Notes

What's the point of airport VIP services?
If you can hire a personal escort to whisk you to the front of the line, why wait in long security lines? Growing number of airport concierge companies offer it to fliers, whether they are departing or arriving. Airport-based companies like these offer services worldwide and are independent of airports and airlines (and are allowed to operate in the airports where they sell services).

Analyst George Hobica, who has used a handful of these services, says airports have become busier in the last several years, so their popularity has increased. They are ideal for travelers who hate waiting in long lines, need directions to get around an airport, or have a tight connection. He advises booking an airport concierge if you like to board your plane right as it is about to close. In addition, the service makes you 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. According to him, airport escorts can save you a lot of time.

shipment delivery Royal Airport Concierge is an established company that provides airport escorting services. As of June 2018, it operates in more than 550 airports worldwide and chooses to hire local companies for its escorts and greeters. A service's type depends on the airport's policies and the country in which it is offered, said founder 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. Price varies but is typically $300 to $450 for up to four passengers.

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:

Since 2011, Blacklane has provided escort services at more than 500 airports worldwide. The airport itself may employ these escorts or one can find them through a local concierge company. Royal Airport Concierge and Blacklane both provide services based on country and airport regulations. 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. Moreover, the staff welcomes arriving passengers at the plane's exit, assists them through customs and immigration and baggage claim; it is even possible to schedule curbside pickup and arrange transportation with the driver.
The Cost:

Each additional person will pay $100. The first 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:

Blacklane PASS was the perfect solution to a recent trip I took for my family, my parents, and my two children 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. We were given a drop off point, and he was waiting with a smile at the curb when we arrived at the terminal. We had four carry-ons and four check-in bags loaded onto a luggage cart, and Reda had led us to the airline's check-in line. 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.

When we checked in, it was time to claim a VAT refund for the shopping we had done while 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. We had packed most of our groceries into our check-in bags unaware that this rule applied. In the end, the refund amount amounted to more than $1000, and it was irresponsible to let it go. My father and I asked her to make an exception, but she refused- no items, no refund.

I intervened on our behalf by telling Reda we were airport VIPs. She relented and processed our refund. If he hadn't helped, what would we have done?
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