Notes

Do airport VIP services make sense?
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. As far as airport concierge services are concerned, it's a promise they make to travellers, whether they're leaving or arriving. They sell their services in airports throughout the world and are independent of airlines or airports (they have permission to operate at a specific airport).

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. It's ideal for travelers who don't want to wait in line, need assistance navigating an airport, or have a tight connection where time is of the essence. A concierge is the perfect choice if you like to board the plane just as it's closing, he said. Additionally, you feel like a VIP when you use the service.

Those who have an international departure and are flying in economy class may particularly benefit from an airport escort, Mr. shipspotting 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. Getting an airport escort saves a lot of time, he said.

In terms of airport escorts, Royal Airport Concierge is an established company. 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. Pricing varies, but costs on average $300 to $450 for a four-passenger trip.

My interest in the concept of getting star treatment at an airport prompted me to test out Blacklane PASS last August, a Berlin-based firm that launched an airport concierge service.

The Basics:

Founded in 2011 as a company offering car services, Blacklane PASS now provides escort services at more than 500 airports worldwide. Escorts are either employed by the airport itself or by local concierge companies. Similar to Royal Airport Concierge, Blacklane provides services based on airport and country rules. The company most typically escorts fast track travelers through security, customs, immigration procedures, bears their luggage, and assists in the processing of any VAT refunds, according to co-founder and chief executive Jens Wohltorf. Additionally, they assist passengers in customs and immigration and baggage claim; they can even arrange transportation and coordinate with a driver for curbside pickup.
The Cost:

Each subsequent guest will pay $100. Children two and under are free. Wohltorf points out that the majority of fliers tip their escorts, but one is not required.
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. He gave us an exact pick up point, and as soon as we pulled up at the terminal, he smiled and welcomed us. She loaded our four carry-on bags and four check-in bags onto a luggage cart and took us to the check-in counter for La Compagnie, our airline. It wasn't a long line, but the moment Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee who allowed us to bypass other passengers was a bit of a thrill for me.

After we checked in, it was time to claim a VAT refund for the shopping we did in Paris. We ran into a little problem here: the employee- a lady- who helped us claim our refunds said that receipts weren't sufficient- we needed the actual items. Unaware of this rule, most of our shopping had been packed in our baggage check-in bags. Bringing the refund in excess of $1000 was negligent of us, and the money went squandered. Despite my father and I begging her to make an exception, she would not budge- no items, no refund.

It was Reda who stepped in for us, saying that we were airport VIPs. She relented and processed our refund. How would we have managed without his help?
Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sS5b5i9yqM