No

there are reports in this thread (for example Gberg post #150) of having reserved seating area. So it may not be consistent but it does happen.

I've had reserved seating shown to me before as VIP Select. Wasn't easily able to find it and ill report back but I have AF's version of VIP Select at CDG but going to try and get VIP Select for an outbound AF flight from JFK.

We booked VIP Select for our flight to MIA (DL metal) connecting to CDG and then to RAK (AF metal). What's the AF VIP service? I've flown La Premiere before which is well worth the price IMHO, but is there a car transfer or anything special w/ the AF version? I googled and it just seemed to be a dedicated agent and assistance through customs. We are already in J from MIA to CDG so would it even be worth it? We only booked Delta VIP Select because it's our anniversary and we wanted to do something special (and we are big P-Car fans/owners).

If you book VIP select connection service and experience IROPs such that your flight into the connecting airport is changed/canceled and you end up connecting at a different airport, or the next day, are you eligible for a refund or are you SOL?

They do monitor your flights pretty closely and will generally try to match the service if you are at the same airport (even the next day). I've never had a re-route with VIP attached, but I imagine they would have no issues with refunding the charge. They don't charge you until after the service, so I am guessing they just cancel it out once you re-route.

+1 on not getting charged until after the service. I can’t imagine they’d charge you for a service you didn’t get in case of IROPS.

While they closely follow flights, they don’t have any influence on IROPS.

Did you call back or ask, paterwdb ? What was the result?

Anyone have VIP Select data for a trip like this? Domestic Delta to an International connection? And/or at JFK specifically?

We will be doing a short positioning flight on Delta from BOS-JFK ahead of a pair of very long haul flights on KE to Asia. It is a separate booking, however.

I wondered if Delta VIP Select could solve the JFK inter-terminal problem for us (because I read the train currently doesn't run to T1 due to construction, and I can't get an answer about accessibility on the temporary shuttle bus!) as well as eliminating my need for wheelchair service for my (usually) minor mobility needs. I can't walk long distances & tire easily, so I always book wheelchair service, but only need it about 1/3 of the time, and almost entirely for distances. In an unfamiliar airport, though, I always use the service because I can't predict what will be expected of me, and I can't afford to crash in the middle of a marathon journey like the trip from New England to Asia...

My husband will have his assistant call and see if this can be booked, but if the FT community already knows it isn't allowed, I won't waste her time.

This might be possible, since KE interlines with DL for baggage. With EK, it involved claiming domestic bags, and then checking into EK since they don't interline, and DL VIP basically said no way. I think you could probably book the DL arrival service, and then just put concluding destination as the KE lounge, and I don't imagine it would be a problem. I would just call and book it as an arrival rather than connection, and when they ask if you want to be delivered to ground transportation, tell them you just want to be delivered to the KE lounge.

My experience has been 50/50 on this. At JFK and DTW I had some seats held for my group in the SkyClub. At ATL and LAX I did not (although ATL and LAX I was traveling solo so perhaps they figured I wouldn't have an issue finding a seat).

Also, just an update for everyone pricing for this service has recently increased.

$500 for one passenger, $100 for each additional passenger (previously $300 for first passenger, $100 for each additional)

Well that knocks it out of my price range.

Thanks for the update!

David

Not about value
 

Having used this at SLC recently after a ski trip, I can say it’s not about the value but more about eliminating all the stress of traveling back home. We scheduled VIP well in advance knowing it was two Dad’s and two 7yo’s traveling without the people that keep us organized and love us for making bad decisions.

We were met at the Hertz return lane at the side of our car with a porter and tags for our bags. Bags were tagged and taken away without us having to touch them. From the Hertz return we were walked through to a private security lane and walked to the Sky Club. No seats reserved but we didn’t ask about that. From the lounge we were taken down an internal elevator to a car and driven to the plane to board first based on our choice.

Was the value worth the price? Well, if you consider we didn’t have to carry an extra eight bags, sure (two ski bags, three boot bags, and three pieces of luggage). Did it make the end of our trip more enjoyable? 100%. Would I do it every trip? No. Would I do it again? Absolutely!

Ok so back from our trip over XMAS. Booked the Connection service on both inbound and outbound on the ATL-SFO legs. Got P-Car transfer both times. Took us up the back stairs. Also booked the Departure service on the way out and while the agent was nice, it wasn't worth it. SFO doesn't use the P-Cars due to the gates being spaced quite closely together. There isn't a security fast-track at SFO either, although the agent did attempt (and succeed) in getting us into the PreChek line. We had to return the car, hoof it from rental car return w/ all our bags, two car seats and two kids and do check-in alone. The agent met us at the gate. In VIP's defense, we booked the night of Christmas for a flight on the 26th. To be clear, not complaining. But just wouldn't pay for departure again, particularly with an early AM flight. The service did help us make a super tight connection on the outbound, although he basically put our stuff on the plane and then disappeared rather abruptly.

Some other points:

1.) ATL agents told me P-Car transfer is pretty much standard. In fact, over the holidays (when one would think they would be swamped) they were so dead that the first agent told us she spent more of her day "Surprising and Delighting" high tier medallion members. They will drive you to the SkyClub of your choice and are VERY proactive about flight delays.
2.) JFK is apparently the next most common for the car transfer.
3.) Yes the car transfer is the thing for me (I hate walking through airports with two kids and all their crap).

Booked one a few weeks ago for my family connecting in ATL. It was sort of funny as they had no idea (still don't) but I was watching when we hit the ground and I saw the Porsche outside of our original gate, all of a sudden they switched the gate from A to F, I watched the car shoot from A terminal to F, then they decided to go back to the original gate at A so watched her chase the plane back to the original gate. By the time she met us on the jetway, we had a pretty good laugh about it. Drove us to F SkyClub, escorted us from the tarmac up an elevator to the main terminal level right up to the SC. There were no Reserved sections available, which she apologized for, but sat us upstairs. They came back to get us a couple hours later and brought us to our next gate, walked us up the jet bridge steps from outside, and proceeded to just have us board the plane. They had our boarding passed and the VIP Staff walked up the jetway and scanned our BPs for us.

Speaking to her on the way to the SC, she said that ATL has 8-Pcars. She was a previous CSR, there is another guy there who was a previous DL Mechanic who took us just outside of a A350-900 and gave us lesson on the plane and info on the engines that are used on it. Very cool experience.

Any recent experiences with Intl to Domestic connection, some previous reports say they meet you prior to immigration, some say after. Specifically ATL but any data points are appreciated. We have a 2hr connection in ATL which is probably a bit close.