Do you know how celebrities breeze through the airport security and get to the flight in matter of minutes? They use airport meet & greet services. You too can avail the service at almost any airport, as long as you are ready to pay for it.
But not to worry, as we now have few credit cards that comes with complimentary meet and greet services at select airports within India. The service can be used both for domestic/international and also for arrivals/departures at Indian airports.
Here’s everything you can expect from airport meet & greet services offered in India through card linked benefit. Let’s begin with the departure experience,
Table of Contents
VIP Gate Entry
As soon as you arrive at the airport, you’ll find someone holding a placard with your name. The executive will greet you at the VIP gate and take you to the landside in no time.
This VIP gate varies from airport to airport. For ex, at Mumbai T2 they use “Gate 1” as VIP gate.
The executive is usually accompanied by his assistant who will be your porter to take care of the luggage. So you may walk handsfree and enter into the airport just like your favourite celebrity.
Sometimes they even keep a paper boarding pass of your’s ready.
Everything is sorted, just make sure to enjoy and keep up your celebrity image intact (act like James Bond), else the executive might doubt and ask “did you actually pay for the service?” Just like how it happened with me once. 😀
Buggy transport
If it’s a big airport, you may also expect a buggy to transport you and your luggage from VIP gate to the priority check-in counter. The porter and the executive will accompany you.
This buggy service is also available on arrivals to take you from aerobridge to the luggage collection area.
Priority Check-in
You no longer need to fly business class, hold a gold status or buy the 6E Prime add-on to get priority check-in.
The executive will take you straight to the priority check-in counter, which is basically the business class counter with most airlines (or) the Fast Forward counter in case of Indigo.
So you can drop your luggage in a minute or two and proceed to security.
This is a huge benefit if you’re flying low cost airlines, especially Indigo as I haven’t seen any Indigo counter without at-least 20 members ahead of me.
Fast track security
Some metro airports like Mumbai and Delhi has a separate lane for business class passengers.
Usually you’ll be taken through that route, else you’ll be escorted through the staff entry line. This is the line that the airport staffs, pilots and airline crew uses.
Note that this line will be mostly free. But if you see the crew, you’re expected to make way for them.
Most of the time this can save you 10-20 mins and you don’t need to deal with the crowd by standing with your laptop tray in hand.
I mostly see one or two ahead of me in this staff route but recently I had a situation where-in I was about to pass and then 5 pilots were rushing in back to back. I ended up giving way to them which is a loss of about 5 mins but it’s okay, as it’s a respect that I think we need to give them.
So once you pass the security, you’ll be taken to the lounge (access not provided with this service) or wherever you want to go, after which the executive will leave but will make sure to remind you with a call so that you board your flight on time.
Immigration assistance
Most frequent luxury travellers use the meet & greet service for international travel as it deals with immigration, which may consume a bit of time.
So here too you’ll be taken through the business class immigration counter and the executive will assist you with the immigration formalities like assisting you in filling the form, if any.
For those airports that doesn’t have the priority immigration counter, I don’t know “how” they would help. I haven’t explored it personally, so will update when I experience it.
Arrivals
The meet & greet service is usually availed at departure level as that’s where it takes a bit of time but you may also use it at arrivals. This service also comes with executive, buggy and a porter as we saw before.
While I thought that arrivals service may not be that useful, I gave it a try to see how it works and I’m surprised to see the benefit.
I availed the service at Mumbai T2 and they took me in a buggy from the aerobridge to the luggage collection area.
These guys are equipped with the airport walkie-talkie which helps them to check why the luggage is getting delayed (which was the situation in my case). I found it to be a pretty useful.
And at Hyderabad airport it was even more interesting when the executive already spoke to the driver of my rental car, which I booked using complimentary luxury airport transfer service through Axis Reserve. So it was an ultra smooth experience.
The Value
I would ideally value the service at ~2000 INR but they usually charge 3000 to 5000 INR depending on the airport. But how much it is valuable to you depends on where and when you avail the service.
For ex, most of the time when I availed this service, it saved me about ~20 mins each but if I had availed it during my Assam trip last year at the Guwahati airport to board Indigo flight, I would have easily saved ~1hr. So it all depends.
