Removal of chauffeur service for some business class passengers
Oct 21, 2014, 5:55 am
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
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Removal of chauffeur service for some business class passengers
Etihad have withdrawn their chauffeur service to all Z class business travel including somewhat surprisingly to Gold and Gold Elite holders 
Some might think that such a change would have been communicated directly by email to all Etihad guests but as a gold card holder I only found out after I had made my booking.
I think that this lack of communication is a disgrace and for me the chauffeur is a very significant factor in my choice of airline and I for one would have been demanding a refund had they not agreed that as I had already booked in this case they would allow the chauffeur.
I do not know why Etihad have tried to slip this in under the radar but I am surprised that they have applied it to Gold and Gold Elite guests - at the least they should have reduced it to one end of the journey only
Any thoughts?
Some might think that such a change would have been communicated directly by email to all Etihad guests but as a gold card holder I only found out after I had made my booking.
I think that this lack of communication is a disgrace and for me the chauffeur is a very significant factor in my choice of airline and I for one would have been demanding a refund had they not agreed that as I had already booked in this case they would allow the chauffeur.
I do not know why Etihad have tried to slip this in under the radar but I am surprised that they have applied it to Gold and Gold Elite guests - at the least they should have reduced it to one end of the journey only
Any thoughts?
Oct 21, 2014, 6:56 am
#2
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I made a Z class booking last week, and I am able to call up the chauffeur reservation page. Clearly, if there is truth in your claim, there must be limits to it (certain destinations, time of making the booking, etc etc)
Oct 21, 2014, 7:09 am
#3
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How do you wish me to substantiate the claim - This is what I was told yesterday by Etihad in the UK who said it was withdrawn at the weekend. If I am wrong I am sure Etihad will correct me
Oct 21, 2014, 7:24 am
#4
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The website makes no mention of Z-class passengers not being allowed to book.
Could it be that the agent was misinformed? Did you try to make the chauffeur booking online, as should normally be possible?
Originally Posted by Etihad Chauffeur T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Etihad Chauffeur service is available to the following guests
1.Guests holding tickets with confirmed reservations in First or Business Class.
2.Etihad Chauffeur is available to Etihad Guest members redeeming their miles on First and Business class.
3.Guests travelling on Etihad Airways operated flights (although holding other airline tickets), are eligible for Etihad Chauffer service.
Etihad Chauffeur is not available for the following:
•The service is not available to guests who are waitlisted, in transit or those collecting tickets on departure.
•The Etihad Chauffeur service can only be used by travelers who have a corresponding arriving or departing flight on the same day. The service cannot be availed on any other day for any reason.
•Etihad Chauffeur is not available to Un-accompanied Minors (UM).
•Etihad Chauffeur service must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of travel. Service will not be confirmed for bookings made within 24 hours. Service cannot be arranged for guests on arrival airport without prior bookings.
•Etihad Chauffeur operates within specific distances of all destinations where offered. If the service requested exceeds the specified mileage limits in any given city, guests are required to pay for the excess mileage at the locally applicable rates. All charges for excess mileage should be settled by guests directly with the chauffeur.
•If a guest fails to cancel an Etihad Chauffeur booking and the chauffeur arrives at the appointed time and place only to be sent away, this will be termed as “No Show". The service cannot be rebooked for a future date in conjunction with the same ticket.
•Etihad Chauffeur services are provided by third party service providers. Etihad has no liability for loss, personal injury or death incurred during the use of such facilities and services unless such loss, personal injury or death is / are caused solely by Etihad negligence.
•The Etihad Chauffeur service may be restricted on some special/promotional fare tickets. Please check with your travel agent or with the Etihad Airways office at the time of your booking.
•Etihad Chauffeur is not available for use with complimentary tickets or complimentary upgrades from Economy to Business and/or First Class.
•Guests must adhere to the pick-up times given to them. The pick-up time is neither flexible nor negotiable. Drivers will wait for a maximum of 20 minutes, after which the driver will advise the guest and promptly be released for the next assignment.
•Guests traveling on codeshare flights not operated by Etihad Airways.
Etihad Chauffeur service is available to the following guests
1.Guests holding tickets with confirmed reservations in First or Business Class.
2.Etihad Chauffeur is available to Etihad Guest members redeeming their miles on First and Business class.
3.Guests travelling on Etihad Airways operated flights (although holding other airline tickets), are eligible for Etihad Chauffer service.
Etihad Chauffeur is not available for the following:
•The service is not available to guests who are waitlisted, in transit or those collecting tickets on departure.
•The Etihad Chauffeur service can only be used by travelers who have a corresponding arriving or departing flight on the same day. The service cannot be availed on any other day for any reason.
•Etihad Chauffeur is not available to Un-accompanied Minors (UM).
•Etihad Chauffeur service must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of travel. Service will not be confirmed for bookings made within 24 hours. Service cannot be arranged for guests on arrival airport without prior bookings.
•Etihad Chauffeur operates within specific distances of all destinations where offered. If the service requested exceeds the specified mileage limits in any given city, guests are required to pay for the excess mileage at the locally applicable rates. All charges for excess mileage should be settled by guests directly with the chauffeur.
