London arrivals lounge before Qantas Chauffeur Drive?

16 replies

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Well said, some here have the holier than though attitude that someone should put themselves out or incur extra personal cost just to cater to their every whim, but a company running a business being 'bureaucratic inflexibility' is new to me!

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

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

@Doubleplatinum, your post is confusing. Not sure what you are trying to say. If Qantas is being difficult (irrationally, bureaucratically inflexible), why should one bang one's head to achieve an outcome, when the cost of booking a taxi is immaterial, if one were to claim it on tax or nil, if one charges it to one's company expenses?

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

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

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? 

Why does it matter whether it's a work trip? People who have a double standard - being frivolous with money if work is paying - really irritate me. I don't expect my employer to treat me better - or worse - than I treat myself. 

windowseat

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 19 May 2015

Total posts 16

Thanks for everyone's input and suggestions, much appreciated. 


This one is a non-work trip so company expenses is not a thing (although I would not unnecessarily rack up taxi costs if it was a business trip either). 

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.  

It's not my phrase but if there was 'bureaucratic inflexibility', I don't think it would be intentional.  I assume they just haven't foreseen this particular issue or can't easily accommodate it due to the potential for arrival times to vary.  

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? 

Why does it matter whether it's a work trip? People who have a double standard - being frivolous with money if work is paying - really irritate me. I don't expect my employer to treat me better - or worse - than I treat myself. 

[/QUOTE]


Airport transfers are not frivolous. It is essential. If airline is going to pay for it great. If not, there is a reasonable expectation that one has to pay to get to/from an airport. If the travel is work related, this cost is appropriate. A standard airport transfer is reasonable, rather than say a transfer via helicopter, which is unreasonable. Not quite sure what the fuss is... 

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? 

My point is that if everything goes to plan then great but if things stuff up and the flight is delayed then the existing contingencies and processes in place are all out the window and it would potentially be the car people who would have to wear the cost - which would not appeal to them.
Having said that, if it works I'd love to hear about it! 

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, 1½ 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.

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