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
Mar 29, 2019, 3:43 am
#1366
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,267
The chauffeur drive feature on the EK website was changed a bit a few months ago.
The distance allowed used to be either 'driven miles' or 'radius'. But now it says 'distance covered' (which suggests 'driven miles') and at the same time shows a red circle (which suggests 'radius'). Any idea what it actually is?
I need to go from LHR to Canterbury. Canterbury is within the 'red circle'. But at the same time, it is 111 driven miles! I have booked a car on MMB (there are two of us, on separate PNR's, but of course only one car booked). What will happen on arrival at LHR? Also, for some other destinations the website gives a rate per excess mile to be paid to the driver, but for LHR it just says 'includes all London postcodes 'and nothing about excess mileage. So will they just refuse to take us?
Normally we fly to LGW, which is less than 70 driven miles, so not an issue. But there were no J Saver fares to LGW available when we booked, hence the change to LHR.
In the past we have happily paid excess mileage in AMS, so I am not averse to paying for the excess now either. But I don't want to find out on arrival that we have to take the tube to Victoria, a train to Canterbury East and taxi or walk home.....
The distance allowed used to be either 'driven miles' or 'radius'. But now it says 'distance covered' (which suggests 'driven miles') and at the same time shows a red circle (which suggests 'radius'). Any idea what it actually is?
I need to go from LHR to Canterbury. Canterbury is within the 'red circle'. But at the same time, it is 111 driven miles! I have booked a car on MMB (there are two of us, on separate PNR's, but of course only one car booked). What will happen on arrival at LHR? Also, for some other destinations the website gives a rate per excess mile to be paid to the driver, but for LHR it just says 'includes all London postcodes 'and nothing about excess mileage. So will they just refuse to take us?
Normally we fly to LGW, which is less than 70 driven miles, so not an issue. But there were no J Saver fares to LGW available when we booked, hence the change to LHR.
In the past we have happily paid excess mileage in AMS, so I am not averse to paying for the excess now either. But I don't want to find out on arrival that we have to take the tube to Victoria, a train to Canterbury East and taxi or walk home.....
I phoned the call centre about a week before the flight and asked the 'radius' vs. 'driven miles' question. The agent was sure that it was 'radius' for London and offered to check in some sort of app they seem to have. I gave my postcode but the app was confused about that. In the end we left it that as long as my destination was inside the red circle on the web page it would be OK (and if it was further I could pay the driver by card).
On arrival I asked the dispatcher if my address was inside CD 'range' and he confirmed that it was the case. A few minutes later, we were on our way on a 1 hour 50 minute drive. To do this by public transport would of course have been entirely possible but uncomfortable with bags on the tube to Victoria and then a train. A major 'faff'!
Excellent outcome! ^
Mar 31, 2019, 7:19 pm
#1367
Moderator: Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: 12R/30L
Programs: EK Gold|EY Gold|Bonvoy Ambassador| IHG Plat|HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,818
Just an update on the above for the benefit of others:
I phoned the call centre about a week before the flight and asked the 'radius' vs. 'driven miles' question. The agent was sure that it was 'radius' for London and offered to check in some sort of app they seem to have. I gave my postcode but the app was confused about that. In the end we left it that as long as my destination was inside the red circle on the web page it would be OK (and if it was further I could pay the driver by card).
On arrival I asked the dispatcher if my address was inside CD 'range' and he confirmed that it was the case. A few minutes later, we were on our way on a 1 hour 50 minute drive. To do this by public transport would of course have been entirely possible but uncomfortable with bags on the tube to Victoria and then a train. A major 'faff'!
Excellent outcome! ^
I phoned the call centre about a week before the flight and asked the 'radius' vs. 'driven miles' question. The agent was sure that it was 'radius' for London and offered to check in some sort of app they seem to have. I gave my postcode but the app was confused about that. In the end we left it that as long as my destination was inside the red circle on the web page it would be OK (and if it was further I could pay the driver by card).
On arrival I asked the dispatcher if my address was inside CD 'range' and he confirmed that it was the case. A few minutes later, we were on our way on a 1 hour 50 minute drive. To do this by public transport would of course have been entirely possible but uncomfortable with bags on the tube to Victoria and then a train. A major 'faff'!
Excellent outcome! ^
Apr 1, 2019, 12:28 am
#1368
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,267
Apr 13, 2019, 9:52 pm
#1369
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 119
Not sure if it's been posted earlier, but found out today that:
This is a doubling of the previous range. No more having the driver drop me off at a relative's house half way between home.
Since the 1st of April 2019 , the maximum distance allowed for Sydney chauffeur is 80 driven kilometres
Apr 13, 2019, 11:20 pm
#1371
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,267
Since March 1, award bookings do no longer qualify for CD, whether they are Skywards or partner miles. Same for Y to J upgrades.
Apr 13, 2019, 11:35 pm
#1372
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Apr 14, 2019, 12:42 pm
#1375
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: AU
Programs: EK platinum, ET, SAS
Posts: 542
It is definitely 70 mile radius. 18 months ago I took a CD from Swindon to LHR, and when the booking was being confirmed, I was told Swindon was just inside the 70 mile radius and there would be no charge for the journey
Apr 14, 2019, 11:52 pm
#1376
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
TD
Apr 15, 2019, 12:13 am
#1377
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
The UK is the one place other than the US that doesn't seem to understand how to count in a logical manner. I think the UK is technically semi-metric, but they use miles for distances and speed, and stone for weight, though this may be colloquial, not sure if it's the legal standard unit
Apr 16, 2019, 3:41 am
#1378
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: AU
Programs: EK platinum, ET, SAS
Posts: 542
The UK is the one place other than the US that doesn't seem to understand how to count in a logical manner. I think the UK is technically semi-metric, but they use miles for distances and speed, and stone for weight, though this may be colloquial, not sure if it's the legal standard unit
Apr 22, 2019, 1:04 am
#1380
Ambassador: Emirates
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: UK/AU
Programs: QF P1 + LTS, EK Gold, BAEC Gold, QR Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,138
Glad to hear Brunel are finally off the contract in SYD and BNE. Some of the worst CDs I've had. Not all of them are bad, but terrible working conditions for drivers leading to lower quality product, drivers getting lost, drivers soliciting tips and a general lack of professionalism.
Would love to see some more of the network up to LHR standards. Still can't be beaten across the network.
Would love to see some more of the network up to LHR standards. Still can't be beaten across the network.