Emirates to axe chauffeur drive on award tickets

[VPS]

The thread was always about CD related to EK award bookings.

I think that I would avoid poking the sleeping bear and advise change of address at time of the confirmation call. Assuming that the new distance doesn't reach outside the limits?

It would be hard to reach outside the limits in suburban Adelaide

 

[jase05]

It would be hard to reach outside the limits in suburban Adelaide

We were picked up in Gawler and I was fully expecting to be charged extra but never was. Same for drop off

 

[Pushka]

It will be closer to the airport actually. So yeah, no poking the bear. Hughes Limousines are good here. Very efficient.

 

[serfty]

After some 'robust' discussions about distance, I don't use this service from home any more.

My home is 2 Km inside the distance limit to MEL if travel is straight along the Nepean Highway to use the Tulla.

Drivers want to use Eastlink/Monash which adds 13 Km to the trip and makes for a hefty additional payment.

(Plus last time the driver was 90 minutes* late, cutting into my Flounge time - "Don't worry, I checked - your flight's not for 2½ hours". [This before an hour drive to the airport ])

* Deliberately - they decided to fit another job in before picking us up.

 

[Pushka]

After some 'robust' discussions about distance, I don't use this service from home any more.

My home is 2 Km inside the distance limit to MEL if travel is straight along the Nepean Highway to use the Tulla.

Drivers want to use Eastlink/Monash which adds 13 Km to the trip and makes for a hefty additional payment.

(Plus last time the driver was 90 minutes* late, cutting into my Flounge time - "Don't worry, I checked - your flight's not for 2½ hours". [This before an hour drive to the airport ])

* Deliberately - they decided to fit another job in before picking us up.

Damn annoying trip then. As if it’s up to them to decide what works for you! And that could backfire spectacularly.

 

[JohnM]

I'm only 15-20 mins from PER. The default timing for pickup is 3h prior to flight. Last time the CD phoned and asked whether I'd like to be picked up later as I am so close to the airport. As the EK lounge was a greater attraction than thumb-twiddling at home, I said to stick to the plan . And the PER EK lounge had Veuve, not just Moet .

 

[Kangol]

Somewhat related because it's been asked, but when EK awards are booked using QFF points, CD is ineligible for bookings from 1 March 2019:

--------------
Emirates has made some changes to its Chauffeur Drive policy and we wanted to update you before your upcoming flight.

From 1 March 2019, Qantas Frequent Flyers booked on a Classic Flight Reward ticket in First or Business for a flight operated by Emirates will no longer be eligible for the Chauffeur Drive service.

There are no changes to Classic Flight Reward bookings on Qantas services. Qantas Frequent Flyers with a Classic Flight Reward booking will continue to be able to book Chauffeur Drive on eligible Qantas services.

If you’ve already booked a Chauffeur Drive for your upcoming Emirates flight
Qantas will honour all existing Chauffeur Drive bookings with Emirates made on or before 1 March 2019 for travel on an Emirates operated flight up until 1 March 2020.

If you have not booked your Chauffeur Drive service and are travelling on an Emirates flight before 1 March 2020, you can still book your complimentary Chauffeur Drive before 1 March 2019 through Manage Your Booking.

If you have any questions, visit qantas.com/chauffeurdrive or contact us here.

Best regards,
Qantas Frequent Flyer team

 

[Pushka]

Somewhat related because it's been asked, but when EK awards are booked using QFF points, CD is ineligible for bookings from 1 March 2019:

--------------
Emirates has made some changes to its Chauffeur Drive policy and we wanted to update you before your upcoming flight.

From 1 March 2019, Qantas Frequent Flyers booked on a Classic Flight Reward ticket in First or Business for a flight operated by Emirates will no longer be eligible for the Chauffeur Drive service.

There are no changes to Classic Flight Reward bookings on Qantas services. Qantas Frequent Flyers with a Classic Flight Reward booking will continue to be able to book Chauffeur Drive on eligible Qantas services.

If you’ve already booked a Chauffeur Drive for your upcoming Emirates flight
Qantas will honour all existing Chauffeur Drive bookings with Emirates made on or before 1 March 2019 for travel on an Emirates operated flight up until 1 March 2020.

If you have not booked your Chauffeur Drive service and are travelling on an Emirates flight before 1 March 2020, you can still book your complimentary Chauffeur Drive before 1 March 2019 through Manage Your Booking.

If you have any questions, visit qantas.com/chauffeurdrive or contact us here.

