A Look Inside Miami Airport's Luxe Bypass Around Crowds

If your ideal airport experience involves zero terminal time and a side of caviar, the Wall Street Journal just test-drove that option for you. Reporter Dawn Gilbertson shelled out $1,300—nearly triple her Miami-to-Phoenix coach fare—to try PS Miami, a new private terminal that lets regular commercial passengers skip the main airport entirely. Think: separate building, its own TSA checkpoint, lounge, and a chauffeured SUV ride across the tarmac straight to your plane's stairs, regardless of whether you're in basic economy or first class.

PS Miami, which started in Los Angeles as a celebrity hideaway and is now owned by French airport operator Groupe ADP, has expanded to Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Miami. Memberships run up to $4,850 plus per-visit fees—day passes can reach $4,950, and suites that resemble hotel rooms can be had for $5,000. Gilbertson's verdict after Champagne, caviar, a custom cocktail, and a private ride to the jetbridge: completely unnecessary if you already have PreCheck and lounge access—but undeniably pleasant if your budget (or expense account) can take the hit. For the full breakdown of what that $1,300 bought, read Gilbertson's piece in the Wall Street Journal.