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A complete guide to VIP concierge services to upgrade your airport experience
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Quick summary
VIP airport concierge services are available at many U.S. and international airports, offering expedited check-in, security, baggage handling and lounge access for a premium fee.
Options range from independent providers to airline-specific programs, with varying levels of service such as meet-and-greet, private suites and tarmac transfers.
Pricing and availability differ by airport, service tier and provider, with advance booking and cancellation policies applying to most services.
These services are especially useful for travelers seeking privacy, efficiency or additional support, including families, elderly passengers and those facing language barriers.
What to consider
Advance reservations are typically required, with notice periods ranging from 6 to 76 hours depending on the provider and airport.
Not all services are available at every airport or for all types of travelers; some exclude assistance for arrivals, connections or travelers with mobility needs.
Additional fees may apply for extra passengers, baggage porter services or extended service durations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of leading concierge providers, including service tiers, booking requirements and airport-specific nuances.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
We all know how the story goes: You get to the airport and have to find your way to your airline check-in desk, show your ID and drop your checked bags off. Then, you find your way to the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, place all your belongings on the scanner, retrieve them and find your way to your gate (or a lounge, if you have access).
But what if I told you there’s a much better version of this story? At many airports across the U.S. and even abroad, there’s a number of companies catering to anyone looking to feel like a VIP, even if just for a day. Some of the services offered by these concierge providers include meet-and-greets, baggage assistance, expedited security screening, translation services and more privacy when going through the airport. In some cases, they'll even get you into a lounge so you can relax and be pampered.
All of these services come at a premium. However, for anyone who values their privacy or time — or simply wants to do away with some of the obstacles the airport experience entails — these VIP airport services may be worth the extra charge.
Here are the ones you should check out whenever you feel like an upgrade to celebrity status is warranted.
SkySquad
SkySquad provides services at just five U.S. airports: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Its mission statement is “to empower individuals and families to travel with confidence,” and it does just that by offering the following types of concierge services at the above airports:
Curb-to-gate or gate-to-curb service for departures, arrivals and layovers
Help with carrying bags and loading them onto security checkpoint scanner belts
Check-in assistance
Access to TSA priority lanes and support while going through security
Navigation through the airport, plus baggage chaperoning, so you and your family can use restrooms or grab a meal without worrying about your belongings
SKYSQUAD
Services cost $179 for either departure, arrival or connecting itineraries and include up to two hours of support. You can book SkySquad's services by calling 877-359-2256. Remember, SkySquad requires making your booking at least 24 hours prior to your travels, and all changes and cancellations to your already booked services must be made with more than 24 hours' notice to avoid incurring extra charges.
Additional services — including wheelchairs, assistance with customs and passport control for international arrivals, and chaperones for unaccompanied minors — are not provided.
SkyVip
SkyVip is present at most major airports in the U.S., as well as at airports in over 100 other countries. The company provides three tiers for its concierge airport assistance, depending on how much hand-holding you’re looking for during your arrivals, departures and connections.
Its first tier, VIP Meet & Greet, provides a welcome upon arrival, assistance with your luggage, support through all airport formalities and general airport navigation.
SkyVip’s mid-tier, called VIP Salon, includes all standard support, plus more premium amenities like chauffeured tarmac transport from plane to gate, access to lounges and seamless luggage handling.
Its top offering, VIP Private Suite, elevates the experience even further with a private suite to relax in while waiting for your next move. You will be whisked to or from the aircraft in a private vehicle, and your bags will be carried for you, with someone taking care of all the formalities.
SKYVIP
Prices vary depending on what airport you’re contracting services for, your travel dates and the level of VIP service you require. For example, a meet-and-greet at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will set you back $475, whereas the VIP Salon service at LAX will cost $1,620. Meanwhile, the VIP Private Suite experience at London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) costs $5,235. Reservations can be made via email at reservations@usvipservices.com or by calling 855-575-9847.
Not all service tiers are available at all airports where SkyVip provides coverage. Additionally, services are not rendered at passport control and customs clearance areas at some U.S. airport due to local regulations but you can contract these services at all airports outside the U.S. All reservations are capped at two hours. Cancellations or changes require more than 24 hours of advance notice to avoid incurring a cancellation fee. SkyVip does not offer assistance with medical needs, help within restrooms or aid for passengers with mobility, vision or hearing limitations or disabilities.
Royal Airport Concierge
Royal Airport Concierge is another company operating at hundreds of airports across the U.S. and worldwide. Much like its competitors, it offers welcome assistance, porter and check-in services, fast-track support for passport control, lounge access, transportation to your gate or aircraft via cart or private vehicle, and an escort to and from your aircraft.
ROYAL AIRPORT CONCIERGE
Prices vary by location because the nature of the service levels available at each airport is different. You will receive a quote via email once you request it from Royal Airport Concierge’s website.
Please note that services must be contracted at least 48 hours in advance. Also, cancellations made within 24 hours will incur a fee.