Best regards,
Qantas Frequent Flyer team

We received the email too. Thought it was good of Qantas to give the heads up for existing bookings n

 

[rock86]

We received the email too. Thought it was good of Qantas to give the heads up for existing bookings n

Agreed, even though it was fully expected.

 

[GCflyer]

I have reward flights booked for December in First and Business Class (using Qantas points)....I'm not really wanting to book hotels this early but definitely don't want to miss out on treating ourselves to the chauffeur service in Hong Kong, Dubai and Rome as part of the experience.

Could I make a 'dummy booking' before the 1st of March and change the hotel details later on? Or would this cancel the booking and leave me unable to rebook?

Just thought i'd check with the AFF community before contacting Emirates. Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Pushka]

I have reward flights booked for December in First and Business Class (using Qantas points)....I'm not really wanting to book hotels this early but definitely don't want to miss out on treating ourselves to the chauffeur service in Hong Kong, Dubai and Rome as part of the experience.

Could I make a 'dummy booking' before the 1st of March and change the hotel details later on? Or would this cancel the booking and leave me unable to rebook?

Just thought i'd check with the AFF community before contacting Emirates. Thanks in advance for any help

Similar to my issue. We are moving houses before we travel. I’ve booked at our current address and when they call up I’ll tell them the new one. I’m not sure changing online is a good thing as you usually have to cancel existing and rebook. That might be an issue. None of us really knows the outcome but I’m hedging my bets.

 

[Kangol]

I have reward flights booked for December in First and Business Class (using Qantas points)....I'm not really wanting to book hotels this early but definitely don't want to miss out on treating ourselves to the chauffeur service in Hong Kong, Dubai and Rome as part of the experience.

Could I make a 'dummy booking' before the 1st of March and change the hotel details later on? Or would this cancel the booking and leave me unable to rebook?

Just thought i'd check with the AFF community before contacting Emirates. Thanks in advance for any help

I would just dummy book.
Upon arrival you can say there was a change to the booking and give the new address. Provided it's within the allowed distance you should be fine.
When they ring you the day beforehand to confirm, just give new details. Same with the mileage.

 

[Scr77]

There use to be a pdf that gave the extra cost if you were outside of the given mileage. Can anyone find this for Emirates flight to Melbourne? The pdf is referenced in the T&C’s but can seem to find it.

 

[gaz1]

I wonder if the substantial difference in taxes & charges between Emirates Economy & Business Award bookings on the Qantas website will decrease from 1st March? I always assumed that one of the reasons for the additional taxes for Business & First was due to CD.

 

[Scr77]

I wonder if the substantial difference in taxes & charges between Emirates Economy & Business Award bookings on the Qantas website will decrease from 1st March? I always assumed that one of the reasons for the additional taxes for Business & First was due to CD.

I would bet my first born, taxes won’t reduce from March!

 

[gaz1]

I'm amazed at the short sightedness when an airline has something unique that gives them a point of difference axing this.
If they were really suffering the costs of providing the service they could add a very small amount onto the ticket (or fees & charges for award tickets) & people wouldn't notice. We certainly planned an upcoming trip with them & were swayed to Emirates because of Chauffeur Drive but will probably end up on a different airline now.

 

[Mattg]

I'm amazed at the short sightedness when an airline has something unique that gives them a point of difference axing this.
If they were really suffering the costs of providing the service they could add a very small amount onto the ticket (or fees & charges for award tickets) & people wouldn't notice.

I don't think Emirates could possibly add any more to the award ticket carrier charges than they already do!! They're already high enough that people would notice.

 

[rock86]

I'm amazed at the short sightedness when an airline has something unique that gives them a point of difference axing this.
If they were really suffering the costs of providing the service they could add a very small amount onto the ticket (or fees & charges for award tickets) & people wouldn't notice. We certainly planned an upcoming trip with them & were swayed to Emirates because of Chauffeur Drive but will probably end up on a different airline now.

Are you talking paid or award?

I can't believe they held off this long with axing CD on awards, must be costing them an absolute fortune.

 

[lacuska1]

i flew first class with Ek a few times from ADL or back and every time they sent some coughpy holden for the pick up-even on a Business ticket I got top of the line Mercedes in Barcelona and Budapest!!!!

 

[kelvedon]

I have reward flights booked for December in First and Business Class (using Qantas points)....I'm not really wanting to book hotels this early but definitely don't want to miss out on treating ourselves to the chauffeur service in Hong Kong, Dubai and Rome as part of the experience.

The Chauffeur service is/was only available to First Class passengers in Hong Kong.