Upper Class Chauffer Driven Car Questions
Dec 7, 2011, 5:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: UK
Programs: IC Spire Amb, Hilton, Marriott, BA, VA.
Posts: 673
Upper Class Chauffer Driven Car Questions
Hi All,
Just wondered if anyone could help me with a few questions I have on the UC chauffer driven car service for a trip to NY that I have coming next year. I am going to book a ticket that includes it, but I have never used this service before, so am a little unsure on a couple of basics;
Will it show up anywhere in the "my booking" area on-line, so that I can amend timings etc if necessary?
What's the situation on tips? Not so much here in the UK, but specifically at the New York end? I'd rather not tip for it, if I'm honest, as it costs enough on the ticket - but you know how NY can be....
And when I get back to LHR, what's the process? Do I use the revivals lounge as usual then go to the car desk to request my car, or go to the desk before revivals to give them the heads-up?
Sorry if the answers are obvious to these questions but this is all new to me. I've flown UC before, but never with the chauffer service bolted on. Thanks in advance for any pointers!
Just wondered if anyone could help me with a few questions I have on the UC chauffer driven car service for a trip to NY that I have coming next year. I am going to book a ticket that includes it, but I have never used this service before, so am a little unsure on a couple of basics;
Will it show up anywhere in the "my booking" area on-line, so that I can amend timings etc if necessary?
What's the situation on tips? Not so much here in the UK, but specifically at the New York end? I'd rather not tip for it, if I'm honest, as it costs enough on the ticket - but you know how NY can be....
And when I get back to LHR, what's the process? Do I use the revivals lounge as usual then go to the car desk to request my car, or go to the desk before revivals to give them the heads-up?
Sorry if the answers are obvious to these questions but this is all new to me. I've flown UC before, but never with the chauffer service bolted on. Thanks in advance for any pointers!
Dec 8, 2011, 2:46 am
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: VS Au, Skywards Au, BA Exec Ag, HH Diamond, Taj Au
Posts: 1,389
In answer to your questions:
(1) The CDC does not show up in your booking, you'll need to ring the Upper Class reservations line to provide your pick-up details and time preferred.
(2) Tips - well people have different opinions but I always tip my drive in the UK and the US, a quick rough guess of the actual fare if in a taxi or limo, then adding the appropriate amount.
(3) On return as you exit customs if you want to go straight on to your destination, the VS limo desk is right ahead under bright purple signage. If you wish to use revivals then head straight up there and let the staff member on reception know that you have a car booked, and approximately when you will want to be taken to your destination, they will sort it out for you.
Enjoy your trip!
(1) The CDC does not show up in your booking, you'll need to ring the Upper Class reservations line to provide your pick-up details and time preferred.
(2) Tips - well people have different opinions but I always tip my drive in the UK and the US, a quick rough guess of the actual fare if in a taxi or limo, then adding the appropriate amount.
(3) On return as you exit customs if you want to go straight on to your destination, the VS limo desk is right ahead under bright purple signage. If you wish to use revivals then head straight up there and let the staff member on reception know that you have a car booked, and approximately when you will want to be taken to your destination, they will sort it out for you.
Enjoy your trip!
Dec 8, 2011, 8:18 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Avalon is the limo company that contracts with Virgin Atlantic in the states.
It is a good idea to contact Avalon the day before to confirm the pickup.
I was left standing on the doorstep to be brought to LAX for a flight to London. When I called Virgin Atlantic they said, "you're in the system", when I called Avalon, they said "we have no record of you". So I had to ask a friend to take me on short notice. I ended up getting 5000 miles for my inconvenience, but I'd rather have had the ride.
Check with the actual company the day before.
The ticket may be included in your price but the company is just another limo company that gets paid wholesale rates by Virgin Atlantic and the drivers make their living on tips.....
Wish me luck, they are supposed to pick me up next Wed. for a trip to London/Joburg.
Steve
I was left standing on the doorstep to be brought to LAX for a flight to London. When I called Virgin Atlantic they said, "you're in the system", when I called Avalon, they said "we have no record of you". So I had to ask a friend to take me on short notice. I ended up getting 5000 miles for my inconvenience, but I'd rather have had the ride.
Check with the actual company the day before.
The ticket may be included in your price but the company is just another limo company that gets paid wholesale rates by Virgin Atlantic and the drivers make their living on tips.....
Wish me luck, they are supposed to pick me up next Wed. for a trip to London/Joburg.
Steve
Hi All,
Just wondered if anyone could help me with a few questions I have on the UC chauffer driven car service for a trip to NY that I have coming next year. I am going to book a ticket that includes it, but I have never used this service before, so am a little unsure on a couple of basics;
Will it show up anywhere in the "my booking" area on-line, so that I can amend timings etc if necessary?
What's the situation on tips? Not so much here in the UK, but specifically at the New York end? I'd rather not tip for it, if I'm honest, as it costs enough on the ticket - but you know how NY can be....
And when I get back to LHR, what's the process? Do I use the revivals lounge as usual then go to the car desk to request my car, or go to the desk before revivals to give them the heads-up?
Sorry if the answers are obvious to these questions but this is all new to me. I've flown UC before, but never with the chauffer service bolted on. Thanks in advance for any pointers!
Just wondered if anyone could help me with a few questions I have on the UC chauffer driven car service for a trip to NY that I have coming next year. I am going to book a ticket that includes it, but I have never used this service before, so am a little unsure on a couple of basics;
Will it show up anywhere in the "my booking" area on-line, so that I can amend timings etc if necessary?
