London arrivals lounge before Qantas Chauffeur Drive?
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Hi Guest, join in the discussion on London arrivals lounge before Qantas Chauffeur Drive?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on London arrivals lounge before Qantas Chauffeur Drive?
windowseat
windowseat
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 May 2015
Total posts 16
Hello. Has anyone used an arrivals lounge in Heathrow after arriving on QF1 (in J or F) before using the chauffeur drive?
It's such an early arrival time and I've got no chance of checking into my hotel that early, so I figured I could visit the AA arrivals lounge to grab a shower, brekky and chill for a bit before heading out. I called Qantas to ask how long the chauffeur would wait or if I can book the pick up for a certain time but I was told that I just had to go from the plane to the pick up.
It seems a bit unlikely that QF J and F passengers are never able to visit the arrivals lounge that they specifically have access to without giving up their chauffeur drive. Does anyone have any advice or experience?
ajstubbs
ajstubbs
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Mar 2016
Total posts 117
You don't get the option of selecting a departing time when booking chauffeur drive from the airport like you do in choosing a time to be brought to the airport. In the U.K. a company called Carey generally handles QF chauffeur drive so you could call them and ask but otherwise you might be out of luck.
Phil Young
Phil Young
Qantas
Member since 22 Oct 2012
Total posts 259
When you arrive at LHR T3 and exit into the general Arrivals area you'll see a man holding up a Qantas sign. He'll take you over to the limo office where you ought to be able to discuss your plans.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
If it's a work trip, why not arrange your own transport and charge it to work, or claim as a business expense in your tax returns. Stuff Qantas - who's got the time for irrational, bureaucratic inflexibility?
worldweary
worldweary
Member since 01 May 2016
Total posts 4
If it's a work trip, why not arrange your own transport and charge it to work, or claim as a business expense in your tax returns. Stuff Qantas - who's got the time for irrational, bureaucratic inflexibility?
I think this is a great idea assuming Qantas won't come to the party and let you request the driver come at a time of your choosing. I don't think the alternative of asking the Carey driver to wait for you is fair; I seem to recall the driver I had in London recently telling me that they are paid by the job. It'd be like asking a taxi to wait for you without paying him any extra. If you're staying in the city it'll take a good hour to get to your hotel and I should think they could store your luggage and offer you some breakfast (at the very least). Could early check-in be part of your business expense as well, perhaps? It's always worth requesting or even paying for.
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
If it's a work trip, why not arrange your own transport and charge it to work, or claim as a business expense in your tax returns. Stuff Qantas - who's got the time for irrational, bureaucratic inflexibility?
I think this is a great idea assuming Qantas won't come to the party and let you request the driver come at a time of your choosing. I don't think the alternative of asking the Carey driver to wait for you is fair; I seem to recall the driver I had in London recently telling me that they are paid by the job. It'd be like asking a taxi to wait for you without paying him any extra. If you're staying in the city it'll take a good hour to get to your hotel and I should think they could store your luggage and offer you some breakfast (at the very least). Could early check-in be part of your business expense as well, perhaps? It's always worth requesting or even paying for.
jf80
jf80
Member since 17 Nov 2016
Total posts 17
Qantas do use Carey in London and they receive the booking 24-48 hours prior to arrival. Contact them before you leave Sydney and request a later pick up time. Their contacts are [email protected] +44 20 83267650
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
dbone77
dbone77
American Airlines - AAdvantage
Member since 06 Jun 2014
Total posts 3
When I flew QF F on the QF1, I didn't see anyone with my name so went to the AA Arrivals lounge, I received a call from the limo guys, which I missed as I was showering. I went to the EK guys they did say the driver took another job, and arranged me for another driver.
This year I am taking the QF1 and the connecting to the QF9 so I can check into the hotel and not have to wander the cold streets of London :-)
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
I believe QF and EK both use Carey Limousines at LHR, so it should be possible to go to the EK Chauffeur waiting lounge and speak to the people at the desk there when you arrive.
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
If it's a work trip, why not arrange your own transport and charge it to work, or claim as a business expense in your tax returns. Stuff Qantas - who's got the time for irrational, bureaucratic inflexibility?
windowseat
windowseat
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 May 2015
Total posts 16
Thanks for everyone's input and suggestions, much appreciated.
I like the idea of asking at the chauffeur drive desk and I think I will also try calling Carey. I didn't know whether specific (independent) chauffeurs were booked or whether it was a company who had a number of drivers on standby, allocating them as they are needed. I have no interest in forcing a driver to wait around for me or putting anyone out, but seems to be no harm in asking in case it can be easily accommodated.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
[QUOTE=1605;:
If it's a work trip, why not arrange your own transport and charge it to work, or claim as a business expense in your tax returns. Stuff Qantas - who's got the time for irrational, bureaucratic inflexibility?
[/QUOTE]
flychrisfly
flychrisfly
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Jun 2011
Total posts 40
I'd say you'd have little to no luck in negotiating a change to the current arrangements. What happens if your flight is late into London? That 12pm pickup you negotiated may end up not working and then who is expected to wait for who?
Ian_from_HKG
Ian_from_HKG
CX
Member since 05 Jun 2012
Total posts 61
I often book cars from airports and say that I want to be collected, say, 1ý hours after landing (enough time to disembark, collect luggage, do immigration and go to the lounge - sometimes shorter, sometimes longer but this is typical for me). Limo companies always monitor flights anyway so they don't have people hanging around the airport unnecessarily, so it is hardly an additional burden for them. If the flight is delayed, they adjust the pick-up time accordingly. If anything I would have thought a delay is helpful to them since it gives them more time to sort out rostering. And if the flight is heavily delayed I will generally know about it before departing (those sorts of long delays don't tend to happen during flight) so I have the opportunity to contact them and change the arrangements if I want to cut the time between arrival and pick-up. It's not rocket science, either for the passenger or the limo company.