Qantas Chauffeur service - General Questions/Advice

[Deleted member 26544]

Just thought I would add my recent and only experience with CD for a trip from LHR connecting through SYD to CBR in F/J.

In LHR I had it booked for pickup 4 hours prior to departure at 17:15, with a printout of the confirmation screen in my travel compendium. The time comes and there is no driver. After a call to Qantas in Australia I get a taxi to the airport. I'm now dealing with Carey in the UK trying to get the £83 taxi fare reimbursed. There was no phone call from Carey the day prior to travel and it turns out they had the wrong time noted down.

The DXB-SYD leg was delayed and the SYD-CBR flight is rebooked. On arrival in CBR there is no driver. A call to Qantas and they admit they failed to notify the chauffeur company in CBR of my changed flight so the driver thought I was a no-show. Sent feedback through the web form that day (4/12) asking for compensation for the service failure in CBR and am waiting for a response.

An update:

I've heard from Qantas in Australia and received what I consider adequate compensation in points for the service failure at both ends. I'm still getting the run around from Carey UK (who the First Host in LHR told me would reimburse the taxi fare) so I think I will get Qantas here to reimburse the fare (as they offered to when making the points compensation offer).

As most of my international flying is shifting to other carriers I doubt I will be in a position to try CD again.

 

[baggyred]

Hi All,

Have booked a Chauffeur transfer for later in the year and had a few q's

The transfer booked is for arrival at Heathrow on QF1.

The Ts and Cs state the driver will only wait 15 minutes. Am I right in assuming this is only for the drop to the airport as opposed to from the airport, given that customs/immigration/flight delays may be in play?

My wife and I are travelling together both in J however we are on separate tickets. Is she able to simply come with me or do I have to book hers separately (which would seem ludicrous)

Lastly - by the looks of it at heathrow there is a Chauffeur Drive desk that you simply turn up to and they assign you a driver. IF the 15 minutes isn't an issue, is there any dramas in first going to the AA arrivals lounge for a shower/breakfast before jumping in the car?

Cheers - BR

 

[Pushka]

Our service on arrival in BKK just consisted of a list and as people arrived the coordinator checked you off then called up for the car. I'd say there isn't a specific car until you actually arrive but rather a team of cars ready. The list was surprisingly long.

 

[The Flying Brick]

You can both travel in the one car as Qantas Chauffeur Drive allows you to bring passengers.
Or - you could make an impression on your arrival at your accommodation and take one car each!

 

[amaroo]

Hi All,

Have booked a Chauffeur transfer for later in the year and had a few q's

The transfer booked is for arrival at Heathrow on QF1.

The Ts and Cs state the driver will only wait 15 minutes. Am I right in assuming this is only for the drop to the airport as opposed to from the airport, given that customs/immigration/flight delays may be in play?

My wife and I are travelling together both in J however we are on separate tickets. Is she able to simply come with me or do I have to book hers separately (which would seem ludicrous)

Lastly - by the looks of it at heathrow there is a Chauffeur Drive desk that you simply turn up to and they assign you a driver. IF the 15 minutes isn't an issue, is there any dramas in first going to the AA arrivals lounge for a shower/breakfast before jumping in the car?

Cheers - BR

No worries piling into one car. The four of us have done so without issue, however, I made sure I booked the car for the four us each time.

 

[LarryM]

An update:

I've heard from Qantas in Australia and received what I consider adequate compensation in points for the service failure at both ends. I'm still getting the run around from Carey UK (who the First Host in LHR told me would reimburse the taxi fare) so I think I will get Qantas here to reimburse the fare (as they offered to when making the points compensation offer).

As most of my international flying is shifting to other carriers I doubt I will be in a position to try CD again.

An update:

I've heard from Qantas in Australia and received what I consider adequate compensation in points for the service failure at both ends. I'm still getting the run around from Carey UK (who the First Host in LHR told me would reimburse the taxi fare) so I think I will get Qantas here to reimburse the fare (as they offered to when making the points compensation offer).

As most of my international flying is shifting to other carriers I doubt I will be in a position to try CD again.

We've just arrived back from the UK. There was a call from a 020 number but when I answered nothing on the other end. Googled the number and it was Carey. Called them, went through the automated questions (none relevant), on hold about 20 minutes and got through, all organised. Driver arrived, all good. Fortunately I had the new Telstra Interntional Travel Pass on my mobile so no issue with the call cost.

Then we had the same experience as you, QF2 delayed 25 minutes, rebooked SYD-CBR. Asked at Business Lounge and was told it would be automatic. Driver was there but for the next pax, having been there for our flight. Talked with his boss, who was out outbound driver, and was told that QANTAS have a really bad strike rate of advising delays to them. Ended up in a really dirty taxi, nowhere near the same as the BMW 7 Series and a really poor end to an otherwise fantastic trip.

Only other issue we had was at Heathrow, having gone the desk and asking if it was ok to go up and shower at the Arrivals lounge, then get a call saying that the car would only be held for another 15 minutes. Apparently they hold the car for up to 90 mins from arrival (which was 15 minutes before doors opened), then given the overland trek to Customs, the wait etc doesn't leave much time for a decent shower (especially for the ladies and their hair drying). They also don't advise this timeframe anywhere.

 

[LarryM]

Hi All,



Lastly - by the looks of it at heathrow there is a Chauffeur Drive desk that you simply turn up to and they assign you a driver. IF the 15 minutes isn't an issue, is there any dramas in first going to the AA arrivals lounge for a shower/breakfast before jumping in the car?

