Most people don’t know this (since the airline doesn’t publicize it in any way), but Delta has a VIP service that any passenger can book. I’m not going to suggest that this is some amazing deal that everyone should take advantage of, but it’s a better value than you might assume. I wanted to go…
Continue reading: Secret Delta VIP Select Service: How It Works
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I use this service about 6 times per year. I use it generally when I have very high value cargo with me and I want to make sure it’s loaded and monitored. I will say that at LAX they’re all about making your trip fast and private. JFK they make it luxurious and at LGA, well… they once walked away from me and I never saw the guy again and I had to call and get a refund.
And for those wondering, AA has "Five Star" and UA has "Global Concierge." They're just greeter services, but the added benefit is they receive direct updates since they're part of the airlines.
Worth noting that they cannot meet you at the flight when coming off an international arrival. I believe that's a US restriction - they can't bring you through immigration, and can only meet you in the arrivals hall, which makes it a bit useless for that itinerary.
"If you have a special trip, or value your time and a stress-free travel experience immensely, I think this could be a decent deal."
This is a great option to know about.
Thank you Ben.
In a week, my wife and niece are returning from Scotland, connecting through JFK on Delta One.
Can I book this as a surprise? I would hate to pay and they get off the plane and walk past the representative. Would the representative be holding a sign?
Anyone arrive JFK and experience this service? I have a week to figure this out.
The restriction in international itineraries makes it certainly less useful as I feel those are the ones where after a long flight back you would want to be transported.
Well, compared to what you have at FRA, MUC & ZRH as a HON this sounds terrible and for sure I would not pay for it. Gladly I'm not a frequent flyer to th US.
Wow!! That’s a Porsche 918 Spyder. Only 918 were made and their initial cost was way over $1M. I would definitely pay to ride on that car but not on the other ones. Problem is you cannot even fit a carry on there. Now, this service is probably worth for old people that would have to walk a lot at an airport like ATL or JFK but not for people that have time and can walk.
Wonder if you could buy this with basic economy, and if it would still get you into the sky club 🙂
I wasn’t even expecting to see a price listed as I was reading, and I definitely thought it would be in the $1000s. $350 as a flat rate for all those services is very accessible to anyone!
Thanks for pointing this service out, Ben. I didn't know about this service until I read your post. Your timing was excellent as a friend and I will be connecting through JFK on an international itinerary next week. I called today and was able to book the service there. We have only a 2 hr 15 min layover at JFK so even with SkyClub access, we might not have much time to enjoy it if one accounts for walking time, etc. We are in DeltaOne outbound so likely will opt to board the plane last, since I know each seat has ample overhead storage capacity.
I was a Delta Diamond for many years so have experienced the Porsche ride on the tarmac twice. That's a very fun experience even without the Porsche, just to see the planes and the airport from that perspective. My friend will be blown away by this as he has never even been in an airport lounge before. I am not going to warn him in advance.
To those who think this service is a workaround for SkyClub access, I don't see it that way, given the price, but each to his own. It's definitely fun as an occasional splurge, though.
That's a reasonable question. In this case, I think there is--or at least was--a lot of premium transcontinental traffic between SFO-JFK and SFO-BOS, which is why DL has offered DeltaOne lie flat seats on those routes. I am guessing that people who opt to pay for that service are also good candidates for the VIP Select service.
About 15 years ago, when miles were worth something, I booked United First Class from Tucson to CDG for my husband and me. The routing was TUS to SFO to CDG.
The day we were flying there was a major failure in the systems at LAX which resulted in our flight from TUS being rerouted . The flight was glorious as the flight plan had us flying lower than usual and we had spectacular aerial views of the Grand Canyon and several National Parks. The flight plan also made our connection in SFO almost impossible.
We exited the TUS to SFO flight running up the gangway and to our surprise there was a United agent holding a sign with our names. She took us through a door, down the steps and on to the field where there was a Mercedes waiting. We drove across the field. The agent then took us up another flight of stairs which opened right into the gate area where our flight was boarding. The agent then took us to the front of the line and accompanied us to our seats.
It was great fun and something to tell our grandchildren about. Would I pay for that service? Not on your life !
You insinuate by using the word "blog" that this is a scrappy upstart personal website. That may be how it started -- that's definitely not how things are going. This website generates an 8 figure annual revenue from its audience. We are justified in asking for high standards.
As a handicapped individual, I can tell you it's very valuable. I call ahead and let them know about my handicap. Everything was arranged in advance. I didn't get to ride in the Porsche ( can't get into it) but they had a very nice van waiting and were extremely polite and accommodating. 5 star service!
@ Jerry Wheen -- I'd like to know where Geary is getting those numbers from as well! And please sign me up!