Complimentary Access
As of now there are only two credit cards in India that gives complimentary meet & greet service benefit. They are,
- Axis Magnus
- Axis Reserve
- Axis Atlas (after spending >7.5L)
Note that Amex Platinum had this benefit (now revoked) but limited to Delhi airport and also they want you to book the flight on the card. Hmm, Amex need to relax this a bit.
That said, Axis cards are the only ones worth exploring for meet & greet benefit as of now. But remember that its limited to only Indian airports.
It would be another level if we have cards with complimentary international meet & greet services (without having to book flights on the card).
For ex, you can arrive in any country, pass through fast track immigration lane, get the SIM at the trusted counter with the help of the executive and get ready to explore the foreign country in no time.
Let’s hope that dream comes true some day!
Cities Covered
- AHMEDABAD
- BANGALORE
- COCHIN
- NEW DELHI
- HYDERABAD
- LUCKNOW
- MANGALORE
- MUMBAI
- KANNUR
- CHENNAI
- GUWAHATI
- COIMBATORE (failed once even though they took the request)
- TRIVANDRUM
- JAIPUR
If you’re using Axis Airport Concierge services to book meet & greet, above are the airports you can book meet & greet for.
Note that the newly added cities (last 5 of them) doesn’t show in the list on the Axis booking form but can be booked by calling Axis Concierge.
I’ll be experiencing the service at CJB in a week and report back in sometime. For latest updates about the Airport meet & greet services, do refer to the updates section below.
How to book?
As far as Axis Bank is concerned, they’ve a dedicated portal for this, which is “extraordinaryweekends.com” that has a super simple interface to get things done.
Just login using your card details & mobile number to book the service, it’s a matter of few clicks. If you’re travelling with family or friends, you may add them as guests as well.
If you’re not travelling you wont be able to avail the service, as you can’t change the booking name on portal.
Caution: Each guest will be charged 1 count from your quota of “8 complimentary access” or whatever is available at that point in time.
How it Works?
Here’s a quick look at how the process works when you book for Airport meet & greet services via Axis bank.
- Request: Book the service by filing the form on Extraordinary weekends website (or) by calling concierge. Keep your flight ticket ready as you need to upload it. This needs to be done at-least 2 days (or) 48hrs prior the flight. You’ll receive the ack. email of this request.
- Confirmation: You’ll receive confirmation email of the service in 24-72 hrs prior to the travel date. Sometimes they might miss it. If so, you can call them and check.
- The M&G executive or his manager will call from airport 4-8 hrs prior to the travel time. The executive usually will request you to inform them when you get closer to Airport, like 5 mins prior. You shall share your vehicle brand and vehicle # so they can spot you and get closer to you as you step out of the vehicle.
- You need to take the VIP lane (lane 1) in most airports. This will be informed by the executive.
- At airport you’ll meet the executive along with the porter. You can spot them easily as the executive will be usually wearing a suit.
- You maybe taken through a VIP gate and then for priority check-in, after which porter or executive will leave you so that 1 among them will stay with you.
- Executive will usually take you through business class lane or staff security lane so you can be in airside ASAP.
- Executive will mostly take you to the lounge if you’re interested, else you may go wherever you wish. Service ends here most of the time.
- Some executives may as well follow up until you take the flight.
The service totally depends on the agency/airport and how busy their schedule is. But largely it remains the same as above.
Updates
In both 2022 and 2023, I tried out this service and found it to be just as good as it used to be. However, the quality of the service largely depends on the airport you’re using it at, as well as the executive who is assigned to you.
- Mumbai: As usual, the process was seamless. In case you’re unaware, the security screening for T2 domestic now takes place on the same floor as the check-in counters, before the escalator. The left and right ends of the floor area are reserved for business class lines.
- Bangalore: I’m still wondering why they don’t have dedicated lines for business class in Bangalore. During my recent trip, I was unfortunate to have to go through the regular line. However, the executive assisted me by handling the trays.
- Delhi: Recently I availed the service at the T2 terminal of Delhi airport – domestic, and it turned out to be a seamless experience. The executive used a buggy to transport me from the Amex lounge to the Vistara gate at the far end, which helped me save at least 15 minutes of walking.
