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The 11 Best Luxury Concierge Services In The World

VIP access to the most exclusive experiences.

by Editorial Team Updated on February 6, 2023

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Personal concierge services are on the rise. With the emergence of digital and the desire for experiences over ownership, modern concierge companies are radically evolving to deliver exceptional services 24/7 to their affluent clients.

Modern affluent women and men know that time is their most precious resource. When you’re always connected and on the go, your time is the one thing you can never get back.

To help you save time and get privileged access to private events that money can’t buy, a luxury concierge is your perfect companion. It’s your secret weapon to unlock a world of exclusive experiences and VIP events.

Looking for a last-minute private jet to take you from New York to Miami over the weekend? No problem! Dying to get a front-row seat at the next Oscar ceremony? Done! Wanting to try the new Michelin-star restaurant in London? Your table is reserved for this evening. It’s that easy.

Well, nearly that easy. You first need to find the luxury concierge service that’s right for you.

To help you find the best lifestyle concierge to fit your needs, we’re reviewing the top 11 concierge companies in the world. Before jumping into the actual list, we’ll quickly look at what exactly is a luxury concierge . We’ll tell you why they might be relevant to you , and, more importantly, what you should pay attention to when selecting your concierge.

What is a luxury concierge?

A concierge is a person or a company that is available to help you in your day-to-day life. Their services can range from planning and booking your family holidays to making restaurant reservations or getting you access to special events. Some concierge companies also provide financial services . Others might focus on event organization or high-end travel reservations.

The word concierge probably comes from the old French word “ comte des cierges .” The comte des cierges was a servant responsible for maintaining the lighting and cleanliness of medieval palaces.

Today’s concierge services extend far beyond just maintaining your candles lit. Concierges are highly skilled people who can add real value to your life by taking care of some essential and time-consuming tasks for you. They also have an extensive network to help you get VIP access to some of the most ultra-exclusive events and experiences around the world.

In general, you’ll find two categories of concierge services today:

• Personal concierge services: if you want to hire the services of a concierge for yourself.
• Corporate concierge services: if a company wants to provide concierge services to its employees as an extra benefit.

Why do you need a high-end concierge?

Not everyone needs a luxury concierge. Some people like to manage every aspect of their life themselves. But if you’re too busy and want to outsource some tasks, a personal concierge makes a lot of sense.

There are three main reasons for wealthy people to subscribe to a luxury concierge service:

• To save time;
• To get exclusive access to private events thanks to the concierge’s network;
• To outsource time-consuming and repetitive tasks.

Continue reading if one of these three reasons appeals to you.

How to select the best luxury concierge for you?

There are more concierge services available to you today than ever before. While the range of options is great, it can be hard to compare services and understand where their expertise truly lies. Here are three tips to help you select the best luxury concierge for you .

Know what you want your concierge to do

Before comparing concierge companies, you first need to think carefully about what it is you want them to do for you. Are you looking for a general lifestyle concierge ? Or a company that specializes in organizing travel or dining experiences ?

You’ll see in our list below that certain concierge companies specialize in specific areas. This gives them a greater depth of expertise. But you might feel constrained after a while if you want your concierge to take on more responsibilities.

Choose the level of support that you want

Some concierge companies are now offering the option to choose between membership packages and on-demand services.

Membership packages are the traditional form of concierge support. You pay a monthly or yearly fee to be part of the concierge program. In exchange, you get 24/7 support from your concierge, who will, over time, get to know you and anticipate your needs.

On-demand concierge services are a new kind of experience where you pay as you go. It’s more transactional and focused on getting particular tasks done on a more ad-hoc basis.

Think about the geographic location of your concierge

Even though most concierge companies provide dedicated service around the clock, their expertise and network might not be relevant if you’re traveling across the world.

Consider your lifestyle and decide if you prefer a concierge with experience in a particular state or country , or if you require the service of a global concierge company with a network of connections across the world instead.

The 11 best luxury concierge services in the world

Now that you know what a concierge is, why you might need one, and how to choose the right one for you, let’s look at the best options available on the market.

We’ve reviewed the 11 best luxury concierge companies in the world. The list is not a rank from best to worst, as each concierge specializes in a particular area. If they are on our list, it means that they provide exceptional value to their members.

You need to review them carefully and decide which company is best positioned to add real value to your lifestyle.

1. Quintessentially

Founded in 2000 by Ben Elliot, Paul Drummond, and Aaron Simpson, Quintessentially is one of the best-known luxury concierge companies in the world. With over 60 offices across the world and a team of more than 1,500 concierge specialists, Quintessentially is a leader in global luxury lifestyle services.

With an average client net worth of $36 million, Quintessentially concierges have fulfilled some extravagant requests over the years. They’ve been able, for example, to close the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a wedding proposal or to arrange a private dinner on an iceberg.

2. Innerplace Concierge

Founded in 2002 in London, Innerplace Concierge is one of the world’s most established luxury lifestyle concierges. With a restless demand for the exceptional, this award-winning members-only luxury concierge company offers crème de la crème access to the more glamorous side of life, with a bespoke, highly personal approach to your every wish and whim.

The luxury concierge company specializes in securing access for its members to private member’s clubs, the finest restaurants, and select VIP events. They also have expertise in everything from bespoke luxury travel to art and even business connections. 

