Is Etihad honouring chauffeur service on AA awards before change?
#16
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinium
Posts: 1,330
I made my reservation in March, but I called after August and I was able to book it, a few hours later after that call my ticket was reissued by AA (20 minutes time change). I called again and I was told is confirmed (even after the change).
At this moment I'm in Al Maha Resort and my flight is in less than 36hs. This afternoon I called the US number and they told me that my chauffeur service is confirmed and I will get a call tomorrow in the morning... but my Concierge here called to the UAE number and she was told that since my flight was paid by AA, I'm will not get Chauffeur service. I will give them a call tomorrow morning to request a 9pm pick up since my flight form AUH is at 3:10 AM on January 16, let see if they honor the service.
At this moment I'm in Al Maha Resort and my flight is in less than 36hs. This afternoon I called the US number and they told me that my chauffeur service is confirmed and I will get a call tomorrow in the morning... but my Concierge here called to the UAE number and she was told that since my flight was paid by AA, I'm will not get Chauffeur service. I will give them a call tomorrow morning to request a 9pm pick up since my flight form AUH is at 3:10 AM on January 16, let see if they honor the service.
#17
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,031
Can anyone really be surprised they took this away? I'm surprised the ever offered it on FF tkts in the first place. AA has to pay for this & IMO free chauffeur service has nothing to do with an award "FLIGHT". I don't believe any other airline offers this on FF tkts except EK & they own their own cars in Dubai. Would not be surprised to see them change their T&C's to say "chauffeur drive on "partner" award tkts good only in the UAE
My flight is Friday of this week so I am waiting to see if I get a call on Thursday.
#18
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
** this is just my opinion of what could have been the cause. I have no real proof to back this up but I am almost positive it came down to the simple fact that EY didn't want to offer this on free/ff tickets & it was not something they could just pull out of with no notice.........AA knew this was coming but "chose" to give little notice. The anger belongs directed at AA & not even over the fact it's not offered any more, but the fact they wsitited so long to tell their
#19
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,456
You could have a point, but the argument (and anger) should be directed at AA, not EY (IMO). These contracts between partner carriers, what they pay, what they receive, etc are probably longer then War & Peace. I would bet it's a lot more complicated then EY just saying "no more". I would bet it's closer to something like it was time for their existing contract to be re negotiated, & EY realized free chauffeur drive on FF tkts is a money loser & either told AA, no more or upped the price if they wanted to keep it. Obviously AA ain't paying more & I agree it should not be part of a FF TKT (I'm shocked how liberal EK is with their partners). My guess is AA just waited longer then they should have before notifying passengers of the change.
** this is just my opinion of what could have been the cause. I have no real proof to back this up but I am almost positive it came down to the simple fact that EY didn't want to offer this on free/ff tickets & it was not something they could just pull out of with no notice.........AA knew this was coming but "chose" to give little notice. The anger belongs directed at AA & not even over the fact it's not offered any more, but the fact they wsitited so long to tell their
** this is just my opinion of what could have been the cause. I have no real proof to back this up but I am almost positive it came down to the simple fact that EY didn't want to offer this on free/ff tickets & it was not something they could just pull out of with no notice.........AA knew this was coming but "chose" to give little notice. The anger belongs directed at AA & not even over the fact it's not offered any more, but the fact they wsitited so long to tell their
#20
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 42
I booked Etihad flights via AA in Jan/Feb 2016 for flights in Jan 2017.
Despite several upgrades and date changes to these redemptions during 2017, I have had no problems with chauffeur bookings from home to LHR and back.
Despite several upgrades and date changes to these redemptions during 2017, I have had no problems with chauffeur bookings from home to LHR and back.
#21
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,456
Did you book the chauffeur before or after aug 12th and how did you do so?
#22
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,031
I have checked my tickets on the Etihad web site and found:
1- 1 ticket re-issued 9 August 16 due to schedule change
2- 1 ticket issued in March 16 with no changes
3- 1 ticket re-issued 20 Oct 16 due to schedule change
I expect that I now won't get a car for (3) but am hopeful for (1) and (2) based on this thread.
1- 1 ticket re-issued 9 August 16 due to schedule change
2- 1 ticket issued in March 16 with no changes
3- 1 ticket re-issued 20 Oct 16 due to schedule change
I expect that I now won't get a car for (3) but am hopeful for (1) and (2) based on this thread.
#23
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,803
Which raises the associated question, did anyone outside of FT know that you could get chauffeur for such bookings, prior to the change. i.e. did AA promote it anywhere. I guess you could argue that if you should get the same benefits if you pay cash to AA for the flight and if you pay miles.
#24
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,031
Overnight I got a text message from the company that provides the cars in London asking me to call to confirm the number of check-in bags I would have. (They clearly don't know me )
The text confirmed the time of pick-up and address so looks good to go!
The text confirmed the time of pick-up and address so looks good to go!
#25
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Singapore
Posts: 8
I have made several changes to my collection time in London and Etihad are still showing an old one in my reservation. They aren't being of much help in terms of coordinating with the company despite this being a revenue ticket and my request being weeks old now. So I'd like to have the details of the company on hand in case things go awry on the day of departure. I'd much rather go directly to source rather than be stuck on the phone with Etihad a few hours before I'm scheduled to leave. And then they'll have to contact the company, further delaying things.
Thank you.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinium
Posts: 1,330
I was able to get/confirm the chauffeur service trough twitter, but the pick up time was 1:20am for my 3:25am flight, which I have to ask them to change it 9pm because the Resort was 90~120 minutes from AUH airport. Then I have to call (US number) to change it to 7pm, after a 6 minutes on hold they did it without any issue (yhe driver arrived around 6:15pm).
Keep in mind did the booking after August 12 (September/October), just a few minutes after I got an alert from ExpertFlyer or awardwallet about a time change, then 12hs later AA send me an email with a new e-ticket number.
Now if you had a schedule change (re-ticketed), then your chances are very low. Just try twitter (complain first) and with a Direct Message they may help you out
Keep in mind did the booking after August 12 (September/October), just a few minutes after I got an alert from ExpertFlyer or awardwallet about a time change, then 12hs later AA send me an email with a new e-ticket number.
Now if you had a schedule change (re-ticketed), then your chances are very low. Just try twitter (complain first) and with a Direct Message they may help you out
#27
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: MEL KUL
Programs: AA
Posts: 154
I booked my award tickets pre-deval in Feb 2016, reticketed in early Sept 2016 due to a date change, flying in Feb 2017. Tried booking the chauffeur service yesterday but got an error "UNABLE TO CONFIRM CHAUFFEUR TICKET NOT ELIGIBLE EY020 04FEB"
Will try twitter next
Will try twitter next
#28
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
Which raises the associated question, did anyone outside of FT know that you could get chauffeur for such bookings, prior to the change. i.e. did AA promote it anywhere. I guess you could argue that if you should get the same benefits if you pay cash to AA for the flight and if you pay miles.