Are airport VIP services worth it?
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. Services are offered in airports worldwide by companies that are independent from airports and airlines (they have permission to operate in the airports where they sell their products).
Analyst George Hobica, who has used some of these services, said their popularity has risen in recent years as airports have gotten 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. He recommends hiring an airport concierge if you want to get on the plane right before its doors close. 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. He said the airport escort service could save you a lot of time.
As an example of a reputable company that provides airport escorts, Royal Airport Concierge is one such 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. Founder Ron Gorfinkel says that the type of service provided depends on the rules set forth by 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. Up to four passengers can be transported for $300 to $450 for the company.
After hearing about Blacklane's PASS concierge service, which launched in August of last year, I decided to try it out. Blacklane is a Berlin company that provides airport concierge services.
The Basics:
Since 2011, Blacklane has provided escort services at more than 500 airports worldwide. Either the airport itself or a concierge service at the airport employs these escorts. Like Royal Airport Concierge, Blacklane offers services specific to a particular country or airport. According to Jens Wohltorf, CEO and founder, the service escorts passengers through security, customs, immigration, carry their luggage and process VAT refunds. Additionally, they provide support to arriving passengers at the plane exit, assist them with customs and immigration, as well as bag claim. They can even organize transportation and coordinate with a driver for curbside pickup.
The Cost:
For the first guest, the service costs $200, and every subsequent guest costs $100. كبار الشخصيات TopAlpha Children two and under are free. While most passengers tip their escorts, Wohltorf said a gratuity is optional and not required.
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. After we got to the terminal, he was waiting for us with a smile at the curb. 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. Despite the fact that the line wasn't long, I felt a little giddy when Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee, who promptly allowed us to bypass other passengers.