Innerplace Concierge focuses on London, where its influence is at its peak. Still, their unrivaled insider knowledge and exclusive, international connections allow them to cater to members worldwide. 

With two unique tiers of membership, Innerplace Concierge caters to a select few UHNW individuals and families with their Red Membership and young, affluent professionals with their Lifestyle Membership. 

Remarkably, they also offer a short-term Jetset Membership for visitors traveling to London and a Corporate Membership option.

3. John Paul Group

Founded in 2008 by David Amsellem, the John Paul Group is one of the leaders in global corporate concierge services. The group helps companies provide exceptional services to both clients and employees through loyalty programs.

Accor Hotels acquired John Paul Group in 2016 and now counts over 1,000 concierges across 12 separate offices. Noteworthy request that they’ve been able to accomplish: renting a private Caribbean island for a “Robinson Crusoe”-themed trip.

4. One Concierge

One Concierge is the first luxury concierge company to offer both membership and on-demand concierge services to its high-net-worth clients. With access to over 10,000 global service providers, One Concierge has one of the most comprehensive and exhaustive partnership programs in the industry. Each partner is handpicked and screened by their specialists to ensure that they meet the most demanding expectations.

One Concierge handles concierge requests in more than 115 countries around the world.

5. Knightsbridge Circle

Founded by three former American Express Black Card employees, Knightsbridge Circle is an invitation-only, very high-end private concierge service for the UHNWs. With a client base with an average net worth of $800 million and a membership fee starting from $25,000, Knightsbridge Circle helps busy individuals save time and get exclusive invitations.

The group helped organize a wedding vow renewal with the Pope and a private dinner in front of The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci.

6. Pure Entertainment Group

You might have seen some of the Pure Entertainment Group’s work featured in the New York Times, Forbes, Elite Traveler Magazine, or Robb Report . Pure Entertainment Group is a global bespoke event management and luxury concierge company that was founded in 2007.

The company offers high-quality, highly tailored luxury concierge services to discerning high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and corporations around the world.

7. The Fixer Lifestyle Group

The Fixer Lifestyle group has over 12 years of experience managing UHNWIs and HNWIs demands. Based in the UK, the group specializes in providing luxury concierge services such as high-end restaurant reservations and access to VIP events. One of their most common requests from clients is to get access to sold-out shows such as the Paris Fashion Week, the Wimbledon final, or Premier League matches.

8. Velocity Black

Velocity Black is one of the most progressive luxury concierges on our list. They combine deep human expertise with artificial intelligence to act as a lifestyle assistant that lives on your phone. Members get access to complimentary upgrades and preferred rates to major events, all at the press of a button.

Velocity Black was founded in the United Kingdom by ex-Goldman Sachs Zia Yusuf and Alex Macdonald with a team of ex-Amazon and ex-Uber executives. The concierge company has already delivered over 50 thousand experiences across more than 60 countries.

9. Nota Bene

Nota Bene started as a lifestyle magazine before evolving into a premium concierge company. Founded by Anthony Lassman, Nota Bene caters to discerning travelers seeking the most exclusive experiences. The team focuses on curating unique luxury travel experiences .

10. Bon Vivant

Founded by travel aficionados Emyr Thomas, Bon Vivant is one of London’s leading concierge and lifestyle management services with global coverage. Their expertise naturally lies in luxury travel planning but also in high-end restaurant reservations and access to exclusive and sold-out events.

11. The Billionaire Concierge

The Billionaire Concierge is an invitation-only high-end luxury concierge service with offices mostly in Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Monaco, Moscow, and Qatar. The company provides luxury lifestyle services to its HNW members, including shopping for rare watches and jewelry and celebrity chef private reservations.

Resources and further reading recommendations about luxury concierge services

We used several authoritative resources to help us write this guide to luxury concierge companies. We recommend that you read them if you want to learn more about concierge services in general.

These are also great resources if you want to understand a particular aspect of the lifestyle service industry or want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends:

• “ Les anciens prisons de Paris .” Le Cabinet de Lecture et le Cercle Réunis: Gazette des Familles (in French), January 5, 1841.
• “ Concierge services “, Wikipedia, 2019.
• “ Hospitality services “, Wikipedia, 2019.
• “ How concierge roles are changing in an internet age “, by Laura Koss-Feder, Hotel News Now, July 9, 2018.
• “ Business Concierge Services Industry in the US: Industry Market Research Report “, IBISWorld, August 2018.
• “ The Cultivation Of A Concierge “, by David Belcher, The New York Times, October 9, 2013.
• “ The Hotel Concierge: A User’s Guide “, by Sophia Banay, Forbes, August 18, 2006.
• “ Top Luxury Concierge Websites For The Super-Rich “, by R.L. Adams, Forbes, November 14, 2016.

About the author

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What is a luxury concierge service and why should you consider using one?

A luxury concierge service is there to help make your trip as stress-free and hassle-free as possible..

When you’ve decided that you’d like to take a lavish holiday abroad encompassing a range of different luxurious experiences, hotels and restaurant bookings, it’s time to utilise the services of those in the know – a luxury concierge service – who can take care of every aspect of their trip.

