Chauffeur Drive FAQs
Feb 26, 2015, 12:32 pm
#106
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YOW-YYZ-TPE
Programs: AC75, TD AeroInfiniteP, AmexBizPLAT, SPG-G HyattGlobby
Posts: 381
I was able to get a chauffeur drive from DXB to the city without pre-booking on a partner award ticket. Nice consolation after my drive at HKG was cancelled the morning of on the day of departure (despite my repeated inquiries and them telling me it would be honoured.)
One strange thing that happened was the driver at DXB was rather aggressive in demanding a tip from me when I was dropped off. All I had was a 500 AED bill (stupid cash machine), and he was insistent I dig up anything any currency for him. Eventually gave him a handful of Euro coins I happened to have tucked away and he took all the 1 and 2 Euro pieces and handed me back all the small stuff (without saying thank you either.)
One strange thing that happened was the driver at DXB was rather aggressive in demanding a tip from me when I was dropped off. All I had was a 500 AED bill (stupid cash machine), and he was insistent I dig up anything any currency for him. Eventually gave him a handful of Euro coins I happened to have tucked away and he took all the 1 and 2 Euro pieces and handed me back all the small stuff (without saying thank you either.)
When you arrived in DXB, did you just walk up to the EK CD counter and present your EK-F/J boarding pass to the reception?
I have a similar situation coming up in 2 months.
Regarding the bullying of the driver for tips, I normally plan on tipping them anyways if they are friendly, make an "attempt" to help with the bags, or even if they hold the door for me. Once they go rogue on me, see ya later. My motto is, "At least humour me, and pretend you care, and your actions will be rewarded accordingly."
LFC
Feb 26, 2015, 11:44 pm
#107
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 197
Hi tng11,
When you arrived in DXB, did you just walk up to the EK CD counter and present your EK-F/J boarding pass to the reception? I have a similar situation coming up in 2 months.
Regarding the bullying of the driver for tips, I normally plan on tipping them anyways if they are friendly, make an "attempt" to help with the bags, or even if they hold the door for me. Once they go rogue on me, see ya later. My motto is, "At least humour me, and pretend you care, and your actions will be rewarded accordingly."
LFC
When you arrived in DXB, did you just walk up to the EK CD counter and present your EK-F/J boarding pass to the reception?
I have a similar situation coming up in 2 months.Regarding the bullying of the driver for tips, I normally plan on tipping them anyways if they are friendly, make an "attempt" to help with the bags, or even if they hold the door for me. Once they go rogue on me, see ya later. My motto is, "At least humour me, and pretend you care, and your actions will be rewarded accordingly."
LFC
in the several hundred times I've used the service in Dubai I have not had anything but exceptional service. I can not believe that any driver would demand cash (as they would lose their jobs). I can only think the guy wasnt in an Emirates car and someone arranged a private one, hence demanding cash.
Feb 27, 2015, 12:26 am
#108
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 197
***update from emirates****
Well, i had a reply from customer affairs (I think i may have wrote to the wrong place!) with a generic email saying call your local emirates office. So, i call Dubai and say Customer Affairs have asked me to call....tell them my query and hey presto they took both our booking numbers and we are sharing my car!!!! So there you go! Done!^
This is quite good information as the lady said if i had not have called they would not have accepted him!
This is quite good information as the lady said if i had not have called they would not have accepted him!
Last edited by freakstar; Feb 27, 2015 at 1:00 am
Mar 16, 2015, 7:18 pm
#109
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Houston and Dubai
Programs: United GS, Emirates iO (Invitation Only)
Posts: 67
Sorry not sure if this is the correct thread for this question, but ill ask anyway.
I might have to take a quick trip to Dubai tomorrow from IAH. I won't know for sure until tomorrow morning, but if I were to book the ticket tomorrow morning for travel on EK212 for tomorrow night (7pm) what are the chances they could get the chauffeur drive here in Houston? If they can't its really no problem but of course I wouldn't mind it. I am interested to see how far they would go for an IO, such as booking a separate car service or something like that. I know this would be much easier in DXB then an outstation, but I've never had to reserve the chauffeur service so close to departure. They were able to do it once with 24 hours notice but this will be less then 12 hours.
Thoughts?
I might have to take a quick trip to Dubai tomorrow from IAH. I won't know for sure until tomorrow morning, but if I were to book the ticket tomorrow morning for travel on EK212 for tomorrow night (7pm) what are the chances they could get the chauffeur drive here in Houston? If they can't its really no problem but of course I wouldn't mind it. I am interested to see how far they would go for an IO, such as booking a separate car service or something like that. I know this would be much easier in DXB then an outstation, but I've never had to reserve the chauffeur service so close to departure. They were able to do it once with 24 hours notice but this will be less then 12 hours.
Thoughts?
Mar 16, 2015, 7:24 pm
#110
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Sorry not sure if this is the correct thread for this question, but ill ask anyway.
I might have to take a quick trip to Dubai tomorrow from IAH. I won't know for sure until tomorrow morning, but if I were to book the ticket tomorrow morning for travel on EK212 for tomorrow night (7pm) what are the chances they could get the chauffeur drive here in Houston? If they can't its really no problem but of course I wouldn't mind it. I am interested to see how far they would go for an IO, such as booking a separate car service or something like that. I know this would be much easier in DXB then an outstation, but I've never had to reserve the chauffeur service so close to departure. They were able to do it once with 24 hours notice but this will be less then 12 hours.
