LondonCity From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2008, 1214 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 6510 times:
There's another development in the battle for profitable passengers at LHR.
BA has just announced a scheme which will offer free taxi transfers to premium passengers booked on long-haul flights in or out of LHR.
I think it's the first time that BA has ever offered free transfers on such a basis although a number of other carriers, most notably VS, have been providing chauffeur-driven transfers for ages.
What is not clear is whether the scheme covers all normal fare premium passengers or whether it just covers those passengers who have bought their tickets in the UK.
LondonCity From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2008, 1214 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 6258 times:
Quoting LHR380 (Reply 1): This is where BA has lacked, and I hope this brings a few more prem passengers to the airline.
Yes. You may remember that way back in the days of Concorde, even passengers flying that prestigious service were never offered complimentary chauffeur-driven transfers.
At some stage BA had a deal with Hertz chauffeur-drive at UK and US destinations served by Concorde but passengers qualified for a special rate rather than a totally free transfer.
Revelation From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 10575 posts, RR: 21 Reply 3, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 6249 times:
Quote: The page states that the service will "provide complimentary black cabs and executive cars for premium customers to speed their ground journey to and from London Heathrow Terminal 5"
I guess the author has never traveled the road network around LHR....
Cloudyapple From Hong Kong, joined Jul 2005, 2425 posts, RR: 9 Reply 7, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 5592 times:
It cost me £35 on the black cab to go from T5 to the PremierInn just around the corner. They must have some arrangement with somebody like Addison Lee to keep the cost in control.
LHR380 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 5577 times:
Quoting Cloudyapple (Reply 7): It cost me £35 on the black cab to go from T5 to the PremierInn just around the corner. They must have some arrangement with somebody like Addison Lee to keep the cost in control.
I recall watching the taxi fare going up near enough £5 a mile at one point on a journey, we could not believe it lol.
Bongodog1964 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2006, 3047 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 12 hours ago) and read 5418 times:
Quoting Cloudyapple (Reply 7):
It cost me £35 on the black cab to go from T5 to the PremierInn just around the corner. They must have some arrangement with somebody like Addison Lee to keep the cost in control.
The press release specifically mentions "black cabs" and the photo shows a classic London taxi. Unless it is misleading these are not minicabs of the type operated by the likes of Addison Lee.
Black cabs are driven by owner drivers, who charge in accordance with their meters which are regulated by Transport for London.
Yes they are relatively expensive, but the deal only applies to full fares which of course are a little bit pricey, and thus the cost can be justified. In addition many of those eligible will have their own transport anyway.
It would be interesting to know what proportion of VS full fare Upper class pasengers take advantage of their road transportation, and what the % is of the total upper class passengers.
Xtra1 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 108 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week ago) and read 3643 times:
Quoting Bongodog1964 (Reply 9): It would be interesting to know what proportion of VS full fare Upper class pasengers take advantage of their road transportation, and what the % is of the total upper class passengers.
Just did a test booking with VS, return to NYC.
Lowest UC fare without chauffered car at the airports is :- £2122.00
Lowest UC fare with chauffered car at the airports is an eye-watering :- £7343.00
I should therefore assume more people are going for the non-road transportation option.
LondonCity From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2008, 1214 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (4 years 1 month 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 3214 times:
Quoting Cloudyapple (Reply 7): It cost me £35 on the black cab to go from T5 to the PremierInn just around the corner. They must have some arrangement with somebody like Addison Lee to keep the cost in control.
There are strict rules at LHR governing taxis. As far as I know, mini-cabs must be pre-booked if they wish to collect passengers. They cannot ply for hire like black taxis.
Also if a black cab heads from LHR towards London (ie heads East) then the fare can be put on the meter whereas if it heads West (ie away from London) then the fare is bartered between the passenger and the driver.
You didn't say which Premier Travel Inn you used. I ask, because there are several in the area of LHR in different locations.
Quoting Xtra1 (Reply 10): Just did a test booking with VS, return to NYC.
Lowest UC fare without chauffered car at the airports is :- £2122.00
Lowest UC fare with chauffered car at the airports is an eye-watering :- £7343.00
There must be a mistake here. The excursion rate of £2,000 + will be correct but no airline charges £7,000 + for a J class return. I believe the full J class return to NYC with VS is around £4,000 or £5,000.
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