Your chosen travel concierge can provide you with the benefit of their expert knowledge in relation to the best restaurants in the given area, the most suitable accommodation, interesting activities and, of course, flights. In short, a luxury concierge service is there to help make your trip as stress-free and hassle-free as possible. As a consequence of such assistance, you will be freed up to focus much more of your time on simply enjoying and making the most of your time away.

There is evidence that luxury travel concierge services are gaining in popularity , and it isn’t overly difficult to understand why. In the seemingly perpetually busy and stressful world that people now inhabit, many of them are looking to extract greater value from their precious free time. And, of course, quite a lot of us simply want to relax whenever we can steal a spare moment, without having to worry quite so much about organising everything.

In other words, we’re looking to do better when we travel and enjoy our time abroad, and a luxury travel concierge can assist us in accomplishing that.

What exactly does a luxury concierge service do?

As mentioned above, a luxury travel concierge will organise and advise you on every aspect of your trip. The main goal of such a service is to make your travels as stress-free as possible, so that you can enjoy your time away without having to worry about the knotty little (and big) details.

A concierge will be able to find you the most attractive deals, organise your entire trip, have a private driver take you to and from the airport, and maybe even act as your private chef, to suggest just a few possibilities. Although, naturally, the exact offerings available might vary from one luxury concierge service to the next.

The purpose of a luxury concierge service is basically to make your dreams come true – and that’s at the core of luxury travel. When you employ a luxury travel concierge service, you can be confident of being covered for all the essentials, as well as a fair few non-essentials to make your travels simply perfect.

Why should you use a luxury concierge service?

Such services may seem extravagant and indulgent, as a result of which, many people may not consider using them, however, there can be some very strong practical reasons to employ a luxury travel concierge.

For example, a luxury concierge is able to provide their clients with a sense of security, especially if they are travelling to unfamiliar or exotic countries. Their work typically involves them having very strong professional relationships with many esteemed individuals and organisations in the travel industry, encompassing the likes of airlines, hotels, luxury car rental services, high-end restaurant managers, and more.

A luxury travel concierge service , then, can be undeniably beneficial for travellers who are looking to escape the mundanity of their normal lives and embark on an out-of-the-ordinary trip.

The expert knowledge of the concierge can help make travelling to such destinations much less anxiety-inducing. This can help mitigate any concerns travellers may have about travelling to an unfamiliar location, so that they can concentrate on truly getting the most out of their holiday or business trip.

Travelling in luxury is all about enjoying and appreciating the finer things in life, escaping the monotony of the everyday world, and indulging in some well-deserved relaxation and pampering.

Whether your luxury concierge service provides you with the most opulent hotels, private yachts, and private jets, or sees you dine in some of the finest restaurants the world has to offer, if these are things that you value, such a service can be a more than worthwhile investment. Indeed, the finest luxury travel concierge services provide those who use them with a level of comfort and satisfaction that most people will frankly never enjoy (whether they do much travelling or not).

Treat yourself on your next trip

The days of having to worry about the intricacies of your trip are long gone – or at least, they should be. A professional luxury concierge service will be able to help solve the most minor of inconveniences, but also the most major of issues. They can take care of most of your daily tasks that you may perceive as dull, while you concentrate on enjoying your travels.

Even more than that, the right luxury concierge service will allow you to indulge in exclusive experiences and special treatment, perhaps even giving you VIP access to various events, activities, restaurants , and more. You won’t need to worry about hunting for reservations, as your luxury concierge service will take care of all of that for you.

With their expert knowledge and industry connections, luxury travel concierges will be able to find you the best deals without compromising on the quality of the service you receive. A big part of the job of your concierge will be to locate the right people and a luxury lifestyle experience for you, and to communicate accordingly.

Luxury concierges offer an exceedingly personal approach to the ways in which they work, and can provide an immediate response to your queries and requests. This means that you will be able to expect a highly tailored, professional service.

When you hire a leading luxury travel concierge, you will always be at the forefront of their mind, and you will be able to receive a unique, bespoke, and highly comfortable experience that you will simply not find elsewhere. So, why not give a luxury travel concierge service some serious thought when you are next planning a business trip, vacation, or other travel experience?

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10 travel memberships that are worth the money

November 11, 2021 // By Leila Najafi

By Leila Najafi November 11, 2021

We live in a subscription-obsessed world and there’s a subscription for everything you can imagine, from razors to clothing and even hot sauces. Travel memberships are on the rise, providing new ways to ease some of the stress that comes with traveling these days and help make the journey more seamless.

Whether you’re willing to pay a premium for exclusive travel experiences that provide a little more privacy or you're more budget-conscious and want to find the best travel deals, there’s a membership for every type of traveler. Here are 10 travel memberships that are worth considering.

Wheels Up offers private jet charter memberships so travelers can access a fleet of aircrafts, including a King Air 350i, an 8-passenger Citation Excel/XLS, and one of the fastest aircrafts, the Citation X. Wheels Up uses a dynamic pricing model offering competitive rates, so members can book flights on-demand with the flexibility to pay as they go.

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Additional m embership benefits include invites to signature events, President’s Circle status with Hertz, a complimentary trial of Inspirato Club subscription for 12 months (Core members only), certain perks at select Waldorf Astoria hotels across North America, a partnership with Delta SkyMiles, dedicated partnership rates with Porsche and more.

