Notes

Is it worth it to pay for airport VIP services?
If you can hire an escort to whisk you straight to the front instead of waiting in long airport security lines and immigration lines, then why bother with those lines? The promise is one that a growing number of airport concierge companies make to fliers, whether they are departing or arriving. 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).


Analyst George Hobica, who has used a few of these services, said they've gained popularity in recent years as airports have become busier. They are ideal for travelers who get frustrated when they have to wait in long lines, need assistance finding their way through airports, or have short connections when time is of the essence. If you like to fly just as the doors close on the plane, booking an airport concierge is a good idea, he said. The service also makes you feel as if you are 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. He said airport escorts can save you a lot of time.

Royal Airport Concierge is an established company that provides airport escorting services. This company, established in 2006, now operates in more than 550 airports worldwide and relies on its own greeters and local providers to deliver its services. 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. The company's pricing varies, but an average ride costs $300 to $450 for up to four passengers.

I was intrigued by the idea of getting star treatment at an airport thanks to a personal escort, so I decided to try Blacklane, a Berlin-based company that launched an airport concierge service, Blacklane PASS, in August 2018.

The Basics:

Blacklane began in 2011 as a car service company and now offers escorting services in more than 500 airports worldwide through Blacklane PASS. The escorts are either employed by the airport or by a concierge company. Blacklane, like Royal Airport Concierge, offers services according to country and airport regulations. CEO and founder Jens Wohltorf says that company generally escorts fast track ticket holders through security, customs and immigration, carries their luggage, and handles VAT refunds. 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.
The Cost:


Each subsequent guest will pay $100. Children two and under are free. Mr. Wohltorf said that giving a gratuity is not required and is completely optional.
My Experience:

For my recent trip from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport, my two children and my parents booked Blacklane PASS. 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. VIP Airport Our four carry-ons and four check-in bags were loaded onto a luggage cart by Reda as he had us report to the line for our airline, La Compagnie. While the line wasn't too long, I did feel a sliver of joy when Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee, who allowed us to bypass other travelers.

Once we had checked in, it was time to request VAT refunds for our Paris shopping. Upon our first contact with the employee dealing with our refund, she informed us that receipts for the goods we purchased were not sufficient for claiming refunds; we needed the actual goods to claim the refund. Due to our unfamiliarity with this rule, we had packed the bulk of our shopping in our check-in bags. It would have been remiss of us if we did not return the money, since it was worth more than $1000. Despite my father and I begging her to make an exception, she would not budge- no items, no refund.

I spoke on behalf of Reda and told her we were airport VIPs. She eventually relented and processed our refund. Without his assistance, what would we have done?


Read More: https://topalpha.de/vip-service/