No but they do not provide a personal service to me.

In my experience the CD's provide me with a very good, helpful service which surpasses my expectation for which I am happy to reward them with a £10 tip. They do not make very much money and the tip makes a difference to them and they are genuinely happy/appreciative to get this. The £10 will not make any difference to me as I would imagine it is for anyone flying business/first class. To each their own, it is what I do and feel good about doing and I will continue to do so.

I ended up tipping $20.

Where?

Anywhere other than the US would be ridiculous.

You don't do your username proud....:rolleyes:

I actually have an S-Class to STN this evening in F for the first time ever - hurray! :)

The question now is whether to tip when I arrive… :D

please don’t do it

My intention was not to tip, but then he was the best CD I’ve ever had and even insisted on carrying my bags all the way to the check in desk which is surely somewhat above and beyond CD specification! So I did tip, but only because I felt he very much deserved it.

and i think in this instance it is perfectly justified. When someone goes over and above to provide great service i always tip as a small gesture of recognition for their efforts.
I hate the USA tipping system whereby you have to tip even when they practically throw the food onto your table, or the barman take 30 seconds to open a bottle of beer for you. Some of the worst service ive ever experienced has been in the usa and still had to pay for the pleasure.

Yep, I could not agree more.

​​​Tipping should only be a reward for a job well done. The fact that people need 'compulsory' tipping to survive is another statement about how the USA functions. Or doesn't.

In Australia, the Hughes drivers don't earn much for the job they do. I live in the southern Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne. I'm charged AUD88, (about USD 60) and I understand the driver keeps half. For a 135km, 1.75 hour journey. That trip would cost around AUD300 by taxi.

I have always had excellent drivers. Helpful, engaging and pleasant. For that, I always tip 25%. Drivers are always surprised but very pleased by that. A reward for doing their job well! That encourages better service, rather than minimal service with the automatic expectation of a tip.

Does "an Emirates operated flight (with an EK flight number)" apply to an EK ticket with EK flight number but on QF metal? [AKL-SYD-DXB on EK 5044/EK413]

No, "Emirates operated flight" means EK metal only.

I have a First Flex Plus award ticket between ATH-EWR. Is the chauffeur service included with this ticket type?

No, chauffeur drive is not included with any award ticket.

Got it. Thanks for the confirmation.

Two in a row - also a very nice new S-Class for my pick up from STN, seems like Tristar might actually have got their act together finally :)