Just a quick heads up: I had scheduled a pickup at SYD, but about three days before my flight I changed my pickup location. When I got in my car, the driver was on his way to the old location; and my new location apparently had not been sent/communicated to the company that provides the chauffeur drive service in SYD. So mid way our drive the chauffeur suddenly wanted to see my passport to verify it was really me and we did end up driving to my new location. Not sure how often this happens but will make sure to always mention my destination to the driver now (if he doesn't ask first, like some drivers at some stations do).

IO are transported via BMW 750iL. Seen many times standing at the front door in the chauffeur area.

Arrived back at MAN in J Sat night travelling alone, well organised chauffeur pick up desk. Outside pitch black, cold and raining, was surprised to find my vehicle was a black people carrier. No idea which model but not particularly comfortable and no comparison with the usual limos they use. Not a long journey but still disappointing.

Has anyone been able to use the chauffer service in DXB upon arrival with a classic reward booking? I know they stopped offering it earlier this year, but was wondering if you could still get away with asking for one upon arrival at DXB.

I tried it on an email upgrade offer and it didn't work, but those were never eligible previously either anyway.

Interestingly, Tristar just sent me a Booking Confirmation email for my car tomorrow (not had one of those before) which states "Service: First - Prestige chauffeur and Mercedes S-Class or similar for up to 3 people" and "Class: A" so some of the CD companies definitely track this information. It even has my Skywards level on it. Let's see what turns up as last time I got an E-Class.

I can confirm that the following contractors do make distinctions based on class of travel:

TBR
Tristar
Hughes
Blacklane

HOWEVER, in some outstations the demands of a full J or F mean that these companies subcontract again to other companies or freelance drivers. IME the quality becomes much harder to control.

I had an 8 year old Q7 off an F flight in SYD the other day. It was a subcontract.

And so does SIXT in Germany. It’s usually a Mercedes E-Class for J pax and and S-Class for F (or BMW 5 vs 7 series). They also do subcontract - but one can ask them not to do so and they are happy to oblige.

What turned up was an E-Class estate. Don’t mind so much but I sincerely hope Tristar are not charging EK for something better and pocketing the difference!

I got the same but I expect a dad wagon as travelling with an infant

F in SIN
 

Arriving F in SIN. What vehicle should we expect?

We got a taxi last week... It was Mercedes of some sort.

On the return, we got a Mercedes van. Strangely, the F check-in agent asked us what sort of car we'd been sent.

Plat benefit
 

Yes, that's been my experience with the CD from DXB to the Dubai Connect hotel

Arrived into MAN on New Years Day on EK19. We got to the CD area, and the guy who allocates drivers was on the phone to EK about an extra passenger that wasn't on his list.

He apologised for the delay (a queue was forming) and eventually finished his call. It turns out it was actually him that was allocated to take us home... So, he cleared the rest of the queue, but then had to make more phone calls to get authorisation from both EK and Tristar to get the guy a private hire taxi from Street Cars.

After about 10 minutes (I was getting slightly annoyed by this time...), he walks the guy out to the Street Cars office, and comes back to collect us.

As we were walking to the car, he told us that the other guy had just admitted to him that he hadn't even booked the CD service!!! I bet the <insert relevant expletive> was on an H fare :mad:

Will be flying to BKK in J and was wondering what kind of cars are used?

I will be going to Pattaya which comes with a charge of B2,800 (it is beyond the radius for the freebee), not sure if it will be worth the premium over alternative modes of transport.