These airlines offer free chauffeur service for business and first class passengers
Flying business or first class is often more than just having a better seat or lounge access. It's an all-around upgraded travel journey — from check-in to baggage claim. With some airlines, the premium cabin experience begins before you even arrive at the airport.
Several airlines offer premium cabin passengers complimentary chauffeur service to and from the airport. While many airlines have either eliminated or scaled back this perk in recent years, there are still ones that offer it.
Here's a rundown of all the airlines that offer free car service for passengers, who's eligible and how you can book it.
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Air China
While Air China typically isn't known for its ground experience, it does offer complimentary chauffeur transfer within China for select premium passengers.
The transfers are available for long-haul business and first class passengers with booking classes F, A, J, C, D, Z, and R. This does not include flights booked with points. The transfers are available in the following cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Tianjin and Xi’an.
If you're eligible, you can submit a form to book the service up until 48 hours before your flight.
Related: A review of Air China’s 747-8 in first class from Beijing to New York
Emirates
This probably doesn't come as a surprise, but the airline that introduced first-class suites and onboard showers offers complimentary rides to and from airports for some premium passengers.
Dubai-based Emirates suspended its chauffeur service in May and originally wasn't planning on resuming it until April 2021, but has since reversed course and once again offers it at nearly all cities it serves. It's typically available to both business and first class passengers, but in Hong Kong it's available to first class passengers only. In Dubai, first class passengers are whisked to the airport in a Mercedes-Benz S 450, meanwhile business class passengers are driven in a BMW 5 Series.
The service is only available for flights marketed and operated by Emirates (not codeshare flights). You must be carrying a paid premium cabin ticket in order to be eligible. Unfortunately, the service is no longer available on award tickets. It's also not available on flights upgraded from economy class or the airline's stripped-down 'special' business class fares.
If you're eligible, you can book the service online through the "Manage Your Booking" page up until 12 hours before your flight.
Related: Everything you need to know about Emirates Skywards
Etihad
Unless you're traveling in the Residence, you'll only be able to book Etihad's complimentary chauffeur service to and from the airline's hub, Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). The service is available for First and Business Classic and Business Flex fares, on flights marketed and operated by Etihad. While no partner awards are eligible, you can book Flex awards through Etihad Guest — albeit at a hefty premium over saver-level Guest awards.
Guests of The Residence can book the service in New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Paris, Sydney and Seoul.
If you're eligible, you can book the service through an online form up until 12 hours before your flight.
Related: Etihad Guest miles continue to fly under the radar
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines offers its Exclusive Drive service free of charge for select business class passengers.
It's available in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Beirut, Tel Aviv, Tehran, Cairo, Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Dhaka, Nairobi, Riyadh, Dammam, Amman, Jeddah, Bahrain. All paid business fare classes (C, D, K, J and Z) are eligible, but not award tickets or those upgraded from economy.
If you're eligible, you can book the service online up until 24 hours before your flight.
Related: What airline fare classes tell you about your ticket
What’s not on this list
Several airlines such as Qantas and Virgin Atlantic have pulled the plug on their chauffeur services earlier this year. Although unlikely, let's hope that more airlines bring the service back when the pandemic is behind us and travel goes back to normal.
Also, although they won't pick you up from your home, airlines like Air France and Lufthansa deserve a mention on this list for offering first class passengers limousine transfers between the terminal and aircraft.
Bottom line
Getting a complimentary ride to and from the airport is a terrific perk. However, it seems like the days of complimentary chauffeur service are numbered, with less and less airlines offering it. For the airlines that do still offer it, there are often major restrictions attached.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.