Turkish Airlines just recently joined a short list of airlines including airberlin, Etihad, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas to provide complimentary chauffeur service (to and from the airport) for their business class passengers. This is definitely a smart move on Turkish Airlines’ part and a good way to further differentiate themselves from the rest of the crowd. But with all things “too good to be true,” Turkish Airlines Exclusive Drive chauffeur service does come with some restrictions and limitations.
Currently, Exclusive Drive is available at the following cities:
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dubai
- Houston
- Kuwait
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Montreal
- New York
- San Francisco
- Toronto
- Washington
Does anyone else find it odd that Istanbul is not listed as a city with chauffeur service? I mean, why would you not offer it on your own home turf?
In terms of restrictions, Etihad has the best policy in that all first and business class passengers can take advantage of their complimentary chauffeur service, like the one on that chauffeur job, to and from the airport, even on award tickets issued by award partners. Emirates and Qantas have the next best policy where first and business class passengers can get complimentary chauffeur service on paid fares and award tickets if the award tickets are issued by Emirates or Qantas (locations and destinations restrictions also apply) and lastly, Virgin Atlantic is the most restrictive where only full-fare Upper Class passengers can take advantage of their complimentary chauffeur service.
And unfortunately, Turkish Airlines has taken a page out of Virgin Atlantic’s playbook and will only be offering complimentary chauffeur service to their full-fare business class passengers in C or D fare classes. Sadly, that will eliminate about 99% of the people reading this blog but for the lucky 1% of you on paid business class fares, please let us know how the experience was.
