VIP Airport Services: Are They Worth It?
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Isn't it less hassle to hire an escort to bring you right to the front of airport security and immigration 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).
In the last several years, as airports have become increasingly crowded, airline and airport analyst George Hobica indicates that these services have become more popular. These services are perfect for travelers who dislike waiting in lines, find it hard to navigate through airports or have a tight connection. He says if you're the kind of person who likes to get on a plane just as the doors are closing, you should hire an airport concierge. You are also treated 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. He said an airport escort can save you lots of time.
In terms of airport escorts, Royal Airport Concierge is an established company. As of 2006, it operates in more than 550 airports worldwide, employing its own greeters as well as local companies for its escorting services. Founder Ron Gorfinkel said that the type of service provided depends on the rules of each airport and 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. Price varies but is typically $300 to $450 for up to four passengers.
I was intrigued by the idea of getting star treatment at an airport thanks to a personal escort, so I decided to try Blacklane, a Berlin-based company that launched an airport concierge service, Blacklane PASS, in August 2018.
Airport Service Agent The Basics:
Blacklane began as car service company in 2011, but now offers escorts in more than 500 airports worldwide via its Blacklane PASS service. 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. 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 meet arriving passengers at the exit of the aircraft and assist them through customs and immigration as well as baggage claim; they can even arrange transportation and coordinate with a driver for curbside pickup.
The Cost:
The service costs $200 for the first guest and $100 for each subsequent guest. Children two and under are free. According to Mr. Wohltorf, a tip for an escort is purely optional and isn't required.
My Experience:
Earlier this year, I booked Blacklane PASS for a trip from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport for my parents, my children, and myself. 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. Reda loaded our four carry-ons and four check-in bags onto a luggage cart and led us to the front of the line for our airline, La Compagnie. I was quite gleeful when Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee, who allowed us to circumvent other passengers.
In the last several years, as airports have become increasingly crowded, airline and airport analyst George Hobica indicates that these services have become more popular. These services are perfect for travelers who dislike waiting in lines, find it hard to navigate through airports or have a tight connection. He says if you're the kind of person who likes to get on a plane just as the doors are closing, you should hire an airport concierge. You are also treated 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. He said an airport escort can save you lots of time.
In terms of airport escorts, Royal Airport Concierge is an established company. As of 2006, it operates in more than 550 airports worldwide, employing its own greeters as well as local companies for its escorting services. Founder Ron Gorfinkel said that the type of service provided depends on the rules of each airport and 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. Price varies but is typically $300 to $450 for up to four passengers.
I was intrigued by the idea of getting star treatment at an airport thanks to a personal escort, so I decided to try Blacklane, a Berlin-based company that launched an airport concierge service, Blacklane PASS, in August 2018.
Airport Service Agent The Basics:
Blacklane began as car service company in 2011, but now offers escorts in more than 500 airports worldwide via its Blacklane PASS service. 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. 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 meet arriving passengers at the exit of the aircraft and assist them through customs and immigration as well as baggage claim; they can even arrange transportation and coordinate with a driver for curbside pickup.
The Cost:
The service costs $200 for the first guest and $100 for each subsequent guest. Children two and under are free. According to Mr. Wohltorf, a tip for an escort is purely optional and isn't required.
My Experience:
Earlier this year, I booked Blacklane PASS for a trip from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport for my parents, my children, and myself. 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. Reda loaded our four carry-ons and four check-in bags onto a luggage cart and led us to the front of the line for our airline, La Compagnie. I was quite gleeful when Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee, who allowed us to circumvent other passengers.