Cheers - BR

See our experience in the post above. 90 minutes, from being at gate.

 

[pagingjoan]

We arrived back in Oz recently on an EK flight (QF flight number) and found two cars booked, both in my name.
Now, it was tempting ......
But sanity prevailed and we apologised politely and took just the one car for the two of us.
No idea how the double up could have occurred but nobody seemed too bothered by it, so I assume everybody gets paid, one way or another.

 

[Dmac6345]

We arrived back in Oz recently on an EK flight (QF flight number) and found two cars booked, both in my name.
Now, it was tempting ......
But sanity prevailed and we apologised politely and took just the one car for the two of us.
No idea how the double up could have occurred but nobody seemed too bothered by it, so I assume everybody gets paid, one way or another.

Sounds like it is a well oiled machine. I thought QF canned CD from the U.S. to save money. Now they organise 2 cars for one booking.

 

[pagingjoan]

Sounds like it is a well oiled machine. I thought QF canned CD from the U.S. to save money. Now they organise 2 cars for one booking.

Well, in defence of QF, who knows who contributed to the double booking?
Could have been an error on the part of the car company, of course.
Certainly, I didn't book two cars. Come to think of it, not sure how I could have done that. Is it possible, I wonder?

 

[Kangol]

Only other issue we had was at Heathrow, having gone the desk and asking if it was ok to go up and shower at the Arrivals lounge, then get a call saying that the car would only be held for another 15 minutes. Apparently they hold the car for up to 90 mins from arrival (which was 15 minutes before doors opened), then given the overland trek to Customs, the wait etc doesn't leave much time for a decent shower (especially for the ladies and their hair drying). They also don't advise this timeframe anywhere.

Thanks for that info. I wonder what happens to those with legitimate customs/luggage issues that would take longer than 90 mins. That time frame is the first I've read about it as well. I have a QF9 in F later this year and we'll see if our stories match!

 

[pagingjoan]

I do recall negotiating a later pick up time at LHR once, when we were depositing bags but going into London for a short transit.
Alas, other than confirming that it can - and has been - done, I don't recall the specifics of how I was able to manage it.

 

[baggyred]

See our experience in the post above. 90 minutes, from being at gate.

Brilliant! Really appreciate it

Which side of immigration/customs is the arrivals lounge? Land side or air side?

I think it is Landside - so I might play it by ear. If we clear rather quickly - I'll go and grab a shower/brekky. If not I will head straight into town

 

[pagingjoan]

Snip...

Which side of immigration/customs is the arrivals lounge? Land side or air side?

I think it is Landside - so I might play it by ear. If we clear rather quickly - I'll go and grab a shower/brekky. If not I will head straight into town

Yes, landside. I think all Arrivals Lounges are? (Stand to be corrected.)

 

[citrusb]

on the last 3 occasions flying to LHR and using CD, I contact Q and request a time approx 90mins after scheduled landing time. This I find allows for any delays, shower and breakfast in AA lounge. On exiting immigration with baggage, I go to the 'chauffeur corner' in arrivals and confirm our pick-up for the later time. Qantas email to Carey's 2 days before we leave, and so far no issues... doing same next week so hope all goes to plan. Gotta have english breakfast to start your day !

 

[The Flying Brick]

Well, in defence of QF, who knows who contributed to the double booking?
Could have been an error on the part of the car company, of course.
Certainly, I didn't book two cars. Come to think of it, not sure how I could have done that. Is it possible, I wonder?

You can book one car for each J or F ticket - so a party of four can book four cars if that's what they want.

Just go to MMB and book CD for each pax on the PNR or if they are on separate PNR's then book one car per PNR.

 

[pagingjoan]

You can book one car for each J or F ticket - so a party of four can book four cars if that's what they want.

Just go to MMB and book CD for each pax on the PNR or if they are on separate PNR's then book one car per PNR.

Yes, but the two cars were both in my name. We had not booked one for my partner - and, even if we had, presumably that would have been in his name, not in mine.

As far as I know, I could not book two cars for myself. Not that I need to.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Our service on arrival in BKK just consisted of a list and as people arrived the coordinator checked you off then called up for the car. I'd say there isn't a specific car until you actually arrive but rather a team of cars ready. The list was surprisingly long.

And the guy with the EK sign at BKK has been known to wait outside the wrong immigration exit - i.e. the one at the opposite end from where your flight is being processed! So if he's not there, do the trek up to the other exit.

 

[FrustratedQP]

Yes, but the two cars were both in my name. We had not booked one for my partner - and, even if we had, presumably that would have been in his name, not in mine.

As far as I know, I could not book two cars for myself. Not that I need to.

I simply emailed Qantas and informed them that due to luggage, we needed 2 cars (2 pax). I received a phone call to confirm the reason and the 2 cars appeared on my booking. For info - I later had to change my contact details in London. I emailed them again for fear of one of the bookings dropping off If I cancelled and started again. I received a confirmation email and a few days later the new details appeared in my booking.

 

[pagingjoan]

I simply emailed Qantas and informed them that due to luggage, we needed 2 cars (2 pax). I received a phone call to confirm the reason and the 2 cars appeared on my booking. For info - I later had to change my contact details in London. I emailed them again for fear of one of the bookings dropping off If I cancelled and started again. I received a confirmation email and a few days later the new details appeared in my booking.

There you go!
Why "FrustratedQP", by the way?