Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

Who is Sterling Membership designed for?

Accepted Answer

Sterling is designed for individuals who value discreet protection, secure travel, preparedness, and access to trusted support across the destinations where they live and travel.

Question 2

How do I become a Sterling member?

Accepted Answer

Membership begins with an application and confidential verification process. Once approved, your membership is activated and your Sterling credentials are issued.

Question 3

What does my membership provide?

Accepted Answer

Your membership provides access to Sterling's protection and support services according to your membership terms. This may include secure travel, close protection, travel risk assessment, emergency coordination, and selected concierge support.

Question 4

Do I need to use Sterling every time I travel?

Accepted Answer

No. Membership is designed around readiness, not constant usage. When you share your travel plans with Sterling, our team can prepare according to your destination and requirements.

Question 5

Can my family be included?

Accepted Answer

Family coverage depends on your membership plan. Additional family members may be added subject to verification and the applicable membership terms.

Question 6

What happens if I don't use Sterling during the year?

Accepted Answer

Your annual membership remains active for the full membership period. Your renewal is based on maintaining membership.

Question 7

Can a family office hold a Sterling membership?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling can work with family offices requiring coordinated protection and travel support for principals, family members, executives, and approved personnel.

Question 8

Can a family office manage several members?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A family office structure can allow authorised representatives to coordinate support for multiple individuals, subject to the agreed membership arrangement.

Question 9

Can Sterling support family members travelling separately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each journey can be assessed according to the individual traveller, destination, itinerary, and circumstances.

Question 10

Can Sterling coordinate with our existing security team?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling can work alongside an existing security provider where additional local capability, regional knowledge, or operational support is required.

Question 11

Can Sterling operate under our family's existing security arrangements?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling can coordinate with the family's existing team and follow agreed operational protocols, subject to the scope and requirements of each assignment.

Question 12

Can Sterling provide support outside our usual security coverage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is one of Sterling's key partnership capabilities. Where your existing team does not have local reach, Sterling can assess the destination and provide suitable local operational support.

Question 13

Where does Sterling operate?

Accepted Answer

Sterling currently operates across selected destinations in:

Europe — France, the Riviera, Monaco and wider European destinations
North Africa — Morocco
Middle East — Gulf & Levant
Africa — Selected Sub-Saharan destinations
South America — Brazil

If your destination isn't listed, contact Sterling. We can assess whether appropriate support can be arranged.

Question 14

Does Sterling assess my trip before I travel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Travel risk assessment is an important part of Sterling's preparation process. The destination, itinerary, client profile, local conditions, logistics, and required level of protection are considered before an assignment.

Question 15

Can Sterling provide close protection while I travel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling can provide close protection and secure ground travel according to the destination and operational requirements.

Question 16

Can Sterling arrange secure transportation?

Accepted Answer

Where available, Sterling can coordinate secure ground transportation appropriate to the destination and assignment.

Question 17

Can Sterling arrange private flights?

Accepted Answer

Sterling can coordinate with selected private aviation providers when appropriate. Availability depends on destination, aircraft, timing, and the specific requirements of the journey.

Question 18

Can Sterling assist with luxury hotels and resorts?

Accepted Answer

Sterling can coordinate with selected hotels, resorts, and hospitality partners as its network develops. These relationships are intended to support the wider travel and protection experience.

Question 19

What if my plans change while travelling?

Accepted Answer

Contact Sterling as soon as possible. Our team can reassess the circumstances and coordinate the appropriate support based on the new destination, itinerary, or requirements.

Question 20

What happens if I lose my phone while travelling?

Accepted Answer

Your physical Sterling Membership Card provides an alternative way to establish your membership when you cannot access your phone or internet.
Once your active membership is verified, Sterling can coordinate the appropriate assistance available in that location.

Question 21

What is the Sterling Membership Card?

Accepted Answer

It is your physical Sterling membership credential. It allows your active membership to be established without relying entirely on a mobile phone or internet connection.

Question 22

Does the card expire?

Accepted Answer

The card is intended to remain valid while your Sterling membership remains active, subject to Sterling's membership terms.

Question 23

What happens if my card is lost or stolen?

Accepted Answer

Contact Sterling immediately. The card can be suspended and, where appropriate, replaced.

