If you can hire a personal escort to whisk you to the front of the line, why wait in long security lines? Growing numbers of airport concierge firms make this promise to fliers, whether they are arriving or departing. 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).
The popularity of these services has increased in the last few years as airports have become more congested, according to airline and airport analyst George Hobica. He said they are ideal for travelers who get frustrated waiting in long lines, have trouble navigating through an airport or who have a tight connection at an airport. 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. 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. It is possible to save a great deal of time by taking an airport escort, he said.
Royal Airport Concierge is an established company that offers airport escort services. Since 2006, it has operated in more than 550 airports worldwide, using its own greeters and local companies for its escorts. In his statement, Ron Gorfinkel explained that the type of service provided 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. According to the company's pricing, a four-passenger trip will cost an average of $300 to $450.
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:
As of 2017, Blacklane offers escorts and car services in more than 500 airports worldwide through their Blacklane PASS service. The escorts work for either the airport itself or for an airport concierge service. Similar to Royal Airport Concierge, Blacklane provides services based on airport and country rules. 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. Furthermore, they meet arriving passengers at the airport and assist them with passport control, transportation, and curbside pickup as well as customs and immigration. The Cost:
A first-time guest will be charged $200 and each subsequent guest will be charged $100. Children two and under are free. While most passengers tip their escorts, Wohltorf said a gratuity is optional and not required. My Experience:
Blacklane PASS was booked for my recent trip from Paris Orly Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport for myself, my two children, and my parents. 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. Once we arrived at the terminal, he was waiting at the curb and greeted us with a smile. We stood in line for our airline, La Compagnie, at the beginning of the check-in line after Reda loaded our several carry-ons and four checked bags onto a luggage cart. It wasn't a long line, but I did feel a glimmer of pleasure when Reda flashed his pass to an airline employee, who promptly allowed us to bypass other passengers.
Our next task was to claim a VAT refund for the shopping we had done while in Paris. Upon our first contact with the employee dealing with our refund, she informed us that receipts for the goods we purchased were not sufficient for claiming refunds; we needed the actual goods to claim the refund. Our bags with our bulky shopping were packed in our check-in bags because we were unaware of this rule. More than $1000 was refunded, and we have been remiss allowing the money to disappear. خدمات المطار Despite my father and I begging, she refused to make an exception - no, items, no refund.
She was informed that we were VIPs at the airport by Reda. Then she relented and completed our refund. How would we have managed without his help?
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