Bottomline
After experiencing the Meet & greet service at multiple airports both at departure and arrival levels, I would say that it’s a wonderful service to have if you value your time or just wish to have a smooth airport experience.
It’s largely functional but you may also call it a luxury for what it offers.
Irrespective of what you think it is, it’s definitely worth giving it a try to see for yourself and know how it feels to travel like a celebrity.
I’m quite sure that this is going to be a standard benefit on most super/ultra premium cards very soon. It’s only a matter of time.
Have you availed meet & greet services in India or abroad? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
I used meet and greet service at Bangalore airport for domestic departure for myself and family. On Magnus card, there is 8M&G per year . In one booking , maximum 4 can be availed. Infant upto age 2 is not counted. I availed 3 recently. Initially executive and assistant greeted and assistant took our bag. After that only assistant helped in taking boarding pass and fast baggage drop. And helped in fast security check in . It saved around 30-45mins. The assistant used to request to airline staff for fast baggage drop and for fast security check in . I expected he will move without asking . Anyway he managed to get passed quickly.
Overall it is good experience.
Thanks for the info. This answers my questions.
Is this meet and greet service available only for you or your companion aswell?
Companion as well.
Wish HDFC cards gave this option.
Yes True,HDFC should think abt this. Service
Very usefull
Could you explain how does one book the M&G Service actually? Calling the concierge or some other number or ..?
By using Axis extraordinaryweekends website.
Hi Sid,
A great article. This is what it sets cardexpert a class apart from other web resources. You throw light on many services of credit card which many are unaware. As an unlucky person who missed my flight by a whisker I can now realize the importance of this ‘meet & greet’ service. I think for frequent travelers this is a must service needs to be availed.
BTW are there any restrictions like
1. How many people can avail this (card holder + fellow travelers)?
2. How many times this can be availed ?
Thanks for the kind words.
1&2: Please refer to “How to book?” section for the details.
OK.
“Each guest will be charged one count from your quota of “8 complimentary access” or whatever is available at that point in time.”
Misinterpreted the above line. Got it now.
In one booking , maximum 4 including primary card holder can avail the service.
Fantastic article Sid! You gave all the details in subtle manner.
I guess most cards now has lounge access feature. They shall now venture into Meet & Greet to provide some differentiation to their card to stand out of lot.
Atleast super premium cards shall start this trend.
Or they can adopt this as milestone benefit too!
thanks for sharign the useful info which actually worth, I will try if I can get this card
Just make sure to enjoy and keep up your celebrity image intact, else the executive might doubt and ask “did you actually pay for the service?” Just like how it happened with me once.
True and the best one at that !!!
Lol. Updated that line for more fun. 😀
“I ended up giving way to them which is a loss of about 5 mins but it’s okay, as it’s a respect that I think we need to give them.”
A different discussion i would like to highlight. Completely agree with Sid here that we need to give them priority in the airport.
However, this incident happened to me at Fairfield by Marriott in Coimbatore. It was around 8.30pm and after a long day i was waiting in queue to check-in at the hotel. One person was ahead of me in the queue and with just one staff at the reception, it was taking some time. Now just about when my turn came to go do the check-in, a group of air hostesses cut the line and went straight to the receptionist giving their IDs and trying to check-in while i was waiting it out. The receptionist asked me to wait so that the air hostesses could be checked-in first.
As you mentioned Sid, if it were the airport, i would indeed give way to them as they are about to start their work inside the aircraft while most passengers would try to get some rest inside the flight.
However, in this case, I very politely but curtly put it across to the receptionist that i was waiting in queue before the airhostess came and that I would want the receptionist to check me in first and then attend to the air hostesses. I did all this while not even having eye contact with the air hostesses. The receptionist did my check-in first.
Now, I never meant to be authoritative but I did not want to budge since both of us have come to the hotel to get some rest.
I have had this thought for a long time and should I have done anything different? I would like to know what others would have done in this situation.
What would you do in this case or a similar case?
Can understand the situation. I’m sure what you’ve done is right.
