Has anyone used US VIP Services?

[CruzerDeb]

Has anyone used US VIP Services for assistance they the airport? According to their website, they will greet you at the gate, assist navigating thru the airport, retrieve luggage, expedite security, etc. Thinking of using them with my connection in JFK on my way to Rome. 

[Zach1213]

I have never heard of them before, nor do I have any idea how much they cost. Also not sure what your physical health is, but a couple of things to think about:

 

1) JFK isn't really that hard to navigate...signage is pretty easy, and transferring terminals is simple via train

2) Are you bringing that much luggage that you need someone to help you "retrieve" it? And if so, do you need to bring that much luggage? Obviously, health concerns may determine that one. 

3) Security is hit-or-miss at JFK. It's sometimes absolutely dead, and sometimes a zoo. If you have access to something like TSA Pre-Check, airline status, or a priority lane, that may negate any advantage this service claims to offer. Depending on the cost of this service, spending that money on TSA Pre-Check or US CBP Global Entry (which leads to Pre-Check) may be worth it as it lasts several years. 

 

Again, only you know your situation, and I know nothing about this company or its cost. But JFK, despite how busy it is, is fairly simple to get around. 

[CruiserBruce]

Traveling from Cincinnati to Rome via JFK doesn't require collecting luggage, unless you are on different airlines that don't cooperate. Who are you flying on?

[CruzerDeb]

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

Traveling from Cincinnati to Rome via JFK doesn't require collecting luggage, unless you are on different airlines that don't cooperate. Who are you flying on?

We’re flying American. I thought you had to collect “domestic” luggage and then re-check it at the “international” terminal. That’s what I had to do flying from Cincinnati to Scotland via Chicago. 

[Zach1213]

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

Traveling from Cincinnati to Rome via JFK doesn't require collecting luggage, unless you are on different airlines that don't cooperate. Who are you flying on?

 

Damn, you're right... I read it as Rome to CVG via JFK. Makes even more sense to not pay the fee! 

 

52 minutes ago, CruzerDeb said:

We’re flying American. I thought you had to collect “domestic” luggage and then re-check it at the “international” terminal. That’s what I had to do flying from Cincinnati to Scotland via Chicago. 

 

Not usually. Most airlines have interline agreements for baggage, but if you're flying American the whole way, they will absolutely transfer it CVG-JFK-FCO. You won't see it between CVG and FCO. Nor will you re-clear security at JFK. Or even change terminals, it should all be in Terminal 8. This will be very simple for CVG-JFK-FCO. My comments were all about FCO-JFK-CVG, which I misread as your direction of travel. 

[CruiserBruce]

2 hours ago, CruzerDeb said:

We’re flying American. I thought you had to collect “domestic” luggage and then re-check it at the “international” terminal. That’s what I had to do flying from Cincinnati to Scotland via Chicago. 

Very unusual situation...American Airlines all the way in the Chicago situation? Are you sure you had to do it exiting the US? You have to claim your bags in most situations at your first stop flying INTO the US.

[CruzerDeb]

3 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Very unusual situation...American Airlines all the way in the Chicago situation? Are you sure you had to do it exiting the US? You have to claim your bags in most situations at your first stop flying INTO the US.

Actually, I believe I misremembered this. We did have to go they security again, but not with our checked bags. 

[CruzerDeb]

7 hours ago, Zach1213 said:

I have never heard of them before, nor do I have any idea how much they cost. Also not sure what your physical health is, but a couple of things to think about:

 

1) JFK isn't really that hard to navigate...signage is pretty easy, and transferring terminals is simple via train

2) Are you bringing that much luggage that you need someone to help you "retrieve" it? And if so, do you need to bring that much luggage? Obviously, health concerns may determine that one. 

3) Security is hit-or-miss at JFK. It's sometimes absolutely dead, and sometimes a zoo. If you have access to something like TSA Pre-Check, airline status, or a priority lane, that may negate any advantage this service claims to offer. Depending on the cost of this service, spending that money on TSA Pre-Check or US CBP Global Entry (which leads to Pre-Check) may be worth it as it lasts several years. 

