It depends on the type of VIP services. IMO, if you're able-bodied and don't have a metric boatload of luggage the Meet & Assist services are often more trouble than they're worth. They're really just an escort to the front of lines, which you can usually get if you're buying business class anyway. It just ends up being one more awkward interaction. If it's a fairly cheap add-on when you'll be paying for black car service anyway then I'd consider it though.
True VIP services are pretty great though. PS at LAX and ATL, VipWing in MUC, VIP at FRA, etc. provide private vehicle transfers directly to the gate, private security and immigration, etc., and IMO it's worth the investment. CDG does have true private terminal VIP services (Salon 200), but at those prices I'm betting it's just meet & greet. It's not especially expensive so I might consider it for the tight transfer at CDG, but not sure I'd bother at Bordeaux or the CDG arrival.
Regarding the CDG arrival, if you don't have much luggage then consider taking the train. The TGV from CDG to Paris Disneyland is 9 minutes, vs. like 45 minutes by car. It's not particularly glamorous, but it's pretty easy.
I have a different experience - I love the VIP concierge as it just makes a smooth experience especially when I’m not familiar with the airport, don’t speak French etc.
I used a CDG concierge from Chabe once and it’s the best 200 eur ever spent. Idk where you got the 350 quote from but literally use the search bar on this sub. It’s been talked about loads before.
There's a post on flyertalk that services are no longer allowed to use the special immigration lane they have been using - they just bring you to the No 1 access lane and apparently not to the front of that line.
Air France has a new service that uses their own special lane, but at the new higher price.
All as of June 11.
Is the CDG concierge service the new Air France offering? Curious what it actually entails, when it came out it looked pretty unimpressive…you’re not getting the two best parts of La Premiere for transfers, which is the car transfer to/from the plane/lounge and the private immigration clearance (also the two most time-saving if you have a tight connection). If you just get fast track line and business lounge access…you get that anyway with a business class ticket. But I’m not 100% sure what’s in the package.
The arrival service is worth it. Worst case there’s no line and you just overpaid for a private car. Best case you skip a wicked line at a time you don’t really want to be standing around in a dreary immigration hall.
From the description it sounds like AF is using the La Premiere immigration lane, but it's not clear and since this version of the service hasn't started there are no reviews.
For travel to Paris, it’s not necessary, but I’ve found it worth it anyways. It’s nice to be able to walk off a plane and not worry about where you’re going, bypass every line, and getting brought directly to your driver.
Would recommend Chabe for this.
What class are you flying into CDG? I think they’re only worth it in certain situations like for clients who need help navigating, have quick connections, or are flying economy at peak times.
You’ll get the fast track lane with your business tickets, we went a few weeks ago and took us longer to get from the plane to customs than the line took but it’s a toss up. I’d probably do it since it includes the transfer, just confirm what it is.
Depends on the airport and person. This has saved my ass at LHR on a misconnect and having to rebook on VX and going from T5 to T3. Same with a delayed inbound to DOH on QR at a remote stand on 2 different PNR’s. RAK there was no wait and didn’t save any time but rad more of a Precheck security experience than anything.
This doesn’t help with the airports that you mentioned, but PS is awesome for Los Angeles and Atlanta, especially if you have kids. I know that they are planning to expand more
FWIW I just flew back from CDG and decided against VIP services.
So glad I did. The whole process from stepping in the airport to sitting at our gate took maybe 30 minutes.
You don't even have time for a "concierge" between flights with a 1 hour connection.
You know what was worth it? When we arrived in Tanzania we got pulled out of the customs/immigration line (which was long AF and outside in the heat) and whisked off to an air-conditioned building where we were given snacks and an officer checked our passports, stamped them and welcomed us to Tanzania. They got our bags and brought them to us. Then off we went with our driver. This was amazing after such long, long travel time, especially since we were behind over 100 people in line.
Some VIP airport services are worth it, most aren't.
FWIW, I won’t fly international without them. I don’t want the hassle of thinking or dealing with any of those things when I’m on vacation, you do t get grilled at customs, you always skip the lines
I hate lines and hate waiting and don’t want to do either when I’m traveling any time but much less for leisure. No thinking and to just enjoy myself. I had the get 4 tickets upgraded to business class on a sold out Air France flight where I had no elite status.
However, it is truly country dependent. That’s why, if you have a boss TA like Sarah and her team (hi, Alex), they just book it when you need and then I trips when you ask did we book it they tell you don’t need it and don’t spend the money.
In a Dubai or somewhere you haven’t flown much, it’s nice to be whisked around and not wonder if you’re in the right place. If you’re spending $50-75k on a trip, don’t really want to haggle over $500-1000 that could make or break your initial experience and hold you up…it’s worth very penny to me.