But hotels may probably do in-room check-in for them to avoid these kind of incidents as they also give higher/recurring revenue to them.
Btw, I’ve also noticed air hostesses (from same flight in which I was flying) check-in at Fairfield by Marriott in Coimbatore while I was checking-in last month. I can see the movements around as if Prime Minister has arrived. Partly its a similar situation, as all eyes are on them. 😀
It may be bcoz some of the flights has short duration between arrival and departure.Eg Vistara arrives at around 11pm in Chennai and the same departs at 7 am the next morning so after leaving the travel time to and fro hardly 6 hours left for the crew so they may be given priority
On a different tangent, i know it for a fact that though its recurring business for the hotels but the tariff paid on account of crew is way way less than what a normal guest would ! and in case if you talk to any hotel staff , they all have a common complaint that these crew thing the world of them !! 😀
M&G executives usually takes the guest via staff gate. Most of the time flight crew have no qualms about the same. crew’s reporting time is usually D-45 mins and every minute counts. when there is a huge line at “ staff” gate, it becomes a hassle. Many a times in spite of clear sign at the entrance of the gate “ priority for operating crew” few guests start arguing. They don’t realise that it’s a gate for the staff.
The onus is on airport operator to have priority gate for guests paying for the same but most of the time to save resources ( CISF ) and hence cost they permit M&G services to use staff gate.
Thanks for wonderful article.@ card expert.
Is there any paid meet and greet service available at Delhi airport?
Citi Prestige use to have International M&G (limited to Asia Pacfic). I used it once at Phuket airport. They met me at the aerobridge, helped in filling the immigration form, took the form themselves to the counter, whisked us through the security and within minutes we were at the luggage bay. Helped us track down the car which again was booked using the luxury airport transfer service.
This service is really useful when extended to international travel. It’s a shame that Citi discontinued it.
Now SBI Aurum also provide meet and greet services
But isn’t it paid?
after security, if we go to lounge, will they not pickup us from lounge and drop to flight boarding gate at the departure time?
They have to, if you demand. But it’s generally not required.
When I availed at Mumbai T2, porter was around me all the time, for about 2hrs. He was waiting outside the lounge, helped with lounge hopping in a buggy and finally took us to gate.
one more question:
if magnus card is on my name and i don’t have any add on card, can one of my family members use this meet and greet facility if i book it for them on the portal? or is it mandatory for card holder to be there?
BTW, very useful article, thanks 🙂
Posting comments after a very long gap…
I had a very bad experience using this service provided on Axis Magnus at Delhi T3.
It was in December 2019. I booked this service using the helpline. Delhi to Kochi trip with family on Spicejet. I booked it since I hoped that it will help me to clear the insanely crowded security check at Delhi airport those times.
I was asked to reach a particular gate. I reached there. One lady met me there along with porter.
Like any other passenger, we had to wait for entry to the airport. No special entry.
while going to the spicejet counter, she asked me whether I booked in business or not. I said it is Spicemax. I always used to avail spicemax while traveling in Spicejet since I’m tall and I cannot sit in normal seats.
Went to spicemax counter and waited there. completed check-in as usual. no priority.
After check-in, lady told that she cannot come beyond security check and handed over our responsibility to male executive.
Then we went to security check along with him. completed using normal queue.There also no special entry or business queue. I asked him why no special entry. he said it is basically porter service along with one accompanying assistant.
Then went to boarding gate walking. No buggy transport. Told the M&G executive that he can leave as I was really frustrated by that time.
Had to run literally and just managed to board flight.
Was thinking what is the use of this. Never found any answer. and never used this service after.
I wanted to write about it at that time itself. But somehow missed.
