Qantas to Offer Free Chauffeur Drive To/From Airport For Business/First Class Passengers

Last night I checked in on our booking to Australia in July on Qantas and I decided to go look at the features of Business Class so I could start daydreaming a bit. But as I was looking through the different offerings from the lounge to the seat I noticed a new tab...one that promoted their "Chauffeur Drive" program. I had previously seen this, but it was a pay for service that would get you a car from the airport to your final destination at a cost, so I had just ignored it in the past, I don't mind taking public transit.

But, it turns out that Qantas has recently made a change to their Chauffeur Drive program that as of March 31, 2013 allowed some international flights arriving at Australian destinations to have a free car service collect you at your departure city and take you to the airport. Then when you arrive you will be again collected and driven to your destination hotel or other location. Here is the full description from Qantas:

"Starting 31 March 2013, Qantas customers travelling in First and Business will be able to access our complimentary chauffeur service+ on selected international Qantas operated flights, booked with a QF flight number.

You will be collected in a luxury vehicle and driven to the airport to meet your flight. On arrival at your destination, you will be met by another chauffeur service and driven to your hotel, office or home.

Chauffeur Drive is available to First and Business Qantas customers travelling on flights between Australia and London and Dubai from 31 March 2013, and between Australia and Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Santiago and Johannesburg from 1 July 2013.*

Travellers connecting between a domestic or trans-Tasman flight from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch to an eligible Qantas international flight will also be eligible for complimentary Chauffeur Drive transfers."

Right now the feature is only available on flights between Sydney or Melbourne and Dubai/London. When arriving in Dubai you just use the Emirates Chauffeur program. But at all other stations you use the Qantas program.

But, where it gets even better is that after July 1 the complementary Chauffeur Drive extends to other Qantas flights from the United States and South America. Since we are flying in mid-July you can bet I will be booking us a car from the Sydney airport to the Park Hyatt Sydney...can you say arriving in style? Here is the full list of eligible flights:

Route	Flight Numbers	Service begins
Sydney <> Dubai <> London	QF1/2	31 March 2013
Melbourne <> Dubai <> London	QF9/10	31 March 2013
London <> Dubai <> London	QF1/2/9/10	31 March 2013
Sydney <> Los Angeles	QF11/12/107/108	1 July 2013
Australia <> New York JFK via Los Angeles	QF107/108	1 July 2013
Melbourne <> Los Angeles	QF93/94	1 July 2013
Brisbane <> Los Angeles	QF15/16	1 July 2013
Sydney <> Dallas Fort Worth via Brisbane	QF7/8	1 July 2013
Sydney <> Santiago	QF27/28	1 July 2013
Sydney <> Johannesburg	QF63/64	1 July 2013

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