As a DM (for now...fun while it lasted, thanks Ed)...for 3 consecutive years (earned by flying), I have never had this service. I've had numerous short connections...
Shocked this isn't advertised. It's actually VERY reasonable and can think of many times someone would want this. A family vacation during peak travel (Xmas, etc) with kids being whisked away. Or a special trip with someone who is anxious flyer, this goes a LONG way at the experience.
I'd argue, if this was promoted more, Delta would either cease offering due to demand, or price would be dynamic and cost 3x as much during peak times.
Somehow other countries allow similar services for incoming international passengers. Annoying that CBP doesn.t
Just booked this for a very tight connection in ATL next week. As of Oct 1 the price is now $500 for the first person and $100 for each additional The fare class has to be main cabin or higher.
I booked it today for a connection next week in ATL. My confirmation email had all the terms and conditions and it is only available for main cabin and above fare classes.
What a wonderful program !! I accidentally found this......I only wish I had this information much, much sooner.
Go delta !!
Not sure it is worth the money especially if you have a delta reserve card with lounge access anyway. Otherwise you are just getting a ride to a lounge you already have access to that you wouldn't be going to if you didn't have the time in between connections anyway...so basically your paying for a golf cart ride at minimum I would use it in an international situation where I wasn't familiar with things, but it obviously isn't available in those cities
@Geary
I think you are absolutely correct and entitled to a full refund of what you paid to read this blog.
yea I highly doubt anyone is going to get dropped off in that. Makes for some nice photos though.
I was wondering the sane thing....as we DO use the similar Five Star with American and are allowed to use miles.....for domestic side only....as we also used at LHR and had to pay using a cresit card due to exchange rate issues.....
I was wondering the sane thing....as we DO use the similar Five Star with American and are allowed to use miles.....for domestic side only....as we also used at LHR and had to pay using a cresit card due to exchange rate issues.....
I have a question....as in the case at LAX, would this service allow you to use the Delta One cprivate check in?
After Delta gouged to $500 NOT worth it in my opinion. On the other hand
Air France meet& greet was the best use of money I’ve ever made traveling. You can use on Delta at Charles de Gaulle, the worse airport in the world,
AF met us after connecting flights ,plane delays, got us thru customs, in a Porsche to tarmac in 18 minutes. Only silver status, but was Delta1 flights
Had to book ahead because delta had connection at 1 hour. Not possible at CDG
I don't think Delta's ever called it a focus city, but not too long ago, SFO had consistent widebody service to New York, Boston, Atlanta, Honolulu, and Tokyo, with most of those routes offering BusinessElite (the precursor to "Delta One"). So it's not surprising that they would have a basis for ground-catering to premium service there.
I think it would be a nice idea for a honeymoon couple, somebody with a short connection time or another special occasion. I live in Atlanta and have a reserve card, clear and TSA pre-check. I don't see myself using it, although had I known about it I would have used it this summer when I was forced to go through Charles de Gaulle airport, my least favorite airport in the world.
This has been very helpful on the times that I was selected due to very tight connections. Made it to an away game and got home on a New Year's Eve, both of would not have happened without the Porsche treatment. Happy New Year everyone!
On Delta's site: "Customers in Delta's VIP Select® may also access Delta One at LAX, regardless of cabin."
I am handicapped and otherwise depend on wheelchair service. Live in Atlanta
Have just made by first two trips. PS, a private company charges $850 for a similar service.
Plan to use VIP Select for every departure and arrival in the future. Yes, it is expensive, but being in my car headed home before some passengers are even off the plane is worth it. Will also use it for arrivals and departures in cities travel too or connections. It is almost as good as flying private.
Glad they don't advertise. The demand would kill the program or force Delta to raise price.
It is worth more to me because I cant walk through the terminal by myself.
I wonder if you have a tight connection because the first flight was delayed re mechanical issues would the next plane wait for you ? I had this situation connecting in Detroit going to Tokyo. The plane was till at the gate but we were denied access. Also can you call at the last minute when you know your flight is delayed. Thanks
Do DL speed up passport control for arriving/connecting pax who use this service?
I’m genuinely curious on the rationale behind using a two-doored Porsche 918 or a 911 GT3RS to shuttle passengers. They’re very cool cars but surely they can’t be practical or comfortable considering the limited seats and space in these sports cars?
Unless they let you get behind the wheel. Doing donuts on an airport tarmac like a lunatic is something I'd like to check off on my bucket list.
they have a partnership with Porsche and this is just marketing. They made a whole press release about it like 2 years ago.
Thanks for writing about these so-called 'VIP' paid airline escort programs. Have zero interest in paying for such a thing, but fascinating to know that this is what those folks get for their money. Seems like awful value, but helpful for those who need their hands held through an airport...
FWIW the last time I used this service it triggered the Amex Plat airline fee credit so the out of pocket cost came down significantly.
