Discontinuation of Qantas Chauffeur Drive Service

[calmelb]

Just received an email from Qantas announcing that they will be suspending the chauffeur drive service between Australia and London from 15th April (including if you booked through EK). The email I received is below:

We’re making changes to our Chauffeur Drive services and wanted to update you before your next flight with us.

From 15 April 2020, Qantas will no longer be offering its complimentary Chauffeur Drive service on flights between Australia and London. This also applies if you have booked an eligible flight with a Qantas flight number that is operated by Emirates.

Existing Chauffeur Drive bookings made on or before 15 April 2020 for travel through to 30 April 2021 won’t be impacted.

If you have not confirmed your Chauffeur Drive service, you can still book your complimentary Chauffeur Drive before 15 April through Manage Your Booking, for upcoming travel through to 30 April 2021.

We understand that international travel is severely impacted by coronavirus travel restrictions at the moment and this may affect your ability to book a flight that is eligible for the Chauffeur Drive service by 15 April 2020.

When our international flying schedule resumes, first and business class passengers will still have access to a premium flying experience with luxury lounges and onboard experiences.

Regards,

Qantas

 

[Lifetime Bronze]

Looks like QF are discontinuing their Chauffeur Drive service; just received an email for a late December trip from SYD to LHR.
--

We’re making changes to our Chauffeur Drive services and wanted to update you before your next flight with us.

From 15 April 2020, Qantas will no longer be offering its complimentary Chauffeur Drive service on flights between Australia and London. This also applies if you have booked an eligible flight with a Qantas flight number that is operated by Emirates.

Existing Chauffeur Drive bookings made on or before 15 April 2020 for travel through to 30 April 2021 won’t be impacted.

If you have not confirmed your Chauffeur Drive service, you can still book your complimentary Chauffeur Drive before 15 April through Manage Your Booking, for upcoming travel through to 30 April 2021.

We understand that international travel is severely impacted by coronavirus travel restrictions at the moment and this may affect your ability to book a flight that is eligible for the Chauffeur Drive service by 15 April 2020.

When our international flying schedule resumes, first and business class passengers will still have access to a premium flying experience with luxury lounges and onboard experiences.

Regards,

Qantas

 

[defurax]

So they discontinued access to AA arrival lounge saying nobody uses it and then cancel chauffeur drive...cunning!

 

[TheInsider]

So they discontinued access to AA arrival lounge saying nobody uses it and then cancel chauffeur drive...cunning!

Well one isn't related to the other?

 

[defurax]

Well one isn't related to the other?

I think they are very linked. People were not able to schedule their pick up time at LHR, so would go and meet their chauffeur directly without first stopping for breakfast and shower.

 

[VPS]

Sneaky to bring this out now

 

[RichardMEL]

Sneaky? I don't agree.

Clearly they're looking to cut costs wherever they can.. and they've given two weeks notice so people could reasonably make other arrangements rather than expecting a car to show up tonight and getting nothing.

The real sneaky would be if this does not return when things pick back up. You'd hope it would, but we'll see....

 

[VPS]

I'd be very surprised if it returns when things return to normal whatever the new normal is going to be

 

[Isochronous]

More incentive to book EK directly then.

 

[calmelb]

More incentive to book EK directly then.

I could imagine them doing the same thing after this

 

[madrooster]

More incentive to book EK directly then.

There isn't any. It's being discontinued on QF*EK too.

 

[TheRealTMA]

There isn't any. It's being discontinued on QF*EK too.

AFAIK Not for paid tickets (when they fly again), but yes for code share FF redemptions. More reason to book with EK or use Ek points.

 

[madrooster]

AFAIK Not for paid tickets (when they fly again), but yes for code share FF redemptions. More reason to book with EK or use Ek points.

It's all tickets. You can't book a redemption on a QF codeshare operated by EK anyway. The only time you can book a redemption on a QF codeshare operated by another carrier is when the operating carrier is LA due to it being a blockspace codeshare agreemenet.

 

[TheRealTMA]

It's all tickets. You can't book a redemption on a QF codeshare operated by EK anyway. The only time you can book a redemption on a QF codeshare operated by another carrier is when the operating carrier is LA due to it being a blockspace codeshare agreemenet.

Well, then you pay for the ticket on EK or use EK points is what I am saying.

 

[madrooster]

Well, then you pay for the ticket on EK or use EK points is what I am saying.

For many here, that would be cutting off your nose to spite your face since EK primes wouldn't earn any SCs.

 

[BD1959]

Well, then you pay for the ticket on EK or use EK points is what I am saying.

Emirates hasn’t had CD on its award tickets since March last year - paid only now.

Regards,

BD

 

[TheRealTMA]

For many here, that would be cutting off your nose to spite your face since EK primes wouldn't earn any SCs.

Agreed, but SCs have only applied to a QF metal for some years now, especially for DSC promotions.

Post automatically merged: Apr 1, 2020

Emirates hasn’t had CD on its award tickets since March last year - paid only now.

Regards,

BD

We (used to) buy our tickets in any case rather than risk travelling in steerage.

 

[BD1959]

Agreed, but SCs have only applied to a QF metal for some years now, especially for DSC promotions.

Two separate statements, not both true.

1. SCs have only applied to a QF metal for some years now - not true. SCs can be earned on OW partners - though usually at a lesser rate than QF - and some non-OW (FJ springs to mind)
2. especially for DSC promotions - true of late that the DSC promotion has not applied to non-QF metal. However there have also been more restrictive conditions on some DSC promotions such as must be purchased in Australia ... each DSC promotion seems to be subtly different to the prior so must be viewed closely ... or allow your AFF colleagues to figure it out for you !!

Regards,

BD

 

[calmelb]

Well, then you pay for the ticket on EK

My point is given EK is one of the last airlines holding out it will only be a matter of time till EK either cut it back to being a few major ports/ Dubai only or culling it completely. As far as I know the CD after a domestic transfer were organised by Qantas so I wouldn't be surprised to see those go first

 

[TheRealTMA]

Two separate statements, not both true.

1. SCs have only applied to a QF metal for some years now - not true. SCs can be earned on OW partners - though usually at a lesser rate than QF - and some non-OW (FJ springs to mind)
2. especially for DSC promotions - true of late that the DSC promotion has not applied to non-QF metal. However there have also been more restrictive conditions on some DSC promotions such as must be purchased in Australia ... each DSC promotion seems to be subtly different to the prior so must be viewed closely ... or allow your AFF colleagues to figure it out for you !!

Regards,

BD

Being in Brisbane, we have only ever flown QF or EK out of Australia for some years now so these don’t apply.