Airlines compete with one another not just on price, but also in terms of passenger experience. That’s especially true in first and business class. This doesn’t just apply inflight, but also on the ground, and sometimes that extends beyond airport lounges.
I’ve written before about how some airlines offer complimentary chauffeur service. While there are several airlines offering chauffeur service in some capacity, no airline is quite as generous as Emirates in this regard, with the carrier’s chauffeur drive service. In this post, I’d like to go over all the details of how this program works.
In this post:
Basics of Emirates’ complimentary chauffeur service
With Emirates’ complimentary chauffeur service, select premium passengers can receive a complimentary car service to and from the airport. This doesn’t just apply in Dubai, but also at a majority of Emirates’ outstations. Let’s take a look at all of the details of how this program works.
Who is eligible for Emirates chauffeur drive?
Emirates chauffeur drive is available to Emirates first class and business class passengers booked on eligible fares:
- Chauffeur drive is not available on Emirates Skywards first and business class awards, as well as on tickets upgraded from economy to business class
- Chauffeur drive is not available on any award tickets booked via partner airlines, or on any tickets booked via Qantas, even if they’re codeshare flights
- Chauffeur drive is not available on Emirates’ “basic” business class fares
As you can see, while there are some exclusions, a vast majority of passengers with paid first and business class fares on Emirates qualify for this service.
Which destinations are eligible for Emirates chauffeur drive?
Emirates’ chauffeur service is available both on arrival and on departure at a majority of Emirates’ stations globally. This includes at most airports in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North and South America, and the Middle East. You can find the exact details of the service by searching your relevant airports at this link.
Note that you can use chauffeur drive at both your origin and destination. If you have an itinerary with a stopover of over 24 hours in Dubai, you can also use the service on arrival and departure there.
There are a couple of exclusions worth noting:
- Chauffeur service isn’t available at many short haul destinations within the Middle East (like in Jeddah, Muscat, Riyadh, etc.), as well as at select destinations in Africa (Accra, Harare, Lusaka, etc.)
- Chauffeur service typically isn’t available if you’re traveling exclusively on one of Emirates’ short haul fifth freedom flights (between Bangkok and Hong Kong, between Christchurch and Sydney, etc.); however, it is available on Emirates’ longer fifth freedom flights (between New York and Milan, between Newark and Athens, etc.)
How do you book Emirates chauffeur drive?
You can book Emirates’ chauffeur service directly through emirates.com, either at the time you book, or after the fact by managing your reservation.
Note that you need to book at least 12 hours ahead of your flight. The one exception is that in Dubai you can typically just go up to the chauffeur drive desk in the arrivals hall and get a transfer on the spot, should you have an eligible ticket. That’s because there’s a huge queue of chauffeur drive cars waiting there.
What are the limitations on Emirates chauffeur drive?
The exact limitations on how far you can drive depends on the airport, and you can find those rules by looking up where you’ll be using the service at this link.
For example, at Dubai Airport you can be driven anywhere within the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile at airports in the United States, you’ll most commonly find that chauffeur drive is available for a distance of up to 50 miles from the airport, and you can pay extra if you need to travel beyond that distance.
As far as other restrictions go, the driver will wait for you a maximum of 15 minutes after your scheduled pick-up time (this applies when you’re being picked up from your home or a hotel, and not if you’re at the airport, since of course your flight could be delayed).
Furthermore, the maximum capacity per sedan is four people, with a luggage limit of two suitcases plus one carry-on bag. So in theory you could take someone with you, if you happen to be traveling with a passenger who isn’t eligible.
What kind of cars does Emirates chauffeur drive use?
Generally you can expect that first class passengers will get more premium cars than business class passengers.
In Dubai, Emirates typically uses a BMW 7-Series or Mercedes S-Class for first class, and a BMW 5-Series or Mercedes E-Class for business class. In some cases it won’t work out that way, depending on availability.
At outstations, you can generally expect cars along the same lines. Emirates typically contracts to professional companies, so you can count on a proper limo-style experience, rather than an Uber X.
How & when does Emirates chauffeur drive pick you up?
How do the logistics of Emirates chauffeur drive work? It depends on whether you’re being driven to the airport or from the airport, and whether you’re in Dubai or at an outstation.
When you request chauffeur drive to the airport, you can specify during the booking process how long before departure you’d like to be picked up. The chauffeur service company will then reach out to you a couple of days before travel (assuming you booked that far in advance) to confirm all the details.