Had a similar experience just a week back at Mumbai T2. The only Porter came, and no priority services ever provided. When asked they said CISF has not allowed them to do priority. No M&G executive accompanied as well
There has been a change in offering by adani airports , and adani is at loggerheads with CISF after the ambani pre wedding fiasco involving a lot of VVIPs accessing the biz security lane and then security audit lapses where some senior people got suspended and also upcoming general elections , dont expect biz lane security to return before july 2024 , till then it will remain class of travel unless you opt for the highest elite paid tier , axis will only get you absolute base level
Interestingly, Amex Platinum is only advertising the service but not providing it. I travelled from Delhi Airport in March 2022, and had booked the tickets through Amex Concierge. But, they told me that the Complimentary Meet & Greet Service is on hold
this had me in splits :
“just make sure to enjoy and keep up your celebrity image intact (act like James Bond), else the executive might doubt and ask “did you actually pay for the service?” Just like how it happened with me once. 😀”
thanks for sharing this amazing piece of info. Gonna use it soon
I don’t see Chennai in the list of airports Sid. Can you confirm if it works?
Yes, services at some airports like MAA & CCU are temporarily down as airport is changing the agency. Was said that it will be up in few weeks.
Hi Sid,
Is it must for the cardholder to be one of the passenger or it can be availed for close family, like parents travelling alone?
Hi Sid…..Are you aware of any credit card or any membership which gives access to hotel swimming pool, steam, sauna and jacuzzi? I checked with Accor Plus and Radisson Rewards, they don’t cover this, they just give one night free stay and few more vouchers….to avail this they say we need to talk to hotel to get a separate membership which will be very costly. My intention is just to visit these hotels on weekends or weekdays to use swimming pool, steam, sauna, jacuzzi for 2-3 hours relax and come back. Let me know if any credit card or any membership provides these.
Unfortunately no. Nearbuy used to sell deep discounted access to pools few years back. Not sure if they’re still doing it.
Wonderful article and as usual Sid provides valuable info which you don’t find anywhere. Let me explore this feature as i already have cards giving me unlimited access to lounges and business class ticket milestone benefit. Thanks Sid.
On HDFC’s site it is mentioned that HDFC Infinia provides “Airport VIP service (meet-and-greet) and much more”.
Does HDFC Infinia provide the service you mentioned in this article? BTW, very well writena and informative articale.
That’s a paid service on HDFC Infinia.
How much do they charge for it?
I tried to book on their website. Stuck on Rs 1 Authentication Fee button. It just doesn’t move ahead. Any one else who experienced this?
I face this almost everytime with Axis while placing request on Extraordinary weekends site. Try different browser and don’t use the saved card/form pre-fill.
Looks like the problem is with Macbook. I tried with windows machine with chrome & worked flawlessly.
What does “don’t use the saved card/form pre-fill.” mean? When I try to book it always has my card number and few other details in it and keeps getting stuck.
Is there any other way?
Used this for intl arrivals in Delhi T3 and the experience was fantastic… Managed to avoid the long queue at customs… Best part is that you can get additional 10pct discount at duty free if u buy using their id… This is in addition to any existing offers… Topped up this discount with amex 10pct discount ..
Since I have connecting flight they dropped me till check in counters … It was quick and super efficient and definitely useful…
Two questions –
1. If you run out of the complimentary 8, is there a way to pay and get more via extraordinary weekends website or do you have to use third party for that?
2. If I take 1 guest with me using meet and greet that is counted as 2 out of 8 complimentary ones right?
I am reading mixed reviews about this service in the comments, what is the latest reality? Is it just a porter service or they really expedite checkin & security?
It’s good as of 2022, all my experiences reported here are from 2022 only. So it’s largely positive!
Is skyscanner site reliable to book flights via goibibo platform. THE Prices are half for spicejet for flights over next few days versus spicejet site itself.
Skyscanner is a very good comparator, for domestic and international. But the individual sites in the search results can be tricky, suggest avoid unknown names and definitely read their reviews first. There are sites which duped some international travellers recently. I booked a flight few months back on goibibo via Skyscanner as it was giving me half the price than goibibo direct website and spicejet website for the same spicejet flight.
Yes. It reliable. Booked previously from them.
Axis atlas has also started offering this service on gold & platinum tier
Any credit card which will help in this service in kuwait airport for transit help to another flight
Any credit card which provides this for international airports like kuwait?
Can my mother traveling alone use this from my card.
just now I came across a major TNC in Airport Meet and Greet by Axis Magus, which defeats the entire meaning of the service. They will decide when I should meet them(which is typically and restricted to 2 hrs before domestic flight). So if you come to airport 3 hrs before flight takeoff time even after informing concierge, you have to stand outside airport gate to utilise this service.
