Qantas Chauffeur service - General Questions/Advice

[Storyteller]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

What I should've asked however is how do you find out the normal price to base a tip if the ride is complimentary.

I would have thought your $10 was fine. Probably what I wwould have tipped. But then I'm called cheap by some , though I do always tip in the US. Around 15% for waiters & cabs. $1-2 for hotel shuttles.

Maybe look at what a cab would cost & tip based on that? Or get a quote from a limo company when you know where you are staying?

Hmm. Perhaps when some of us here have an idle few minutes we can get quotes for limos at max distance in all cities involved, as well as quotes for cabs. Then if you are a tipper, or the country is one you tip in, we all have an approximate maximum to work on, as well as a range to consider between cab & limo.

 

[anat0l]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

I would have thought your $10 was fine. Probably what I wwould have tipped. But then I'm called cheap by some , though I do always tip in the US. Around 15% for waiters & cabs. $1-2 for hotel shuttles.

Maybe look at what a cab would cost & tip based on that? Or get a quote from a limo company when you know where you are staying?

Hmm. Perhaps when some of us here have an idle few minutes we can get quotes for limos at max distance in all cities involved, as well as quotes for cabs. Then if you are a tipper, or the country is one you tip in, we all have an approximate maximum to work on, as well as a range to consider between cab & limo.

Main problem was that when I was having a yarn with the driver (nice man), it wasn't entirely clear.

Apparently this company that does the car service for QF also transports their crew. So basically they aren't really charging by job (to Qantas) but it's just one big negotiated contract (crew transport and car service for J pax). Also, he was working on a shift, not based on a "commission" (i.e. not a case of for each job he completes, he gets a certain amount - he just does whatever is assigned to him by the dispatch).

I asked what a typical cost may be for a car from where I was picked up to DFW. He said it could be as low as $75, or higher than that. And it was more not to do with the distance or traffic, but rather what kind of customer you were. It was all very unclear.

I guess my $10 was based more on the $75 price (that works out to be just over 10%, which some may comment is still undertipping, given the nominal is about 15%-20%). I suppose in hindsight it would've been better to just find out an estimate of the cab fare from DFW to my pickup point, then base a tip on that. He didn't lift any bags for me so no tip based on that (otherwise I'd normally tip $3-$5 per bag, depending on weight).

 

[Storyteller]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Even more reason to feel ok about your $10.

 

[anat0l]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Even more reason to feel ok about your $10.

I should've qualified - I had hand carry only which was a roller and a backpack, which I met him at the boot of the car to take out after popping the door.

I'm also often trying to carry my own bags rather than have someone porter them for me. So not giving him money for the bags was not out of him not doing a job - it's just there was no job to be had. Just want to make that clear.

He was a good driver and nice to talk to. Plus he didn't take me for a goose chase (but really, no reason why he should).

 

[EuroFlyer]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

As indicated above, a few of us have raised this several times since June this year but as far as I can tell, Red Roo has been conveniently silent on any explanation of this change to the initially advised benefit. Poor form from my point of view...

Curious if anyone has any idea when in 2014 routes like JFK might be available, have a QF J flight JFK - MEL (via sydney on QF108) in August 2014 and would be nice to get out from the city to JFK in the chauffeur

 

[Timtammi]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Does anyone know how to go about booking 2 separate cars for 2 people on the same booking? There doesnt seem to be any option to book a second car on the booking screen?
Or should just each person log into their MMB and book separately even though its the same PNR? I can see the pax names on the drop downs as the contact person so thought theoretically you could do it twice, once for each?

Cheers

Timmi

 

[ozmille]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Does anyone know how to go about booking 2 separate cars for 2 people on the same booking? There doesnt seem to be any option to book a second car on the booking screen?
Or should just each person log into their MMB and book separately even though its the same PNR? I can see the pax names on the drop downs as the contact person so thought theoretically you could do it twice, once for each?

Cheers

Timmi

I could just select first passenger name, book the car, go back in select the second passengers name and book a car, worked fine for me

 

[suparockin]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Just got a call from Chauffeur Service confirming my pick up time for Saturday - lovely girl who makes the bookings, very good service so far but I guess the real test is if they turn up on time and how nice the car and driver are.

 

[ozmille]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Just got a call from Chauffeur Service confirming my pick up time for Saturday - lovely girl who makes the bookings, very good service so far but I guess the real test is if they turn up on time and how nice the car and driver are.

In SYD DXB and FRA the drivers were very early, no complaints about the cars either, so far had a V70 in DXB, Merc S and BMW6 in FRA, a BMW7, a Merc and a Statesman in SYD

 

[doczim]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

Just booked my drive to BNE airport in October. Back age and pax limit was listed as max 2 adults with total bags of 2 suitcases and 1 carry on . So I booked 2 cars given we are 2 adults and 1 child with 2 maybe 3 suitcases and 3 carry ons. Haven't booked LAX transfer to hotel yet as waiting for US SIM cards to arrive next week where I will get my US mobile number.

To answer an earlier question about cost of transfer. For LAX to Hollywood through Execucar I WA quoted $159 inc taxes but not the recommended 18% tip. We used Execucar in 2010 and found them great.

 

[jetlagger]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

In SYD DXB and FRA the drivers were very early, no complaints about the cars either, so far had a V70 in DXB, Merc S and BMW6 in FRA, a BMW7, a Merc and a Statesman in SYD

I had a Volvo from AUH -> DXB.
A lovely chauffeur & after some conversing, he did mention that quite a number of the frequent travellers preferred the Volvo to the Mercedes as they felt safer.. :mrgreen:.
I quietly observed the speed.. (140 km/h in the slow lane)

 

[tallboy]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

I had a Volvo from AUH -> DXB.
A lovely chauffeur & after some conversing, he did mention that quite a number of the frequent travellers preferred the Volvo to the Mercedes as they felt safer.. :mrgreen:.
I quietly observed the speed.. (140 km/h in the slow lane)

Interesting, thanks.

