VIP Airport Services: Are They Worth It?

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. The companies offer their services in airports around the world and are independent of airlines and airports (they have permission to operate at the airports where their services are sold).

Analyst George Hobica, who has used some of these services, said their popularity has risen in recent years as airports have gotten busier. It's ideal for travelers who don't want to wait in line, need assistance navigating an airport, or have a tight connection where time is of the essence. Booking an airport concierge would be a good idea if you are among those who like to board just as the plane is closing up, he said. You also feel like a VIP when using the service.

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.

One well-established company that provides airport escorts is Royal Airport Concierge. 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. According to Ron Gorfinkel, the type of service offered 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. Depending on the company, travel costs can range from $300 to $450 for up to four passengers.

Interested in the idea of getting exclusive treatment at airports by having a private escort, I decided to try one from Blacklane, the Berlin-based company that launched an airport concierge service last year, the Blacklane PASS.

المسار السريع VIP TopAlpha The Basics:

Founded in 2011 as a company offering car services, Blacklane PASS now provides escort services at more than 500 airports worldwide. Escorts are either employed by the airport itself or by local concierge companies. Royal Airport Concierge and Blacklane both provide services based on country and airport regulations. However, according to Jens Wohltorf, its chief executive and co-founder, the company escorts fast track passengers through security, customs and immigration, carries their luggage and helps them process VAT refunds. They assist passengers with customs and immigration, and can arrange transportation and provide curbside pick-up. In addition, they meet arriving passengers at the exit of the plane and assist them with baggage claim.
The Cost:

There is a fee of $200 for the first guest and a fee of $100 for subsequent guests. Children two and under are free. Mr. Wohltorf said that giving a gratuity is not required and is completely optional.
My Experience:

For my recent trip from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport, my two children and my parents booked 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. After giving us a drop-off point, when we pulled up at the terminal, he welcomed us with a big smile. Reda stacked our four carry-ons and four check-in bags on a luggage cart and guided us forward to the head of the check-in line for the airline we were flying, La Compagnie. I was quite gleeful when Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee, who allowed us to circumvent other passengers.

Checking in, we went to claim a VAT refund for the Paris shopping we had done. Here's where things got tough: we were told by the employee- a lady- who we dealt with for the refund process that we needed to bring in actual goods in order to claim our refunds. We packed most of our purchases in our check-in bags without knowing this rule. In the end, the refund amount amounted to more than $1000, and it was irresponsible to let it go. Even after demanding an exception, my father and I were unable to get a refund- no items, no refund.

Upon our arrival at the airport, Reda informed the woman that we were airport VIPs. She relented and processed our refund. Would we have been able to accomplish anything without him?