Clear Concierge
Clear launched its concierge services late in 2024. It offers two levels: Express (which brings you from the curb to the front of the Clear lane and helps with bags and check-in) and Gate Service (which includes taking you from the curb to the front of the Clear lane, helping you with your bags and as you pass through security, and guiding you to your gate or lounge). To take advantage of a Clear Concierge service, you must already be a Clear Plus member and book your service at least 10 hours ahead of your travels. Any cancellation with less than a 12-hour notice will incur a fee.
CLEAR CONCIERGE
Clear Concierge services are available at 22 U.S. airports. Its Express service starts at $99 and is good for up to nine travelers (who must all be Clear members). The Gate Service starts at $179 for up to nine passengers. Reservations can be made through Clear’s website and phone app.
Note that, as of this writing, Clear does not offer services for arrivals or connecting flights; it is exclusively available for departures. Additionally, Clear Ambassadors will not wait with you once you arrive at your gate, nor will they escort you from a lounge to the gate, watch your children or pets, or provide services to unaccompanied minors.
American Express Centurion Card international arrival services
Anyone with the Centurion Card from American Express can make use of one of the many perks this incredibly exclusive card confers to them. For no additional cost, cardmembers can book a VIP arrival service for themselves and up to eight passengers traveling with them at over 30 airports worldwide. The experience features a meet-and-greet planeside, where a representative will help with their luggage and escort them through the airport, including customs and passport control. Baggage porter services are also available for a fee.
Centurion Card holders can book these services by contacting Centurion's support team at least 76 hours prior to their flight. To be eligible for the complimentary service, you must book a business- or first-class ticket using Amex or have used your Centurion Card to cover the taxes and fees on an award ticket redemption.
The information for the Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
American Airlines Five Star Service
Offered exclusively to passengers flying with American Airlines, this service caters to VIP passengers seeking a more curated airport experience.
You’ll find Five Star Service at 16 U.S. and six international airports. Benefits include checking in at Flagship First counters, access to the Admirals Club, priority boarding for your flight, reaccommodation status in the event of any disruption, and personalized service throughout the airport.
An upgraded version of the service called Five Star Select is also available at four airports: Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Miami International Airport (MIA) and LAX. It includes all the standard Five Star Select benefits, but adds access to Flagship First dining spaces, as well as transportation within the airport via an American Airlines vehicle or cart.
AMERICAN AIRLINES FIVE STAR SERVICE
Five Star Service costs $350 for the first passenger, plus $100 per additional adult or $50 for children 17 and under. The service caps out at a maximum of five passengers, but larger groups can contract an additional greeter for an extra charge. Five Star can also be booked using your American Airlines AAdvantage miles. As for Five Star Select, pricing is a little steeper: $650 for the first passenger, $150 for each additional adult and $75 per child 17 and under.
Reservations for either offering must be made at least 24 hours in advance of travel for U.S. airports and a minimum of 48 hours in advance for international airports. Passengers must fly in business class or first class on American Airlines or a Oneworld partner airline to reserve this add-on service. Reservations can be made via phone at 877-578-2702 or by emailing fivestar.service@aa.com.
Delta Air Lines VIP Select
For the discerning Delta Air Lines flyer, the airline offers its VIP Select service at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), LAX and SEA. It provides just one tier of VIP service that includes a meet-and-greet curbside or at the gate, porter service and assistance with baggage, access to the Delta Sky Club, boarding at your preferred time and assistance with flight monitoring and rebooking should anything unexpected occur.
DELTA AIR LINES VIP SELECT
Delta VIP Select costs $500 for the first passenger and $100 for each additional traveler. Groups with five or more people also require an additional greeter at an extra charge. The only requirement to be eligible to purchase this additional service is being ticketed on a Delta-marketed and -operated flight in the main cabin or higher.
Services must be booked at least six hours prior to using the service, with cancellations required at least 12 hours in advance. Bookings can be made by emailing vipselect@Delta.com or calling 855-235-9847.
United Airlines Signature Service
United Airlines offers its own version of VIP concierge services at 22 airports around the world, including ORD, JFK, SFO, LHR, Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
As part of the United Signature Service, you will receive premier check-in, access to a United Club lounge, premier access through security checkpoints and a Group 2 boarding position. All services are capped at a maximum of three hours, but you can add additional hours for an extra charge. Note that if you need assistance with your bags — whether checked or carry-on — you will need additional porter services, which incur a separate additional charge.
UNITED AIRLINES SIGNATURE SERVICE
Prices vary depending on the airport you’re booking services for, but, as an example, you can expect to pay $400 for the first passenger (with additional charges for more travelers and baggage) when departing from Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C.
United recommends booking at least 24 hours in advance of your travels, and cancellations are required 48 hours prior to travel. Services can be booked via phone at 866-662-4952 or online on the United Signature Service website. Services are only offered to those flying on United flights; itineraries on Star Alliance partners are not eligible.
Bottom line
While these VIP airport concierge services come at a relatively high premium, passengers who require more of a white-glove experience can find them at many airports, both in the U.S. and abroad. They are an excellent option for specific clients like celebrities, as well as families who do not travel often and would like as smooth an airport experience as possible. Additionally, elderly passengers might benefit from the luggage assistance provided. Even passengers who require translation services due to language barriers when reaching their destination may find the extra charge worthwhile.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
