Last edit by: Saltire74
Changes to the CD Terms and Conditions in early January 2019 confirm the following:
Effective 1 March 2019, new Chauffeur-drive service reservations are not available in conjunction with Skywards Business and First Class Classic Rewards and Economy to Business Class Upgrades.
https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/...nd-conditions/
Effective 1 March 2019, new Chauffeur-drive service reservations are not available in conjunction with Skywards Business and First Class Classic Rewards and Economy to Business Class Upgrades.
https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/...nd-conditions/
EK Chauffeur Drive Discussion Thread
#2041
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,148
Is there any way to pay for CD? I'm arriving into AUH at 1am and need to get to DXB for my 10am flight. Both flights are on F award tickets, so I'm not entitled to either airlines' free chauffeur. I'd be happy to pay for it just for ease, but can't seem to find a way. Any ideas? Or recommendations for alternatives?
Just book through a service like Blacklane.
#2044
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 1
Just flew London to Dubai business return for the first time in December 2023. I wondered about how Emirates chauffeur worked and read many good posts here. Here’s my experience to help others.
About two weeks before my flight, I entered all my details on the Emirates app for chauffeur bookings. I noticed that afterwards, I could see the time I requested but under address it simply said ‘on file’. So there was no way for me to double check what I entered.
Drop off to LHR
At exactly 48 hours before my flight (same time as when check in is available), Addison Lee sent me an SMS with a link asking me to confirm my booking.
30 minutes before actual pick up time, I get another SMS to say the driver is on the way.
Arriving at DXB
As you exit baggage claim, there is a separate exit for Emirates chauffeur service. The staff here checked my passport and printed out a ticket. As I walked out, I handed my ticket to another staff member who told me which car to get in.
Drop off to DXB
24 hours before my flight, I got an SMS confirming my booking (although it didn’t say much)
Then only when the driver had arrived for the pick up did I get another SMS to say he was waiting.
Arriving at LHR
Like before, SMS 48 hours before the flight from Addison Lee asking me to confirm the booking.
After exiting baggage claim there is an Emirates office and my driver was waiting there. I noticed all the drivers there were holding name signs so I assume they may greet you too.
About two weeks before my flight, I entered all my details on the Emirates app for chauffeur bookings. I noticed that afterwards, I could see the time I requested but under address it simply said ‘on file’. So there was no way for me to double check what I entered.
Drop off to LHR
At exactly 48 hours before my flight (same time as when check in is available), Addison Lee sent me an SMS with a link asking me to confirm my booking.
30 minutes before actual pick up time, I get another SMS to say the driver is on the way.
Arriving at DXB
As you exit baggage claim, there is a separate exit for Emirates chauffeur service. The staff here checked my passport and printed out a ticket. As I walked out, I handed my ticket to another staff member who told me which car to get in.
Drop off to DXB
24 hours before my flight, I got an SMS confirming my booking (although it didn’t say much)
Then only when the driver had arrived for the pick up did I get another SMS to say he was waiting.
Arriving at LHR
Like before, SMS 48 hours before the flight from Addison Lee asking me to confirm the booking.
After exiting baggage claim there is an Emirates office and my driver was waiting there. I noticed all the drivers there were holding name signs so I assume they may greet you too.
#2045
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 444
GLA-MEL 30th November, returning end of February. About our 12th business class flight with Emirates. Be aware that Emirates (and not Addison-Lee or any other provider) changed their policy on 1/1/23; free CD within 70 miles by road, not as the crow flies as with our previous 12 trips. We were shocked to receive an email the day before travel with an invoice for just under £100. When queried we got a 'nothing to do with us, it's Emirates new policy, do you want a number to ring to discuss it with them, if you don't pay we'll cancel your booking. We will ask for the same amount the day before your return flight'. So, since Covid - Emirates have nearly doubled business class fares, give you fewer Skywards miles for the same trip and now charge for over 70 miles on the CD. Why do we continue to fly with them? They are the only airline flying from Glasgow with one stop to Australia, they are the only airline including CD (albeit on a changed basis), a bit of force of habit, better the devil you know etc. We'll be investigating alternatives next time before automatically booking with Emirates. I think Addison Lee sub contract to West of Scotland limousines for some/all of GLA business but I might be wrong?
