Yes, that's him! He said he worked for Northwest before they merged with Delta, so figure he's been working at DTW for at least 15-20 years at this point. He told me he began as a baggage handler and then I think as a gate agent for a while, before shifting to the VIP Select program.

He's insanely knowledgeable about airport ops so it genuinely was a lot of fun chatting with him. He told me all about the de-icing trucks (I had no idea they were so complicated) and then we briefly passed through the baggage belt system on the way to the sky club - learned a lot about how that system operates!

Speaking to scheduling today, new pricing is in effect, which is consistent for all airports:
It is a flat $350 for the first person, and $100 for each additional person.

Looks to be a slight increase for one or two people, it starts to level out after you add a third or more.

Also off-site service and regular service at LAX are now the same price. Fun way to "wow" someone.

I called to book this for the connection on a round trip through ATL. A few minutes after booking, I got a call right back from the agent who booked me and said, "I am just calling to clarify that when you arrive PTY-ATL, the agent will meet you post-immigration control." So I'm assuming that they don't do planeside transfer to immigration even for DL connections, but pick up at immigration.

As another data point, when he called back, I inquired about a future trip where I am flying DL to JFK and then connecting on EK to MXP. I asked if I could book the service and then let DL just get me to the EK lounge and terminate service there (F on EK boards from the lounge usually anyhow). The guy said, "no, I don't think we could do that." He didn't sound too confident so I might give another call and see what they can do, or ask during the PTY trip to my host specifically.

I had a service failure. By the time I got a call I was already going through security again. This is where I was coming into JFK on SQ and switching to DL. Everybody I talked to over the phone when booking acted like this isn't a thing (I think I spoke with people 3 different times before just booking). In the end there was no info about my arrival for the people who work VIP select to know about, and even though 5 days before they acknowledged that my phone will only by whatsapp until 1115 am, the person assigned (I was never given a point of contact in advance) didn't have that info and in fact wasn't scheduled to work until 1230am. In fact they had my phone number being down as the contact info for my driver, even though when I booked it it did come up that I was booking for myself.. It wasn't a big deal anyway in the end, but still a failure. I think it doesn't work well when you are going between non alliance airlines because the phone reps aren't trained on how to book that.

Is VIP select worth it on an international -- domestic connection at DTW? I'm looking at a 1h20 connection :S

I've booked for tomorrow RIC-ATL-PTY and (as of right now at least) it has us arriving in to A26 and departing A27. Assuming that doesn't change, will they be willing to drive us over to the F Sky Club and then back for the flight if I request it? We've got a couple of hours and I'd prefer the nicer lounge. And since I'm mainly doing this for my companions who have never experienced it, I'd much prefer the car service experience than a cart driving us a few gates down to the A Sky Club.

Given that the gates may change for the departure to PTY, I wouldn't cancel it, but it does kind of defeat the purpose, since we all have SC access anyway.

I’m flying LHR - ATL - TUL in late summer. All booked on DL but LHR - ATL is on VS but is a DL marketed flight. Layover is 1:45. Would love to surprise Mr. Ostatekitty with something like this. So from what I’m reading, it sounds like we would be met at ATL and they would take care of getting us through customs etc and even with what I consider a tight layover we might even get a few minutes in the SC before we are escorted to the (groan) 717 for the flight home to TUL? This is the first I’ve heard of this service (I won’t spread the word) so I’m curious if anyone has booked this service on a similar itinerary and what the experience was. It’s a 2 week trip, and I know we are going to be exhausted by the time we hit ATL so this might perk us up!

They do not meet you before customs - at least according to the VIP host when I booked an international itinerary. They meet you just after customs and take you from there. I'll know more in a week, but according to the booking agent, they will not interact with you prior to customs. Sorry. Oh... and Boomer!

hopefully you caught the basketball game last night :D nevertheless, subscribing to your newsletter!

I got golf cart service at MSP once, but I was honestly disappointed it wasn't the Porsche :D. Apparently cold weather is a reason to stay indoors there.

Just to close the loop on this. We arrived at A in ATL and departing flight was out of E. Driver greeted us, really nice guy, I think his name was Mike. He told us that the E SC was very crowded, and agreed to drive us to the F club (which also had a waiting line). He walked right around them and we walked in. He was very friendly, and the Sky Club folks applauded him when he walked in the door. Then we were handed off to Anthony, who came to get us and was less... friendly? But he drove us to the plane and got us there with no issues.

Overall, great to have the service but in reality, no different than Diamond Porsche transfer service. It was basically just the car and, I suppose if you didn't have it, Sky Club access. Still, I'd do it again for the luxury and as a nice surprise for the couple traveling with me.

Thanks for returning to report on the service! I have a clients on a similar itinerary and will try VIP Select out

Personally, for the price, I think the best value is the arrival service at JFK or LAX, where they get your bags for you and coordinate with a driver ahead of time (either a town car service, friend, family member, etc) to get you right to them without ever having to go through the terminal.

Just used for departure service in JFK. We were met curbside by an agent who brought us to Delta One for check-in. He was in training so worked alongside another colleague. The two agents escorted us through security at T4 and then we hopped in the Porsche for a ride to the lounge. Porsche ride was about 5 minutes (took a longer route). Arrived at lounge and had a blocked off seating area. Was met at lounge 30 min before our departure and we where whisked back downstairs and were driven over to the plane. Brought up the jet bridge and onto the plane where agent introduced us to flight attendant and passed on a thank you card.

Worth it? I thought so. The two car rides were a blast and the agents were great. If no tarmac rides, though, I wouldn’t do again.