One of the perks that well-connected travelers appreciate most is being expedited through airports. Did you know that the travel fixers on Wendy’s WOW List in many countries can make airport lines and hassles disappear and whisk you through like a VIP? It’s a great way to start or end a trip.
There was the time my family landed in Casablanca, for instance: We were led off the plane to a VIP lounge where we had canapés and cocktails while our passports were collected and stamped (by officials in some other room), then we scooped up our bags and were ushered to a waiting van. And there was the time we landed in Paris, were met at the jetway, and were led via back-door shortcuts to the front of the immigration line and then to our car—a process that took all of ten minutes. One place where fast-track treatment was a particular relief? Tel Aviv, where we were able to skip to the front of the long passport lines on both arrival and departure. (Above you see me with my airport fixer at Ben Gurion.) This VIP treatment is available to anyone who knows the right expediter and can pay the fee.
The tricks that WOW Listers have up their sleeves for expediting the airport process vary from country to country and from airport to airport. Learn more from the traveler reviews below. Most WOW Listers only offer these services when they are arranging your entire trip. But even if you’re already booked your trip and would like to add airport expediting in Europe this summer, we may be able to help; ask us via the black button below.
France: “Etienne arranged for VIP expediting at the airport that made us feel like royalty…”
Traveler Beth Jaworski and her husband explore the Provençal village of Gordes.
“To start our adventure, Jennifer and Etienne arranged for us to stay at a quintessential French country retreat, the Bastide du Mourre. Overlooking rolling vineyards, this is a charming wellness retreat that pleases the eye wherever you look. We had four glorious nights there, which was just what we needed to rest from our journey and relax.
In Paris Etienne had an absolutely incredible guide, Katia, take us to Versailles. Katia was a delight, a former history professor and a fount of knowledge. She took us right past the very long lines to enter the palace and led us on a private tour that completely skipped the crowds from the tour buses, and she was able to arrange special access to both the chapel and the king’s rooms.
Lastly, Etienne arranged for VIP expediting at the airport that made us feel like royalty. Walking past all the long lines and breezing through both security and passport control is worth every penny. This is the second trip we have taken coordinated by one of your fixers, and we just can’t stop raving about your network and the amazing service they provide.” —Beth Jaworski
Read more reviews of France trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Antigua: “With fast-track arrival and departure services at the airport, it was a breeze from start to finish…”
Traveler Jeannie Mullen photographed the Antigua Naval Dockyard from the helicopter.
“When I asked Wendy who would be best able to put together a Caribbean beach getaway on short notice, she put me in touch with Meg, who came through for me with dogged determination. I ended up in Antigua for a full ten days.
I’m not a diver nor a snorkeler, so on the days when I was not hanging out under a beach umbrella, Meg kept me busy with island excursions, which included historical tours to Antigua National Park, English Harbour, and St. John’s; a helicopter tour around the island to see the various military forts, coastal formations, and outlying islands; an art trail to three different island galleries; and an invigorating morning hike up to scenic Signal Hill for a panoramic view of the entire island—all private, with a guide/driver. Couple that with fast-track arrival and departure services at the airport, and it was a breeze from start to finish. Thank you, Meg and Wendy, for yet another great escape.” —Jeannie Mullen
Read more reviews of Caribbean trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong: “What we didn’t know was how much we would appreciate the airport ‘handler’ service…”
Travelers Laird Broadfield and Joanne Stark diving with whale sharks in Indonesia.
“Our trip with Andrea was mainly focused on Scuba diving. We stayed at a couple of resorts on Sulawesi, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Then we went for an amazing trip to Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia where we were able to dive with whale sharks, a rare and incredibly special experience.
We needed to fly to Nabire, West Papua New Guinea, to get to the boat. We knew we were flying to an extremely remote area; what we didn’t know was how much we would appreciate the airport “handler” service arranged by Andrea. The air travel options were extremely limited, so we were nervous when our connection dwindled from 90 to 30 minutes. When our plane landed, we were greeted and raced to the head of security, making our connecting flight but with not much time to spare.
Although we are good travelers, we are not sure we would have been able to navigate through the airport to our flight in time. We had a similar experience on our return, though this time we were with four of our fellow scuba divers. Every one of them asked for Andrea’s contact information after seeing how we were escorted through the airports—again, with very little time, and with very few announcements in English.” —Joanne Stark and Laird Broadfield
Read more reviews of Asia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Papeete: “We were particularly grateful when others complained about 1 1/2 hours of waiting at immigration and we were whisked through the airport in 10 minutes…”
Pools hug the shore at The Brando resort in Tahiti, encircled by coral reefs.
“We are just back from one of the most relaxing trips we have ever taken. Kleon delivered! We spent five nights at The Brando near Tahiti, and it exceeded our expectations. We were particularly grateful when others complained about 1 ½ hours of waiting at immigration in Papeete, yet we were whisked through the airport in ten minutes.