Last edited by OzTennis; Jan 1, 2024 at 1:50 am
#2046
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
GLA-MEL 30th November, returning end of February. About our 12th business class flight with Emirates. Be aware that Emirates (and not Addison-Lee or any other provider) changed their policy on 1/1/23; free CD within 70 miles by road, not as the crow flies as with our previous 12 trips. We were shocked to receive an email the day before travel with an invoice for just under £100. When queried we got a 'nothing to do with us, it's Emirates new policy, do you want a number to ring to discuss it with them, if you don't pay we'll cancel your booking. We will ask for the same amount the day before your return flight'. So, since Covid - Emirates have nearly doubled business class fares, give you fewer Skywards miles for the same trip and now charge for over 70 miles on the CD. Why do we continue to fly with them? They are the only airline flying from Glasgow with one stop to Australia, they are the only airline including CD (albeit on a changed basis), a bit of force of habit, better the devil you know etc. We'll be investigating alternatives next time before automatically booking with Emirates. I think Addison Lee sub contract to West of Scotland limousines for some/all of GLA business but I might be wrong?
In AMS the driven miles rule has been used since I first used the service there in around 2017. I have always been ‘over the limit’ there and had to pay the driver.
In CPT I am usually less than 30% of the maximum away from the airport so I don’t know if the driven miles rule is enforced there.
And yes, I agree that it becomes increasingly difficult to ‘automatically’ book EK.
#2049
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
#2050
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 329
That ‘driven miles’ limit for UK airports has been on the website since before Covid, but it does not seem to have been enforced. Sad to see that it is now. I live 66 driven miles from LGW, so as long as Addison Lee use the same method to calculate the distance (I get the same on Google maps and on Apple Maps) I seem to be safe. LHR used to be OK as the crow flies but certainly not for driven miles.
#2052
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
Programs: EK Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,883
Chauffeur drive is not available with PE or Economy, only Business and First. Your Skywards status is simply not a consideration.
#2053
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: DXB
Programs: BA Gold; EK Gold; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 72
One thing that potentially bothers me is the choice of route - will Addison Lee always take the shortest route, even if traffic conditions mean that it will take much longer? For example, last summer we needed to get from Twickenham to Stansted. That's well under 70 miles by the shortest route through Central London, but over 70 miles by what is often the quickest route round the M25. Who decides which route to take? If Central London is jammed up will A-L go the quick way, and, if so, do I have to pay the extra on the day?
#2054
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 29
Hi! I have a question on the distance covered for free using the free chauffeur service on business class flights. Is it:
- The actual distance driven
- The shortest possible distance if highways etc are avoided (like "walking" on google maps)
- as the crow flies?
I'm getting conflicting information. The website says shortest distance, but when I called Emirates the guy said it's the actual distance driven. When I search on google most people say as the crow flies...
I'll be landing in Munich and would like to drive to Rosenheim. Google maps says its 104km on the fastest route, but 78km if I avoid highways.
Would I need to pay extra? And would i need to force the driver to actually avoid the highway?
Thank you!
- The actual distance driven
- The shortest possible distance if highways etc are avoided (like "walking" on google maps)
- as the crow flies?
I'm getting conflicting information. The website says shortest distance, but when I called Emirates the guy said it's the actual distance driven. When I search on google most people say as the crow flies...
I'll be landing in Munich and would like to drive to Rosenheim. Google maps says its 104km on the fastest route, but 78km if I avoid highways.
Would I need to pay extra? And would i need to force the driver to actually avoid the highway?
Thank you!
#2055
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,148
Letting someone else use my chauffeur drive
Might be flying out of LAX in a few months where I will be arriving on a domestic connection so will not be utilizing my chauffeur drive service.
My wife will be on an award ticket for the same EK flight, but she will be originating in LA so could utilize my chauffeur service.
My question is, would it be possible/noticed if I just book my chauffeur drive for her pickup? Will the driver care/notice the gender difference and make a fuss that she is not the intended pax?
My wife will be on an award ticket for the same EK flight, but she will be originating in LA so could utilize my chauffeur service.
My question is, would it be possible/noticed if I just book my chauffeur drive for her pickup? Will the driver care/notice the gender difference and make a fuss that she is not the intended pax?