Qantas 'Limousine' Service

SilenceFOOL! · #1 (**permalink**) 20th June 2007, 04:36 PM

Anyone used Qantas Drive? How would you rate it?

What exactly is Qs definition of "highly appointed vehicles" esp. standard and luxury
sedan/s?.....I'm hoping something better than an AU Falcon with 15" steelies.

At risk of sounding xenophobic - please explain

- are the drivers likely to understand me and know how to get to Tulla? More importantly, will they wear deodorant

Last time I took at taxi to Tulla it not only cost me a small fortune, it nearly cost me my life!
Also looking at SilverTop taxi Silver Service as Plan B.
Thoughts? Advice? Experiences?

Mr_Gimlet · #2 (**permalink**) 20th June 2007, 05:16 PM

I have a 'pet' taxi driver in Melbourne, though I do live here, which guarantees that someone will be there when I want them, and they know where to go. Personal connections to either a taxi or limo company is the best way - I am not close enough to the airport to be of interest to limo drivers. My company uses one as one of our sites is a long way from the airport.

Also, if you have a regular car in another city, ask for a recommendation.

If you get stuck, PM me.

JohnK · #3 (**permalink**) 20th June 2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilenceFOOL!

Also looking at SilverTop taxi Silver Service as Plan B.

Wherever possible I use Silver taxis. Most are newer vehicles and feel more comfortable than ordinary taxis.

Booked one online on Sunday at 4:30am for a 5:10am departure from home for the F lounge run to MEL. Arrived at 5:05am and was at the airport by 5:20am....

Tooner · #4 (**permalink**) 20th June 2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

Wherever possible I use Silver taxis. Most are newer vehicles and feel more comfortable than ordinary taxis.

Booked one online on Sunday at 4:30am for a 5:10am departure from home for the F lounge run to MEL. Arrived at 5:05am and was at the airport by 5:20am....

I use Silver Service in Sydney (though it doesn't cost extra here), and when I have used SilSer in MEL they were good (flukes - not booking). A lot of people use pet taxi drivers, and also there is a group Platinum who have about 60 cabbies.

Never used QF Drive.

Hope this helps

talisker63 · #5 (**permalink**) 20th June 2007, 07:53 PM

I found the best way to get a clean, reliable, "nice" drive home is to book a Silver Service, stump up the extra $10 and then if you like the car/driver get his personal card and then you can call him direct in the future and avoid the extra charge.

The Platinum group in Melbourne are good but they will quote you a fixed price, of course higher than a taxi.

The benefits of plan "A" above is it is the same price as a regular taxi but nicer. Of course it helps that I am a $70+ fare from the airport. Strangly nothing seems too much trouble when I call.

At least this way they turn up on time and I can call the driver direct if my plans change.

cheers

simongr · #6 (**permalink**) 21st June 2007, 06:23 AM

I went off Silver Service in Sydney about a year ago (maybe a little more) when I found that frequently the silver service cab turned out to be a regular cab (because of the popularity of our service). I now use a "limousine service" - costs me about $100 from the airport - bu a regukar cab would cost about $70-$80 and after a long trip it's nice to not have to direct someone home

In MEL I used to use a limousine service (Holden Calais) - really nice fella - haven't been down theer in a while - but he was great and was always there exactly when you needed him

serfty · #7 (**permalink**) 21st June 2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilenceFOOL!

... last time I took at taxi to Tulla it not only cost me a small fortune, it nearly cost me my life!
Also looking at SilverTop taxi Silver Service as Plan B.
Thoughts? Advice? Experiences?

If you are on your own and have 15mins to spare, the Skybus is a very reliable and efficient service for $15.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilenceFOOL!

... Anyone used Qantas Drive? How would you rate it?

What exactly is Qs definition of "highly appointed vehicles" esp. standard and luxury
sedan/s?.....I'm hoping something better than an AU Falcon with 15" steelies. ...

Methinks the prices quoted are for a basic 'steelies' type sedan (MEL @ $76).

See here: Flying with Us - At the Airport - Limousine Service

Quote:

Prices shown are based on a Standard Sedan car and routes without tolls. For rates on luxury sedans, stretch limousines, coaches and buses, contact Qantas Drive.

chrisb · #8 (**permalink**) 21st June 2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilenceFOOL!

Anyone used Qantas Drive? How would you rate it?

I used it in Perth. It was outsourced to a 'Proper' Limo company (Hughs) and it was everything you would expect from a Stretch Limo.

The driver met us near baggage, waited with us and chatted while we searched for our bags and then took us out to the car. It was going to our house and he already knew exactly where he was going and how to get there without a word from us. It was all very professional. There was no extra charge due to him having to wait 45mins for the delayed flight. (As you'd expect from a qantas service!)

That said, it was billed directly by Hughs who over charged us - they charged the normal rate not the Qantas Drive rate - A quick phone call and it was immediately corrected. Again, the limo company was very professional. The points from Qantas Drive took 2 emails and over 4 months to be credited.

I'd do it again. It's better than the Taxi queue.

Chrisb.

opusman · #9 (**permalink**) 21st June 2007, 02:26 PM

I've used it once in Sydney, and wasn't that impressed TBH.

I paid the extra (can't remember the amount - $20?) for a BMW instead of a Commodore, but what turned up was a Commodore, and then at the end they still charged the BMW price. They didn't do CC electronically, it was one of the old manual imprinters, and somehow the charge for $89.95 (already $20 more than it should have been) had turned into $99.95 by the time it hit my account.

I emailed Qantas to ask about it but got the brush off, and couldn't be bothered spending the time to actually chase it up - but I certainly wouldn't use them again.

simongr · #10 (**permalink**) 21st June 2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opusman

They didn't do CC electronically, it was one of the old manual imprinters, and somehow the charge for $89.95 (already $20 more than it should have been) had turned into $99.95 by the time it hit my account.

That was probably the cabcharge fee - whatever is on the manual docket if then paid by a CC attracts an 11% charge (10% cabcharge fee and gst thereon).