Notes

Is it worth it to pay for airport VIP services?
When you're able to hire an escort directly to the front of airport security and immigration lines, why bother with long lines? The promise is one that a growing number of airport concierge companies make to fliers, whether they are departing or arriving. Globally, these companies provide service in airports and operate independently of airports and airlines (they are allowed to operate in the airports where they sell their 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. They are ideal for travelers who hate waiting in long lines, need directions to get around an airport, or have a tight connection. A concierge is very useful if you like to get on the plane just as it's closing, especially if you like to get on just as the doors close. Moreover, you are made to feel like 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. free shipping deutsch He told me that an airport escort can save you tons of time.

As an example of an established company providing airport escorts, look no further than Royal Airport Concierge. Founded in 2006, it is now present in more than 550 airports worldwide and uses local companies for its escorts. In his statement, Ron Gorfinkel explained that the type of service provided 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. A round-trip ticket for up to four passengers costs between $300 and $450 on average.

My interest was piqued by the idea of receiving personal attention at the airport with an escort from Blacklane, a Berlin-based company that started its airport concierge service, Blacklane PASS, last August.

The Basics:

With Blacklane PASS, Blacklane offers escorts in more than 500 airports around the world. The company was established in 2011 as a car service company. Escorts are either employed by the airport itself or by local concierge companies. Similar to Royal Airport Concierge, Blacklane also provides services based on country and airport regulations. Generally, according to CEO Jens Wohltorf, the company escorts travelers through security, customs, immigration, and handles refunded VAT. Additionally, they meet arriving passengers at the airport gate and help them process customs, immigration, and baggage claim. They can even assist with arranging transportation and coordinate curbside pickup.
The Cost:

Every additional person costs $100. Each guest costs $200. Children two and under are free. Mr. Wohltorf said that although most travelers tip their escorts, it is absolutely not mandatory.
My Experience:

For a recent trip from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport, including travel for myself, my children and my parents, I booked a 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. Once we arrived at the terminal, he was waiting at the curb and greeted us with a smile. We stood in line for our airline, La Compagnie, at the beginning of the check-in line after Reda loaded our several carry-ons and four checked bags onto a luggage cart. While the line wasn't overly long, I had a moment of glee when Reda handed his pass to the employee, who kindly allowed us to bypass other passengers.

Once the checks had been processed, we were ready to claim our VAT refunds from the shopping we had done in Paris. Our situation got sticky when a woman who dealt with the refund process told us that we needed the actual items to claim our refunds. Due to our unfamiliarity with this rule, we had packed the bulk of our shopping in our check-in bags. More than $1000 was refunded, and we have been remiss allowing the money to disappear. In spite of my father and myself begging her to allow me to get a refund, she refused.

Our representative, Reda, intervened on our behalf, letting her know that we were VIPs. Then she relented and completed our refund. Would we have been able to accomplish anything without him?
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