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If you can hire a personal escort to whisk you to the front of the line, why wait in long security lines? An increasing number of airport concierge companies make this promise to fliers, regardless of whether they're 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 a few of these services, said they've gained popularity in recent years as airports have become busier. These services are perfect for travelers who dislike waiting in lines, find it hard to navigate through airports or have a tight connection. 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. Moreover, you are made to 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. He told me that an airport escort can save you tons of time.

A company such as Royal Airport Concierge provides airport escorts. As of 2006, it operates in more than 550 airports worldwide, employing its own greeters as well as local companies for its escorting 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.

The Basics:

Blacklane began service as a car service in 2011 and now offers escorted tours in more than 500 airports worldwide through its Blacklane PASS program. The airport itself may employ these escorts or one can find them through a local concierge company. Like Royal Airport Concierge, Blacklane offers services specific to a particular country or airport. Generally, according to CEO Jens Wohltorf, the company escorts travelers through security, customs, immigration, and handles refunded VAT. 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:

Every additional guest is charged $100, with a first-time cost of $200. Children two and under are free. Most fliers tip their escorts for services rendered, but Mr. Wohltorf tells me that this is optional and absolutely not necessary.
My Experience:

The Blacklane PASS was booked for me, my two children, and my parents on 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. We were given a drop-off point, and when we pulled into the terminal, he greeted us as we approached at the curb with a 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. While the line was not long, I did feel a sense of elation when Reda showed his pass to an employee, who quickly allowed us to bypass the line.

Checking in, we filed for a VAT refund to be reimbursed for the shopping we had done while in Paris. Unfortunately, there were some difficulties here: the employee- a lady- who handled the refund process told us that receipts for our goods weren't enough to claim our refunds. We needed the actual items. We had packed most of our groceries into our check-in bags unaware that this rule applied. In the end, the refund amount amounted to more than $1000, and it was irresponsible to let it go. My father and I begged her to make an exception, but she held strong-no items, no refund.

It was Reda who stepped in for us, saying that we were airport VIPs. After a pause, she agreed to process our refund. bulk shipment Without his help, what would we have done?




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