When using the chauffeur service from the airport after a flight, it’s also a pretty straightforward process. In Dubai (and select outstations), there’s a chauffeur drive service office in the arrivals hall, where you can go to find your driver. Meanwhile at other outstations without an office, you can expect that the drivers will just be waiting in the arrivals hall.
It’s not usually tough to spot the Emirates chauffeur drive team, since there are often dozens of people there waiting for passengers.
Should you tip with Emirates chauffeur drive?
Officially, Emirates chauffeur drive includes all tips, tolls, and taxes. Many people still choose to tip, especially in the United States. Keep in mind outside of Dubai this service is contracted out to third parties, and often the drivers will have a different take on the tipping situation.
Bottom line
Emirates offers the world’s most extensive complimentary chauffeur service for first and business class passengers, as this service is available at a vast majority of the carrier’s destinations. If you’re flying on a revenue first or business class ticket (except “basic” business fares), you can expect that you’ll get door-to-door transportation throughout most of your journey.
This is a great service, so hopefully the above answers any questions OMAAT readers may have about it.
If you’ve used Emirates’ chauffeur drive service, what was your experience like?
I got chaffeur service on a cash upgrade from premium economy to business, so it is available for some upgrades.
To answer the luggage allowance query - my husband and I fly EK First with 2 suitcases and 2 carry-ons and never have had a problem with just one car (even though we are eligible for two cars.
Ben mentions that the service is also available for the fifth freedom flight at Athens - it is not - unfortunately!
Thank you!
Emirates website and Lucky's review are both clear the luggage limit is two suitcases and one carry-on. I am travelling with my partner in F in a few months, from Australia to Europe (and return). Unsurprisingly, we will have two suitcases and *two* carry-on bags (i.e. one each). Does this mean we will have to order two cars? (The Emirates website states we are eligible for one car per person.) I'd be keen to hear...
Emirates website and Lucky's review are both clear the luggage limit is two suitcases and one carry-on. I am travelling with my partner in F in a few months, from Australia to Europe (and return). Unsurprisingly, we will have two suitcases and *two* carry-on bags (i.e. one each). Does this mean we will have to order two cars? (The Emirates website states we are eligible for one car per person.) I'd be keen to hear of anyone's experience with this, as I'm sure this would not be an unusual scenario.
Why not eligible with EK Skywards or partner J and F awards? Is it just a matter of economics?
Note that it is 50 miles driven in distance, while on the EK website it just has a circle with a radius of 50 miles from the airport. Just because you're within that circle doesn't mean it'll be 50 miles or less driving distance!
Interesting that it's not offered in Accra, Harare, and Lusaka -- on the one hand, probably a bit harder for Emirates to arrange in these destinations and there's far less competition for Emirates (really, none, at their level), but it also would be a lot more useful in those cities vs. having to arrange and find transportation on your own.
Not really related to Emirates, but I haven't seen anyone use a Lexus, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo, etc.
While not super posh, they're still pretty posh!
South African used Lexus, two or three decades ago I seem to remember.
I have a Jakarta to US flight booked in F. However, I booked a separate flight from Bali to Jakarta. It would be awesome to use the chauffeur service in Bali (assuming that is a supported place).
Jack, I do believe that a Chauffeur-drive is available. However, check with the airline.
Mike O, no airline in their right mind is likely to use LR or Alfa …. too unreliable.
Fair play, but same could be said for Mercedes and BMW! I guess it's all about the posh brand or status symbol?
Lexus, while not super posh like your BMWs or Mercedes', is still a gorgeous car especially the LS series. You would think JAL or ANA would have such service at least on the tarmac if departing from a remote gate.
Mike O, having only run Lexus in the UK this century, Toyota or Lexus SUV’s, in our other locations for decades. It is my considered option that absolutely no other brand can match them for reliability and value for money.
Mike O, I do believe that I’ve heard of some carrier using the Lexus LM, but no idea which.
It'd be nice if ANA/JAL can offer a chauffeur service between Haneda and Narita as it can be a pain for connections.
For real on Land Rover, especially on safaris (always out on maintenance, expensive parts); Land Cruiser or nothing.
Jack, niiiice (on the CGK-US in F). As for Bali, please, rides there are cheeeap, anyways.
"I booked a separate flight from Bali to Jakarta."
On what carrier? EK doesn't sell flights DPS-CGK.
