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’ve had some readers ask about this program, so wanted to go over the details in this post. In a separate post I wrote about American Five Star Service, which is the carrier’s equivalent program.
In this post:
How Delta’s VIP Select program works
Delta VIP Select is the Atlanta-based carrier’s premium ground service package that’s available to all passengers. For those willing to pay, Delta VIP Select offers customized service and extra amenities, which should make your ground experience seamless. Let’s take a closer look at how this works.
What does Delta VIP Select offer?
You can use Delta VIP Select either on departure, during a connection, or on arrival:
- If you use Delta VIP Select on departure, you’ll be met by a Delta representative at the curb (and they’ll already have pre-printed bag tags, if you’re checking bags), you’ll be escorted through security, and then you’ll be escorted to the Sky Club, which you receive complimentary access to (if you don’t otherwise have access); you’ll usually have a reserved table there, and then you’ll be picked up at the Sky Club and brought to your gate when it’s time to depart
- If you use Delta VIP Select during a connection, you’ll be met at your arriving flight, you’ll be brought to the Sky Club (where there should be a reserved table), and then you’ll be brought to your connecting flight
- If you use Delta VIP Select on arrival, you’ll be met at your arriving flight, and you’ll then be transfered to a pick-up spot, which has been coordinated with the person or party who is picking you up
Note that generally speaking when you’re picked up or dropped off at a flight when using Delta VIP Select, it will be in a car, and you’ll be driven across the apron. Furthermore, it’ll usually be in a Porsche, the same that’s sometimes offered to SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members on a surprise and delight basis, when they have a short connection.
However, that’s not guaranteed. It’s also possible that you’ll be driven in a golf cart through the terminal, and it’s also possible that you’ll be driven across the apron in a non-Porsche.
Who is eligible for Delta VIP Select?
Anyone traveling on a Delta operated flight is eligible for this service. There’s no need to have elite status with Delta SkyMiles, or even to be traveling in first or business class (though presumably most passengers using this service are in a premium cabin). Note that you can’t use this service if traveling on partner airlines, though.
How much does Delta VIP Select cost?
Delta VIP Select costs $350 for the first passenger, and $100 for each additional passenger. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using the service for a departing, connecting, or arriving itinerary.
When you purchase Delta VIP Select service, you’re paying specifically for the service at one airport. In other words, if you were flying from Los Angeles to Atlanta to New York, you’d specify at which airport you want the service, or else you’d be paying at each airport separately.
What airports have Delta VIP Select?
Delta VIP Select is available at nine airports, all of which are Delta hubs or focus cities. These include:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Detroit (DTW)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Minneapolis (MSP)
- New York (JFK & LGA)
- Salt Lake City (SLC)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Seattle (SEA)
How do you book Delta VIP Select?
Delta VIP Select is bookable by phone, at 855.235.9847. You have to specifically call that number, as standard Delta phone agents can’t help you with a Delta VIP Select booking (and may not even be familiar with the program).
Is Delta VIP Select worth it?
I’m not going to argue that Delta VIP Select is a program that everyone should always use. However, I think it’s a better value than you might expect, given what you’re getting. Let’s just use two examples.
If you’re just arriving at an airport and need to get to the curb to get in a car, then it’s almost certainly not worth spending $350 for that. That’s a lot of money for a service that will maybe save you a few minutes.
Conversely, say you have a four hour connection at New York JFK Terminal 4. The terminal is huge, so by using this service:
- You’d probably be picked up at your arriving aircraft on the apron, and driven to the Sky Club
- You’d then get Sky Club access (if you didn’t otherwise have that), and at a minimum, you’d get to skip whatever line there is to get into the Sky Club, and probably get a reserved seating area
- You’d then be driven to your connecting flight, with the option to board first or last (and if you board last, you can bet there will be space for your carry-on)
- If there were irregular operations, the Delta VIP Select agents would help you with that as well
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. It’s not something I’d splurge on with any frequency, though I do think the program is worth being aware of.
Bottom line
Delta VIP Select is a special service that any Delta passenger can purchase. It essentially takes all of the hassle out of the ground experience when flying with Delta, as you’ll be escorted every step of the way, whether you’re departing, connecting, or arriving. This costs $350 for the first person, and $100 for each additional person.
Since Delta doesn’t publish anything about this program, I figure it’s worth calling out, for those who might be interested.
Could you see yourself using Delta VIP Select?
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.
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.
Is there a similar service from United?
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...
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!
Much like for the American service it could be useful in rare situations
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...
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 !
Can you pay with skymiles?
When did SFO become a hub or focus city for Delta?
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.
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...
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.
"say you have a four connection at"
No copy editor I guess
This is a blog, not the NYT, Einstein.
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.
Curious (genuinely!) how you assess the revenue this site generates?
@ Jerry Wheen -- I'd like to know where Geary is getting those numbers from as well! And please sign me up!
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!
Wonder if you could buy this with basic economy, and if it would still get you into the sky club :-)
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.
I wonder if Singapore Airlines offers that VIP service at Changi?
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.
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.
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.
No, CPB prohibits this on international inbounds. It’s a security issue.
Somehow other countries allow similar services for incoming international passengers. Annoying that CBP doesn.t
This absolutely solves the problem regarding the new lounge access rules.
"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.
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.
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.
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.