What's the situation on tips? Not so much here in the UK, but specifically at the New York end? I'd rather not tip for it, if I'm honest, as it costs enough on the ticket - but you know how NY can be....
And when I get back to LHR, what's the process? Do I use the revivals lounge as usual then go to the car desk to request my car, or go to the desk before revivals to give them the heads-up?
Sorry if the answers are obvious to these questions but this is all new to me. I've flown UC before, but never with the chauffer service bolted on. Thanks in advance for any pointers!
Dec 14, 2011, 4:40 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: UK
Programs: IC Spire Amb, Hilton, Marriott, BA, VA.
Posts: 673
Thanks to you both backdoc and slinky09 for your advice.
I will be sure to check the pick-up is confirmed when leaving NY - don't fancy any last-minute hassles! Hope you got picked-up today ok backdoc, for your joburg trip? Have a good one. ^
I will be sure to check the pick-up is confirmed when leaving NY - don't fancy any last-minute hassles! Hope you got picked-up today ok backdoc, for your joburg trip? Have a good one. ^
Dec 15, 2011, 5:55 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Upper Class Chauffer Driven Car Service Confirmed for Today
I called Avalon the day before yesterday and no reservation.
I called Avalon yesterday and everything is confirmed.
Virgin Atlantic doesn't send Avalon the reservation until the day before.
We get picked-up at 5:30pm this evening.
LAX-LHR-JNB in UC, then South African Airways to CPT.
I know we could have gone LAX-LHR-CPT on Virgin Atlantic but we didn't decide to go to CPT until the week after we purchased the tickets.
Steve
I called Avalon yesterday and everything is confirmed.
Virgin Atlantic doesn't send Avalon the reservation until the day before.
We get picked-up at 5:30pm this evening.
LAX-LHR-JNB in UC, then South African Airways to CPT.
I know we could have gone LAX-LHR-CPT on Virgin Atlantic but we didn't decide to go to CPT until the week after we purchased the tickets.
Steve
Dec 15, 2011, 9:23 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Epsom, Surrey
Programs: BA Exec Club Bronze, Virgin Flying Club Red, Swiss M&M Blue
Posts: 1,023
Isnt it much cheaper to book the ticket without the chauffeur service and arrange and confirm a decent transfer yourself which you are in complete control of at a much reduced cost (some of which can be passed on to the driver as their tip!)
These inclusive tickets seem to be the most expensive airport transfer ever. I cant understand that people are willing to fork out that kind of money and then grumble over tipping a few dollars to a driver.
These inclusive tickets seem to be the most expensive airport transfer ever. I cant understand that people are willing to fork out that kind of money and then grumble over tipping a few dollars to a driver.
Dec 15, 2011, 10:56 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: UK
Programs: IC Spire Amb, Hilton, Marriott, BA, VA.
Posts: 673
Isnt it much cheaper to book the ticket without the chauffeur service and arrange and confirm a decent transfer yourself which you are in complete control of at a much reduced cost (some of which can be passed on to the driver as their tip!)
These inclusive tickets seem to be the most expensive airport transfer ever. I cant understand that people are willing to fork out that kind of money and then grumble over tipping a few dollars to a driver.
These inclusive tickets seem to be the most expensive airport transfer ever. I cant understand that people are willing to fork out that kind of money and then grumble over tipping a few dollars to a driver.
Respectfully, I didn't ask for advice about the cheapest options, nor did I grumble about tipping the driver; I just said that as the car service adds so much to the price, I'd rather not - assuming that the tips may be included. But that's why I called on other people's experiences and advice. If I intended not to tip then I simply wouldn't, and I'd hardly ask about it here, would I?
Dec 15, 2011, 11:27 am
#8
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Isnt it much cheaper to book the ticket without the chauffeur service and arrange and confirm a decent transfer yourself which you are in complete control of at a much reduced cost (some of which can be passed on to the driver as their tip!)
These inclusive tickets seem to be the most expensive airport transfer ever. I cant understand that people are willing to fork out that kind of money and then grumble over tipping a few dollars to a driver.
These inclusive tickets seem to be the most expensive airport transfer ever. I cant understand that people are willing to fork out that kind of money and then grumble over tipping a few dollars to a driver.
Yes they are more expensive than a non CDC Z ticket but J/D/I fares do offer the ability to make changes and cancellation as well as the additional miles and TP and that might well be more important to the OP than getting a cheaper fare.
As for tipping - tip if you want to and if you do then at a level you feel comfortable at. Personally I'd think $10 would suffice (though possibly more if I had lots of luggage)
Dec 15, 2011, 7:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
No problem with the pickup.
Sitting in the Air New Zealand lounge after an uneventful ride with Avalon.
I called Avalon the day before yesterday and no reservation.
I called Avalon yesterday and everything is confirmed.
Virgin Atlantic doesn't send Avalon the reservation until the day before.
We get picked-up at 5:30pm this evening.
LAX-LHR-JNB in UC, then South African Airways to CPT.
I know we could have gone LAX-LHR-CPT on Virgin Atlantic but we didn't decide to go to CPT until the week after we purchased the tickets.
Steve
I called Avalon yesterday and everything is confirmed.
Virgin Atlantic doesn't send Avalon the reservation until the day before.
We get picked-up at 5:30pm this evening.
LAX-LHR-JNB in UC, then South African Airways to CPT.
I know we could have gone LAX-LHR-CPT on Virgin Atlantic but we didn't decide to go to CPT until the week after we purchased the tickets.
Steve
Dec 16, 2011, 8:22 am
#10
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: UK
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Posts: 673
Dec 17, 2011, 10:03 am
#12
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Posts: 673
Jan 16, 2014, 4:01 am
#15
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