My girlfriend will be flying as a one off with work soon, and I'm hoping to use some of my miles to let her experience business class.

She'll be flying out of LGW, and will be setting off from her parents, which according to the wonders of the internet is over 70 miles "as the crow flies" from LGW.

On the presumption that I manage to upgrade her flights, how does it work when you are outside the 70 mile radius stated as a requirement? (I have always been inside this for MAN). When you put in your request, will they contact you shortly after to say you are outside the radius and give you an option to pay a fee?

I just don't want to book it, and then 24hrs before, when they normally call to confirm, she gets a call saying she is outside the radius and can't be picked up. (I don't EK would allow that type of last minute notice, but just wanted to check)

Thanks

Well, whilst I am not sure about the distances and limitations for chauffeur drive in LGW I can share my experience in FRA.

If you stay within the mileage limitation there is no problem and it is 100% free and as soon as you pass that mileage the driver (since chauffeur drive often seems to be done by contractors) will charge you for the excess mileage. In FRA that's an additional 1,40EUR/km (approx.) which turned out to be way more expensive than taking my own car so I did not opt-in for the chauffeur, because I'd only pass the limit by about 10km.

You can make a reservation for chauffeur drive on the EK website or simply by calling them. If I remember correctly you have to book your chauffeur no later than 24hrs prior to your departure. I suggest you call EK or Skywards and ask what extra charges will apply beyond 70 miles and figure out if there are any better/cheaper solutions.

I hope that helps.

UAE777

Yes, you'll need to get in touch with the chauffeur drive company and fix up the charges with them directly. You can cal them up much before and they will let you know the charges that will apply.

I wouldn't bother trying to call the chauffeur drive company directly. Call EK and they can tell you, otherwise you will only find out when the car company calls you 24 hours before departure. The EK agents have a calculator they use based on postcode. Takes them an age to find the thing on their systems, but never had a problem myself once they verify my postcode using it

According to another thread, LGW has just recently changed suppliers of chauffeur services. If that's true I would definitely contact the chauffeur company, not Emirates, for the information you require.

I am well within the 70 miles but some of my friends prefer to depart from my house to MAN than theirs

I regularly travel from the West Midlands to LHR (and vice versa) and there is an additional mileage fee of around �25. I just pay the chauffeur once we arrive at the destination. This can either be by cash or card. They will inform you of the charge when they give you a courtesy call 1 day prior.

Just book it on-line and worry about the additional charge when they ring you.

Similar situation here. Arriving at LAX and it seems they have the 60 mile radius rule. My location will be within the 62 mile radius from LAX. Any problems I might have? If I entered the location on emirates.com will they cancel my pick up on arrival?

Nevermind, Emirates approved it ^.