Qantas Chauffeur service - General Questions/Advice

[Kangol]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Do you need to call AA to have your QF number added to the itinerary / get the QF reference to add it to QF MMB, then see that it's eligible for Chauffeur Drive?

You can't add your QFF number to MMB on the QF website yourself once the AA one is in - you have to use another OW website (RJ works for me).

Yes you have to call AA to get your QF PNR - unless there is another way to get it I don't know about (this is talking about a milesAAver award on QF metal, right?)..

 

[Storyteller]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Do you need to call AA to have your QF number added to the itinerary / get the QF reference to add it to QF MMB, then see that it's eligible for Chauffeur Drive?

I think I had to phone AA for the QF PNRs. And for #1, I think I got them to add my QF FFN. Once I had added my chauffeur booking, it showed up in "my bookings" when I logged on.

With #2, it's not sticking in "my bookings". I have booked the chauffeur. Thiis week I'll phone AA & get them to add my QF number. Then see if it stays.

 

[anat0l]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

I think I had to phone AA for the QF PNRs. And for #1, I think I got them to add my QF FFN. Once I had added my chauffeur booking, it showed up in "my bookings" when I logged on.

With #2, it's not sticking in "my bookings". I have booked the chauffeur. Thiis week I'll phone AA & get them to add my QF number. Then see if it stays.

Well I just booked my AAward and got the QF record locator. I hadn't replaced the FF# with my QF number, but I can bring up the record on QF MMB.

But, when I click on the button "Book Now" for Chauffeur Transfer, a few spins of the grey circle later and the system proffers, "Sorry, you are not eligible to book a transfer to the airport." And similarly for "from" the airport.

Routing is JFK-TPA-DFW (stopover) DFW-BNE. Strictly speaking, that breaks two rules: not on QF or EK stock, and DFW-BNE is not in the eligible table (DFW-SYD is OK, it seems, even though they have the same flight number). The QF itinerary shows the TPA-DFW-BNE portion of my booking; that may also be throwing off the system.

 

[mick]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

It sounds like there are many variables at play with this service. I called Qantas and they can't tell me whether the limousine can pick me up from Gatwick (arriving from Barcelona on a BA business class flight) to meet the flight from Heathrow to Melbourne on QF in first class. They said it meets the 70 mile distance rule but they don't think it's possible because Gatwick isn't a home or work address and suggested to wait until they call me 24 hours beforehand. That doesn't sound very promising and I don't want to wait until then to find out it's not possible. They won't give me a contact number so that I can find out for myself. Does anyone have any similar experiences?

 

[anat0l]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

It sounds like there are many variables at play with this service. I called Qantas and they can't tell me whether the limousine can pick me up from Gatwick (arriving from Barcelona on a BA business class flight) to meet the flight from Heathrow to Melbourne on QF in first class. They said it meets the 70 mile distance rule but they don't think it's possible because Gatwick isn't a home or work address and suggested to wait until they call me 24 hours beforehand. That doesn't sound very promising and I don't want to wait until then to find out it's not possible. They won't give me a contact number so that I can find out for myself. Does anyone have any similar experiences?

Would it work if you gave the address of one of the hotels within walking distance from Gatwick? It's a minor inconvenience, but could it work?

 

[ozmille]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Would it work if you gave the address of one of the hotels within walking distance from Gatwick? It's a minor inconvenience, but could it work?

I did something similar in Frankfurt last week, arrived on the ICE from Brussels and just crossed the road to Le Meridien where the Merc S class and BMW X6 were waiting for us.

 

[mick]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

I did something similar in Frankfurt last week, arrived on the ICE from Brussels and just crossed the road to Le Meridien where the Merc S class and BMW X6 were waiting for us.

Thanks guys, appreciate the responses. That was going to be my Plan B if they flat out refused, which by the sounds of things, they might. The Sofitel London Gatwick Hotel might be the most convenient, methinks.

 

[anat0l]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Well I just booked my AAward and got the QF record locator. I hadn't replaced the FF# with my QF number, but I can bring up the record on QF MMB.

But, when I click on the button "Book Now" for Chauffeur Transfer, a few spins of the grey circle later and the system proffers, "Sorry, you are not eligible to book a transfer to the airport." And similarly for "from" the airport.

Routing is JFK-TPA-DFW (stopover) DFW-BNE. Strictly speaking, that breaks two rules: not on QF or EK stock, and DFW-BNE is not in the eligible table (DFW-SYD is OK, it seems, even though they have the same flight number). The QF itinerary shows the TPA-DFW-BNE portion of my booking; that may also be throwing off the system.

And once again I eat my words.

Well, maybe it had to do with the ticket status. Officially, when AA "booked" my ticket, it was actually 'reserved' - the agent couldn't fully ticket my itinerary because of the credit card (Australian rather than US), but she said she would put it on hold until I got to America, whereupon I could go to an AA service desk, pay the taxes and thus get the ticket issued.

