ColdWalker

There was a rumour going round of a 'VIP' service (as it would be called in the far east) at LHR T5. IIRC it was going to be called Silverwing or something like that. But it seems it never got of the ground. So this service intrigued me:

http://www.airportgenie.com/

The branding is, how shall we say, courageous and interesting . But the prices gave me pause for thought. Of course it would need to be higher at LHR compared to Dublin. But I would be happy to pay, say, double the prices to have my Mum escorted through to the lounge via fast track. It would certainly relieve her of all the stress. But people's senior relatives seems a pretty limited market. Maybe it would appeal to families too? Expat Mums/Dads traveling alone with the kids?

Do members think there is a market for such a service to be run commercially at T5? Would you use it?

ashcoza

I believe they do have one, except its not double, from my understanding its about 1500 for London's "VIP" service. Of course AA has one if you fly with them for better off, but they are all expensive and depnding on the airport, date, class of travel its worth it or you just have someone walking next to you for no reason

GodAtum

http://www.heathrowbyinvitation.com/

Was going to use them but I need the money to pay for the Star Trek convention lol.

ColdWalker

I was meaning something a little more modest along the lines of the service offered in most Asian airports. Something along the lines of:
- separate drive up entrance area.
- You're checked in while you have a cup of coffee.
- escorted to the lounge via fast track security.

Of course virgin already offer this service and more on their more expensive J tickets.

GodAtum

Lol you can try this:
http://www.heathrowairport.com/heath...cierge-service

fife

It's really amazing the stuff people will pay for.

kitbag1984

Me too. I just dont get it. Help with what. Finding the checkout? Showing the security officer at fast track your boarding pass.

I cando all these on my own and epsilon to see how this enhances the journey. If it came as part of a fare I could understand but actually taking the time to buy and then pay for money for it seems ridiculous.

LCY8737

I can see myself booking this for my parents. The older they get the more insecure they seem to become when travelling. While there is a lot you can do to make things easier (booking non-stops, booking higher classes of travel) there is this element of being in a foreign airport in a foreign country and not being able to communicate very well. The constant panic of missing a flight, being stranded, not getting your bags, giving a wrong answer at immigration - that can ruin a trip for you.

I appreciate that 98% of the travelling public will probably not want this, but there is a (small) market for it.

ashcoza

I've seen this work for a friend who travels to volatile places and is often 'profiled' despite not having done anyhting wrong. Many times in customs they tell him to goto the back for the usual questioning. Always works out, but sometimes very time consuming for him to travel in europe and the states. In this case, he finds that using these and various other similar services they sometimes pre screen and just make it a faster smoother process and not having the stress knowing they might have him wait in the room in hte back for a few hours or whatever they are in the mood for that day.
so not always just a 'luxury' thing, although i do agree its great for elderly or new flyers and airports. The only place I would use it is perhaps a place I am really hesitant to go through like lagos nigeria and their reputation for bribery, etc.

Jimmie76

I probably wouldn't but then if I or anyone else wasn't traveling with my mum then I might be tempted as she gets older.

dcmike

Has anyone tried this service (the Heathrow Airport Concierge)? My 75 year old mother will be traveling internationally alone for the first time (she always went with my dad before he died) and I a little worried about her and a T3 to T5 connection. She's traveling Club World/Club Europe, but I still would feel better if someone helped her out.