Etihad chauffeur

[Bazzi]

Thanks, but I guess the number of passengers flying business class was the same as what they had on record, right ?

Personally, I would contact Etihad. Given that you are both Etihad passengers, travelling on the same flight, and that it is just the two of you, I would hope that it wouldn't be an issue. When booking the chauffeur, it doesn't ask how many people are travelling but as it is referenced to your PNR that information is probably provided to the chauffeur.

If you do call and get the all clear, I would ask for an email verification just as a backup or ask for a comment to be put on your booking. Alternatively, contact Etihad Guest via email - in my experience, they do usually respond fairly quickly.

 

[Nizar]

The driver advised that the standard of airline chauffeur services varies with the middle east airlines leading the way.

Lol I wonder where QF sits lol probably towards the rear.

I thought it was only EK EY and QF that offered chauffeur services ? Which other airlines do ?

 

[markis10]

Lol I wonder where QF sits lol probably towards the rear.

I thought it was only EK EY and QF that offered chauffeur services ? Which other airlines do ?

VS have been offering it for a long time, GA as well, Jet and VA. BA started it ex SYD from July 1.

 

[Nizar]

VS have been offering it for a long time, GA as well, Jet and VA. BA started it ex SYD from July 1.

GA on their J ? Coz they have F now don't they ?
When their J is on special I've seen MEL-CGK return for like $16xx including tax.
If that includes chauffeur well then its a bargain. Never flew their J though I know their planes are mostly brand new so the hard product could not be that bad ?

 

[markis10]

GA on their J ? Coz they have F now don't they ?

Neither do VS, your question was which airlines offer services, not which offer F pax!

 

[Nizar]

Neither do VS, your question was which airlines offer services, not which offer F pax!

You've misunderstood me - I was asking if GA offer chauffeur drive only on their F or is it on their J as well ?

 

[vmile]

Well, here is a trap for young players...

We are flying Etihad Bangkok-London in J next week. Will not need the chauffeur service in Bangkok as we are staying at the Airport Novotel.
Just booked the chauffeur service for London on arrival. No problems.

We fly back Ethiad J Milan-Sydney No Milan address yet so will book it closer to the day.
Tried to book the chauffeur service on arrival in Sydney. Not possible.

When we booked through the Etihad web site the direct AUH-SYD flight did not show up, but AUH-MEL-SYD at the right price did (MEL-SYD on a VA/EY codeshare in J 'why fly direct,when you can connect..') so we took it.
The next day the AUD-SYD direct flight reappeared, for $200 less per person. We rang the Etihad service center explained what happened, asked if we could change to the direct Sydney flight (we did not want to save money, just get the direct flight.)
We presumed Etihad would be happy not having to pay out for the VA codeshare.

After a long wait the answer was yes, but at a cost to us of $300 (?) per ticket. So we left it as it was.

Because we are on an Etihad codeshare flight MEL-SYD we do not qualify for a chauffeur service in Sydney.

 

[markis10]

You've misunderstood me - I was asking if GA offer chauffeur drive only on their F or is it on their J as well ?

At this stage its J as its only on offer for BNE flights!

 

[Bazzi]

"Because we are on an Etihad codeshare flight MEL-SYD we do not qualify for a chauffeur service in Sydney."

My FIL flew EY J PAR SYD a couple of weeks ago - booked direct with Etihad. The flight PAR AUH was a code share flight operated by AF and he was told that as such he would not qualify for a chauffeur service in Paris but was ok for SYD. Seems odd.

He flew to Europe with QF on points in F (only seat available) and the routing was SYD MEL DXB LON DUB, he is a Plat QFF, booked by phone with QF, and wasn't offered (or advised of) the chauffeur service from his home to SYD - he actually didn't know the service existed until I mentioned it. The 'chauffeur drive' T&Cs mention that it is not available on complimentary tickets but no mention of award tickets.

 

[Blinky]

The 'chauffeur drive' T&Cs mention that it is not available on complimentary tickets but no mention of award tickets.