Membership cost: Three membership options are available – Connect, Core and Business. The Connect membership requires a one-time initiation fee of $2,995 and annual dues of $2,495 which begin on year two. The Core membership has an initiation fee of $17,500 and annual dues of $8,500 which begin on year two. The Business membership requires an initiation fee of $29,500 and $14,500 for subsequent years and includes up to six lead passengers.

Getting through airport security lines can be a drag, especially during holiday weekends and a pandemic that has increased the demand for more seclusion when traveling. PS (formerly known as Private Suite) is designed for first and business class travelers who are seeking privacy and convenience, allowing them to bypass LAX altogether.

Travelers check into a private terminal where they can relax in a fully-stocked luxury private suite that includes complimentary in-suite meals catered by h.wood Group , as well as additional services upon request such as in-suite massages, manicures and detailing services for personal cars. PS also provides a designated on-site TSA and Customs agent for expedited screening.

Upon boarding, travelers are transported across the tarmac directly to their aircraft in a BMW 7 Series sedan. Earlier this year, the Salon at PS launched, which features a new full-service lounge at the terminal for travelers who want the same benefits of PS but seek a more social experience.

Membership cost: Annual membership costs $4,500, which gives members access to a preferred rate of $3,250 for a one-way Suite experience for up to four travelers. The Salon is available to members and non-members for $695 per use per person.

Inspirato is a subscription-based luxury travel service that gives members exclusive access to over 150,000 luxury vacation homes and resorts around the world that are staffed by Inspirato. There are two membership types: Inspirato Club and Inspirato Pass. The former gives you access to the luxury residences and hotels around the world, on-site concierge and daily housekeeping with additional benefits such as late check-in and check-out, room upgrades, spa credits and more. However, members also pay nightly room rates.

With the Inspirato Pass, you automatically get the benefits of Inspirato Club plus nightly rates are already factored into the price of membership, so you can book as many vacations as possible in one month with one active reservation at a time. There is also no long-term commitment, so you can cancel the membership at any time.

Membership cost: Inspirato Club membership is $600/month plus a $600 enrollment fee and you pay nightly rates as you go. Inspirato Pass is a flat rate of $2,500/month which includes all hotel stays.

Scott’s Cheap Flights

A membership to Scott’s Cheap Flights includes flight deals and “Mistake Fares” accidentally published by airlines sent straight to your inbox. The team scours the internet for the lowest published airfare rates to popular destinations and shares them with members.

Subscribers can also track deals from a specific airport close to home or destinations of interest. A membership to Scott’s Cheap Flights is best for travelers who have flexibility on the destination and dates and are willing to fly based on low airfare rates. Flight deals don’t last long so you’ll have to act fast.

Membership cost: There are three membership tiers including Limited which is free, Premium costs $49/year and Elite $199/year.

PRIOR was started by a former travel editor who saw a gap in the market for travelers wanting a more immersive experience during their vacation. A team of experienced travel editors and local tastemakers on the ground design itineraries for curious travelers.

A PRIOR WORLD membership includes access to curated destination guides, unique local experiences in cities around the world, pre-planned group trips led by experts and for an additional fee, the team can create a custom itinerary based on your interests.

If you're a frequent traveler, PRIOR BESPOKE might be the membership better suited for you. For a flat fee per year, members get unlimited trip planning by their expert team of travel editors and membership managers.

Membership cost: PRIOR WORLD membership costs $249 per annum. PRIOR BESPOKE is $5,000 per annum.

Priority Pass

Airport terminals may have come a long way in the last decade, but killing time for a three-hour layover in a crowded airport isn’t exactly on anyone’s list of things to do, especially on vacation. Trade the busy terminals for private lounge access with Priority Pass and enjoy guaranteed Wi-Fi and snacks.

Members of Priority Pass receive access to over 1,300 airport lounges globally, including several airline lounges such as Virgin Atlantic, Air France and Turkish Airlines. Several credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express offer free Priority Pass memberships as part of their member benefits.

Membership cost: Choose from three membership tiers which start at $99/year for the Standard membership plus $32 per visit and go up to $429/year for the Prestige membership which includes unlimited lounge visits.

TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry are services that allow travelers to expedite the security screening process upon departure and arrival. With CLEAR Plus, enrolled members get escorted to the front of the security line once they’ve been verified using facial recognition or fingerprint scans, so they no longer have to verify identification at security. However, for expedited clearance through security screenings, TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry are still required.

CLEAR uses biometric identifiers to create a unique ID assigned to each member that is used for verification at stations across airports, stadiums and other major venues nationwide.

Membership cost: A CLEAR Plus membership is $179 per year. American Express Platinum Card Members receive a $179 statement credit and United MileagePlus members receive a discounted membership rate.

Well Traveled

Well Traveled is a members-only social and booking platform that allows members to connect with friends to find and share travel recommendations. The community-driven platform is intended to make travel planning easier by allowing you to follow people in your network that you trust, in addition to other like-minded travelers who share similar budgets and travel preferences.

Members can also take advantage of the personalized booking service that includes perks like exclusive rates, room upgrades, food & beverage credits, complimentary breakfast and more. Currently, membership is invite-only but you can also apply to be considered.

Membership cost: $150 per year.