Today I got a call from AA saying that they had to ticket it today otherwise QF may cancel my flight. She managed to get around the whole international credit card issue and the ticket was issued properly.

Went back to the QF site (because in the process my QF seat selection was cleared) and selected a seat, then went to the options page and I got 1 x Select on Q Eat and 2 x Airport Transfer options! Now just to work out the timing and locations of pickup.

Kind of sucks a bit that a contact number is compulsory (I won't have a mobile contact whilst in the USA)...don't know what to put in that (other than a dummy number or my number here in Australia)

 

[JohnPhelan]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Kind of sucks a bit that a contact number is compulsory (I won't have a mobile contact whilst in the USA)...don't know what to put in that (other than a dummy number or my number here in Australia)

The limo company should call you anywhere between 24 and 72 hours prior to the flight - can you give them your hotel phone number?

 

[anat0l]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

The limo company should call you anywhere between 24 and 72 hours prior to the flight - can you give them your hotel phone number?

Again a little complication - I'm basically hopping between lodgings each night before then. OK so I'm not normal....

The option of an email would be nice; yes, I realise it is not as imperative as reaching someone by phone.

 

[maroonone]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Anyone heard an update of when SCL will go live?

 

[simongr]

QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

Hi all

Does anyone have recent experience with the QF chauffeur drive with multiple pax and luggage? We are flying SYD-DXB-SYD in J and have two adults and a four year old. The official rules are two bags per car but you can also order one car per pax. I am just trying to work out whether we will get charged more for having multiple bags in one car (with car seat as well) or if I just call QF and sort out two cars (unpopular with wife).

Also at DXB my parents are arriving about 30 mins later so I am wondering how we might go with waiting for them...

Any thoughts or just call QF?

S

 

[Must...Fly!]

Re: QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

At DXB just wait for them after you get bags/clear immigration, the car/van is ordered when you present yourself to the desk (assuming it is the same as EK, since EK handle this on behalf of QF in DXB). So if you present as a group you will probably be able to travel together.

As for SYD I cannot be certain, and I am sure someone else will have a definite answer.

 

[amaroo]

Re: QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

Forget about calling QF. I have similar Q's for an upcoming trip and they were insistent that the details need to be sorted out when the company calls you at T48.

For a premium service - it's a disappointment in IMO. Surely it can't be that hard to take details early so things aren't left to the last minute.

 

[phily]

Re: QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

My recent experience with QF cars was mixed. In London our car was a Mercedes E220, and our luggage consisted of 2 suitcases, plus about 4 smaller bags that all fitted into the boot. The driver was helpful and courteous, etc.

On arrival at Sydney we were met by a driver with his Holden Statesman. I asked if my sister could be dropped off at Sydney Central Railway station on the way to my home (an additional distance of about 3 kms on a 20 kms trip, but this would cost an additional $35. When I declined, and explained that it was on the way to my home, he relented and offered to take her to another station for no cost, both of which required minor additional mileage. Yet, Qantas are quite happy to pay transport for up to 40 kms from the airport, but the driver insisted that dropping one passenger off at any other point would cost an additional $35.

Should, or could, we have booked separate cars?

 

[ozmille]

Re: QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

In SYD I booked 2 cars last month and when Brunel called to confirm I just said I was happy with 1 car but it would have to be a bigger one, they said no problem and sent a Mercedes Vito. In Dubai they use V70s which can carry a lot of bags. On the way back I still had two cars booked so I took the BMW7 and the MRS the Statesman

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Re: QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

in my experience (with emirates, not so much QF), the baggage 'restriction' is a guide to how much they can fit in the car. It's not like a checked in baggage restriction where you're charged more;-)

 

[Aus ATC]

Re: QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

Today I "tried it on" with the Platinum desk to see if it was possible to book a chauffer drive for a connecting flight on a separate PNR - I am flying BNE-SYD connecting to a SYD-XMEL - LHR flight. In discussing it with the QFF agent, and I acknowledged it was not catered for in the rules, but she said she would see what could be done. After a while she came back and said it was not possible - the only way was to amend my booking to BNE-xMEL-LHR which was not suitable to me.

While I did not get the result I hoped for, I got the result I expected, and the QFF agent was most helpful in the process.

 

[Nizar]

Re: QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

Am I likely to have any problems organising chauffeur drive with QF if going on QF1 but leaving from Melbourne all booked on the one PNR ?

Hope not.... sick of hearing stories of people having to "chase up" what they are supposed to be entitled to....

 

[tallboy]

Re: QF Chauffeur drive - multiple pax and luggage

... Also at DXB my parents are arriving about 30 mins later so I am wondering how we might go with waiting for them...

S

I can confirm that in DXB the car is only allocated when you turn up to the transport desk. They have a long line of vehicles outside and the driver is allocated in turn as you register at the desk. Just turn left exiting the baggage hall ~ it is the EK chauffeur desk.

tb