For VIP Select? This isn't true. Anybody can book, but obviously most pax using it are in F/D1.

I've used it at just about every airport it's offered. I find it most effective at JFK for arrivals and ATL for connections, but to each their own. The value improves if you and/or your guests do not have SkyClub access, as it's included with the service.

Generally you get one of three services:

DEPARTURE:
Someone meets you curbside and has your luggage tags waiting. They get your bags checked for you, then escort you through security. Depending on the airport, they either have a Porche waiting on the tarmac nearby or a golf cart. Using one of these they ferry you to the SkyClub, where you wait until your flight. They'll also ask if you want to board first or last (and they really mean first or last). The VIP Select rep stays in touch with the gate agents during the whole process and in case of IRROPS can be the first to get you re-booked. Once it's time to board, they will come back for you and escort you back to the golf cart or Porche. They make sure you're situated and comfortable, then say their goodbyes. This service is basically how celebrities will often be on board before any other pax or arrive at the last second.

CONNECTIONS*:
Delta rep waiting on the jetway for you. They pull you out and down the side stairs onto the tarmac to a waiting Porche (again, sometimes this could be just a golf cart if its not practical) and to a nearby SkyClub. Again, same process as before where they fetch you in time to board and ferry you over to the plane, offering you to board first or last.

ARRIVALS*:
Unless you need SkyClub access, the arrivals service is my personal favorite - particularly if you have pre-arranged transportation (a town car driver or a friend picking you up). It's not as seamless for rideshare or those who parked at the airport. A Delta rep meets you at the jetway and escorts you down the jetway stairs to the nearby Porche. They ask for a bag description and work with the baggage loaders to pull it before the carousel (except in JFK for some reason, where they put you in the car and fetch it from the carousel on your behalf).

They have already been in contact with your driver and have provided them a designated place to park. Depending on the airport/service this could be directly in front of the terminal, a "secret" side entrance or an underground garage nearby. For example, at LAX you have the option of having the driver waiting at the terminal or they will drive you through the secured service gates on the tarmac over to a nearby hotel, where your driver is waiting underground to discreetly pick you up. While the latter option is a very cool service, it's a bit unnecessary (and not worth the extra $100) unless you're trying to heavily impress someone, get an up-close view of planes or avoid the paparazzi. Having the driver waiting curbside at the terminal is generally faster, as it can take a good 15 minutes to drive around the tarmac to the exit gates.

JFK is probably my favorite for the arrivals service, particularly if you checked a bag and fly in T4, which is a longgggg walk to domestic baggage claim. They pull you right from the plane, drive you on the tarmac over to a secret side gate that exits into a restricted parking area generally reserved for airport vehicles and police. Your driver is waiting there. The Delta rep goes back and pulls your bag while you relax.

Also fwiw if you have the service on arrival or connection, where someone will be meeting you, you show up as VIP on the manifest, which can really go a long way on the in flight service. The doesn't happen on the departure service

* Note that in the case of international connections or arrivals, they generally will not take you to a Porche from the plane, but rather have a golf cart or force you walk to customs. However, they will expedite your clearance through customs and have a vehicle waiting as soon as you cross the border, if necessary (eg to get back to a SkyClub).

Personal Opinion:
I find the departure service to be the weakest of the three, as I already have Pre-Check/Clear and generally don't need their help getting a bag checked. It's most helpful with getting your bags upon arrival and coordinating transportation. Also super helpful with tight connections in ATL, especially if you want to maximize the time in a lounge instead of racing to the next gate four terminals away.

Good to know. One of the airline review/deals sites said you had to.

Thanks for all the details. I was thinking of booking this service for my parents who are connecting through DTW on their way back to Europe.

It sounds that what they would get is a guide from their flight to the SkyClub and then back to their international flight. Not sure if the Porsche ride is happening in their case.

I dont know if we show as VIP on departure service manifest but my rep always tells the FAs "hes the VIP" and the FAs acknowledged it and service has been 10x better lol.