Travel + Leisure Club

Travel + Leisure Club is a new travel subscription service offered by Travel + Leisure Group. Members can pay a monthly fee for access to preferred pricing on curated itineraries and an average of 25% savings on hotels, resorts, car rentals and activities that are listed on Travel + Leisure GO, the online travel booking site. Plus, members get a subscription to the glossy print magazine.

Members also get access to a personal concierge that can assist with travel planning, scoring tickets to sold-out events, making dinner reservations and more.

Membership cost: Travel + Leisure Club is currently offering an introductory rate of $9.95/month.

Exclusive Resorts

Designed for families who value privacy, Exclusive Resorts is a small community of members (only 150 new members accepted each year) that get access to over 350 luxury residences around the world including the Amalfi Coast, Barcelona, Deer Valley, Kaua’i, Los Cabos, St. Barts and more.

Guests enjoy a more personalized experience with a dedicated on-site team who can assist with pre-trip planning details such as stocking the fridge with your favorite snacks, booking a massage or private chef, and housekeeping services.

Membership cost: There is a one-time, non-refundable initiation fee of $150,000 for a 10-year membership. Annual dues are $1,395/night and members travel 15-30 nights per year.

About Leila Najafi

Leila Najafi is a luxury travel writer based in LA who is a member of more subscription services than she'd like to admit.

Read more about Leila Najafi here.

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14 Things a Hotel Concierge Can Do for You (And 6 Things They Can’t)

Ed Hewitt started traveling with his family at the age of 10 and has since visited dozens of countries on six continents. He wrote for IndependentTraveler.com for more than 20 years, producing hundreds of columns on travel and offering his expertise on radio and television. He is now a regular contributor to SmarterTravel.

An avid surfer and rower, Ed has written about and photographed rowing competitions around the world, including the last five Olympic Games.

He's passing his love of travel on to the next generation; his 10-year-old son has flown some 200,000 miles already.

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Few travelers think to contact the hotel concierge for much more than directions or restaurant recommendations—but if you don’t, you’re missing out on a wealth of local expertise. A good hotel concierge has impressive powers and can assist with almost any travel problem you might face, so you shouldn’t be afraid to take advantage.

That said, a concierge is not a magician. Below are 14 things your hotel concierge can do for you, six more they can’t, and four tips for maximizing your moments at the hotel lobby.

What a Hotel Concierge Can Do for You

Save you money.

The concierge can tell you how to get to the airport for less, where to find nearby happy hours, what the best free sights and activities are, and how much is a fair price for a taxi.

Recommend Fitness Facilities

If your hotel doesn’t have a gym or lacks the equipment you want, the concierge can usually point you to an affiliated hotel with better facilities, recommend a good running trail, or give you a list of nearby fitness centers that offer daily or weekly passes.

Get You a Ride When There Seems to Be None Available

If it is rush hour, raining, or really late, finding a taxi or Uber ride can be tough. The concierge can make this happen with a phone call in many cases. This can even work if you’re not staying at the hotel in question. I once saw a friend walk into the lobby of a New York hotel and offer the concierge a tip; within seconds, we had a ride.

Get Tickets for You

Many concierges are careful to say they can’t get tickets for sold-out shows, but the truth is they sometimes can. They may have relationships with brokers, or know season ticket holders who may not be using their seats, or even have tickets themselves; Michael Fazio, author of Concierge Confidential , started to purchase tickets to certain shows that he would then sell to guests, usually at a markup that matched the secondary market.

Keep You Safe

A concierge can offer advice on whether a neighborhood, park, or activity is safe to visit, and what you can do instead if your idea is iffy.

Help You Celebrate

Are you proposing to your partner or celebrating a landmark birthday? Your hotel concierge can help with anything from filling your hotel room with flowers and balloons to organizing a rooftop proposal, complete with a photographer to document the occasion.

Help You Do Your Job

A concierge can assist with all kinds of work-related tasks, such as getting materials to a printer, setting up a courier service, mailing packages, and setting up a meeting space.

Help You Look Good

A concierge can get you an appointment with a barber or hairdresser, get clothes pressed, and more.

Fix Sticky Travel Problems

A concierge can help you find an expeditor or make an embassy appointment if your passport is stolen, or facilitate repairs if your smartphone goes on the fritz. They can also accept overnight mail or late-arriving luggage.

Get You a Table

Restaurants will often find a way to fit in customers who are recommended by their preferred concierge contacts. If the restaurant is truly full, the concierge can often get you to the front of a waiting list.

Recommend Local Service Folks

Need a babysitter, an auto repair shop, or a dog walker? Your concierge can help.

Create a Custom Itinerary

If you have a bunch of stuff you definitely want to do but are uncertain how to make it all fit together, the concierge can take your list of attractions and put together a coherent and achievable plan. He or she can also help you avoid pitfalls such as road construction or closed subway stations.

Help with Special Needs

If you are disabled, aren’t feeling well, or have other special needs, a hotel concierge can offer considerable assistance—like calling wheelchair-accessible taxis, finding English-speaking doctors, and recommending restaurants that can accommodate certain food allergies.

Provide Assistance Before You Arrive

The concierge can be a resource not just once you’re at the hotel but beforehand as well. For instance, he or she could help you plan out your first day, including a restaurant reservation for dinner.