Thoughts?
I might have to take a quick trip to Dubai tomorrow from IAH. I won't know for sure until tomorrow morning, but if I were to book the ticket tomorrow morning for travel on EK212 for tomorrow night (7pm) what are the chances they could get the chauffeur drive here in Houston? If they can't its really no problem but of course I wouldn't mind it. I am interested to see how far they would go for an IO, such as booking a separate car service or something like that. I know this would be much easier in DXB then an outstation, but I've never had to reserve the chauffeur service so close to departure. They were able to do it once with 24 hours notice but this will be less then 12 hours.
Thoughts?
I hope you're right!
Mar 17, 2015, 2:24 am
#112
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,272
Can anyone tell me if I can expect a confirmation call for a car pickup in CPT (and if so, how long in advance)?
Having switched from SA to EK, I am using the chauffeur service for the first time ex CPT. If the car somehow does not show up, it will be too late to make an alternative arrangement.
Having switched from SA to EK, I am using the chauffeur service for the first time ex CPT. If the car somehow does not show up, it will be too late to make an alternative arrangement.
Mar 17, 2015, 2:46 am
#113
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Apr 1, 2015, 8:13 am
#114
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,272
Can anyone tell me if I can expect a confirmation call for a car pickup in CPT (and if so, how long in advance)?
Having switched from SA to EK, I am using the chauffeur service for the first time ex CPT. If the car somehow does not show up, it will be too late to make an alternative arrangement.
Having switched from SA to EK, I am using the chauffeur service for the first time ex CPT. If the car somehow does not show up, it will be too late to make an alternative arrangement.
I did phone the call centre to ask if the chauffeur supplier would contact me and the reply was 'usually yes, but not 100% guaranteed'. I then asked if the chauffeur was guaranteed and she said that as long as it showed in my booking I could be assured it was in order (and she offered to check for me, which I declined as I could see the car in my booking myself). About 20hrs before the flight the car company did call to confirm. And the driver was actually 15 minutes early on the day. Mercedes C class. Excellent service with the driver securing a trolly for me at the airport.
Again very good service at LHR. Driver carried my bags into the house on arrival.
Both drivers earned their tips! ^
Apr 10, 2015, 6:24 pm
#116
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Houston and Dubai
Programs: United GS, Emirates iO (Invitation Only)
Posts: 67
And yes, EK did come through! I called in as soon as i booked the ticket that morning around 7am, and received a confirmation just 2.5 hours later (so pretty much just 6 hours before scheduled pick up)
And thats why I love EK!
Apr 14, 2015, 9:54 am
#117
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: UK
Programs: Emirates Skywards Silver
Posts: 384
...
One strange thing that happened was the driver at DXB was rather aggressive in demanding a tip from me when I was dropped off. All I had was a 500 AED bill (stupid cash machine), and he was insistent I dig up anything any currency for him. Eventually gave him a handful of Euro coins I happened to have tucked away and he took all the 1 and 2 Euro pieces and handed me back all the small stuff (without saying thank you either.)
One strange thing that happened was the driver at DXB was rather aggressive in demanding a tip from me when I was dropped off. All I had was a 500 AED bill (stupid cash machine), and he was insistent I dig up anything any currency for him. Eventually gave him a handful of Euro coins I happened to have tucked away and he took all the 1 and 2 Euro pieces and handed me back all the small stuff (without saying thank you either.)
Apr 27, 2015, 11:23 am
#118
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: LHR
Programs: UA P, BA S, A3 *G, IHG Plat, Marriott Lt P, Hilton Gld, etc.
Posts: 1,078
Borderline case - UK
I'll be traveling from LHR and needs to be picked up from Swindon. Google map advises there are 69 miles driving distance from the pick up location to the "Heathrow airport" but there are 71.3 miles driving distance from pick up location to the "Heathrow airport terminal 3". Direct distance is 61.7 miles.
As EK advises that everything within 70 mile radius is eligible for chauffeur drive, would my pick up location be covered?
AX
As EK advises that everything within 70 mile radius is eligible for chauffeur drive, would my pick up location be covered?
AX
Apr 27, 2015, 11:35 am
#119
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
I'll be traveling from LHR and needs to be picked up from Swindon. Google map advises there are 69 miles driving distance from the pick up location to the "Heathrow airport" but there are 71.3 miles driving distance from pick up location to the "Heathrow airport terminal 3". Direct distance is 61.7 miles.
As EK advises that everything within 70 mile radius is eligible for chauffeur drive, would my pick up location be covered?
AX
As EK advises that everything within 70 mile radius is eligible for chauffeur drive, would my pick up location be covered?
AX
May 15, 2015, 8:25 pm
#120
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: NEXUS, UA Club
Posts: 641
Does anyone know what the rates are for requiring a ride outside of the allocated radius? I might be flying J from JFK but am outside the 70 mile radius. I'm wondering if I should get a hotel that is within the limit and get picked up from there, or just pay the extra to be picked up from home. The website said anything outside the approved area would have to be paid for, but didn't mention how this was calculated. Thanks!