Emirates Skywards - Chauffeur driven cars in London

The last time I flew J into LGW the chauffeur driven car I was allocated on arrival was a severely austerity-afflicted contraption.

This was a while ago..but pales in comparison to what you get on arrival at LHR for instance. Do EK really relegate LGW to second place in terms of quality of service or did I just have a one-off?

I would have thought that it will depend more on who Emirates give their contract to at that particular airport and what that company's commitments were on that particular day as to what vehicle would be provided at LGW. My only experience of the service was at GLA and the service and vehicles provided were both first class. http://www.charltonlimo.com/ However, these companies also have contracts to other businesses, VIP's, well-to-do tourists and so on so could be stretched on a particular day at the airport. The last time we got picked up at GLA they provided over a dozen vehicles.

I haven't used the Chauffeur service in LGW for a while now but wouldn't it make sense to give the contracts for both airports to one company?

I know they recently changed the LHR cars with the opening of the new lounge to 61 reg Volvo S80s (that is what I experienced and was told back in December). Having said that, my friend just flew into LGW in F and out of LHR in J and he got an S Class Merc both ways, go figure !

Never use LHR, so always get teh chauffeur at LGW. I've always had excellent cars - either an E class Merc, or a Jaguar XF. A volvo once or twice as well.

Always get top notch A+ service at LGW, which in my opinion is leagues ahead of LHR.

Is this really from experience or just anecdotal? Because it's very wrong. I use primarily LGW but LHR on occasion; The EK contract at LGW is held by ACS and I have always been driven in a E Class Mercedes with a driver wearing a suit and tie. Apart from one slightly iffy drive a few months back, I have always found them professional and pleasant. As far as I know, there are three separate contracts at LHR (don't ask me how they work that one out) but I was collected by a driver from Carey Chauffeur Services - as impressed with this as I am with the usual service provider. I've always found that the drivers will be chatty if you want to talk and quiet if you don't.

ACS cars tend to be less than three years old, are always spotless and are generally identified by having "ACS" as the last three letters of the registration. Can't speak for Carey as I don't use them as much but they have been very clean new-modell Mercedes E Class as well.

You say "austerity affected" yet also state that it was not recent - somewhat contradictory?

Is this really from experience or just anecdotal? Because it's very wrong. I use primarily LGW but LHR on occasion; The EK contract at LGW is held by ACS and I have always been driven in a E Class Mercedes with a driver wearing a suit and tie. Apart from one slightly iffy drive a few months back, I have always found them professional and pleasant. As far as I know, there are three separate contracts at LHR (don't ask me how they work that one out) but I was collected by a driver from Carey Chauffeur Services - as impressed with this as I am with the usual service provider. I've always found that the drivers will be chatty if you want to talk and quiet if you don't.

ACS cars tend to be less than three years old, are always spotless and are generally identified by having "ACS" as the last three letters of the registration. Can't speak for Carey as I don't use them as much but they have been very clean new-modell Mercedes E Class as well.

You say "austerity affected" yet also state that it was not recent - somewhat contradictory?

We have been existing in austerity influenced ages for nearly half a decade now...;)

Is this really from experience or just anecdotal? Because it's very wrong. I use primarily LGW but LHR on occasion; The EK contract at LGW is held by ACS and I have always been driven in a E Class Mercedes with a driver wearing a suit and tie. Apart from one slightly iffy drive a few months back, I have always found them professional and pleasant. As far as I know, there are three separate contracts at LHR (don't ask me how they work that one out) but I was collected by a driver from Carey Chauffeur Services - as impressed with this as I am with the usual service provider. I've always found that the drivers will be chatty if you want to talk and quiet if you don't.

ACS cars tend to be less than three years old, are always spotless and are generally identified by having "ACS" as the last three letters of the registration. Can't speak for Carey as I don't use them as much but they have been very clean new-modell Mercedes E Class as well.

You say "austerity affected" yet also state that it was not recent - somewhat contradictory?


hi Alpha, just curious, ive used the service in london several times, always been top notch and usually in a mercedes, the slight difficulty and awkwardness at the other end...is, do you tip? do you?

hi Alpha, just curious, ive used the service in london several times, always been top notch and usually in a mercedes, the slight difficulty and awkwardness at the other end...is, do you tip? do you?

I always tip.Usually I get the chauffeur drive from central London to gatwick.

I never tip. Is that bad or mean??

I never tip. Is that bad or mean??

damn...one count for one count against...what are the odds...

From LHR on J I was given new E Classes and an aptly dressed chauffeur!

Whats the convention on tipping? I wasn't sure if to or not.

Just to add, service was great, on the return leg the chauffeur actually came early as it was the womens olympic marathon and the roads were congested! Great service!

I tip £5 or £10 for taking me from Edinburgh to Glasgow or vice versa. Depends on quality of driving and if the driver smells of fags.

I tip £5 or £10 for taking me from Edinburgh to Glasgow or vice versa. Depends on quality of driving and if the driver smells of fags.

I always tip GBP10 in the UK but sadly never had one that smells of fags or I might have been tempted to tip a bit more knowing how much fags are in the UK compared to Dubai ...

What about tips from DXB to a hotel fairly close to the airport and with two full size, heavy suitcases? I think some sort of tip is in order but what's an appropriate amount? Thanks

Do those who tip in London also tip in dxb and other locations? Didn't see London as being a must tip culture vs the US where it is almost built into the wage calculus.

What about tips from DXB to a hotel fairly close to the airport and with two full size, heavy suitcases? I think some sort of tip is in order but what's an appropriate amount? Thanks

Hotel courtesy cars I have used in Dubai, I usually only have a backpack and a small wheelie bag. 5 Dirham tip is usually what I give and they seem happy with that.

Dubai taxis from airport to hotel, I usually round up to the next 5 Dirham or so. If the driver was really nice and talkative maybe a few extra. If not, I just round up. Drivers in Dubai dont seem concerned one way or another about the tips and get a few strange looks as well.