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
Jun 9, 2019, 10:55 am
#1441
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,267
At almost all airports the drivers wait with name signs as you exit, I'm not sure about LHR, something tells me it might be a bit different and there might be a lounge to wait or something, either way I don't think what you suggest would he feasible or fair to the driver who'd have to wait. Rather book the CD to the city and slip your driver a 20 to swing by the Sofitel for 5 mins as you drop the bags. If he says no can do, tell him ok sorry for the trouble but then you won't be able to continue to the city. He probably won't take you to the Sofitel then however as inter terminal trips aren't permitted (not sure if being the hotel changes that). Most likely won't be an issue though
Jun 9, 2019, 3:06 pm
#1442
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 852
Canceled the second half of a EK J round trip 30 hours before departure from ORD. I say canceled, but for whatever reason EK won't let you do that in the app or online. I believe the agent put it in 'deleted' status from what I recall. Said I needed to fill out a form online to get the meager refund they give for partially used tickets. Which is a terrible way to run things, but that's another point.
A few hours after I 'canceled' over the phone, the chauffeur company called me to verify my booking. I told them I wouldn't be traveling. 24 hours later the chauffeur driver calls me to tell me she's in my driveway. Was perplexed and annoyed by Emirates, and the chauffeur company, especially because it was the same wonderful driver I had last time, who was quite pleasant and friendly.
A few hours after I 'canceled' over the phone, the chauffeur company called me to verify my booking. I told them I wouldn't be traveling. 24 hours later the chauffeur driver calls me to tell me she's in my driveway. Was perplexed and annoyed by Emirates, and the chauffeur company, especially because it was the same wonderful driver I had last time, who was quite pleasant and friendly.
Jun 9, 2019, 7:51 pm
#1443
Ambassador: Emirates
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: UK/AU
Programs: QF P1 + LTS, EK Gold, BAEC Gold, QR Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,137
New SYD CD company Hughes is a vast improvement on Brunel.
Nice mobile interface to confirm booking T-40 via a hyperlink in a text. Water and mints now the standard. I reckon the Brunel lads were having to eat the Mentos to survive given how badly they were treated by that company.
Nice mobile interface to confirm booking T-40 via a hyperlink in a text. Water and mints now the standard. I reckon the Brunel lads were having to eat the Mentos to survive given how badly they were treated by that company.
Jun 9, 2019, 9:12 pm
#1444
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,076
JNB F car didn't confirm at all. Showed up a few minutes late in a E Class.
DXB F car from the airport (to AUH) was a beautiful S Class. Car from AUH was a A Class hatchback.
DXB F car from the airport (to AUH) was a beautiful S Class. Car from AUH was a A Class hatchback.
Jun 10, 2019, 12:19 am
#1445
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Shetland, uk
Programs: Skywards silver
Posts: 247
Thats’s exactly what I would do in your situation. For information: at LHR there is a special lounge where you report for your CD drive (it’s easily found, plus there is a chap with a sign at the exit from customs to direct you). You report to the desk in the lounge and your presence is noted. You can sit down and get a drink (there is a coffee machine plus a fridge with soft drinks). Soon someone will call your name and escort you just outside where your car and driver will be waiting. I found it extremely civilised, the best CD experience out of admittedly not that many different locations I have used.
Jun 10, 2019, 12:21 am
#1446
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Shetland, uk
Programs: Skywards silver
Posts: 247
At almost all airports the drivers wait with name signs as you exit, I'm not sure about LHR, something tells me it might be a bit different and there might be a lounge to wait or something, either way I don't think what you suggest would he feasible or fair to the driver who'd have to wait. Rather book the CD to the city and slip your driver a 20 to swing by the Sofitel for 5 mins as you drop the bags. If he says no can do, tell him ok sorry for the trouble but then you won't be able to continue to the city. He probably won't take you to the Sofitel then however as inter terminal trips aren't permitted (not sure if being the hotel changes that). Most likely won't be an issue though
thanks for replying.
Jun 10, 2019, 5:09 pm
#1447
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
Jun 19, 2019, 6:13 am
#1448
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
Some feedback from recent experience to clarify / confirm some of what has been said above:
DXB-HKG - F upgrades from J are eligible for chauffeur drive but you have to call to book.
HKG-BKK in J - eligible for chauffeur drive if part of an international ticket (i.e. DXB-HKG-BKK). Not eligible for chauffeur drive on an "intra-Asia" BKK-HKG or vv ticket.
Transit/Stopover at DXB in J / F - if your stay in Dubai is less than 24 hours, chauffeur drive is available but only if the fare rules of the ticket permit a stopover
DXB-HKG - F upgrades from J are eligible for chauffeur drive but you have to call to book.
HKG-BKK in J - eligible for chauffeur drive if part of an international ticket (i.e. DXB-HKG-BKK). Not eligible for chauffeur drive on an "intra-Asia" BKK-HKG or vv ticket.
Transit/Stopover at DXB in J / F - if your stay in Dubai is less than 24 hours, chauffeur drive is available but only if the fare rules of the ticket permit a stopover
Jun 19, 2019, 7:45 pm
#1449
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 wondering how strict CD are in Sydney with 2 bags. My son and I are travelling together and will probably have 3 bags between us...is it worth booking a second car which he is entitled to, just to carry one bag?
