Club Mobay:  VIP Meet and Greet Review

We have visited Jamaica close to a dozen times and have always entered via Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.  We have had the wonderful experience of walking off the plane, breezing through Immigration and Customs, and to our transfer in under an hour.  We have also had the misfortune to deboard and after spending two or more hours at the airport, drag ourselves to the transfer bus.  The later is more frequent with the average time spent being around 1.5-2 hours.  

For our most recent trip, we chose to test drive the Club Mobay VIP Meet and Greet service.  For the cost is $50 per person, they advertise you'll be "fast tracked" through the entry process allowing you to get your vacation started that much sooner.

So, what was our experience arriving?

• We got off of the plane and were greeted by a Club Mobay employee with a sign displaying our name.

• We were whisked to the automated immigration kiosks where our host explained how to and then helped to scan our passports.

• We were escorted through the first check point using a line designated specifically for the Club Mobay guests.

• Next, she took us to the baggage claim area where we waited for our bags.  We had just enough time for a restroom break before our bags spilled onto the conveyor. She even grabbed one of those fancy carts you normally have to pay extra to use!  

• Finally, she escorted us through the second check point, again using a line specifically designated for Club Mobay guests.  

(our host and our sign)

Did we save any time?

We definitely did!  I would guess that from the time I stepped off the plane until I was delivered to the Sandals Club lounge, we spent a total of 35 minutes navigating the airport and "entering" Jamaica.  Other guests who were traveling with us said it was even quicker for them.  The longest part of the experience was waiting for Southwest to unload our bags but that did give us time for a much needed bathroom break.

(the throng of people we skipped at the 2nd check point because we are awesome...and paid $50 each)

Who should do this?

I would recommend this for anyone visiting Jamaica via MBJ airport.  This service is also available if you fly into Kingston International Airport but for most leisure tourists, this will almost certainly not be the case.  Who would really benefit:

• people travelling during a busy season

• people who are anxious travelers or have never navigated a foreign airport

• people who enjoy being greeted like your special, escorted around like royalty, and then delivered expeditiously after skipping the long lines for the paltry sum of $50

Sounds great! Does Club Mobay offer anything else?

I'm glad you asked.  As I mentioned, we were taken to the Sandals Club Lounge (a benefit for guests of Sandals and Beaches resorts) at then end of our whirlwind 35-minute adventure through Sangster International.  But, if you don't happen to have access to the Sandals lounge; you can freshen up, grab a snack, or just relax for a moment at the Club Mobay lounge.  I kick myself in the pants for not exploring the lounge.  I don't know for certain, but would imagine they assist you locating your resort transfer (which we can add to your trip), find a taxi, or rent a car. 

"...and, if you act now, for the amazing price of $35 extra"

You can receive the full deal by adding the Club Mobay departure lounge.  This service is designed for those returning home after their trip.  Again, you'll have access to wifi, snacks, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, showers, and more.  On one of our earlier trips, when MBJ was less "glamorous" we spent our pre-flight hours hanging in the lounge.  I enjoyed the snacks; treats like pre-packaged biscuits (cookies), bags of plantain chips, and hors d'oeuvres.  The first two of which could be taken with me to munch on while on the plane.  The free drinks were less appealing, especially after spending a week at an all-inclusive resort.  I guess I'd had my fill of Red Stripe.

Honestly, with the upgrades that have occurred at MBJ over the past decade, I don't know waiting in the terminal is any less comfortable than any other major US airport so we probably won't ever use the Club Mobay departure lounge again.

One final note, the cost for kids (ages 2-12) is $25 for arrival and $23 for departure services.  Kids under 2 years old are free.

A little extra kudos to Club Mobay...

This trip was for a wedding and much to our dismay, an unnamed "Patriotic" Airline saw that we did not make our original flights.  Our arrival to Jamaica was not only the following day but occurred at two different times.  I was able to send an email and followed up with a phone call about our flight updates.  From a travel agent standpoint, they were very easy to work with.  As one of their customers, I was assured they would have staff there to accommodate us.  They definitely excelled.  

 ~Joe

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