Thoughts about Premium IV in SXM?

[901Traveler]

First, thanks to everyone for being so welcoming and for giving such great advice for our upcoming first trip to SBH! We will be spending a couple of days in St. Martin prior to moving over to St. Barth's. Thus, our flight into SBH will not be a connection (i.e., we will go straight to the airport from our hotel in St. Martin). We tried to get SBC, but the flights were sold out already, so we must take WinAir. We will be traveling on a Monday. We will have checked baggage. Do we need Premium IV for this leg? For the return, we will be coming on a Saturday, SBH-->SXM on WinAir with a 2+ hour connection for an AA flight to MIA (also with checked baggage). Do we need Premium IV for that leg? Thanks again for all the great info and awesome help!

 

[17.9000° N 62.8333° W]

IMHO, you don't need them for either. However, if you would like to move quickly, avoid lines, then it's a nice luxury.

 

[sandypants]

Since you’re staying in St. Martin first, have you looked into SBC flights from Grand Case to SBH? Super small airport, quick and easy

 

[cec1]

First, thanks to everyone for being so welcoming and for giving such great advice for our upcoming first trip to SBH! We will be spending a couple of days in St. Martin prior to moving over to St. Barth's. Thus, our flight into SBH will not be a connection (i.e., we will go straight to the airport from our hotel in St. Martin). We tried to get SBC, but the flights were sold out already, so we must take WinAir. We will be traveling on a Monday. We will have checked baggage. Do we need Premium IV for this leg? For the return, we will be coming on a Saturday, SBH-->SXM on WinAir with a 2+ hour connection for an AA flight to MIA (also with checked baggage). Do we need Premium IV for that leg? Thanks again for all the great info and awesome help!

My sense is that traveling through SXM is an accident waiting to happen. And I have recent experience in transit through SXM to the US.

My opinion is that there’s a likelihood that you’ll successfully navigate the transfer without VIP assistance . . . but, what if something goes wrong? You’re in a queue where a third world functionary, hostile to American travelers (they exist at SXM), holds up your progress. What do you do? Overnight in St. Martin / Maarten, as the issue is sorted out? (It’ll probably be too late to call Premium IV . . . “Hello, Vincent . . . can you help me?”). What’s the local cost? And what’s the cost of changing arrangements on SBH?

If you’re headed to SBH at this time, I suspect that it’s likely that you can afford the relatively small — in terms of emotional & other levels of — comfort that Premium IV affords. (I make this observation as a long time visitor to SBH, a former hotelier on the island, & a Villa owner. Today’s island visitors are not marginally reaching to afford their visits.)

The cost of Premium IV service is, IMO, akin to a cheap insurance policy that will offer a lifeline in any time of distress . . . even apart from an airport meltdown.

 

[sandypants]

I agree with cec1. If you’re going through SXM, it’s totally worth using Premium IV. With everything else going on, it’s a small price to pay. They take care of everything, and whiz you right through. We’re using them for our daughter and her boyfriend next month. It’s their first time coming to St. Barth’s.

 

[cec1]

I agree with cec1. If you’re going through SXM, it’s totally worth using Premium IV. With everything else going on, it’s a small price to pay. They take care of everything, and whiz you right through. We’re using them for our daughter and her boyfriend next month. It’s their first time coming to St. Barth’s.

Comfort of mind, at least!

 

[Cwater]

My sense is that traveling through SXM is an accident waiting to happen. And I have recent experience in transit through SXM to the US.

My opinion is that there’s a likelihood that you’ll successfully navigate the transfer without VIP assistance . . . but, what if something goes wrong? You’re in a queue where a third world functionary, hostile to American travelers (they exist at SXM), holds up your progress. What do you do? Overnight in St. Martin / Maarten, as the issue is sorted out? (It’ll probably be too late to call Premium IV . . . “Hello, Vincent . . . can you help me?”). What’s the local cost? And what’s the cost of changing arrangements on SBH?

If you’re headed to SBH at this time, I suspect that it’s likely that you can afford the relatively small — in terms of emotional & other levels of — comfort that Premium IV affords. (I make this observation as a long time visitor to SBH, a former hotelier on the island, & a Villa owner. Today’s island visitors are not marginally reaching to afford their visits.)

The cost of Premium IV service is, IMO, akin to a cheap insurance policy that will offer a lifeline in any time of distress . . . even apart from an airport meltdown.

My hero. Sound advice as always.

 

[JJHarrington]

Have been to SB via SXM for 25 years. Our friends who do Tradewinds think TW is awesome. However, Premium IV via SXM is an incredibly efficient $$$ alternative. When we arrived SXM mid afternoon Day One, the “regular line” literally had many many hundreds of persons in line —-navigating this line must have taken hours, and we would have not made our SB connection. Premium IV got us in left lane, and shepherded us all the way through to WinAir gate—- and even got us an earlier WinAir flight. We weren’t sure we would need it on way SXM return trip… however, Vincent picked up our baggage at Villa, got our Boarding Passes for Win Air, and on arrival to SXM got us to front of AA line, and again got us all the way through.
This was more than just a “convenience” for us —- the most stress free navigation of SXM ever. Well well worth it. For us a “necessity” and not a “convenience” ! And Vincent was most enjoyable to chat with. And, no —- am not interested in flying into San Juan or spending the night there. Or, spending those $$. Premium IV makes the SXM process a breeze !