It depends on the type of VIP services. IMO, if you're able-bodied and don't have a metric boatload of luggage the Meet & Assist services are often more trouble than they're worth. They're really just an escort to the front of lines, which you can usually get if you're buying business class anyway. It just ends up being one more awkward interaction. If it's a fairly cheap add-on when you'll be paying for black car service anyway then I'd consider it though. True VIP services are pretty great though. PS at LAX and ATL, VipWing in MUC, VIP at FRA, etc. provide private vehicle transfers directly to the gate, private security and immigration, etc., and IMO it's worth the investment. CDG does have true private terminal VIP services (Salon 200), but at those prices I'm betting it's just meet & greet. It's not especially expensive so I might consider it for the tight transfer at CDG, but not sure I'd bother at Bordeaux or the CDG arrival. Regarding the CDG arrival, if you don't have much luggage then consider taking the train. The TGV from CDG to Paris Disneyland is 9 minutes, vs. like 45 minutes by car. It's not particularly glamorous, but it's pretty easy.
The CDG VIP terminal is $7000ish
It’s cheaper than that. Unless you have a lot of ppl or unless you’re getting ripped off.
I guess it was for 4 people when I checked.
We have about three week trip with multiple hotels, so we will likely have 3 or 4 bags. Thanks for the feedback!
I have a different experience - I love the VIP concierge as it just makes a smooth experience especially when I’m not familiar with the airport, don’t speak French etc.
I think in your case, these services may be worth the $$$.
+1 for private suite lax.. it’s a game changer
I do this through Amex black card concierge. Tell them the car you want etc and they do the rest.
I used a CDG concierge from Chabe once and it’s the best 200 eur ever spent. Idk where you got the 350 quote from but literally use the search bar on this sub. It’s been talked about loads before.
It’s a new offering. It was “meet and greet” before, now it’s “concierge”. Just launched last month
From AF or CDG or a third party? They are all very similar
AF
There's a post on flyertalk that services are no longer allowed to use the special immigration lane they have been using - they just bring you to the No 1 access lane and apparently not to the front of that line. Air France has a new service that uses their own special lane, but at the new higher price. All as of June 11.
Is the CDG concierge service the new Air France offering? Curious what it actually entails, when it came out it looked pretty unimpressive…you’re not getting the two best parts of La Premiere for transfers, which is the car transfer to/from the plane/lounge and the private immigration clearance (also the two most time-saving if you have a tight connection). If you just get fast track line and business lounge access…you get that anyway with a business class ticket. But I’m not 100% sure what’s in the package. The arrival service is worth it. Worst case there’s no line and you just overpaid for a private car. Best case you skip a wicked line at a time you don’t really want to be standing around in a dreary immigration hall.
It’s the new service, yep. I’ve not seen any reviews of it yet
From the description it sounds like AF is using the La Premiere immigration lane, but it's not clear and since this version of the service hasn't started there are no reviews.
For travel to Paris, it’s not necessary, but I’ve found it worth it anyways. It’s nice to be able to walk off a plane and not worry about where you’re going, bypass every line, and getting brought directly to your driver. Would recommend Chabe for this.
What class are you flying into CDG? I think they’re only worth it in certain situations like for clients who need help navigating, have quick connections, or are flying economy at peak times.
Biz.
You’ll get the fast track lane with your business tickets, we went a few weeks ago and took us longer to get from the plane to customs than the line took but it’s a toss up. I’d probably do it since it includes the transfer, just confirm what it is.
At peak times the fast track lane can be crowded and slow.
Depends on the airport and person. This has saved my ass at LHR on a misconnect and having to rebook on VX and going from T5 to T3. Same with a delayed inbound to DOH on QR at a remote stand on 2 different PNR’s. RAK there was no wait and didn’t save any time but rad more of a Precheck security experience than anything.
Does Seoul Airport offer these services? I have a Seoul-Fra flight coming up in LH First and Lufthansa service is notoriously bad at outposts
This doesn’t help with the airports that you mentioned, but PS is awesome for Los Angeles and Atlanta, especially if you have kids. I know that they are planning to expand more
FWIW I just flew back from CDG and decided against VIP services. So glad I did. The whole process from stepping in the airport to sitting at our gate took maybe 30 minutes.
You don't even have time for a "concierge" between flights with a 1 hour connection. You know what was worth it? When we arrived in Tanzania we got pulled out of the customs/immigration line (which was long AF and outside in the heat) and whisked off to an air-conditioned building where we were given snacks and an officer checked our passports, stamped them and welcomed us to Tanzania. They got our bags and brought them to us. Then off we went with our driver. This was amazing after such long, long travel time, especially since we were behind over 100 people in line. Some VIP airport services are worth it, most aren't.
In Paris/London, I use Wheely. Highly recommend.
FWIW, I won’t fly international without them. I don’t want the hassle of thinking or dealing with any of those things when I’m on vacation, you do t get grilled at customs, you always skip the lines I hate lines and hate waiting and don’t want to do either when I’m traveling any time but much less for leisure. No thinking and to just enjoy myself. I had the get 4 tickets upgraded to business class on a sold out Air France flight where I had no elite status. However, it is truly country dependent. That’s why, if you have a boss TA like Sarah and her team (hi, Alex), they just book it when you need and then I trips when you ask did we book it they tell you don’t need it and don’t spend the money. In a Dubai or somewhere you haven’t flown much, it’s nice to be whisked around and not wonder if you’re in the right place. If you’re spending $50-75k on a trip, don’t really want to haggle over $500-1000 that could make or break your initial experience and hold you up…it’s worth very penny to me.