VIP Airport Services: Are They Worth It?
There is no need to queue for airport security and immigration if you can hire a personal escort to whisk you straight to the front of the line. A growing number of airport concierge companies promise this service to departing and arriving passengers. The companies offer their services in airports worldwide and are independent of airports and airlines (they have permission to operate at the airport where they provide services).
George Hobica, an airline and airport analyst who has used these services, says these services have become more popular in recent years as airports have become busier. He said they are ideal for travelers who get frustrated waiting in long lines, have trouble navigating through an airport or who have a tight connection at an airport. If you like to fly just as the doors close on the plane, booking an airport concierge is a good idea, he said. As well as making you feel like a VIP, the service provides you with a warm welcome.
Those who have an international departure and are flying in economy class may particularly benefit from an airport escort, Mr. Hobica said, because theyre required to arrive at the airport three hours in advance and have to contend with longer security lines, compared with business and first class fliers who usually have separate security lines. He said an airport escort can save you lots of time.
As an example of an established company providing airport escorts, look no further than Royal Airport Concierge. Now operating in more than 550 airports worldwide, the company depends on its own greeters and local companies to provide escorting services. According to Ron Gorfinkel, the type of service offered depends on the rules of the airport and the country. For a departure from Italy, for example, a greeter is permitted to escort departing passengers onto the plane and help them stow their carry-on luggage while fliers arriving into Londons Heathrow Airport have the option to be met at their gate and taken to customs and immigration in a golf cart, where they are fast tracked through the lanes. It costs between $300 and $450 for up to four passengers depending on the company.
Blacklane, a Berlin-based company that launched Blacklane PASS, a concierge service at airports, caught my attention because of the idea of getting star treatment at an airport.
The Basics:
Founded in 2011 as a company offering car services, Blacklane PASS now provides escort services at more than 500 airports worldwide. It is either the airport itself that hires the escorts, or it is a concierge company that provides them. The services Blacklane provides are based on the country and airport rules, just as Royal Airport Concierge does. In general, though, co-founder Jens Wohltorf says he escorts fast track fliers through security, customs, immigration, and carries their luggage, as well as processes VAT refunds for fliers. They assist passengers with customs and immigration, and can arrange transportation and provide curbside pick-up. In addition, they meet arriving passengers at the exit of the plane and assist them with baggage claim.
موقع خدمات The Cost:
Guests are charged $200 for the first visit and $100 for every subsequent visit. Children two and under are free. The vast majority of air travelers tip their escorts, but Wohltorf said that tipping is optional.
My Experience:
Recently, I booked Blacklane PASS for my family and me to travel from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. I reserved the service online a week before our trip (first-time customers must reserve online but subsequent bookings can be made online or via phone) and received a text message from our escort, Reda (only permitted to use his first name), the night before our journey introducing himself and asking if I could text him when we were five minutes away from the airport so that he could greet us. After we got to the terminal, he was waiting for us with a smile at the curb. The luggage cart Reda used to load our four carry-ons and four check-in bags was at the head of the queue for the check-in desk at La Compagnie, our airline. It wasn't a long line, but I did feel a glimmer of pleasure when Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee, who promptly allowed us to bypass other passengers.
After checking in, it was time to claim a VAT refund on our shopping in Paris. Here's where things got tricky: the employee with whom we interacted during the refund process told us that the receipts for our items weren't enough to claim our refunds- we would also need the items themselves. We had packed most of our shopping in our check-in bags without knowing this rule. More than $1000 was refunded, for which we were remiss if we had allowed it to disappear. Even after demanding an exception, my father and I were unable to get a refund- no items, no refund.
As Reda spoke for us, she informed her that we were VIPs at the airport. Her reluctance to process our refund came after a pause. Were we able to cope without his help?