If you read my Saudia first class suite review yesterday, you know that I had a long but very pleasant journey from Riyadh to Los Angeles. But there were two things missing — Saudia advertises a Special Services Team (SST) and limousine service. Much to my chagrin, I had to find my own way home.
On the Saudia First Suite website, the following perks of flying first class are advertised:
Both services are impressive and immensely practical. Ben and I landed at Riyadh from Dubai and had to find our own way to the lounge. It wasn’t easy, as Ben outlines here. Having an escort would have been much appreciated.
Second, the car service is a great feature. I live about 30 minutes from LAX. While spending $40 on Uber doesn’t break the bank, I’d much rather have had someone waiting for me who took my bag and escorted me to a black sedan with extra legroom and water bottles in the backseat. Don’t misunderstand: I don’t need this, but it is a great first class perk and one that Saudia advertises.
Or do they?
Notice in the limousine transportation section above the fine print–
The [sic] involve destinations in the new service ( Riyadh – Jeddah – Paris – London – Washington – New York – Lao Angeles ) are in the negotiation stage with the companies.
The English is bad, but it appears that Saudia is still “negotiating” for car service. But if so, why offer it so prominently on their website as a benefit of flying longhaul first class?
CONCLUSION
Saudia doesn’t have to offer chauffeur service to be competitive. Etihad recently cut chauffeur service for its first class passengers and I bet Emirates will eventually do the same thing. But if Saudia advertises that (along with their special services team), I do think they should deliver.
At the very least Saudia could have placed an employee waiting at the door to explain the status of the promoted services and offer assistance with self paid local transport. Lack of alcohol is not the problem. Not living to their own marketed standards is.