 

[cec1]

Have been to SB via SXM for 25 years. Our friends who do Tradewinds think TW is awesome. However, Premium IV via SXM is an incredibly efficient $$$ alternative. When we arrived SXM mid afternoon Day One, the “regular line” literally had many many hundreds of persons in line —-navigating this line must have taken hours, and we would have not made our SB connection. Premium IV got us in left lane, and shepherded us all the way through to WinAir gate—- and even got us an earlier WinAir flight. We weren’t sure we would need it on way SXM return trip… however, Vincent picked up our baggage at Villa, got our Boarding Passes for Win Air, and on arrival to SXM got us to front of AA line, and again got us all the way through.
This was more than just a “convenience” for us —- the most stress free navigation of SXM ever. Well well worth it. For us a “necessity” and not a “convenience” ! And Vincent was most enjoyable to chat with. And, no —- am not interested in flying into San Juan or spending the night there. Or, spending those $$. Premium IV makes the SXM process a breeze !

Agree with all that you say. Tradewind, however, does offer a lot — albeit for a price — in terms of ease of clearance in Immigration / Customs when returning to the US.

 

[deblollar]

I agree with all--it's a small price to pay for peace of mind and being expedited through everything. And when something goes wrong, as is not unusual with SXM and even SBH, the price becomes even more worth it for the help you get! We have used St. Barth's Services for years now and wouldn't do it on our own again!

 

[debd]

Have been to SB via SXM for 25 years. Our friends who do Tradewinds think TW is awesome. However, Premium IV via SXM is an incredibly efficient $$$ alternative. When we arrived SXM mid afternoon Day One, the “regular line” literally had many many hundreds of persons in line —-navigating this line must have taken hours, and we would have not made our SB connection. Premium IV got us in left lane, and shepherded us all the way through to WinAir gate—- and even got us an earlier WinAir flight. We weren’t sure we would need it on way SXM return trip… however, Vincent picked up our baggage at Villa, got our Boarding Passes for Win Air, and on arrival to SXM got us to front of AA line, and again got us all the way through.
This was more than just a “convenience” for us —- the most stress free navigation of SXM ever. Well well worth it. For us a “necessity” and not a “convenience” ! And Vincent was most enjoyable to chat with. And, no —- am not interested in flying into San Juan or spending the night there. Or, spending those $$. Premium IV makes the SXM process a breeze !

A well deserved, ringing endorsement. I had wondered about the return trip, and who is in the "Vincent" role when landing at SXM, on the way back to the U.S.

 

[JJHarrington]

A well deserved, ringing endorsement. I had wondered about the return trip, and who is in the "Vincent" role when landing at SXM, on the way back to the U.S.

Vincent has several competent staff on SXM side and is in constant touch with them. “Rosa” was our SXM greeter on arrival (and the horror of walking by hundreds in never ending line) and also on return don’t remember the ladies name, but she did a terrific job expediting us through the Airport Maize…example…AA checkin in desk didn’t open until 12:30 pm or so (3 hours in advance) and at 12:20 no one in line —- at 12:30 a hundred or more in line…she walked us through before the First Class passengers (which we weren’t) even checked in. Having someone that the Airport Customs/Immigration Staff (who can be very aggressive) recognize and deal with every day made all the difference…

 

[jrosen]

I can't remember how many times Vincent has helped us when things have gone awry! Not just airports and flights, but any problems on the Island

 

[maryella]

All good to hear! My daughter and fiancé booked premium for their trip through sxm next Thursday, as they r flying winair.

 

[Abycatgirl]

We are heading to StBarths at the end of April. We can’t wait to get back!!!! Can someone kindly provide the link or contact Infor for for Vincent’s VIP SERVICE??

 

[JEK]

Happy to Google for you!

http://www.premiumiv.com/

 

[andynap]

We are heading to StBarths at the end of April. We can’t wait to get back!!!! Can someone kindly provide the link or contact Infor for for Vincent’s VIP SERVICE??

www.premiumiv.com

 

[mmiseroc]

Is a VIP service recommended when traveling through SJU? We are coming back to the Island for the first time since 2012 in May. I would love to get your thoughts and recommendations.

 

[JEK]

Is a VIP service recommended when traveling through SJU? We are coming back to the Island for the first time since 2012 in May. I would love to get your thoughts and recommendations.

I highly recommend the Tradewind VIP arrivals service. They meet you at your arrival gate, get your luggage tags and take care of rechecking on TW. On the return the pilots usually guide you to the checkin counter for your return to North America. No charge for that!

 

[KevinS]

VIP service for TW in SJU is not a necessity unless you have a tight connection time. It surely is a nice-to-have though. I would have booked it for my next trip if I weren’t planning to overnight in SJU.