The Brando is a dream. We had a fabulous beach villa sited exactly as we requested. We snorkeled off the beach and marveled that it felt like we had the entire lagoon to ourselves. It was quite exciting to have a giant turtle and small sharks swimming by. We took some excursions that were offered, enjoyed the included spa treatments at the gorgeous spa, and drank delicious cocktails. The staff went out of their way to be helpful.” —Kathryn Barden
Read more reviews of Tahiti trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Easter Island: “Tom arranged concierge service, which vastly expedited the 1 ½-hour immigration line that my fellow passengers reported they endured…”
Traveler Jeannie Mullen and local Rapa Nui guide explore a quiet inlet frequented by Easter Island locals.
“This was my fourth time using Tom for solo travel to South America. I was paired with Martin Hey, a fantastic local Rapa Nui guide…a great storyteller who wove science, history and Rapa Nui lore into every single day of the trip. I cannot fail to mention the great lengths to which Tom and his contacts went to make sure that I made my VERY tight return connection in Santiago. LATAM changed the connecting flight time out of Easter Island at the last minute, which made my international flight connection very risky. If I didn’t make that connection I would not have been able to leave for another 24 hours, which would have resulted in me missing Thanksgiving with my family. Tom arranged concierge service, which vastly expedited the 1 ½-hour immigration line that my fellow passengers reported they endured before making the same connection. So, Tom, I thank you, and my family thanks you!” —Jeannie Mullen
Read more reviews of South America trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Cairo: “We loved this VIP process, since the airport was a madhouse when we landed at 5:30 AM…”
Sandy and Art Collins felt like VIPs in Giza too, when they had the Pyramids to themselves.
“We just returned from a 15-day trip to Egypt that Jim and Arlene expertly planned. We felt perfectly safe in Egypt and well cared for. The VIP process once we stepped off the plane in Cairo was flawless. At the jetway our first rep had a sign with our name and whisked us through the airport to a lovely private lounge with food and refreshments. We gave him our passports and luggage claim checks and he told us he would deal with immigration and fetch our luggage. We loved this VIP process, since the airport was a madhouse when we landed at 5:30 AM and doing this ourselves would not have been fun.
Thirty minutes later we were driven by private car to the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, which is a beautiful hotel. We already had a Nile-view room but somehow Arlene got us upgraded to a suite overlooking the Nile!! She also alerted every hotel and our cruise ship that it was our 35th anniversary, and we had a small cake with our Anniversary inscribed everywhere we visited—very thoughtful!” —Sandy Collins
Read more reviews of Egypt trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Turks & Caicos: “Michelle also provided Fast Track services at the small and extremely crowded airport…”
A quintessential white-sand beach and turquoise waters in Turks and Caicos. Photo: Shutterstock
“Our WOW trip advisor, Michelle’s magic touch made for the perfect vacation for my husband, 2 daughters, son-in law and 2 grandsons (ages 6 & 11). Michelle recommended Beaches All-Inclusive Resort Turks & Caicos to us, and it was the perfect spot to fulfill our needs and made every family member extremely happy.
At her suggestion we splurged on Butler services, and that made all the difference: We had reserved and fully stocked Cabanas at the pool or beach of our choice each day. Never a wait at any of the restaurants as the butler escorts us in. Happy hour and late-night snacks brought to our villa each day etc. etc. etc. The amenities received were well worth our ‘splurge’ indeed.
Michelle also provided Fast Track services at the small and extremely crowded airport in Turks. We were met by a rep upon arrival as well as departure and quickly escorted through the processes without having to wait on hours-long lines. A blessing indeed! ” —Anita Kreitman
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Amsterdam: “We would HIGHLY recommend the VIP treatment when you arrive in Amsterdam if you were flying all night…”
With VIP arrival service, you’ll be fresh enough to walk Amsterdam’s canals on your first afternoon. Photo: Shutterstock
“Our trip to Holland and Belgium was fantastic. Tom was great to work with. Every hotel was unique to the city we were in, and all 4/5 star. Transportation was seamless as we changed locations 8 times in 16 days.
We would HIGHLY recommend the VIP treatment when you arrive in Amsterdam if you were flying all night like we did. We were served breakfast in a very nice living room while our luggage went through customs. When we were finished with breakfast, we went downstairs where we showed our passport and jumped in the car. Well worth it.” —Mike Hartmann
Read more reviews of trips to the Netherlands and Belgium. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Athens: “The in-airport assistance they arranged in Athens was something I’d never had, never thought I needed, and will never live without again…”
Naxos Island, Greece. Photo: Shutterstock
“This was a pretty flawless trip. I’ve been to the Greek Islands several times at different points in my life. I was bringing someone new to Greece as a celebration of her retirement. Mina and I debated Santorini (because of the insufferable crowds) and decided everyone has to see it once, so we went. Her choice of a small, four-room mini-hotel on the Caldera in Fira was perfect. The view was breathtaking, and they brought us fresh breakfast to be eaten on our porch every morning. We never wanted to leave.
We also wanted a nice mix of free time and planned touring to see beyond the main harbor town or commercial area of the island. Again, home runs. The tours we had of the villages in Naxos and Paros and the cooking class were really well done, and our guides were all interesting, insightful and willing to talk about anything.
Basic logistics were beautifully handled. Tickets always appeared at our hotels the day before we needed them. The in-airport assistance they arranged in Athens was something I’d never had, never thought I needed, and will never live without again. They smoothed over so many details that are just complicated and anxiety-producing for the average traveler.” —Laurie Richter
Read more reviews of Greece trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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