Could anything sound less VIP Select than a US airline lounge like the Sky Club? Mass-produced, plastic-wrapped muffins, rubbery scrambled eggs, and industrial-grade oatmeal. Lukewarm pasta, sad cheese cubes, and regional slop like heavy clam chowder to ensure you bloat before boarding. At least you’ll have your own table to lay out your paper plates and BPA-lined disposable cups.
Say you've got an elderly parent (or two or three) flying to visit you, connecting in ATL. They get picked up at the gate, escorted to a reserved table in a lounge, and then escorted on the plane. I can guarantee those older than boomers will be awfully impressed despite our shared disdain for club quality.
This would be useful when connecting through ATL or JFK for the elderly with limited mobility, specially if they also include getting to the front of line for immigration and customs and help with baggage at baggage claim.
Access to Delta One lounge or regular sky club?
Even basic economy has access?
Theyre shuttling passenger in a 918???
I dont think so.
I imagine they strap your carry-ons to the spoiler.
It does suggest that most shuttles are for one person at a time. I'd assume they also have some Cayennes or Panameras in the fleet.
EXACTLY! you beat me
918 would have almost no space for a carryon and I doubt that's really part of their fleet. Look up the cost/current value. Car nerd here. Ed Bastian bought a bunch of Cayenne Taycan and Panamera for this. Why,? He wanted an allocation for a new GT3RS.
Some inaccuracies in this article that might be worth fixing. I use this service quite a bit.
JFK/LAX - $650, $100 per additional person
HND departure - $550, $100 per additional person
HND arrival - $350 up to 4 people, $100 for each additional person
All other airports (ATL, BOS, BNA, DTW, LGA, MSP, SEA, SLC and SFO) - $550, $100 per additional person
Also, as of earlier this year you need to purchase Main Cabin Classic or higher to use the service (no basic economy)
This last part isn't official yet, but when speaking to an agent a few weeks ago they informed me they'd be further restricting it to premium cabins only (Delta Comfort and above in the near future)
That'd be wild if someone was so cheap as to book Basic, but then dish out upwards of $650 at JFK/LAX to use this service. LOL.
@1990 it's never simple when booking partner awards. I have had to pay $50 for checking in a bag on a 2-hour flight with Gol because the AF-issued ticket didn't include luggage; there was no option to use miles for a ticket that included any baggage allowance (it was a single-class configuration).
@ sw5162 -- Thanks for the heads up, that's super useful! I updated the post to reflect that.
I'm 100% using this service the next time my mother visits me. She's in her early 80s and does fine at home, but can get easily confused in an airport. This will be so much less stressful for her during the connection. For people wondering who would purchase main cabin & pay for this service...it's us.
I agree - I sometimes buy my mum business class tickets within Europe to get her lounge access for connections, she's definitely not bothered about having to fly in the back for a couple of hours (longer flights are different). ITA Airways (and I think SAS too) sell lounge access as an add-on to economy tickets so I bought her that combination.
If she had mobility issues etc, I'd happily buy her a special ground service package like this DL one- there'd still be no need for a business class ticket.
Hey Ben - one additional point not mentioned here and that they also do not advertise - when booking the LAX service, they offer a chauffeur service. I believe it's for up to 20 miles of LAX. They may introduce it in other locations soon too but for now it's just LA. The other edits SW made below are accurate as well.
For that price I would want to be personally greeted by TD and told how great Delta is and that I am lucky to not be flying United because baggage handling metrics are so bad.
He claims to be a WB pilot (FO seat only) now too - maybe he also was a F1 test driver?
Ha! It’s not available in Boston. You can’t even pay them to be pleasant.
I suspect the problem is the layout at BOS. If the pax is connecting domestic to international, the most likely need to at A and get to E. There is no post-security way to do it other that a shuttle DL offers. I've been on that shuttle. It can take forever as it has to pass right behind active gates. I suspect the don't want to be ferrying pax between A and E in a car/golf cart.
How do they get you onto the tarmac if it's a jetbridge airport? #confused.
It's amusing to see the most common use case for this mentioned in the comments is shuttling Mom/Grandma around the airport. I guess using a Porsche allows Grandma to channel her inner Speed Racer.
I guess that offended too many snowflakes?
Take this as a hint 1990. Satires are no go. Just like how Jimmy Kimmel got it.
We have a reincarnated Draco in a overly sensitive generation.
And Timmy has a new guardian angel.
No way 918, no space. Eds just trying to get a GT3RS allocation so they bought several Cayenne taycan and Panamera under an expense line. Turned it into a revenue stream and customer service mechanism - brilliant. But if that 918 is really on the books. Depending on when they bought it. Whoaaa. Could save a quarter of they sold it. All this is pure bananas