Question 24

Can someone else use my card?

Accepted Answer

No. The card is linked to your verified Sterling membership and cannot be transferred to another person.

Question 25

How is the card verified?

Accepted Answer

Sterling can verify the card against its membership records and confirm whether the associated membership is active.

Question 26

Why doesn't the card need to display my name?

Accepted Answer

Sterling's membership credential can be designed around discretion. The absence of unnecessary personal information helps reduce exposure if the card is lost or seen by others.

Question 27

What happens when I request Sterling support?

Accepted Answer

Your request is assessed according to the situation, destination, client profile, and resources required. Sterling then coordinates the appropriate team and operational plan.

Question 28

Does Sterling provide emergency support?

Accepted Answer

Sterling can coordinate emergency assistance where its operational capabilities and local resources permit. The response depends on the nature and location of the incident.

Question 29

Can Sterling coordinate medical assistance?

Accepted Answer

Where available, Sterling can coordinate with appropriate medical providers and emergency services.

Question 30

Can Sterling help when a member loses important belongings?

Accepted Answer

Sterling can assist with coordination where appropriate, including communication, transportation, local support, and other practical arrangements. The specific assistance available depends on the situation and location.

Question 31

What is the Sterling Deferred Settlement Privilege?

Accepted Answer

Eligible members may receive the Sterling Deferred Settlement Privilege, allowing qualifying services to be settled after delivery according to their membership terms.

Question 32

What is the 30-day settlement window?

Accepted Answer

Eligible members may receive a 30-day settlement window for qualifying services. The applicable limit, services, and conditions are determined by the member's agreement.

Question 33

Can another security company work with Sterling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling partners with established close protection and security companies that require trusted local capability beyond their own operational coverage.

Question 34

Can Sterling work under our brand?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling can provide white-label operational support, allowing the partner company to maintain its client relationship and brand.

Question 35

What does Sterling handle?

Accepted Answer

Sterling can handle local risk assessment, team selection, secure travel, logistics, local coordination, deployment, and post-assignment reporting.

Question 36

How does a partnership work?

Accepted Answer

You brief us → We assess → We deploy → We report back.
Your client relationship remains with your organisation.

Question 37

Where can Sterling support partner companies?

Accepted Answer

Sterling's current operational network covers selected destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South America.

Question 38

What if you don't operate in the country we need?

Accepted Answer

Contact Sterling. Destination availability is assessed individually based on local capability, personnel, risk, and operational requirements.

Question 39

Who can become a Sterling Protection Partner?

Accepted Answer

Security companies, luxury travel providers, hotels and resorts, medical providers, private aviation companies, event organizers, and other businesses that can add value to the Sterling member experience may apply.

Question 40

How does the Sterling membership card work with partners?

Accepted Answer

Approved partners can verify an active Sterling membership through Sterling’s approved verification process and coordinate eligible services for the member.

Question 41

What can a partner do when a member presents the card?

Accepted Answer

Partners can provide services within their agreed scope and, where necessary, contact Sterling to coordinate further assistance or activate the appropriate response.

Question 42

Can partners assist during a critical situation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Depending on the partnership agreement, partners may initiate Sterling’s emergency response process in situations such as kidnapping, a credible threat to life, or loss of essential identification or communication.

Question 43

How are partner services paid for?

Accepted Answer

Eligible partner services are coordinated through Sterling and settled with the partner within the applicable 30-day settlement window.

Question 44

What information can partners access about members?

Accepted Answer

Partners receive only the information necessary to verify membership and provide the agreed service. Member information and circumstances must be handled with strict confidentiality.

Question 45

Do partners need to verify a Sterling card?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Partners use Sterling’s approved verification process to confirm that the card is valid and the membership is active before providing eligible services.

Question 46

Can a partner provide any service requested by a member?

Accepted Answer

Services are provided within the partner’s agreed scope and Sterling’s applicable terms. Additional support may require coordination or approval from Sterling.

Question 47

How does Sterling select its partners?

Accepted Answer

Partners are subject to Sterling’s review, verification, legal documentation and partnership approval process before joining the network.

Question 48

Can a Sterling partner work with other companies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sterling partnership does not necessarily prevent a business from working with other providers, subject to the terms of its Partnership Agreement.