What Your Hotel Concierge Can’t Do for You

Discretion is an integral part of a concierge’s job, so they tend not to talk about other guests, including which celebrities might be staying in the hotel.

Illegal or Immoral Activities

You shouldn’t expose a concierge to risk by asking him or her to help with illegal—or dubiously legal—activities such as obtaining drugs, forging signatures, finding “companions,” or the like.

A concierge can help you find someone else to look after your child, but he or she can’t actually do the babysitting while on duty.

Float You a Loan

They’ll help you with money concerns, but concierges are not banks; don’t ask them to dig into their pockets for you.

Sell Stuff for You

Concierges are also not your personal eBay or Craigslist; they can’t sell tickets you no longer need or items you don’t want to take home. However, he or she may be able to recommend a place where you can do the sale yourself.

Book Tickets to Sold-Out Shows

Truly sold-out shows tend to be just that; however, you can ask if the concierge has any ideas or contacts to help get you tickets, and he or she might have a strategy for you. If there is truly no way to get certain tickets, the concierge will tell you so.

Tips for Using a Hotel Concierge

Don’t be shy.

You might feel as though the concierge is only there for the folks in the penthouse suite, but this isn’t the case; he or she is there to help all guests, so feel free to ask.

Give Them Some Time

Concierges can often pull off difficult tasks, but to do so on very short notice is tricky, and it distracts them from helping other guests. Give the concierge some notice if you need something beyond simple advice.

Present the Concierge’s Card

When a concierge sends you to a restaurant or other establishment, it is often his or her name, not yours, that is the attraction for the proprietor. So if a concierge asks you to show his or her card, do it; these relationships are what makes concierges able to help you now and in the future.

Not All Concierges Are the Same

Concierges at the very best (and most expensive) hotels are notorious for pulling off near-miracles; those at less prestigious establishments typically don’t have the same pull.

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More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Hotel Room Exercises You Can Do Without Any Workout Gear
• 9 Luxe Hotels You Can Actually Afford to Book
• The 11 Best Hotel Booking Sites

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Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated with the latest information.

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Battle of the premium credit cards: Comparing concierge services

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Over the last few years, the explosion of premium credit cards , such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Citi Prestige® Card, has made several luxury travel perks readily available to most consumers. For example, it's rare to see a high-end credit card these days that doesn't offer some form of a Priority Pass lounge membership and a travel or airline credit worth hundreds of dollars.

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

All three of these major premium credit cards also offer a concierge service to their cardholders. These services are provided by third-party companies and not by the issuers themselves, so the responsiveness and quality of the results can vary. We decided to put them to the test and see which concierge service is best equipped to handle your needs.

Designing the perfect concierge test

Creating the right "experiment" was tricky here. I didn't want to make three identical restaurant reservations and then cancel or no-show all of them and waste everyone's time. On the other hand, I also had a strong hunch that, outside of the fanciest restaurants in the country, there wouldn't be much variation in how well these concierges could lock down a reservation for me. The same thing goes for travel itineraries — unless you're going to a remote island in a far corner of the world, all concierges should have access to the same flight options for you.

I needed a request that would give each concierge a chance to show some creativity. As luck would have it, my own laziness created the perfect opening. My upcoming itinerary to Italy included a 12-hour layover at Athens International Airport (ATH), and I was 100% committed to getting out of the airport and exploring the city a bit since Greece has recently reopened to travelers.

I called the Chase, Amex and Citi concierges roughly three weeks before my departure and asked them for help with five relatively simple questions:

• Where can I store my luggage (carry-on and backpack) at ATH?
• What is the cheapest and easiest way to get into the city?
• Where would you recommend I eat in order to experience authentic and local cuisine?
• What are the "must-sees" or "must-do's" to make sure I get the most out of my 12 hours?
• What are the current COVID-19 restrictions and regulations to be wary of?

While I ended up getting a lot of useful information for my trip, each of the three responses had some serious pluses and minuses. Here's the rundown.

First, the table below shows the amount of time it took to get through to each concierge, from the time I dialed the phone number to the time my account had been authenticated and I was speaking to a live human.

You can also reach the Amex Platinum concierge by chatting with them through the Amex app or via email. While this is great for simple requests like restaurant reservations, I wanted to speak to a human for a more complicated request.

While I could reach Chase's concierge service the fastest, there isn't too much variation here -- certainly not enough to choose one service over another. What matters is how long it took for each concierge service to complete my full request.

None of the concierge services could fulfill my requests on the spot (which is to be expected), so where the differences started to become strikingly apparent was how long it took them to follow up.

Visa Infinite Concierge divided their answer into two parts. I received one email with luggage storage and transportation information and a second email with a more complete city guide.

Platinum Card Concierge was the only one that responded to my request within the week (five days) with all of the information that I had requested in one email. While Visa Infinite Concierge was the first to respond to me with initial restaurant recommendations, I didn't receive the full details of my request until nine days later.

Meanwhile, Citi emailed me within a couple of days, stating that I'd receive a response no later than June 14. That day came with no email, so I pinged them on June 15. I finally got a reply with all the answers on June 18 -- nine days later -- but it's unclear whether Citi would have responded if it weren't for my follow-up email.

Winner: Platinum Card Concierge knocked it out of the park with a reasonable phone hold time (just 14 minutes) and my full request was fulfilled within five days!

