I think there are special rules for CBR (and HBA) where CBR-AU-international F/J are eligible for CDR ex-CBR even if CBR-AU is in Y: no doubt to ensure that the wheels of government remain well oiled and in case there is any doubt, to err on the side of providing rather than denying

Could just be an issue with their IT there - I assume it's an EK marketed flight AKL-SYD?

http://content.emirates.com/download...ligibility.pdf

shows that on NZ-AU-DXB you are eligible for CD in NZ - i'd give EK a call to confirm it.

Two years ago (so not sure if the rules have changed) I flew BNE - PER - DXB and got the car in Brisbane before the domestic J flight, connecting to the PER - DXB F flight.

Everything was booked on line, so the web site should be able to show if you will or won't get a car, rather than someone on the phone.

Just a quick update;

Called EK Customer services, they were helpful.

No idea why I cant get a car in SYD. The only thing which they thought might have messed up the system was if I was staying over in MEL, but I am not, I am just connecting 90mins from one flight to another (to SIN). So he's booking the car now and it going to call me back.

Make sure the car brings you to the Qantas domestic terminal, not to International which is where Emirates operates from!!!

^^ misinformed agents.

CBR/HBA have the same conditions to other airports, not sure why they were grouped separately in the list. But I can definitely say, there's nothing governmental about HBA. VA stopped their nonstop CBR-HBA last year (I am assuming the subsidy that was in place for establishing the route was scrapped or ran out).

I'm genuinely surprised by the stance taken by the second agent spoken to by the OP, because I still believe that the original decision, ie the refusal, was the correct one (I mean as far as EK rules go, not from a 'moral' perspective). Plus.....I got the distinct impression that others agreed with me during the course of the debate .....DYKWIA, eternaltransit, irishguy28 ........

EK004 Regular : just for total clarification, could you please let us know when your car has actually been confirmed AND shows as such on your MMB ?

I ask because I'm just wondering whether the agent who has now told you that he/she was booking the car, and would then call you back, may in fact be knocked back by someone else within the chain of command who is responsible for making any tricky decisions (a note at the top of the CDS Eligibility Grid states "Res Ops Team will confirm or reject CDS requests based on the below rules....")

It's not that I don't want you to have you the car. Quite the opposite. I have been refused a car myself when making (same day, non-stopover) domestic flights operated by QF to connect with a long-haul EK sector - so it would be in my own interests if the rules were either a) shown to have been interpreted wrongly in my case, or b) have recently been amended in some way.

I agree - although I am less surprised due to the inconsistency in staff training and EKs IT systems set up so there is a lot of flexibility in override (possibly a function of the main markets they operate in where cultural norms do not look too kindly upon "Computer says no" - to put it diplomatically ).

OP, I am of the opinion that technically going by their published rules, you are ineligible for pick-up in SYD for a SYD-MEL-SIN flight. EK unfortunately, unlike other airlines and companies who will "own" their mistakes, will have absolutely no qualms about having an agent book it and then confirm with you, making it visible online, and then when it comes to 24 hours beforehand when the local station actually organises it - simply unilaterally cancel the booking and not inform you at all (or inform you at say, 3-4 hours before pickup). This understandably may cause you to be angry at the inconvenience and possibly make you waste some time in your life complaining either at the airport (whose ground staff can do nothing for you) or to customer affairs, who are likely to send back a standard email saying you weren't eligible, so tough. These I think are not really worth the hassle of spoiling your F flights!

Inconsistency in service enforcement is one of EKs rather weak points - for instance, lounge access for families and guests is a big one. Many stations are quite lenient and allow say (a family with 2 in J with 2 in Y to allow the family in Y to enter) - and then when faced with a lounge that enforces the rules, get rather angry (and I have seen actually quite abusive).

In a similar vein, the amount of people I have seen get op-ups and then denied from the lounge and have the temerity to start getting angry - the churlishness constantly amazes me, getting angry at not getting something you aren't entitled to, but think you "should" be! Shocking!

There was no call back.

There was no confirmation of a car.

The original 'Sorry for the inconvenience but......' email was sent. No real explanation but its left me feeling disappointed, not so much in having to take a short cab fare, but the inconsistency in EK staff. All I got was yes, no, yes, no all day.

Thanks for your help folks, lesson learnt here.

I would not expect the service to be provided in Sydney when the Emirates flight departs from Melbourne

Looking at the terms however it seems to imply that it would be ok - also comparing against Qantas's terms for CD, Qantas would offer CD for a journey where there is a connection ; see http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...erms/global/en

Unfortunately for the OP,QF terms only apply to connections onto QF-operated flights - in this case, the international flight is operated by EK.

Additionally, the OP's itinerary for the purposes of Chauffeur Drive eligibility is SYD-MEL-SIN due to his stopover in SIN which is excluded from Chauffeur drive pickup in Australia - although he should receive it on arrival in SIN. Ironically if he was to have a stopover in MEL before his EK flight to SIN he would get chauffeur drive pickup in MEL!

Based on my experience and those I know, your and others' reading of the terms is inaccurate. The OP is eligible to receive CD in SYD. There is no exclusions for for this scenario, as matter of fact the terms in the PDF are clearly indicating so.

...except that the OP has yet to receive the call-back confirming that the car has now, indeed, been booked.

And the OP's last post seems to indicate they've given up on getting it!!!

There is a PDF file indicating when CD is available at http://content.emirates.com/download...ligibility.pdf

which quite cleary details where CD will be offered and just need to check the line applicable for journey

Assuming passenger flew on EK from AKL-SYD

EK / EK-M / EK / EK line would apply for NZ - AU1 - AU2 - ASIA - DXB

NZ EK AU1 EK-M x / AU2 EK ASIA EK DXB

would seem to apply where there is stopover at AU1 ( Sydney ) and Asia ( Singapore )

which affords

CDD in ASIA / CDA in DXB

which would be consistent with no CD being offered in Sydney