Last week I was sent to normal immigration counter and asked to enter airport through normal gate. Anyone else had this experience ? This was Axis meet and greet service
Is M&G Services available at Patna Airport ?
What if the primary Card holder, does not travel but family members is travelling but ticket has been purcahsed thru Magnus , will they get M&G services ?
is there any time limit for lounge ?
Do they help in quick emigration at T3 international or just business class security check in? Also is DCB working at the new encalm lounge at T3 International DELHI
In Bangalore, there is no priority check in counter or faster security check. It’s pure waste of money for domestic departure.
I recently used this service at the Bangalore T1 International airport for a flight from Blr to Del. This service was a life saver for me as me and my wife were travelling with my 2months old daughter.
(I had booked it a week before my travel date)
The agent had asked my cab’s number 15mins before arrival at the airport and the porter and the agent were right there at the doorstep of the car.
They took our bagpacks and suitcases. Took us through special staff entry gate.
We followed them to Vistara business class checking counter(even though I had economy tickets). Later we were taken through the staff security gate where the agent helped me unpack and pack the bags.
She also assisted us to the 080 lounge took our priority passes and while she took care of the lounge entry process (as there was a long queue and the lounge manager asked us if we hold priority passes and then he asked us to go inside the lounge)
Agent asked us if we need her during the boarding time, we said no thinking that we might not need her. But to our surprise the agent arrived right before the flight boarding time.
Accompanied us till the baby care room waited with our bags for 15-20mins and then took us through the business line of Vistara and handed our bags to us.
This service is the best specially when you are travelling with your newborn. (New parents can understand)
This whole process took under 10mins from the time i got off the cab till I was in the lounge.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Sahil. The service is indeed a blessing in situations as yours.
has anyone used bangalore international deparure
Services is good
Hello Sid,
Great article. Very helpful.
I wanted to ask can I use this M&G service for my parents? It will be very helpful for the senior citizen of the family especially at big airports like Mumbai, Delhi, HYD, etc.
Now the time is 1.30 hr and not 2 hrs from the time of departure.
That can be negotiated. They were arranging 1.5hrs before departure by default but I requested and availed it 2.5hrs prior to departure in Delhi.
I used M&G service at Delhi and Mumbai Airports. Delhi Airport service was better than Mumbai because a single porter was handling three guests simultaneously in Mumbai, and I had to wait for 15 minutes at Gate No. 1. The most significant benefit of M&G service is the time saving and seamless security check-in experience, especially at crowded airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore etc….
” single porter was handling three guests simultaneously in Mumbai” – is rare.
I’ve taken the service over 15 times over past 3+ years and never faced one like this.
For me, Delhi “service” was once poor though!
Same for me sir, I availed three services on same day at Ahmedabad, delhi and mumbai, mumbai was the best and delhi was the worst. Adani pranaam was the provider in Ahmedabad and mumbai, while some other was there@delhi t3. Maybe because I had business class ticket from mumbai to delhi, while other two were economy class. All thanks to vistara infinite, magnus and thala.
I think from Bangalore, it has been stopped. Not seeing that option. Can anyone confirm?
I’ve used it 2 weeks ago for International arrival.
I called up Concierge now, so they can take manual request fortunately. Seems bank has taken it down due to high volume requests, likely.
This Services is Good
Hi Sid , Seems AU Bank Zenith+ also offering Greet & Meet service
Can you please add your opinion in this
Thanks ,
Manoj
Hi Sid,
Great Article! Do you know if we can use it for connecting flights as well? I have a layover in Mumbai after which I will be connecting to a international flight and have go through the recheck-in process.
Thanks,
Sumang
You can book for departure in that case as they can’t handle the complete “transit” service.
I had done a paid booking for meet and greet service for my husband. Both of our ticket have the same PNR. Can I also travel using this service or do I need to pay separately for myself also?
This has been discontinued now.
How does AU zentith meet greet stack up compared to axis? Do they un officially allow guests also during the service?