Luggage storage

All three concierge services suggested the same luggage storage at ATH: Care4Bag . Located in the Arrivals Hall, this seems like a popular option that travelers use when flying through Athens.

However, out of the three concierge services, Visa Infinite Concierge serviced my request best as it did something the others failed to do -- offer a pricing estimate.

At the Athens airport, bag storage is available in the Arrivals Hall from Care4Bag. Pricing is dependent on the size of the items and the total amount of time stored; for your two small bags and a 12-hour layover, it appears you will pay no more than €20.00 at most. Please note that Care4Bag recommends allowing some additional time to retrieve your bag, in case there is a line at their desk when you arrive to pick up your items.

Winner: While all three concierges did a great job providing me with this information, Visa Infinite Concierge presented the information clearly and concisely, providing estimates tailored to my situation.

Local and public transportation

Let's start with the options that Platinum Card Concierge provided. Amex sourced its information from the travel website Frommers, which emphasized that public transportation is the best option in Athens -- especially the Metro, since buses can get stuck in rush hour traffic. This would certainly be my best option since I would have minimal luggage with me.

Platinum Card Concierge provided the following information about the metro:

• Prices for the Metro: 8 euros one-way, 14 euros round-trip (valid for 48 hours); one-way fare for two people is 15 euros and 20 euros for three.
• Route: Metro Line 3, which serves the city center.
• Duration of trip: Roughly 40 minutes, with trains running every half-hour from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Metro hours: 5:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
• Other information: The airport ticket is valid for all forms of public transportation for 90 minutes; if you're approaching 90 minutes and are still in transit, simply revalidate your ticket by having it punched again.

Meanwhile, Visa Infinite Concierge provided this information about the metro:

• Route: The Metro's Blue Line travels from the airport directly into the city center, with the Monastiraki and Syntagma stops located closest to the Acropolis and other notable sites.
• Prices: Tickets can be purchased at automated ticketing machines in the station, and round-trip transport from and to the airport should cost around 18 euros total if purchased as a single ticket.
• Other information: For more information about the Metro, click here . For a high-quality map of the Metro system, click here .

Platinum Card Concierge was the only other service to provide information on alternative modes of transportation. At first, they suggested that I take an Uber and recommended that I use the Amex Platinum's $15 monthly Uber Cash credit . However, this is incorrect since the Uber credit can't be used abroad.

I did receive information about the suburban railroad as another option into the city. Here's the info I received:

The suburban railroad (www.trainose.gr/en) runs to and from the Larissa station, Doukissis Plakentias, with a connection to Metro line 1 at Nerantziotissa (at the Athens Mall in Marousi near the Athens Olympic Complex) and from the airport to the port of Piraeus. It might not be as convenient as line 3 to get downtown, but it is more comfortable, not as crowded and runs longer hours. Trains to the airport run from 4:30 a.m. to midnight, while the trains from the airport to the city run from 5:00 a.m. to 1:20 a.m. The suburban railroad has the same pricing as the Metro; the only difference is that the return ticket is valid for a month. This is the best option to get from the airport to the port of Piraeus. Total travel time: 65 minutes.

Surprisingly enough, Citi Concierge did not acknowledge my transportation request question -- which is even more unfortunate since the service took the longest to respond to my request.

Winner: The clear winner here is Platinum Card Concierge. Although they were incorrect that I could use my $15 monthly Uber Cash credit on Uber rides internationally, the breadth of information about transportation options was more than satisfactory.

Food recommendations

All three concierge services provided excellent restaurant recommendations with all the necessary information (address, hours, phone number and type of cuisine).

Winner: Platinum Card Concierge wins even if they provided the same number of recommendations as Visa Infinite Concierge. They took it a step further and provided a quick blurb about the cuisine, if a restaurant was card-only, its atmosphere and more. Meanwhile, Visa Infinite Concierge merely provided a brief sentence or two about each restaurant. But if you're the type of traveler that gets overwhelmed by options, Citi Concierge also narrowed it down nicely to two restaurants that sound decadent. They even gave us a heads-up that one of the restaurants gets booked up quickly, so reservations are recommended.

Related: Dining out, taking out and ordering in: These are the best cards for foodies

Platinum Card Concierge provided an incredibly robust number of activities (and even a photo gallery of these recommendations) for my 12-hour layover in Athens. I could see this being a great service if you have an extensive amount of time in a new place and have no idea what to do. They provided options catering to every traveler, including:

• Sightseeing.
• Historic sites.
• Neighborhoods and districts.
• Parks and gardens.
• Zoos and wildlife.
• Recreation.
• Boating and sailing.
• Hiking and walking.
• Scuba and snorkeling.
• Nightlife (bars, taverns and pubs).
• Live music.
• Performing arts (dance, film, music and opera).
• Ticket brokers and venues.
• Bookstores.

Not only did Platinum Card Concierge provide countless recommendations for each of the activities listed above (with hours, activities and a quick paragraph), they also listed some companies that offered day trips that I could easily reach out to for my 12-hour layover.

My favorite part, though, was the inclusion of tips and resources. At the bottom of the guide, I got insight into clothing etiquette, personal safety, Athens' cultural calendar and more. Platinum Card Concierge also included contact information for tourist offices in case of an emergency.

