Qatar Airways launches airport chauffeur service – for a price...
By David Flynn, September 19 2017
Qatar Airways now offers an airport chauffeur service to whisk travellers between home or office and the airport.
However, the Oneworld member won't be making it free – even to passengers booked in its first class suites.
Instead, all passengers will pay a fee for booking a driver through global partner Blacklane, which lists upmarket models from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac in their fleet.
Standard rates from North Sydney to Sydney Airport range from US$110 (A$138) for a 'business class' ride in the likes of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 5 Series, with the 'first class' option of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series or Audi A8 priced at US$162 (A$202).
From South Yarra to Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport the same options span from US$96 (A$120) to US$164 (A$205).
Those prices, Qatar notes, include "all taxes, tolls, fees and gratuities", making it an all-inclusive rate which includes up to one hour of complimentary waiting time for pickups from the airport.
Gulf rival Etihad recently axed its free chauffeur service for first class and business class travellers, opting instead for a fee-based service through contractors in each country.
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jan 2015
Total posts 71
Just get an Uber..
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
At those prices I'd just Uber it.
05 Dec 2013
Total posts 36
Is this service available to any traveller or only if you are booked on a QR or QR partner flight?
07 Mar 2017
Total posts 59
This would be a Qatar partnership; probably Qatar get some commission from bookings..
However, Blacklane are an existing public provider and you can book directly through them yourselves, for similar rates.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
Why do I have a feeling that EK will start charging for chauffeur soon?
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
Hopefully not - at this stage this is one of their key points of difference vs their immediate ME competitors.
21 Sep 2017
Total posts 2
The rates seem excessive to me, and there are many other transport providers that are more competitive. Im not surprised as even the EK/QA service will finish soon.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
16 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
Can you clarify what you mean by the EK/QF (I assume you meant) service will finish soon?
21 Sep 2017
Total posts 2
Yes sorry Emirates / Qantas. Was advised this service will finish approx Nov 2017. I was told it was scheduled to finish in Sept 2017. Basically it wont last much longer. I never use the car service as the local providers in WA tell you what time they will pick you up and they now use Skoda's which ill give a miss.
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