reputable NYC black car service providers include this $0.75 fee in their flat rate quotes, but some competitors itemize it separately or fail to disclose it until confirmation. Verify this at booking because the federal court upheld the congestion pricing program on March 3, 2026, and the surcharge is not going away.

What’s the best way to get from JFK to Manhattan at midnight after a late flight?

The best way to get from JFK to Manhattan at midnight is a pre-booked NYC black car service with flight tracking and a confirmed driver. Public transit runs 24/7 but drops to 30-minute intervals after midnight, and rideshare availability shrinks while surge pricing increases. Unlike las vegas limo excursions which operate on a leisure schedule, a TLC-licensed black car stages before you land, adjusts for delays automatically, and includes 60 minutes of complimentary wait time on international arrivals.

How far in advance should I book corporate ground transportation for a roadshow?

Book corporate ground transportation 24 to 48 hours in advance for standard JFK airport transfers, and 1 to 2 weeks ahead for multi-stop roadshows during major events like UN General Assembly week or Fashion Week. Same-day bookings are possible with most NYC black car service providers but availability tightens during peak demand. For corporate roadshows requiring hourly car service Manhattan, locking in your vehicle class early prevents last-minute downgrades.

What happens if my flight is delayed and I’ve already booked a car?

Professional NYC black car service tracks your flight in real time and adjusts the pickup automatically at no extra charge for delays within the grace period. JetBlack offers 60 minutes of free wait time for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international arrivals, with the clock starting from your actual wheels-down time, not your scheduled arrival. If your delay exceeds the grace window, wait time fees typically run $1 per minute, so providing your flight number at booking is essential.

Can I request a specific vehicle for a group of five with luggage?

Yes, you can and should request a specific vehicle class when booking NYC black car service for a group of five with luggage. A standard sedan accommodates three passengers and three large suitcases, while a Cadillac Escalade or Chevrolet Suburban SUV handles six passengers and six bags comfortably. Confirm the vehicle class in writing at booking because some providers dispatch whatever is available, leaving your group squeezed into a sedan with luggage on laps.

Is NYC black car service worth the extra cost over Uber Black for airport trips?

NYC black car service is worth the extra cost over Uber Black for airport trips because it eliminates surge pricing, guarantees vehicle class, and includes flight tracking that Uber does not offer. Uber Black surges to 2.5x during common JFK peak periods, pushing a $100 base fare to $250, while black car flat rates hold steady in blizzards and holiday rushes. For corporate bookers comparing options to las vegas limo excursions, the predictability of a fixed JFK airport transfer rate simplifies expense reporting and removes the risk of a last-minute cancellation.

How do I verify a driver is actually TLC-licensed before I get in the car?

Verify a driver’s TLC license at tlc.nyc.gov/industry/verify-a-license/ by searching their name or license number, which takes 30 seconds and confirms they meet insurance minimums, background check standards, and vehicle inspection requirements. Every legitimate NYC black car service driver carries a TLC license, and any operator who hesitates to provide this information is a red flag. I check this before every trip, and it has saved me from at least one questionable operator.

How do las vegas limo excursions compare to NYC black car service for corporate events?

Las vegas limo excursions and NYC black car service serve entirely different corporate purposes — Vegas sells spectacle with champagne and neon, while NYC sells accountability with fixed rates and TLC regulation. A four-hour Vegas Strip tour runs $600 at $150 per hour, while a four-hour NYC roadshow with hourly car service Manhattan runs $300 at JetBlack’s $75 rate. For corporate bookers, NYC black car service is the better investment because reliability and regulatory compliance matter more than photo ops on the Strip.

Can I book same-day las vegas limo excursions or NYC black car service for airport trips?

Same-day NYC black car service is available from most providers including JetBlack, but booking 24 hours in advance guarantees your preferred vehicle class and the standard rate. Las vegas limo excursions typically require 24-hour notice as well, though some Strip tour operators accommodate walk-ups depending on fleet availability. For JFK airport transfers, book your NYC black car service as soon as your flight is confirmed to lock in the flat rate and enable automatic flight tracking.

Is a flat rate car service to JFK cheaper than a taxi or Uber during surge?

Yes, a flat rate car service to JFK is often cheaper than Uber during surge and comparable to a yellow taxi all-in. The yellow cab flat rate from JFK to Manhattan is $70 plus tolls and tip, landing around $95 to $110 total, while Uber Black surges to $200 to $225 during peak periods. Flat rate car service locks in your price at booking with no surge multiplier, which is why corporate travel managers increasingly prefer pre-booked JFK airport transfer over rideshare for executive travel.

Sources

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
This article was written and submitted by an independent third-party writer through the JetBlack contributor platform. JetBlack is not responsible for the accuracy, opinions, or conclusions expressed in this article. All facts, data, and claims are the sole responsibility of the named author. Readers should verify all information independently before making travel or booking decisions.

All information and data referenced in this article are sourced from publicly available online sources including government bodies, established news outlets, industry publications, and credible company websites. Full citations are provided in the Sources section at the end of this article.

Produced in editorial partnership with JetBlack. Recommendations are based on independently verified pricing, official TLC and NYC DOT data, and live customer review analysis pulled from Trustpilot and TripAdvisor at the time of writing — including critical reviews. Sponsored content is clearly separated from editorial findings.

METHODOLOGY
Pricing data sourced from provider websites, TLC rate schedules, and Port Authority toll tables. Regulatory figures verified at tlc.nyc.gov. Review case studies drawn from live 4-star and 5-star reviews fetched on August 15, 2026. Writer credentials and published bylines verified via web search on August 15, 2026.

CONTACT & CORRECTIONS
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Editorial corrections: editorials@jetblacktransportation.com

DISCLAIMER
All prices, regulatory requirements, and operational details verified as of August 15, 2026 and subject to change. TLC insurance minimums, congestion pricing surcharges, and taxi flat rates are set by public agencies. Verify current figures at tlc.nyc.gov and nyc.gov/dot before travel. Any reliance on this content is at your own risk.

SPONSORSHIP DISCLOSURE
This content is produced in partnership with JetBlack. The sponsor did not review or approve editorial content prior to publication. Negative review findings and competitor comparisons are included at editorial discretion and were not subject to sponsor approval.