I will be doing the same in December. Can you advise the driving time between AUH -> DXB, and what time of day?

thanks,

tb

 

[doczim]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

I have read that the provider/co-ordinator contacts you T-??hrs. This pick up in AU to airport no problems, but the pick up at airport? Could they try to contact when we are actually in transit to US from AU? When booking the From Airport leg upon arrival in US, do I need to put in my US Cell number that I just go when I activated my ATT pre paid sim card?

 

[OATEK]

Re: QF Chauffeur Drive booking up & running

I have read that the provider/co-ordinator contacts you T-??hrs. This pick up in AU to airport no problems, but the pick up at airport? Could they try to contact when we are actually in transit to US from AU? When booking the From Airport leg upon arrival in US, do I need to put in my US Cell number that I just go when I activated my ATT pre paid sim card?

I found they made no attempt to contact me re the pick up on return to Sydney. There is no indication they took note of what I told the provider on London when I was leaving, eg about the number of bags I had, as the driver in Sydney finished up with bags in the front seat of the tired Ford! We only just managed to squeeze in.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I took the Chauffeur drive from Trafalgar Square to LHR. Very pleasant driver, nice shiny black Merc. Telephoned the previous day to confirm a time. He did want to pick me up at 1930 for a 2130 departure though :shock:
Not too sure if I would do it again though as the journey took 1hr and 15mins.
I would probably prefer an included ticket on the HEX instead.

 

[OATEK]

I took the Chauffeur drive from Trafalgar Square to LHR... Not too sure if I would do it again though as the journey took 1hr and 15mins.
I would probably prefer an included ticket on the HEX instead.

I think you have hit on a valid point. Its all very nice being carried along in a bright shiny Merc, but the Heathrow Express is pretty damn quick. We were lucky that our pick up was near Earl's Court, so we didn't have to cross London, and the trip was just 40mins. About the same as a Taxi to Paddington from where we were, and then the Express to Heathrow.

The trip in from Heathrow was a good 1hr 30m to get to St Pancras, but we were in no hurry at 7am, and didn't have to negotiate any transfers with luggage, so will probably use again even if slow.

 

[bismarck]

If on a Business class booking to Dubai (from Sydney) with a domestic connection to QF9 outbound, I presume I'm entitled to Chauffeur drive in Sydney and Dubai?

It's currently saying not permitted, but I'm assuming that's because the booking is confirmed but not yet ticketed?

 

[anat0l]

I think you have hit on a valid point. Its all very nice being carried along in a bright shiny Merc, but the Heathrow Express is pretty damn quick. We were lucky that our pick up was near Earl's Court, so we didn't have to cross London, and the trip was just 40mins. About the same as a Taxi to Paddington from where we were, and then the Express to Heathrow.

The trip in from Heathrow was a good 1hr 30m to get to St Pancras, but we were in no hurry at 7am, and didn't have to negotiate any transfers with luggage, so will probably use again even if slow.

The option of replacing Chauffeur Drive with a First Class HEX ticket might be an idea (but then some will claim that will leave them high and dry at Paddington for arriving trips or needing to get themselves to Paddington for departing trips, viz. not an equivalent service to Chauffeur Drive).

I guess it makes sense - people do value their time a lot and an hour is a lot of time. Suffice to say, though, under standard circumstances most people will not even cough up for an online Standard Class HEX ticket. Many will likely use the Heathrow Connect, and for those that opt for the cheapest on the tube - well that's using up the exact same time as Chauffeur Drive anyway (about an hour), except the tube has a better chance of guaranteeing its travel time over gambling with the traffic en route in a chauffeur car.

If on a Business class booking to Dubai (from Sydney) with a domestic connection to QF9 outbound, I presume I'm entitled to Chauffeur drive in Sydney and Dubai?

It's currently saying not permitted, but I'm assuming that's because the booking is confirmed but not yet ticketed?

Wait until you are fully ticketed first. If it then doesn't work, then start asking questions.

 

[Deleted member]

Problem for me is ? the long walk to catch the HEX , then the need to catch a cab in London for the Hotel, by the time one gets into a limo and drives door to door I suspect that time difference wont be that great....or will it?

 

[anat0l]

Problem for me is ? the long walk to catch the HEX , then the need to catch a cab in London for the Hotel, by the time one gets into a limo and drives door to door I suspect that time difference wont be that great....or will it?

On a good day with hardly any traffic at all and a driver who knows not to take the scenic route, you'd probably be right on the line ball.

I've never been on the drive to LHR except when I was chauffeured thanks to VS points flying VS J, and that was just after 9 in the morning with pretty clear traffic (i.e. we were never stuck in a jam). The ride from the centre of London to LHR T3 took just under an hour, and I loved every minute of it - the chauffeur was a great gentleman to talk to. I wouldn't have minded at all if it took a bit longer.

So, I have no idea what traffic would or could be like on the way or out of LHR (so what ranges of times could it take to get to central London). That said, you make a big point about the HEX. Nothing beats the HEX to get from LHR to central London, but only to the edge of it (Paddington)! After that, the advantage starts to drop off quickly (but that said, if I was in a real hurry and didn't want to spot for a taxi, I'd jump on the HEX for sure).