How does Chauffeur Drive work?
 

We are booked on QF 12 (LAX to SYD) in F next January. This is an award booking made with AS miles. I never heard of Chauffeur Drive until I read about it here. Our tickets are 027 but the Chauffeur Drive option does show up on our Manage My Booking page. Does that mean it is available to us and if so, how does it work? Is this a private driver who takes us to our hotel near Darling Harbor? Free? Is a tip appropriate? Where do we find the car and driver at Sydney International terminal? And we could also use it to get to LAX at the start of the journey? (I'm not sure we would do that--we'll be staying with family and they would be happy to drive us, but it might be a nice option.)

Here is another thread on the topic.

I was able to take advantage of Chauffeur Drive recently for the first time as well.

Yes

Free to you. Qantas pays the limo company.

There was some talk on the other thread about tipping. But no, a tip is not expected or, really, appropriate unless there is some extenuating circumstance.

A driver will be waiting by the baggage carousel with a sign/tablet with your name on it.

Yes, the booking option should offer both a TO the airport and FROM the airport transfers.


I had all the same questions. The service is really quite seamless and enjoyable. Just make sure to put the correct information in the booking form. If you need to change it later, call Qantas directly.

Excellent. Thank you for the information. Given that our flight is still eight months away, should I book it now, or wait to closer to our departure date?

Either way. The only lesson I have is that if you need to make a change within 48 hours of the reservation, you have to call Qantas. The online system doesn't do changes or cancellations/rebookings within that 2-day window.

Also, according to the other thread, each flyer is entitled to a separate Chauffeur Drive booking. You may wish to note it in your booking if you have two passengers with one car.

Just saw the Chauffeur option too. That's great, will be a big help. It says 40 miles from LAX... is that round trip or just from me to LAX?

One way.

My experience with CD is hot and cold. The actual service (car/drivers) I can't fault. The communication process to confirm the booking is another story.

The method of booking is via MMB, they say that the CD company will call you 24hrs out however, on all the occasions we're used it - nothing.

I've called QF to get contact details but they won't release details so it's a game of hoping someone will turn up with the right size and number of vehicles to suit your needs. When you're traveling in a family pack of 4 with a large amount of luggage and a 3 car entitlement.....a little confirmation is nice.

It's a great initiative shoved down QF's throat by EK. IME QF do the minimum level of service in an attempt to frustrate and get you to arrange your own transport....

Nothing first class about the process.

AusBT reports that the service is soon to be dropped for passengers to/from DFW and LAX.

From the QF website:

Well, so much for that benefit. Would have been nice for my upcoming trip.

Thanks for the heads up on this "enhancement". Booking now done. I was going to wait to do it with the Eat on Q meal order - and would have been somewhat pissed off if it disappeared. I do note in the CD T&C clause 21 says that says CD can be changed or withdrawn at any time. I just wonder if this was inserted very recently? My flight is in Dec 2014 and has a confirmed CD transfer - somewhat contradicting the wording in the QF web link.

So it finishes 9 June? I fly out of LAX on the 8th and arrive on the 10th into BNE, Do we think i will still get the pick up? hmmm :confused:

It's from 1 July that the benefit is discontinue, so you'll be fine.

You still need to book by 9th June ... as you would anyway.

I had some CD bookings already in for January next year, but the link for this has disappeared.

How does Chauffeur Drive work?
 

Are they only eliminating CD on the US side? Will it still be available for arrivals/departures at Australian airports?