 

Again, only you know your situation, and I know nothing about this company or its cost. But JFK, despite how busy it is, is fairly simple to get around. 

Thank you. I’ve only traveled to Europe once and it was hectic! Made the newbie mistake of not allowing enough time between flights and my daughter and I had to run thru O’Hare and had problems finding the train from domestic to international terminal, then thru security again (which I didn’t know we’d have to do), then more running to our gate. Barely made the flight. Return home was easier. 
 

Anyway, I’ll be traveling with my 81-year-old mom, so running is out. Trying to relieve some travel anxiety by having good plans in place. Will try to review JFK terminal maps and make sure I know what’s happening before we get there. 

[CruzerDeb]

5 hours ago, Zach1213 said:

 

Not usually. Most airlines have interline agreements for baggage, but if you're flying American the whole way, they will absolutely transfer it CVG-JFK-FCO. You won't see it between CVG and FCO. Nor will you re-clear security at JFK. Or even change terminals, it should all be in Terminal 8. This will be very simple for CVG-JFK-FCO. My comments were all about FCO-JFK-CVG, which I misread as your direction of travel. 

Thank you! I’m feeling better about this. 

[CruiserBruce]

OK, @CruzerDeb, the question becomes, how long is your layover at JFK? Does Mom need assistance is walking distances? The airline and airport will provide that transport free of charge.

[CruzerDeb]

Layover is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Mom can walk, just not briskly. 

[Zach1213]

51 minutes ago, CruzerDeb said:

Thank you. I’ve only traveled to Europe once and it was hectic! Made the newbie mistake of not allowing enough time between flights and my daughter and I had to run thru O’Hare and had problems finding the train from domestic to international terminal, then thru security again (which I didn’t know we’d have to do), then more running to our gate. Barely made the flight. Return home was easier. 

 

Ah, this makes a bit more sense now. Yes, ORD has a situation where most domestic airlines leave out of T1/2/3 and most international airlines out of T5. There are sometimes ways to get from T1/2/3 to T5 without security, but not always. I am assuming you changed airlines at ORD, such as from AA to BA or something similar? Or maybe even two unrelated/unaffiliated airlines, because even an AA-to-BA connection would get your luggage transferred seamlessly. Moot point now, but this connection should be easier (as would, for example, and all-AA domestic-to-international connection at ORD, which would be entirely within T3).

[hallux]

15 hours ago, CruzerDeb said:

Made the newbie mistake of not allowing enough time between flights and my daughter and I had to run thru O’Hare

You don't say when this was, but airlines generally won't allow connections that are too short for the average person to get to the gate for the flight.  I had a situation where a connection was allowed when the flight was originally booked but by the time I flew some construction on the inter-terminal train had started, shutting it down, and the minimum connection time (MCT) had changed so that my original connection was no longer allowed.  This was for return from a cruise, the re-book didn't happen until I was on board the cruise.  Funny enough - my flight inbound to ORD was early enough that the airline allowed me to get back on the original flight.

[fbgd]

However little this service is I can guarantee it's a waste of money.

 

Terminal 8 at JFK is my "home terminal". It isn't that big and distances aren't huge. You'll literally walk from one gate to the next. No security, no baggage recheck etc. 

 

You're better of taking the money you'd put into this service and buying Admirals Club access. Frankly, setting the money on fire would be better use than this service in this instance.

Edited April 8, 2022 by fbgd

[CruzerDeb]

39 minutes ago, fbgd said:

However little this service is I can guarantee it's a waste of money.

 

Terminal 8 at JFK is my "home terminal". It isn't that big and distances aren't huge. You'll literally walk from one gate to the next. No security, no baggage recheck etc. 

 

You're better of taking the money you'd put into this service and buying Admirals Club access. Frankly, setting the money on fire would be better use than this service in this instance.

Thank you!! I’m going to cancel. I won’t start a bonfire with the money I save, but I might buy a sweet souvenir.