What Are Airport Concierge Services?

Not many people know about airport concierge services, even thought they are available at most airports. An airport concierge offers a personalised service and will escort you through the airport, so you can get through check-in, security, and customs quickly. If you’re not sure whether you want to book airport concierge services for your next trip, here is some useful information to help you make an informed decision.

What Is Included in Airport Concierge Services?

The services offered by airport concierges will differ for people who are arriving, departing, or getting a connecting flight. Here is some information on what an airport concierge can do for you, so you have an idea of what to expect during each stage of your journey.

Departures

If you book airport concierge services for your departing flight, you will benefit from the “meet and greet” service. You have the option of curb-side pickup, meeting the concierge at the terminal entrance, or being greeted at the carpark. You’ll be able to easily find them as they will be holding a sign with your name on it. The concierge will walk you to where you need to go or you’ll be given a ride on a buggy. A baggage porter or the concierge will collect your bags so you won’t need to carry them and take them to the check-in desk. The airport concierge will guide you through priority check-in at an exclusive desk and take you through the Fast-Track security queue. They will drop you off at the departure lounge, or if you have an airport lounge pass, they will escort you there. They will keep an eye on your flight’s departure time and update you if there are any delays or if they are boarding early. At boarding time, you’ll be picked up from the lounge and escorted to the boarding gate.

Connecting Flights

For connecting flights, airport concierges usually offer a “Gate to Gate” service. Individuals with layovers are met at the gate as soon as they get off the plane. Depending on availability, you’ll be chauffeured by buggy to the Fast-Track lanes at passport control and customs. The airport concierge will help you fill out any customs forms. A baggage porter or the concierge will collect your luggage from the baggage reclaim and make sure it’s re-checked for your connecting flight. If your next flight is leaving from a different terminal, you will be taken there in a private car or buggy. If you have time to spare between flights, the concierge can show you the best places to shop or eat at the airport then drop you off at the airport lounge or departure lounge. They’ll let you know when your connecting flight is ready to board and take you to the gate for priority check in (if available).

Arrival

Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the gate and escorted through passport control. A baggage porter or the concierge will pick up your suitcases from the baggage area and you’ll be taken to the Fast-Track lane at customs. They can help you fill out any forms and guide you through the customs process. You’ll then be taken directly to terminal door or escorted to the car park or to your pre-booked transportation.

Additional Services

Airport concierges do more than just chauffeur people through the airport. As well as providing baggage porter services, an airport concierge can help you to locate lost or delayed baggage if it has been misplaced by the airline. They can direct you to correct desk to make a report and ensure that you get a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).

Your airport concierge can help you to rebook a cancelled flight or get you tickets for an earlier flight if your original flight is significantly delayed. They can help you to arrange transportation to or from the airport, or if you have already arranged for transportation, your concierge can liaise with them to ensure you are picked up or dropped off at the right place.

Upon special request, your airport concierge can even help you make bookings for accommodation, meeting rooms, or excursions.

Who Would Benefit From Airport Concierge Services?

VIP airport concierge services are often offered to business-class and first-class passengers, but they can be booked by other individuals as well. The cost of airport concierge services will vary from airport to airport, and will depend on the number of passengers and any amendments or additional services that are requested. While it isn’t cheap, it’s definitely worth it to passengers in need of assistance.

Business professionals often utilize airport concierge services to ensure they don’t lose out any precious work hours or miss their business event. An airport concierge can pre-book a meeting room in the airport lounge so business travellers can continue to work in private while waiting for their flight.

Individuals who are travelling to or from another country and can’t speak the language may request a bi-lingual concierge to translate for them or ask for a translator to accompany the concierge.

Individuals with disabilities and reduced mobility can utilise an airport’s special assistance, which can include help with getting through security with medication and medical devices, help with boarding the aircraft and getting to their seat, and help with deplaning. Airports can also make accommodations for assistance dogs, provide sign language interpreters, and assist individuals with visual impairments.

It can be difficult for parents to get through the terminal and keep an eye on their little ones. Hiring an airport concierge to pick up the whole family on a buggy and escort them to the departure gate or pick them up from the gate upon arrival will result in fewer tantrums and fewer opportunities for a toddler to wander off while their parents are distracted. Parents can also arrange for a member of staff to escort an unaccompanied minor through the airport.

Most airports offer flight assistance for elderly passengers. Many seniors benefit from the meet and assist service provided by an airport concierge as they may find getting through the airport difficult or may have limited mobility.

When Should You Book Airport Concierge Services?

If you want to benefit from airport concierge services, you should book via the airport’s website or through a third party as soon as you have booked your flight. At a minimum, you should book at least 24 to 48 hours in advance, otherwise they may not be available. You will need to book and pay for airport concierge services for departure, connecting flights, and arrival individually.

Be aware that Fast-Track services, priority check-in, priority boarding, and airport lounge passes may need to be purchased separately.

Are Airport Concierge Services Covered by Travel Insurance?

This will depend on your travel insurance provider and the type of policy you have purchased. Most travel insurance policies will cover airport lounge passes, missed connections, cancelled flights, and lost, stolen, or damaged luggage; however, airport concierge services may not be covered. If you’re not sure if your airport concierge service booking is covered, you should contact your travel insurer and read your policy wording. If it was booked as part of a package holiday, it may be covered by ATOL.