Having first flown on my own (and waited out a snow delay at PHL) at 14 and having done my first solo connection (at ORD) at 15, this service would be a total waste of money for me, unless I just wanted to feel like a big shot for a while. I mean sure, SC access would be nice, but I've lived without it for 19 years now. so I suppose I can live out my years without it too.

My usual connection at JFK (Domestic to International), usually T2 to T4 is 50 minutes. Knowing that I don’t need to run a marathon to make my connecting flight out of B38 would be priceless.

As I mentioned upthread, AA’s equivalent service in MIA was priceless. I’ll give this one a try.

At which airports does DL use golf carts ? I would love to have a golf cart service at JFK and ATL. Thanks for any further info .

As far as VIP Select airports, ATL and MSP definitely have carts for people, but don't know if DL has any dedicated ones. Maybe I've seen carts at JFK and SEA (but not sure -- most people seem to walk). Definitely none at DTW. ATL seems like a bit limited in utility as you can't go between concourses on them.

Not sure I'd ever use this myself (maybe on a tight I-D connection), but I'm mildly curious if you can use SkyMiles to pay for it... (not curious enough to just call up and ask though :o)

JFK uses carts in my experiences now. After you go down the escalator at T4 security they'll cart you to the skyclub and then to the gate (Or stop at a store if you want to). If you prefer their routing which is to always arrive at T2 as security is typically quieter as is the skyclub and they will Porsche transfer you to your gate which is great before you can do pre-pre-boarding before they even starting doing the gate speech or get on dead last. The $250 for just me or $350 with a partner makes this worth it.

I did the arrivals at JFK today, upon deplaning a rep had my name and walked me down the steps into a Porsche and asked where I needed to go, in this case T2 parking lot to pickup my car and had no issues. They also have a private/secure area for Taxi's/Car services to pick you up if you go that route. Tbh, this saved me a nice walk from whatever 5 mile walk at T4 was then onto the train to T2. Worth $250 or $350? Ehhh. I'll save it for special trips with whoever.

The JFK girls I've been assigned have been great. They do have their regulars and looks like I'm becoming one.

They may get the Porche ride, but if nothing else they'd have an escort through customs and some kind of vehicle waiting for them once they are airside again. Honestly just depends on how close things are. I booked a connection service at DTW and it was the worst $250 I ever spent because the gates wound up being next to each other. Another time it was across the terminal, so we had a Porche.

In my experience the golf carts are only if you clear security at T4. The arrival service into T4 and clearing security in T2 to get over to T4 have Porches as you said. The biggest waste of money ever was when my flight arrived at T2 at the last second and they walked me about seven steps to the waiting car.

I just used this service arriving in ATL from MSP on 5/12/22

I thought it was great!

- Person holding sign with your chosen name on jet bridge. (fun when asked what "alias" I wanted to use...)
- 2 Porche's (SUV's) were waiting outside (we had 4 people with golf bags)
- The let us take pictures next to airplane.
- They unloaded our bags directly from the airplane into our car.
- Drove across ATL airport tarmac which was super fun and arranged to meet our driver outside international arrivals.
- Helped load our bags directly into our car.

I would absolutely do it again. Probably better value though if you use it arriving internationally to avoid customs.

BTW - the airports are:
Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Los Angeles (LAX), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), New York (LGA), Salt Lake City (SLC), Seattle (SEA), or San Francisco (SFO)

Pricing:Pricing: ATL PRICING PER AIRPORT MEET: One Person: $350 | Two People: $425 | Each Additional Person: $125



JFK, LAX, LGA, DTW, MSP, SLC, SEA & SFO PRICING PER AIRPORT MEET: One Person: $250 | Two People: $325 | Each Additional Person: $125



LAX PRICING PER MEET WITH OFF-AIRPORT VEHICLE TRANSFER: One Person: $350 | Two People: $425 | Each Additional Person: $125

I wonder if LAX would take you to an off-site rental car facility like Avis?

David