What are the benefits of airport VIP services?
It is not necessary to wait in long airport security and immigration lines when there is an escort available to take you directly to the gates? Growing number of airport concierge companies offer it to fliers, whether they are departing or arriving. Globally, these companies offer their services at airports and are independent from both airports and airlines (they have permission to operate at the airports where these services are sold).
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're ideal for travelers who dislike standing in long lines, need help navigating through an airport, or have a tight connection and are short on time. Booking an airport concierge would be a good idea if you are among those who like to board just as the plane is closing up, he said. Additionally, you are treated as a VIP.
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. It can save you a great deal of time to take an airport escort, he said.
Royal Airport Concierge is an established company that provides airport escorting services. Based in 2006, it now operates in more than 550 airports worldwide and uses both local and national companies to guide its escorts. The type of service provided will depend upon the rules and regulations of the airport and the country, according to Ron Gorfinkel. 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. Pricing varies but typically ranges from $300 to $450 for up to four passengers.
Interested in the idea of getting exclusive treatment at airports by having a private escort, I decided to try one from Blacklane, the Berlin-based company that launched an airport concierge service last year, the Blacklane PASS.
The Basics:
Blacklane began service as a car service in 2011 and now offers escorted tours in more than 500 airports worldwide through its Blacklane PASS program. The escorts work for either the airport itself or for an airport concierge service. Royal Airport Concierge and Blacklane both offer services based on country and airport regulations. According to Chief Executive and Co-Founder Jens Wohltorf, escorts fliers through security, customs, and immigration, carries their luggage, and facilitates VAT refunds. They can also arrange transportation and coordinate with a driver for curbside pickup. They meet arriving passengers at the plane's exit and assist them through customs and immigration.
The Cost:
Each additional person will pay $100. The first guest costs $200. Children two and under are free. The typical passenger tips his escort, but Mr. Wohltorf said gratuities are completely optional.
My Experience:
My family, my two children, and I booked Blacklane PASS for a recent trip 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. When we pulled up at the terminal, he was waiting to welcome us with a smile. Reda loaded our four carry-ons and four check-in bags onto a luggage cart and led us to the front of the check-in line for our airline, La Compagnie. I was quite gleeful when Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee, who allowed us to circumvent other passengers.
After checking in, it was time to claim the VAT refund we'd earned from our Paris shopping. This is where our situation got sticky: the lady who managed our refund process told us that having receipts for our items wasn't enough to claim refunds. We needed actual items in order to do that. Due to our unfamiliarity with this rule, we had packed the bulk of our shopping in our check-in bags. Over $1000 in refunds was owed to us, and we were remiss in not returning the money. I begged my father and her to allow me a refund, but she refused to do so.
It was Reda who stepped in for us, saying that we were airport VIPs. Her reluctance to process our refund came after a pause. Were we able to cope without his help? Assistance airport