Never miss a flight again: The efficiency hack every frequent flyer needs

For frequent flyers, a 3am dash to the airport is not unusual. But when time is of the essence, the last thing you should be worrying about is getting a ride to the airport – and the subsequent domino effect a delay can bring.

A missed flight, rescheduled meetings and worse, frustrated stakeholders – all because of a simple hiccup that could have been avoided.

Enter a seamless solution to keep your travel itinerary on track.

With Grab’s Advance Booking feature, you can schedule private rides from two hours to seven days ahead of time. New safeguards are in place to boost driver allocation and fulfilment, alongside an extended free waiting time of up to 15 minutes. The feature is also integrated with Grab for Business, which enables passengers to pre-book their airport transfers using their corporate accounts.

Alvin Wee, Grab’s senior director of Transport & Country Operations in Singapore, says: “Our advance booking feature is designed with business travellers in mind. We know how important it is to have reliable transportation when you’re on a tight schedule, especially when it comes to critical journeys like getting to the airport.

“With this feature, you can plan ahead and secure your rides in advance, giving you the peace of mind to focus on what matters most – your work. This combination of convenience and reliability helps to reduce travel stress and ensure timely arrivals to destinations.”

Reliability when it matters most

When every minute counts, a ride service that adapts to your schedule and shows up exactly when you need it is crucial.

Grab’s Advance Booking function ensures you are always in control of your schedule. Its allocation system assigns your booking only to driver-partners who can commit to fulfilling it and arriving on time. Once confirmed, you can check for updates on the driver’s details under the app’s “Activity” tab.

In the very rare case that the system fails to allocate a booking, Grab will manually reach out to other drivers in the vicinity. You’ll even receive a voucher for your next booking if Grab cannot assign a driver to you.

With this feature, you also enjoy greater flexibility. Have last-minute changes to your schedule? Cancel your booking for free when you do so at least one hour before the pickup.

An extended 15-minute grace period from the scheduled pickup time also means there is some buffer to get things in order, such as completing your pre-flight routines and checklists.

Prefer to travel in style? Wee recommends choosing the GrabExec ride when using Advance Booking; this premium option features enhanced customer support, luxurious vehicles with amenities such as charging cables and complimentary drinks, and experienced drivers.

Some GrabExec vehicles include the Toyota Vellfire, Toyota Alphard and other limo-type vans.

Suitable for multiple needs

Whether you are carrying more luggage or travelling with your colleagues, Advance Booking is also designed for various needs.

Available for all types of Grab rides – including GrabAssist, GrabCar Premium, GrabFamily/XL and GrabPet/XL services – passengers can select the most suitable options depending on their needs for the day.

For instance, you can check the space allowance available for each vehicle type and choose an option that fits your luggage and equipment needs.

And even if you are not travelling out of the country, scheduling a ride ahead of time for important appointments ensures that busy days will go by without a hitch.

Advance Booking is available in Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, and for airport rides in Metro Manila and Klang Valley.

The function will be rolled out to more cities across South-east Asia, and travellers and busy professionals alike can look forward to an enhanced Advance Booking experience in the future – no matter where you are in the region.

Enjoy 20 per cent off your first three rides through Grab’s Advance Booking. Valid till Dec 31, 2024.