Meanwhile, Visa Infinite Concierge and Citi Concierge did not acknowledge my request about the must-sees or must-do's. There is a chance that I could receive a follow-up email from them in the near future. However, given that it's been almost two weeks since my initial request, it's unlikely that I'll hear back.

Winner: Platinum Card Concierge wins without a fight, but even if Visa Infinite Concierge and Citi Concierge got back to me, I'm confident that Platinum Card Concierge still would have won. They provided tons of options that made me want to turn my layover into a full-blown trip to Athens. While there were so many options to choose from, I appreciated that each description was concise yet informative. If you're overwhelmed, you can even select from the many tour companies they hand-picked to help delegate your trip planning.

COVID-19 information

Out of all the concierge services, Citi Concierge provided the most in-depth information about COVID-19 procedures and entry requirements for vaccinated travelers in Greece, providing FAQs and information about the following:

• Travel documentation needed.
• Health protocols of the hospitality and tourism industry in Greece.
• Acceptable vaccines.
• International, land and ferry travel requirements.
• Business activity protocols.
• Testing requirements for travelers (including minors).
• Information about quarantine hotels.
• Yacht and cruise ship restrictions.
• Finding a PCR test to return to the traveler's home country.

When it came to coronavirus-related information, the next-best service was Platinum Card Concierge, providing information directly from the U.S. Embassy website. Topics included museums and retail reopening, masks, capacity limits and other pandemic restrictions.

Visa Infinite Concierge provided the least amount of information, stating that "COVID-19 restrictions are dependent on your point of origin." However, they briefly discussed mask-wearing procedures, curfews and capacity limits in museums and other tourist attractions.

Winner: I was beyond impressed with Citi Concierge. It seemed like this concierge service knew everything there was to know about coronavirus protocols in Greece, including hard-to-find information about boat travel restrictions and finding a PCR test to return to your home country.

Bottom line

Each of these three concierge services offered something that the others did not, so if you hold multiple premium credit cards and have access to multiple concierge services, I'd encourage you to utilize them all (provided you have ample time to do so). While it's easy to pick a winner for individual categories, it's harder to do so overall. I'd say the overlap of information, advice and recommendations I received from all three was far better than any one service on its own.

I could see how useful consulting a concierge service is, especially regarding the ever-changing requirements for vaccinated travelers and international travel.

Personally, I'll continue to ask Amex for its massive city guides before any future trips as a way to supplement my own research, and I'll be asking Citi to handle COVID-19 logistics. I can't say I'll be asking Chase for anything specific except to improve the quality of its concierge results.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.

15 Luxury Concierge Services You Should Consider

If you enjoy traveling and want the very best experiences wherever you go, an amazing concierge service  is a must. This may seem like a luxury to some, but it makes traveling so much more fun. When you work with an excellent concierge service, you can get concert tickets at the last minute or reservations to a new club. From booking hotels to organizing your day, a good concierge will save you many hours of planning. Plus, you’ll enjoy your vacation without having to fuss or worry about the details. Below, we offer up 15 of the best luxury concierge services from around the world. They each have their fine points and some specific features that may attract you.

• Quintessentially

(source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/abinlot/2017/07/31/quintessentially-expands-into-marketing-pr-and-events-in-us-with-clients-like-bmw-lvmh/?sh=f4560083e467)

It is almost unanimous among concierge experts that Quintessentially is one of the top-tier luxury concierge companies in the world. With more than a thousand specialists operating in 35 languages, Quintessentially is dedicated to seeing their clients flourish in the fields of fine art, travel, real estate, education, and shopping. They strive to make every vacation experience extraordinary.

• John Paul Group

(source: https://www.fifthera.com/news/2016/9/11/lesconciergesjohn-paul-150m-acquisition-by-accor-hotels-final)

The John Paul brand is one of the leading corporate concierge services. Their specialty is securing the loyalty of company’s clients and employees by managing their relationships. John Paul Group cultivates business relationships through top-quality service and innovative loyalty programs.

• Velocity Black

(source: https://www.thewealthmosaic.com/vendors/velocity-black/)

Velocity Black epitomizes the driving purpose of human technology: making our lives easier. Through the use of artificial intelligence and the guidance of human experts, Velocity Black can transform anyone into a VIP. Simply download the Velocity Black app and book one of the many luxury experiences available.

• Knightsbridge Circle

(source: https://www.skytimejets.com/meet-stuart-mcneill-ceo-of-exclusive-members-lifestyle-club-knightsbridge-circle/)

With a brand name that conveys regality and exclusivity, Knightsbridge Circle allows clients to travel with style and sophistication. The selection process for Knightsbridge Circle memberships is fairly restrictive, ensuring that only the most high-society members benefit from their services. If you do qualify, you’re guaranteed to receive the most dedicated, proactive service a concierge can provide.

• Centurion Private Club

This concierge service focuses on lifestyle management tasks. Their team is there for members to handle every aspect of daily household chores. Whether you need help with travel, real estate, transportation or even family, their group will work hard to ensure that members never have to worry about the fine details of life.  

• LUXURY CONCIERGE CARMEL
• Amanda Sanders, Fashion Consultant & Lifestyle Concierge

• One Concierge

• Pure Entertainment Group

• The Fixer Lifestyle Group

• The Billionaire Concierge

• The Conte Club

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