“In many ways, the rise of the velvet rope reverses the great democratization of travel and leisure, and other elements of American life, in the post-World War II era. As the Jet Set gave way to budget airlines, in places like airports and theme parks even the wealthiest often rubbed shoulders with hoi polloi.

“These days, whether the provider is a private company or a public agency, special treatment for the very rich isn’t personal, it’s business. Late last year [2015], public officials in Los Angeles agreed to lease a separate facility at LAX to a private firm that would serve celebrities or anyone else willing to pay $1,800 to skip the traffic jams and lines at the main terminals.”

Nelson D. Schwartz, “In and Age of Privilege, Not Everyone Is in the Same Boat: Companies Are Becoming Adept at Identifying Wealthy Customers and Marketing to Them, Creating a Money-Based Caste System.” New York Times, April 24, 2016, page A1.