Etihad Eliminated Etihad Chauffeur service for Etihad First Class and Business Class AAdvantage award tickets ticketed August 10, 2016 and later (HT: HMPS on Flyertalk). But what about AAdvantage award tickets issued before August 10, 2016–is Etihad Chauffeur still available for these tickets?
For example, louie-m reported on Flyertalk on 8/26/16 “I was told yesterday on the phone that not only are Etihad Chauffeur booking requests made after 10 August not being granted, NO AA tickets qualify for chauffeur trips from now on regardless of when the ticketing took place – i.e. that bookings previously confirmed will be cancelled.”
We have an Etihad First Apartment award later this year, booked with pre-devaluation AAdvantage miles, and I was previously able to reserve Etihad Chauffeur for my reservation. It turns out that my son has to get to a class the day we return, so I decided to see if I could make a separate Etihad Chauffeur reservation for my husband, for him to take my son to his class.
1. Go to the Book Etihad Chauffeur Page
Input your Etihad Booking Reference number and last name. Note that the Etihad Booking reference number is different from the AAdvantage record locator from your AA award booking; just ask the AAdvantage agent what the Etihad Booking reference number is.
2. Select the Etihad Chauffeur Segments
Select the Etihad Chauffeur segments you want to reserve chauffeur service for.
3. Input Your Pickup Address or Destination Address
On the next page, provide your mobile number, email address, and the pickup or destination address, depending on whether you're scheduling a pickup to take you to the airport or a transfer from the airport.
4. Look for a Confirmation Screen and Email
We were able to reserve our second Etihad Chauffeur booking with no problem for our AAdvantage award, booked with pre-devaluation AAdvantage miles.
FAQ
What If the Online System Doesn't Allow Me to Book Etihad Chauffeur?
Unfortunately, most Etihad call center agents are not willing to reserve Etihad Chauffeur for AAdvantage award ticket bookings, so if you're not able to book online, you're likely out of luck.
If I Have Existing Etihad Chauffeur Bookings That Were Successfully Made, Will They Be Cancelled?
So far, for those able to make Etihad Chauffeur bookings, these seem to have been honored, even with Etihad Call Center agents said they wouldn't be. For example, Flyertalker louie-m wrote “…I had I had no issues with chauffeurs in London or Abu Dhabi…This for a ticket booked ages ago but where the chauffeur bookings were made online on 9 August.”
When Will I Be Picked Up?
The day before your flight, you'll be called at the mobile number you provided when making your Etihad Chauffeur reservation. If you don't receive a call, make sure to call the local Etihad office for assistance in reaching the chauffeur service to confirm your pickup time.
Do All Passenger in Paid Etihad First Class and Business Class Still Receive Etihad Chauffeur Service?
Yes, except for passengers flying on Etihad Business Saver tickets, who do not qualify. All other first class and business class paid fare types qualify.
Were you able to book and use Etihad Chauffeur service for an AAdvantage award ticket issued before August 10?
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