•If a guest fails to cancel an Etihad Chauffeur booking and the chauffeur arrives at the appointed time and place only to be sent away, this will be termed as “No Show". The service cannot be rebooked for a future date in conjunction with the same ticket.
•Etihad Chauffeur services are provided by third party service providers. Etihad has no liability for loss, personal injury or death incurred during the use of such facilities and services unless such loss, personal injury or death is / are caused solely by Etihad negligence.
•The Etihad Chauffeur service may be restricted on some special/promotional fare tickets. Please check with your travel agent or with the Etihad Airways office at the time of your booking.
•Etihad Chauffeur is not available for use with complimentary tickets or complimentary upgrades from Economy to Business and/or First Class.
•Guests must adhere to the pick-up times given to them. The pick-up time is neither flexible nor negotiable. Drivers will wait for a maximum of 20 minutes, after which the driver will advise the guest and promptly be released for the next assignment.
•Guests traveling on codeshare flights not operated by Etihad Airways.
Oct 21, 2014, 7:52 am
#5
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I can not say if the agent was misinformed I can only repeat what she told me last night and that this had changed at the weekend (which was possibly why you could book yours). Like you I did look at the web page but it was not clear.
personally I do not usually have any idea which class of fare I am booking I just check the cancellation and change details and the agents do not usually inform you of the fare class
personally I do not usually have any idea which class of fare I am booking I just check the cancellation and change details and the agents do not usually inform you of the fare class
Oct 21, 2014, 9:35 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UAE
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Excuse the ignorance what is Z class? Redemption fare or discounted business fare?
Sometimes if you hangup and talk to another agent you get a different answer or at least someone who is able to do exactly what the previous agent told you was impossible to do!
Sometimes if you hangup and talk to another agent you get a different answer or at least someone who is able to do exactly what the previous agent told you was impossible to do!
Oct 22, 2014, 2:51 am
#8
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Oct 22, 2014, 3:19 am
#9
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Actually...
although Z still appears in their table of earning classes, Z is not listed when using the mileage calculator.
Perhaps Z is changing...
although Z still appears in their table of earning classes, Z is not listed when using the mileage calculator.
Perhaps Z is changing...
Oct 22, 2014, 3:58 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: England
Posts: 135
[QUOTE=minmaguire;23711043]Excuse the ignorance what is Z class? Redemption fare or discounted business fare?/QUOTE]
I too would love to know what Z is. Looked at my next J class booking and can see no mention of which class I have. Also just tried a trial booking on Etihad website and see no mention of the class on a J flight.
Perhaps somebody who is more knowledgeable can help?
I too would love to know what Z is. Looked at my next J class booking and can see no mention of which class I have. Also just tried a trial booking on Etihad website and see no mention of the class on a J flight.
Perhaps somebody who is more knowledgeable can help?
Oct 22, 2014, 4:16 am
#12
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As I understand it it only applies to bookings made from this week and all old bookings are to be honored as one would expect.
I am surprised that the Etihad social media person who monitors this and other sites has not entered the debate and provided a definitive answer and I stand by my original theme that the communication is a disgrace if indeed it is true.
BA many years ago got a lot of criticism for removing peanuts form their business class but this is a fundamental part of the Etihad offer to many like myself. If chauffeur not available I will certainly be very seriously considering Emirates and Qatar given the difficulty I face in getting to Manchester airport in time for the morning departure (both offer me a more convenient mid day departure and emirates also include the chauffeur)
I am surprised that the Etihad social media person who monitors this and other sites has not entered the debate and provided a definitive answer and I stand by my original theme that the communication is a disgrace if indeed it is true.
BA many years ago got a lot of criticism for removing peanuts form their business class but this is a fundamental part of the Etihad offer to many like myself. If chauffeur not available I will certainly be very seriously considering Emirates and Qatar given the difficulty I face in getting to Manchester airport in time for the morning departure (both offer me a more convenient mid day departure and emirates also include the chauffeur)
Oct 22, 2014, 4:18 am
#13
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you can always bring your own peanuts on board. Sadly, the same is not always true for chauffeurs...
Oct 22, 2014, 4:25 am
#14
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In the column headed "other notes", for each flight you will see a "Fare Basis" followed by a string of letters and numbers. The first letter is the fare code you are booked in. If the sequence starts with a Z, then you have a Z class business ticket. If any individual flight is shown with a fare basis starting with W, C, D, or J, for that particular flight that is the fare class that applies to that flight.
Generally (but not always) all flights will be in the same fare class.
Oct 22, 2014, 4:48 am
#15
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I know my point was that taking away something however small can have a significant adverse reaction and often far outweighing the original benefits of introducing it.
I agree that in this case it is far far more serious as it could potentially lose them business (unlike the peanuts). For me that would be a shame as I really like the Etihad lounge in Manchester and the on board experience with Etihad
I agree that in this case it is far far more serious as it could potentially lose them business (unlike the peanuts). For me that would be a shame as I really like the Etihad lounge in Manchester and the on board experience with Etihad