It certainly is available on award tickets. We had one from LHR to our hotel in central London. On the way back, I originally booked a chauffeur from a Frankfurt hotel to the airport, but changed it via email so that we would get a ride from MEL to home. When we checked in at FRA, we were told that the chauffeur turned up at our hotel and we weren't there. I explained what happened and a chauffeur was booked at MEL. No penalties about the confusion and no charge. Hats off to Etihad staff.

 

[Major]

It is also available using VA points on EY metal. I booked J award flights BNE-SIN-BNE and the chauffeur was used on each leg

 

[ftm]

One downside to the EY chauffeur is that you can't choose your pick up time. You just get what you're given and they only tell you a few days out what time that will be.

At least with QF you can nominate your own time and then plan your day (and F Lounge) time accordingly.

 

[DaveB]

Wasn't the case for my two cars booked at least a month ahead for 11am Sunday morning.

 

[Jack_OC]

One downside to the EY chauffeur is that you can't choose your pick up time. You just get what you're given and they only tell you a few days out what time that will be.

At least with QF you can nominate your own time and then plan your day (and F Lounge) time accordingly.

I've used the EY chauffeur numerous times (in 5 or 6 different cities) and every time someone has phoned me to ask what time I want to be picked up. They give you a suggested time but IME they are perfectly happy to pick up earlier if you wish.

 

[ftm]

Certainly wasn't my experience. First Class ticket and couldn't nominate a time. Call centre wouldn't help and when I got the call from the car company, it was 'get what your given'.

 

[Major]

I've used the EY chauffeur numerous times (in 5 or 6 different cities) and every time someone has phoned me to ask what time I want to be picked up. They give you a suggested time but IME they are perfectly happy to pick up earlier if you wish.

This is also my experience. When they ring I suggest a time and they have no problem with it.

 

[spudseamus]

My experience also ! They asked what time and then later I changed my mind and was no problem to change pic up time !

 

[benlight]

Certainly wasn't my experience. First Class ticket and couldn't nominate a time. Call centre wouldn't help and when I got the call from the car company, it was 'get what your given'.

I had the same experience with the EY chauffeur in Paris with a F ticket a few weeks ago; I was given a pick up time about an hour earlier than I would've liked, and the call centre was unwilling to change it. I also never received a call from the chauffeur company, just an SMS. It might depend on the particular chauffeur contractor in the city you're flying.

Are F supposed to get a "better" car than J? In Paris I got a Peugeot (EY website said Peugeots were for J, with Mercs for F); in Abu Dhabi I got a rather shabby Toyota van (!), which was somewhat disappointing for F to be honest.

 

[Nizar]

I had the same experience with the EY chauffeur in Paris with a F ticket a few weeks ago; I was given a pick up time about an hour earlier than I would've liked, and the call centre was unwilling to change it. I also never received a call from the chauffeur company, just an SMS. It might depend on the particular chauffeur contractor in the city you're flying.

Are F supposed to get a "better" car than J? In Paris I got a Peugeot (EY website said Peugeots were for J, with Mercs for F); in Abu Dhabi I got a rather shabby Toyota van (!), which was somewhat disappointing for F to be honest.

Did you complain ? Excuse the language but I would have abused the cough out of them lol.
If everybody just accepts what they are given, they will simply continue this practice, as it would be cheaper for them, and they would see no reason not to.

Some people make the mistake of thinking that "oh well, at least its a free ride !" it is not free - you are paying for it as it is included in your cash/award J/F fare. And you are entitled to get what you pay for. And if the website says you get a Merc then that's what you should be getting.

I wouldn't have let this slide. I hope you didn't either.

 

[Jack_OC]

Did you complain ? Excuse the language but I would have abused the cough out of them lol.
If everybody just accepts what they are given, they will simply continue this practice, as it would be cheaper for them, and they would see no reason not to.

Some people make the mistake of thinking that "oh well, at least its a free ride !" it is not free - you are paying for it as it is included in your cash/award J/F fare. And you are entitled to get what you pay for. And if the website says you get a Merc then that's what you should be getting.

I wouldn't have let this slide. I hope you didn't either.

I agree, especially as it sounds like it comes down to the local contractor, which means Etihad might not even know that this is happening.