In brief | Emirates is withdrawing its free chauffeur service for all first class and business class passengers in Hong Kong.
An update to the airline's website now says that "Chauffeur-drive service will be offered to passengers for flights until 28th February 2014."
The move follows Emirates' decision in October to cancel the service for premium travellers on its trans-Tasman flight, with the website explaining that "Itineraries which are exclusively between New Zealand and Australia are not eligible for Chauffeur-drive."
However, "all other itineraries on Emirates-operated flights are eligible" including business class flights between Dubai and New Zealand "which involve a stopover in Australia."
Read: Emirates Airbus 380 to Auckland – the best Qantas points deal in town?
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Etihad
23 Jan 2013
Total posts 175
I'm not surprised given it is a short flight.
Interesting to read about the axing of the service for AKL-SYD. When is this meant to take effect? I had Emirates car service only last week from Auckland to the airport. Very prompt service and they'd even informed the hotel reception prior to my arrival. I was quite impressed.
Pick up in Sydney was seamless too. Nice cars used too.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
Ben84: it's in effect already, as I recall the service was stopped in October...
Etihad
23 Jan 2013
Total posts 175
Then how did I get car service in Auckland and from Sydney airport to my home?
Perhaps because I booked before October?
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
25 Apr 2013
Total posts 542
What?! No extra frills to my mother's (far in future) birthday present?
Skywards Gold
21 Apr 2011
Total posts 53
That's a shame, they used to have lovely S Classes with wifi and phone chargers in HK.
Skywards Gold
21 Apr 2011
Total posts 53
Will they substitute an airport express ticket for the chauffeur service? I remember being able to get a first class heathrow/gatwick express tix instead of the chauffeur service, does anyone know if that's still an option?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Mar 2013
Total posts 67
Funny how the usual critics aren't ever posting when a withdrawal of some degree of service doesn't involve QANTAS.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Absolutely, Dazzaredroo, but please consider:
If someone has flown literally 100s flights on QF over a 25 year period and only a few flights on EK, they might be well placed to comment on QF's strengths/weaknesses and very poorly placed to comment on EK - therefore nothing to contribute based on personal experience
Arguably, a critique is justified if either airline removes a service which was advertised at the time of purchase or otherwise behave misleadingly (intentionally or unintentionally) and withdrawn before the service is provided misled a customer. Some can provide examples from personal experience (see numerous examples cited for QF on this website - perhaps they can't in this instance of EK removing the chaffeur).
Now if EK removed a chaffeur service from a flight I had booked and paid at a time when this servcie was part of the product offering, I'd be just as dissapointed as QF closing lounges without notice, servicing cafe breakfasts, changing the frequent flyer scheme without the due notice period, etc.
I'm assuming you yourself aren't biased with a name like dazza-RED ROO, and perhaps your name reflects your love of the all things Aussie and the magic of the NT, indigenous cultures, etc. (a position we share having also worked in the commnitied myself).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Mar 2013
Total posts 67
Fair call......still love the roo too.....
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
How disappointing.
Re trans-Tasman flights were first class passengers previously entitled to chauffeur drive?
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
29 Dec 2013
Total posts 7
I guess Emirates bit more than they could chew.
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