Fast Track Passes! What are they and should you pay for one for your next international vacation?

I’ve traveled a lot in my life, and while a lot of things tested my patience even when I was younger, things drastically changed after having kids. Traveling with toddlers makes even a short flight seem like it lasts forever. And if by some miracle I find enough things for these young world travelers to keep them occupied ( and quiet! ) throughout the flight, nothing could prepare me for the wrath they bestow upon me when we wait in the endless lines at the airport upon arrival. You see, for them, the only thing standing between them and the best time of their lives are all the people who are waiting to do the same…

If you are wondering what that is, you are not alone. For years I’ve seen people fly by all the crowds through the otherwise restricted lanes, bypassing everyone, and probably sipping on champagne already way before I even got to pick up my luggage. The privilege! How dare they…..

Little did I know that there is a service for anyone willing to pay for it, that can make you feel like a VIP! I still wonder why this is one of the best kept secrets in the industry, and my clients thank me each time I book it for them.

The fact that the price ranges are also all over the place for seemingly the same thing, does not help. Here are a few things I ask my clients when we determine what type of passes should we get them:
· Do you need both arrival and departure fast tracks or arrival only is your priority?
· Will you need luggage assistance, or is your main goal skipping the queues?
· Is lounge access important to you?
· Do you find value in VIP upgrades such as a personal concierge?

Based on their answers and the services available in different destinations, we work with our supplier partners to book them the right kind of Fast Track + VIP Service.

There are airports that only offer arrival services, while others offer both.  If you want to pay for only one of them, choose the arrival service!  If you are traveling with impatient kids or are simply in a hurry to start your vacation, this will save you time and hassle for sure. On a busy day, this could mean the difference between sipping cocktails on the beach while others from your flight are still sweating in line waiting- and when time is of the essence, every minute counts!

Now, it is important to note that in many destinations this service is capacity controlled! It is available only for a certain number of passengers and it is confirmed on a first-come, first- served basis.  It can also have different advance purchase requirements or restrictions. In general,  we always help our clients secure this service as soon as we have their plane tickets issued.

Many destinations have even longer queues for the return flights- from check-in lines, to security checkpoints, to passport control and more, you might find yourself in an endless line from queue to queue. Some of the fast tracks help you by-pass all of this- and instead of dropping you off at your gate, they give you the opportunity to wait for your embarkation time in comfort in one of the airport lounges.

It comes particularly handy in certain international airports, where you have to go through US Immigration in destination, instead of doing it upon entry to the US.

In particular Aruba comes to mind at the moment, where the lines are not only endless- but they start outside- in crazy temperatures, that will test the patience even for the most calm travelers…

They can start as low as $50/person and go up to hundreds, even thousands of dollars, depending on what they come with and who is it booked through. Here are some of the ones we use most often for our clients:
· Jamaica: VIP Attractions
· Aruba: Aruba VIP airport arrival and departure services - Immigration Fast Track service Aruba
· Turks and Caicos: Providenciales Airport Lounge | VIP Flyers Lounge

In addition to the few mentioned above, Royal Airport Concierge covers airports all over the US and the rest of the world: Airport VIP Meet and Greet Service ~Royal Airport Concierge‍