Apr 26, 2022, 6:33 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
What is the Air Canada Chauffer Service?
AC offers selected passengers rides from the domestic portion of the terminal to the international terminal, when they're connecting to a flight in international business class, a.k.a. Signature Class. The vehicles are provided by Porsche.
If you are selected for the service, you will be met by a concierge at the gate/on the jetbridge of your arriving domestic flight, and escorted to the vehicle. You will then be driven to the international departures area.
This service was first offered in 2015, until being suspended due to COVID in 2020, and previously used BMW vehicles. The previous thread is here.
Where is the service offered?
YYZ and YVR.
Who, exactly, is eligible?
According to the AC Signature Service page: "Customers originally booked and ticketed in Air Canada Signature Class (J, C, D, Z or P class) or on Aeroplan Business Class Flexible Reward, with a connection via Toronto Pearson International Airport or Vancouver International Airport to Europe, Asia, South America, Australia or New Zealand on an Air Canada-operated flight. Subject to availability."
These are the same rules that apply to accessing the Signature Suite.
The chauffeur service is only available on connections from domestic flights (i.e. within Canada) to international flights (destinations described above). It is not available if connecting to or from the US, from another international flight, or from international to domestic.
How do I make sure I get the chauffer service? Can I reserve it?
You can't. Even if you're eligible, there are no guarantees that you'll get it.
AC offers selected passengers rides from the domestic portion of the terminal to the international terminal, when they're connecting to a flight in international business class, a.k.a. Signature Class. The vehicles are provided by Porsche.
If you are selected for the service, you will be met by a concierge at the gate/on the jetbridge of your arriving domestic flight, and escorted to the vehicle. You will then be driven to the international departures area.
This service was first offered in 2015, until being suspended due to COVID in 2020, and previously used BMW vehicles. The previous thread is here.
Where is the service offered?
YYZ and YVR.
Who, exactly, is eligible?
According to the AC Signature Service page: "Customers originally booked and ticketed in Air Canada Signature Class (J, C, D, Z or P class) or on Aeroplan Business Class Flexible Reward, with a connection via Toronto Pearson International Airport or Vancouver International Airport to Europe, Asia, South America, Australia or New Zealand on an Air Canada-operated flight. Subject to availability."
These are the same rules that apply to accessing the Signature Suite.
The chauffeur service is only available on connections from domestic flights (i.e. within Canada) to international flights (destinations described above). It is not available if connecting to or from the US, from another international flight, or from international to domestic.
How do I make sure I get the chauffer service? Can I reserve it?
You can't. Even if you're eligible, there are no guarantees that you'll get it.
Air Canada Chauffeur Service (YYZ & YVR, DOM > INTL J connections)
Sep 12, 2022, 8:13 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Delta PM, Hilton Silver, UA Plat
Posts: 261
Non-SE person flying SFO-YVR-YYZ-MUC (all in P Class) in a few days. Do I expect the chauffeur service in YYZ?
The reason for the question is because I am technically on the red eye from YVR-YYZ, land around 7:30AM and connecting to a 6PM flight to MUC. Anyone have similar experience?
The reason for the question is because I am technically on the red eye from YVR-YYZ, land around 7:30AM and connecting to a 6PM flight to MUC. Anyone have similar experience?
Sep 12, 2022, 8:42 pm
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,346
You should never "expect" it. You'll be eligible (assuming this isn't a non-flexible redemption), but that's not a guarantee you'll get it.
Sep 13, 2022, 12:52 am
#34
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,775
Non-SE person flying SFO-YVR-YYZ-MUC (all in P Class) in a few days. Do I expect the chauffeur service in YYZ?
The reason for the question is because I am technically on the red eye from YVR-YYZ, land around 7:30AM and connecting to a 6PM flight to MUC. Anyone have similar experience?
The reason for the question is because I am technically on the red eye from YVR-YYZ, land around 7:30AM and connecting to a 6PM flight to MUC. Anyone have similar experience?
Sep 13, 2022, 2:25 am
#35
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,422
In addition to paying with cash using Aeroplan points for a flexible reward also gets equivalent potential access to the service.
since you have the whole day to kill without the limo I’d personally start with the AC cafe next to domestic gate 22 before heading to the international area and signature suite. It is a one of a kind AC lounge. They have a barista and some nice juices, fresh squeezed OJ and take away snacks. The signature suite is great, but 12 hours is a long time.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...es/accafe.html
Sep 13, 2022, 9:08 am
#36
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,346
Sep 13, 2022, 9:47 am
#37
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Delta PM, Hilton Silver, UA Plat
Posts: 261
Thanks for the clarification!
It is correct I paid cash (although cheap I terms of what business class goes for these days)
The reason I chose this route is because I did not want to take a day off work, so figured I’d “work” that day from the lounge.
I will report back on Friday how it went
I do worry slightly about my bags and am tempted to just check them to YYZ, store them then check them in a few hours before the flight
It is correct I paid cash (although cheap I terms of what business class goes for these days)
The reason I chose this route is because I did not want to take a day off work, so figured I’d “work” that day from the lounge.
I will report back on Friday how it went
I do worry slightly about my bags and am tempted to just check them to YYZ, store them then check them in a few hours before the flight
Sep 16, 2022, 1:06 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 54
I got the chauffeur at the end of August. Well, actually, the person in front of me did but said he'd rather walk. Since I couldn't walk well at the time, I jumped all over it. She said there were only two people operating the service, so that should give you an idea of your odds. Got some very cool views of the planes at the international gates. Like you used to get on the OSS bus from US-> dom. Wish they'd bring those back.
Sep 16, 2022, 2:38 pm
#40
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan 50K/Star Alliance Gold, Accor Gold, base level Marriott/Hyatt/Hilton
Posts: 658
I got the chauffeur at the end of August. Well, actually, the person in front of me did but said he'd rather walk. Since I couldn't walk well at the time, I jumped all over it. She said there were only two people operating the service, so that should give you an idea of your odds. Got some very cool views of the planes at the international gates. Like you used to get on the OSS bus from US-> dom. Wish they'd bring those back.
Nov 9, 2022, 6:48 pm
#45
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, BW Diamond Select
Posts: 706
The door for the Porsche service at YVR is nestled discreetly between the little Plaza Premium Lounge and Gate 29.
I will try to remember to take a pic when I pass through YVR this coming weekend.
I will try to remember to take a pic when I pass through YVR this coming weekend.
Last edited by TTC900Rocket; Nov 9, 2022 at 6:55 pm Reason: Included additional comment