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What is the value of meeting and greeting services in Frankfurt?
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Is it really worth the time and inconvenience of standing in long airport security lines and immigration lines when you can just hire a personal escort? It is a promise a growing number of airport concierge services make to fliers, whether they are departing or arriving. Companies like these offer their services in airports around the world and are independent of airports and airlines (they have permission to operate in the airports where they sell their services).
The popularity of these services has been on the rise over the last several years as airports have become more crowded. This is the opinion of George Hobica, an airline and airport analyst. He said they're perfect for travelers with busy schedules and long lines, or who require help finding their way through airports or who have a tight connection. If you like getting on the plane just as its doors close, hiring an airport concierge might be a good idea, he said. Also, when you use the service, you feel like a VIP.
Airport escorting is especially beneficial for those flying in economy class from abroad, Mr. Hobica said, since they typically arrive at the airport up to three hours before departure and face longer security lines as compared with business and first class fliers. Having an airport escort can save you a lot of time, he said.
As an example of an established airport escorting provider, Royal Airport Concierge is one of the best. The company was founded in 2006 and currently runs in more than 550 airports worldwide, using both its own greeters as well as local escorting companies. According to Ron Gorfinkel, the type of service provided depends on the rules at the airport and the country. For a departure from Italy, for example, Passengers departing from Heathrow Airport can have a greeter accompany them onto the plane, while passengers arriving can have a golf cart waiting for them at their gate, taking them to customs and immigration. skipping the queues. A roundtrip ticket for four costs, on average, $300 to $450.
I was intrigued by the idea of getting VIP treatment at an airport with a personal escort and decided to use one from Blacklane, a Berlin-based company that launched a concierge service for airports in August of last year.
The Basics:
Blacklane started in 2011 as a car service company and now offers escorting services worldwide through Blacklane PASS. Usually, escorts are assigned either by the airport or by a local concierge service. Blacklane also provides services based on country and airport regulations, the same as Royal Airport Concierge. However, chief executive and co-founder Jens Wohltorf says the company escorts fast track fliers through security and customs, carries their luggage, and tracks down VAT refunds. Furthermore, they can assist arriving passengers through customs and immigration and baggage claim; they can even arrange transportation and coordinate with a driver for curbside pickup.
The Cost:
For the first guest, the service costs $200, while for subsequent guests, it costs $100. Children two and under are free. Although most passengers tip their escorts, Mr. Wohltorf said that giving a gratuity is optional.
My Experience:
The Blacklane PASS service was used on a recent flight from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport by me, my two children, and my parents. My booking was made online a week before our trip (first-time customers must book online but subsequent bookings can be done on the phone) and we received a text message from our guide, Reda (only his first name can be used) three days before we were to leave, asking whether he could text me when we were five minutes from the airport. Learn Additional Once we arrived at the terminal, he met us with a smile as he waited at the curb. المطار صالة كبار الشخصيات TopAlpha In a luggage cart, Reda loaded our four carry-ons and four check-in bags and led us to the front of the check-in line for La Compagnie, our airline. However, I felt a moment of glee when Reda flashed his boarding pass to an airline employee, who promptly let us pass other passengers.
As soon as we checked into the hotel, we filed for the VAT refund for the shopping we had done in Paris. The only problem was that the employee- a lady- who dealt with our refund request told us that the receipts for our goods weren't sufficient to claim our refund- we needed the actual products. In ignorance of this rule, we packed the majority of our shopping in our check-in bags. It was remiss of us to let the money go, since it amounted to more than $1000. I and my father asked her for an exception, but she didn't budge- no items, no refund.
Our representative Reda intervened on our behalf. She told her that we were airport VIPs. After some consideration, she agreed to process our refund. Where would we be without his help?
The popularity of these services has been on the rise over the last several years as airports have become more crowded. This is the opinion of George Hobica, an airline and airport analyst. He said they're perfect for travelers with busy schedules and long lines, or who require help finding their way through airports or who have a tight connection. If you like getting on the plane just as its doors close, hiring an airport concierge might be a good idea, he said. Also, when you use the service, you feel like a VIP.
Airport escorting is especially beneficial for those flying in economy class from abroad, Mr. Hobica said, since they typically arrive at the airport up to three hours before departure and face longer security lines as compared with business and first class fliers. Having an airport escort can save you a lot of time, he said.
As an example of an established airport escorting provider, Royal Airport Concierge is one of the best. The company was founded in 2006 and currently runs in more than 550 airports worldwide, using both its own greeters as well as local escorting companies. According to Ron Gorfinkel, the type of service provided depends on the rules at the airport and the country. For a departure from Italy, for example, Passengers departing from Heathrow Airport can have a greeter accompany them onto the plane, while passengers arriving can have a golf cart waiting for them at their gate, taking them to customs and immigration. skipping the queues. A roundtrip ticket for four costs, on average, $300 to $450.
I was intrigued by the idea of getting VIP treatment at an airport with a personal escort and decided to use one from Blacklane, a Berlin-based company that launched a concierge service for airports in August of last year.
The Basics:
Blacklane started in 2011 as a car service company and now offers escorting services worldwide through Blacklane PASS. Usually, escorts are assigned either by the airport or by a local concierge service. Blacklane also provides services based on country and airport regulations, the same as Royal Airport Concierge. However, chief executive and co-founder Jens Wohltorf says the company escorts fast track fliers through security and customs, carries their luggage, and tracks down VAT refunds. Furthermore, they can assist arriving passengers through customs and immigration and baggage claim; they can even arrange transportation and coordinate with a driver for curbside pickup.
The Cost:
For the first guest, the service costs $200, while for subsequent guests, it costs $100. Children two and under are free. Although most passengers tip their escorts, Mr. Wohltorf said that giving a gratuity is optional.
My Experience:
The Blacklane PASS service was used on a recent flight from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport by me, my two children, and my parents. My booking was made online a week before our trip (first-time customers must book online but subsequent bookings can be done on the phone) and we received a text message from our guide, Reda (only his first name can be used) three days before we were to leave, asking whether he could text me when we were five minutes from the airport. Learn Additional Once we arrived at the terminal, he met us with a smile as he waited at the curb. المطار صالة كبار الشخصيات TopAlpha In a luggage cart, Reda loaded our four carry-ons and four check-in bags and led us to the front of the check-in line for La Compagnie, our airline. However, I felt a moment of glee when Reda flashed his boarding pass to an airline employee, who promptly let us pass other passengers.
As soon as we checked into the hotel, we filed for the VAT refund for the shopping we had done in Paris. The only problem was that the employee- a lady- who dealt with our refund request told us that the receipts for our goods weren't sufficient to claim our refund- we needed the actual products. In ignorance of this rule, we packed the majority of our shopping in our check-in bags. It was remiss of us to let the money go, since it amounted to more than $1000. I and my father asked her for an exception, but she didn't budge- no items, no refund.
Our representative Reda intervened on our behalf. She told her that we were airport VIPs. After some consideration, she agreed to process our refund. Where would we be without his help?