Willy, yes, a confusing post from Jack, however, I inferred that it is Jakarta he is enquiring about. EK Chauffeur-drive is available for their F passengers at that location.
Some of those restrictions come from the manufacturer and region. For example, it was a very long time before Toyota or Honda allowed their cars to used as NYC taxis, given the abuse that they receive, and the bad impression people might have.
If I ran a livery service, I would not want to use Land Rover or Alfa, they'd spend more time in the shop than on the road.
While not a taxi, I was in a Lyft in a Lexus (GS or ES, can't remember, I don't even know the difference anymore hah) and it was gorgeous!
In my experience, they've used Blacklane, the same platform we get those $100 semi-annual statement credits with the Strata Elite card. The Business Lite/Promo fares don't include it, which is understandable (wish they'd still include seat-selection/lounge, alas, thousands saved, meh)
Sorry, meant Special, Saver, Flex, and Flex Plus, etc. I think QR uses Lite/Promo/Classic/Comfort whatever. Oof, quite the faux pas...
Travel agent or blog staff …. that I the question?
IS …. Is the question!
No, just frequent flyer who prefers nice things.
Ok! I believe you, thousands wouldn’t!
If you book via an OTA are you still eligible?
Likely depends on the fare type. OTAs often sell the least-expensive option, like a Special/Saver, as opposed to Flex/Flex Plus.
If you book through Amex travel, you are 100% eligible for the transfer, point earning, hotel accommodation in DXB, etc. Others I don't know.
E.t.a. - my comment applies only to first class, I know nothing about EK biz.
My only critique of the service is that, at least when departing from an outstation, you are required to be picked up much earlier than is really necessary based on typical traffic conditions.
Yup.
Three hours.
One can make it a shorter time period (I have an upcoming flight CPT-DXB, and was forced into a pickup three hours ahead of the flight). I called EK to tell them I wanted the pickup later, and they said that's fine, but they take no responsibility whatsoever if for any reason the ride is delayed from the pickup to the CPT airport. Not sure how that matters on a full fare F ticket, but there you have it.
I have always enjoyed EK flights and service, however, after an AF, La Premiere flight, I would likely as not fly AF LP as a preference.
So, you're saying AF LP > EK F?
I’m saying that our flight from CDG-SIN, will be exceedingly difficult to beat. The frogs excelled themselves.
We are flying SQ on our return, directly into
LHR for comparison. Wait out for my verdict.
Did you call them frogs during?? Zut alors!
I eagerly await your full review.
“Full review”? I’m not Ben, furthermore, the proletariat would not appreciate either the effort involved, or, the facts. No, I will say this though …. Ben, could not have imagined how close to a PJ experience this flight was.
I will add that my little friend enjoyed the whole 24hr experience. SCORE! Eurostar, lunch in La Train Bleu, started well and continued throughout the day. The AF ground pick up and arrivals process in...
“Full review”? I’m not Ben, furthermore, the proletariat would not appreciate either the effort involved, or, the facts. No, I will say this though …. Ben, could not have imagined how close to a PJ experience this flight was.
I will add that my little friend enjoyed the whole 24hr experience. SCORE! Eurostar, lunch in La Train Bleu, started well and continued throughout the day. The AF ground pick up and arrivals process in CDG, proved to be impressive. On board, the cabin ambience, facilities, amenities, comfort, etc, was as near perfect as possible in a multi-passenger aircraft. We only took light snacks (after a superb lunch another meal would have been too much). The FA’s were very accommodating too, excellent in fact.
With the centre curtain, galley and J cabin curtains closed, we enjoyed space and privacy similar to the SQ, A380 adjoining suites. The AF advantage is that the beds do not restrict movement between each other’s seats, etc. I managed six hours sound sleep, while my little friend dosed and was entertained by Hercule Poirot.
Arriving in SIN was equally as pleasant as the CDG ground experience. The only difference being that we did not require the Hertz DriveU service. My score for this flight (out of ten, would be 9 out of 10).
Will we travel AF LP again, most certainly on our next SIN trip. Was this flight better than transiting through the ME, again, most certainly. Would we return home via CDG, no. We will only take direct flights home.
It remains to be seen if SQ can eclipse AF or not. For me the only downside (will not go down well with some people), that being the aircraft type …. I very much prefer the A350. The LP cabin and the same full on experience in an A350, would earned AF 10 out of 10.
On a DXB-LHR ticket, the website showed the option to schedule a hotel > DXB ride but there was no offer for LHR arrival ride. No idea why.