Also I see a lot of discussion regarding awards flights no longer being eligible for CD. Is a way round this to use skywards to book via QF (obviously only on codeshare flights) ensuring flight is operated by EK. Qantas website seems to indicate that Awards bookings are still eligible for CD, although I don't know if you can actually use Skywards to book directly via QF
Also I see a lot of discussion regarding awards flights no longer being eligible for CD. Is a way round this to use skywards to book via QF (obviously only on codeshare flights) ensuring flight is operated by EK. Qantas website seems to indicate that Awards bookings are still eligible for CD, although I don't know if you can actually use Skywards to book directly via QF
Jun 26, 2019, 3:53 am
#1451
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Programs: HertzPresCircle, Virgin Atlantic Gold,Hil-Diam, Europcar Elite Vip, Emirates Gold, MarriottTitanium.
Posts: 419
Annoyingly had another driver who started to moan about his income. I asked if he liked the new car and then his answer was: Yeah but wish my income would also improve. I only get 550 dollar every month and after rent and everything else i not get left with anything to live on blablabla.. Im sympathetic towards them but it's just so uncomfortable. Literally 25% of my trips on Dubai chauffeur drives i get this. Makes me think it's just a thing to get a extra 'sympathy' tip from the riders after you come back or go on your holiday in First class...
Never ever get those stories on chauffeur cars on arrival at destinations outside Dubai (Usually also much much nicer drivers who provide you with snacks and drinks and such).
Jun 27, 2019, 3:44 pm
#1452
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,395
Hi Zol ..... had to do a ‘double-take’ on reading this because I have been using Skywards to book (several) QF awards in each of the last three years ..... 2016/17/18. I even checked my Skywards statement in case my memory had somehow gone AWOL !
However all the flights were domestics. Does your comment apply only to QF international sectors ?
However all the flights were domestics. Does your comment apply only to QF international sectors ?
Jun 27, 2019, 5:17 pm
#1453
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
Hi Zol ..... had to do a ‘double-take’ on reading this because I have been using Skywards to book (several) QF awards in each of the last three years ..... 2016/17/18. I even checked my Skywards statement in case my memory had somehow gone AWOL !
However all the flights were domestics. Does your comment apply only to QF international sectors ?
Jun 27, 2019, 10:56 pm
#1454
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Update ex-HKG: 2 hour booking possible, even less after talking to car company
Wanted to follow up if anyone is interested.
Called in to EK, they tried to force me 2:30-3:00 car in advance. I know HKG and timings very well and had no desire to sit in the lounge for an hour or two. After some negotiating, EK agreed to arrange my driver 2:00 in advance provided I verbally told them on the phone "I accept the risk" of potentially missing my flight. (I arranged 5:50am for a 7:50am flight)
Then, a day before the car company called me. I asked them to push it back again, to pick me up at 6:00am instead of 5:50; no problem and no negotiating needed. (We live on HK Island, drive to airport with no traffic at that hour is about 35-40 minutes tops. Could be 30+ if driver is aggressive. I presume the car company knew my request wasn't an issue.)
Day of flight, the car company arrived a few minutes early around 5:55am. We left at 6:00am. S Class Mercedes and professional driver. EK had a rep waiting for me curbside upon arrival at HKG. Overall solid experience and much better than my other CD experiences in DXB and a few European ports, not to mention much better than my last arriving-at HKG experience. I had actually just booked my own car my last two ex-HKG flights after lackluster experiences with CD before. So this was a nice change of pace!
My main concern was not having to be picked up at an ungodly hour and then be forced to sit in the lounge for an hour or two. That was avoided and I'm a happy camper. The S Class was good too and comfortable.
Called in to EK, they tried to force me 2:30-3:00 car in advance. I know HKG and timings very well and had no desire to sit in the lounge for an hour or two. After some negotiating, EK agreed to arrange my driver 2:00 in advance provided I verbally told them on the phone "I accept the risk" of potentially missing my flight. (I arranged 5:50am for a 7:50am flight)
Then, a day before the car company called me. I asked them to push it back again, to pick me up at 6:00am instead of 5:50; no problem and no negotiating needed. (We live on HK Island, drive to airport with no traffic at that hour is about 35-40 minutes tops. Could be 30+ if driver is aggressive. I presume the car company knew my request wasn't an issue.)
Day of flight, the car company arrived a few minutes early around 5:55am. We left at 6:00am. S Class Mercedes and professional driver. EK had a rep waiting for me curbside upon arrival at HKG. Overall solid experience and much better than my other CD experiences in DXB and a few European ports, not to mention much better than my last arriving-at HKG experience. I had actually just booked my own car my last two ex-HKG flights after lackluster experiences with CD before. So this was a nice change of pace!
My main concern was not having to be picked up at an ungodly hour and then be forced to sit in the lounge for an hour or two. That was avoided and I'm a happy camper. The S Class was good too and comfortable.
Jun 28, 2019, 1:53 pm
#1455
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,803
New SYD CD company Hughes is a vast improvement on Brunel.
Nice mobile interface to confirm booking T-40 via a hyperlink in a text. Water and mints now the standard. I reckon the Brunel lads were having to eat the Mentos to survive given how badly they were treated by that company.
Nice mobile interface to confirm booking T-40 via a hyperlink in a text. Water and mints now the standard. I reckon the Brunel lads were having to eat the Mentos to survive given how badly they were treated by that company.
Car used were Hyundai Genesis G80 which is now starting become common car for chauffeur service in Melbourne.
Singapore CD have some changes, the drivers waiting with name board instead of have separate counter to register.
Car used was an latest model E class