Review: Wheely chauffeur service

Available in Dubai, London and Paris, the car-booking platform offers a polished alternative to taxi apps

Private car services have proliferated in Dubai in recent years, with the likes of Blacklane and now Chabé offering on-demand chauffeur services to the emirate’s high flyers.

London-based platform Wheely, positioned as a luxury chauffeur service, is another premium ride-hailing app now operating in Dubai, so Connecting Travel recently put it to the test.

We signed up to the Wheely app and sampled two tiers of its service, Business Class in a BMW 5 Series and First Class in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Vehicles
The BMW 5 Series G60 used in Business Class accommodates up to four passengers and three suitcases. In the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in First Class, the capacity remains the same, but the car itself is more conducive to relaxing after a long flight. Engine and road noise are barely perceptible, and the seating is noticeably more comfortable, as one would expect. The same amenities – a phone charger, water and branded tissues and towelettes – are present.

In the premium Luxe Class, served by Mercedes-Maybach S-Class vehicles, additional amenities include Fiji or San Pellegrino water, a laptop charger, and Acqua di Parma hand cream, complemented by Acqua di Parma in-car diffusers.

Wheely also offers a Business SUV Class, using the GMC Yukon, with capacity for six passengers and up to four suitcases.

Booking
The booking process begins smoothly via a superb user-friendly app, which requires only a member’s flight number and destination to plot the route and assign a driver.

Once confirmed, the app provides an image of the customer's name placard, as well as the name and a photo of your driver, making them both easier to spot from afar on arrival. From the moment a passenger lands, app notifications update them on the location of their driver.

Service
In both classes, well in advance of our arrival, our chauffeurs were waiting at the Arrivals terminal, name placard in hand, and immediately assisted with our luggage. With the First Class service, we also got a warm and welcoming smile, hinting at the driver’s greater confidence.

The Business Class service, though relatively impersonal, is a significant step-up from Uber, thanks not only to the arrival experience and the in-car amenities but also due to the courteousness of the driver, who enquired about our comfort, offering to adjust the temperature and play music. He also delivered a precise summary of the journey timings then left me in peace to enjoy a smooth drive.

Costs
Wheely’s prices are in line with similar premium car-booking platforms and are arguably worth the additional cost between Uber Luxe and Wheely Business Class.

As example pricing, a trip from Dubai International airport (DXB) to Dubai Marina costs AED331 in Wheely’s Business Class and AED571 in Wheely’s First Class. The same journey costs approximately AED110 in a standard taxi, AED140 in a standard Uber and AED249 in an Uber Luxe.

Wheely also gives users one hour’s complimentary waiting time.

Summary
Wheely’s central appeal lies in the brilliant simplicity and functionality of its app and the reliability of its service. The experience minimises friction and uncertainty, with an almost seamless journey from the airport to the final destination.

For passengers travelling through Dubai International (DXB), it removes that pre-arrival dread of often lengthy taxi queues several lines deep in uncomfortably hot climes. However, Wheely users must follow their drivers to their allocated car park, which can add a few minutes in the heat and the vehicles themselves can be a tad warm after being parked in Dubai’s heat, while Emirates’ chauffeur-driven cars line up directly outside DXB’s Arrivals terminal. However, this complimentary service is exclusively available to Emirates’ First Class and Business Class passengers, so if you're arranging premium transfers for passengers using other airlines, Wheely is a sound choice.

Among independent luxury car-booking platforms, Wheely delivers on its promise, offering a dependable, comfortable service that takes seconds to book.

Wheely is currently available in Dubai, London and Paris. For more information, visit www.wheely.com

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