Sep 30, 2014, 1:30 pm
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
Aug 29, 2018, 11:53 pm
#1187
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,105
YYZ-DXB-MXP and return in F. Used CD for four legs (before YYZ-DXB, MXP-DXB, and to/from DXB on a layover) :
- car to YYZ was a towncar, nothing fancy. Driver was quite chatty. Service called me the day before, twice actually, to confirm. Showed up on time.
- car to MXP was a Maybach! That was quite the upgrade. No call in advance and when I asked EK online chat for the phone number so I could call and confirm, was told this was not possible.
- cars to/from DXB were Mercedes. Driver to Abu Dhabi after landing in DXB was very aggressive about mentioning how he wanted a tip and how this was his side job (he worked primarily for one of the car rental companies). Driver from Abu Dhabi did not say a word the entire time. EK website had some limit about only picking up a certain amount of time in advance for DXB flights but had no issues getting picked up in Abu Dhabi at 10:30 PM for a 3:30 AM flight.
- car to YYZ was a towncar, nothing fancy. Driver was quite chatty. Service called me the day before, twice actually, to confirm. Showed up on time.
- car to MXP was a Maybach! That was quite the upgrade. No call in advance and when I asked EK online chat for the phone number so I could call and confirm, was told this was not possible.
- cars to/from DXB were Mercedes. Driver to Abu Dhabi after landing in DXB was very aggressive about mentioning how he wanted a tip and how this was his side job (he worked primarily for one of the car rental companies). Driver from Abu Dhabi did not say a word the entire time. EK website had some limit about only picking up a certain amount of time in advance for DXB flights but had no issues getting picked up in Abu Dhabi at 10:30 PM for a 3:30 AM flight.
Aug 30, 2018, 12:03 am
#1188
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
YYZ-DXB-MXP and return in F. Used CD for four legs (before YYZ-DXB, MXP-DXB, and to/from DXB on a layover) :
- car to YYZ was a towncar, nothing fancy. Driver was quite chatty. Service called me the day before, twice actually, to confirm. Showed up on time.
- car to MXP was a Maybach! That was quite the upgrade. No call in advance and when I asked EK online chat for the phone number so I could call and confirm, was told this was not possible.
- cars to/from DXB were Mercedes. Driver to Abu Dhabi after landing in DXB was very aggressive about mentioning how he wanted a tip and how this was his side job (he worked primarily for one of the car rental companies). Driver from Abu Dhabi did not say a word the entire time. EK website had some limit about only picking up a certain amount of time in advance for DXB flights but had no issues getting picked up in Abu Dhabi at 10:30 PM for a 3:30 AM flight.
- car to YYZ was a towncar, nothing fancy. Driver was quite chatty. Service called me the day before, twice actually, to confirm. Showed up on time.
- car to MXP was a Maybach! That was quite the upgrade. No call in advance and when I asked EK online chat for the phone number so I could call and confirm, was told this was not possible.
- cars to/from DXB were Mercedes. Driver to Abu Dhabi after landing in DXB was very aggressive about mentioning how he wanted a tip and how this was his side job (he worked primarily for one of the car rental companies). Driver from Abu Dhabi did not say a word the entire time. EK website had some limit about only picking up a certain amount of time in advance for DXB flights but had no issues getting picked up in Abu Dhabi at 10:30 PM for a 3:30 AM flight.
Aug 30, 2018, 2:44 am
#1189
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,348
Is it customary to tip an Emirates driver (whether they've asked for one or not)? I'm just curious as to whether i should be tipping my drivers on an upcoming trip.
Aug 30, 2018, 3:11 am
#1190
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: ISB
Posts: 747
I've seen plenty of people who don't, it's not required, but I usually tip around 20-30 AED whenever I'm in DXB.
Aug 31, 2018, 12:30 am
#1191
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Scotland
Posts: 171
Aug 31, 2018, 1:35 am
#1193
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Scotland
Posts: 171
I was going to add that I was Scottish to my post but decided not to
I probably do tick quite a few Scottish stereotypes, but hey ho, so be it
I'm not a tipper in any environment other than when US culture basically dictates that necessity
You don't get to travel J and F for leisure by giving your money away
I probably do tick quite a few Scottish stereotypes, but hey ho, so be it
I'm not a tipper in any environment other than when US culture basically dictates that necessity
You don't get to travel J and F for leisure by giving your money away
Sep 3, 2018, 8:45 am
#1195
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MAA
Programs: EK Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 130
Yes, they do - though it very much depends on the departure station and individual chec-in staff. From the UK, in my experience, it is pretty much a no no. However, to the UK it does sometimes work, though might require speaking to ground staff at the transfer airport e.g. when picking up the (BA) boarding pass in order for the luggage tag numbers being entered into their system and linked to the pax and flight.
Oh and op-up to F at the gate in DXB
Sep 3, 2018, 9:31 am
#1196
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: In transit
Programs: AF/KL BA GF EK EY LH QR
Posts: 587
Sep 3, 2018, 11:58 pm
#1197
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: AU
Programs: EK platinum, ET, SAS
Posts: 542
I was going to add that I was Scottish to my post but decided not to
I probably do tick quite a few Scottish stereotypes, but hey ho, so be it
I'm not a tipper in any environment other than when US culture basically dictates that necessity
You don't get to travel J and F for leisure by giving your money away
I probably do tick quite a few Scottish stereotypes, but hey ho, so be it
I'm not a tipper in any environment other than when US culture basically dictates that necessity
You don't get to travel J and F for leisure by giving your money away
Sep 4, 2018, 12:03 am
#1198
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: AU
Programs: EK platinum, ET, SAS
Posts: 542
Unless of course you're saying you can barely afford an F or J ticket if you give away small amounts like that. Champagne tastes and beer income perhaps? If so, your actions are understandable and predictable
Sep 4, 2018, 1:04 am
#1199
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Scotland
Posts: 171
Absolutely - champagne lifestyle, prosecco budget
I save and plan meticulously with points/awards to maximise premium leisure travel opportunities once every 18/24 months
I'm happy you feel you can be generous and always consider others situations, however step outside yourself and don't always make it about you. Not everyone who gets to occasionally enjoy premium things is in your presumably privileged position and may be there through blood, sweat and tears
I save and plan meticulously with points/awards to maximise premium leisure travel opportunities once every 18/24 months
I'm happy you feel you can be generous and always consider others situations, however step outside yourself and don't always make it about you. Not everyone who gets to occasionally enjoy premium things is in your presumably privileged position and may be there through blood, sweat and tears
Sep 4, 2018, 8:12 am
#1200
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: AU
Programs: EK platinum, ET, SAS
Posts: 542
Absolutely - champagne lifestyle, prosecco budget
I save and plan meticulously with points/awards to maximise premium leisure travel opportunities once every 18/24 months
I'm happy you feel you can be generous and always consider others situations, however step outside yourself and don't always make it about you. Not everyone who gets to occasionally enjoy premium things is in your presumably privileged position and may be there through blood, sweat and tears
I save and plan meticulously with points/awards to maximise premium leisure travel opportunities once every 18/24 months
I'm happy you feel you can be generous and always consider others situations, however step outside yourself and don't always make it about you. Not everyone who gets to occasionally enjoy premium things is in your presumably privileged position and may be there through blood, sweat and tears