Sky Club beverage changes confirmed by DL
May 14, 2013, 4:20 pm
#346
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MRY
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Posts: 117
Thanks for this interesting—and, for Delta, damning—information. I'd also be interested to see the prices of Dewar's and Scoresby, since the scotch offering seems to have dropped the most in quality (not that Dewar's was good to begin with). Scoresby? Really? I still can't get over the sheer tackiness of it.
Dewars $347.00
Scorsby's $143.00
Once again this is a Diagio thing; but DL could have chosen
J. Walker Red $292.00
J&B Rare $283.25
Or for a nice bump up
JW Black $ 419.00
Last edited by Mendobrew; May 14, 2013 at 4:23 pm Reason: added JW Black pricing
May 14, 2013, 4:24 pm
#347
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Former 16 year Gold Medallion
Posts: 252
Is this a sign that Virgin Atlantic is calling the code share deal off?
May 14, 2013, 4:33 pm
#348
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MLB, MCO
Programs: Delta Plat, IHG Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,315
The rum change was obviously to get all liquors that are served at Skyclubs into the Diagio portfolio. I understand the choice to go all Diagio products; consistency across all states and only having to source from one distributor in all states. It also helps that Diagio’s largest distributor in the US (Southern Wine & Spirits) is also the main liquor distributor in most DL hub states.
But… Delta could have chosen 10 Cane Rum instead of Meyers Platinum and they still would have purchased a less expensive product than Bacardi (about $5 a case) and 10 Cane is far superior to most other highly distributed rums.
I would love to have been a fly on the wall when the Diagio deal was done. It would be interesting to see what states liquor laws that Delta was able to use to take advantage of the no cost or greatly reduced pricing on product that Diagio used as a carrot to get this deal done. I would also be willing to bet that several cases of Veuve and BV Latour made their way to certain offices on Virginia Ave as a small thank you this past holiday season…
But… Delta could have chosen 10 Cane Rum instead of Meyers Platinum and they still would have purchased a less expensive product than Bacardi (about $5 a case) and 10 Cane is far superior to most other highly distributed rums.
I would love to have been a fly on the wall when the Diagio deal was done. It would be interesting to see what states liquor laws that Delta was able to use to take advantage of the no cost or greatly reduced pricing on product that Diagio used as a carrot to get this deal done. I would also be willing to bet that several cases of Veuve and BV Latour made their way to certain offices on Virginia Ave as a small thank you this past holiday season…
I would have much rather had them eliminate the scotch completely and replace it with something different like Bushmills (another Diageo product) rather than offer the garbage they chose.
JD isn't a Diageo product. I'm surprise they kept it.
May 14, 2013, 5:17 pm
#349
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
IF they save money, good for them.... They do what is right for their business, I must do what is right for mine...
AA sent me a free bump to Platinum with 20 U/G Chits and 12K by 8/31 gets me PLT to 2015... Not the greatest offer, and I would prefer EXP but it is a little late in the year to go for that... BUT the point is... at the beginning of the year, I would have never taken AA up on this... Now, I have accepted...
Not that AA and the AC's are much better, but since there is no real benefit to DL and its SC's, why not vary my loyalties....
I went from a varied loyalty a few years ago, to all in on DL. Now its back to varying my spend...
AA sent me a free bump to Platinum with 20 U/G Chits and 12K by 8/31 gets me PLT to 2015... Not the greatest offer, and I would prefer EXP but it is a little late in the year to go for that... BUT the point is... at the beginning of the year, I would have never taken AA up on this... Now, I have accepted...
Not that AA and the AC's are much better, but since there is no real benefit to DL and its SC's, why not vary my loyalties....
I went from a varied loyalty a few years ago, to all in on DL. Now its back to varying my spend...
May 14, 2013, 5:25 pm
#350
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,106
- Complimentary spirits: Vodka - Gordon's; Gin – Gordon’s; Rum - Myers's Platinum; Scotch – Scoresby; Bourbon - Jack Daniel's; Sweet Vermouth - Martini & Rossi; Extra Dry Vermouth - Martini & Rossi.
- Complimentary beer: Budweiser and Miller Lite
- Complimentary wine: no changes to current wine offerings
May 14, 2013, 5:25 pm
#351
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
The new offerings are comparable to house/well brands in other airport lounges.
- Complimentary spirits: Vodka - Gordon's; Gin – Gordon’s; Rum - Myers's Platinum; Scotch – Scoresby; Bourbon - Jack Daniel's; Sweet Vermouth - Martini & Rossi; Extra Dry Vermouth - Martini & Rossi.
- Complimentary beer: Budweiser and Miller Lite
- Complimentary wine: no changes to current wine offerings
Even as a pre-21 undergraduate in college, I was smart enough not to drink Gordon's products.
May 14, 2013, 5:34 pm
#352
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,360
The rum change was obviously to get all liquors that are served at Skyclubs into the Diagio portfolio. I understand the choice to go all Diagio products; consistency across all states and only having to source from one distributor in all states. It also helps that Diagio’s largest distributor in the US (Southern Wine & Spirits) is also the main liquor distributor in most DL hub states.
Most curious is the decision to retain Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, which costs considerably more than (read: double) the new low-rent brands and isn't owned by Diageo. Bulleit Bourbon would seem to be the logical Diageo-owned alternative. (I would have appreciated the addition of the same distiller's rye whiskey as well.)
May 14, 2013, 5:45 pm
#354
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
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Nice, so no more baileys either? That used to be good with coffee or just on the rocks on occasion. I'm sure it'll be moved to the "luxury" bar for 8 bucks a shot.
Gordons vodka is undrinkable... we didn't even use that for college parties. Bud and miller lite on tap too? Yeah pick the most commercialized high volume generic "beer" too. Myers Plat is about a lateral move from Bacardi which was overrated and overpriced to begin with.
So the options are going to be 3 cheap white liquors, 2 of which are undrinkable (vodka/gin) and two brown liquors, one of which is also cheap crap (scoresby) and the other is whiskey NOT burbon. Not going to touch beer that we used to get in kegs for Beirut parties, and no way in hell am I going to pay the $7 or whatever for a bottle of "luxury bar" beer.
I wonder if the bartenders are going to see their tips drop. Personally I'm not giving a tip for a drink made with swill.
I love the corporate line about customer feedback also. Show me anyone who asked for this reduced and downgraded selection of spirits and beer, coupled with higher annual fees.
Gordons vodka is undrinkable... we didn't even use that for college parties. Bud and miller lite on tap too? Yeah pick the most commercialized high volume generic "beer" too. Myers Plat is about a lateral move from Bacardi which was overrated and overpriced to begin with.
So the options are going to be 3 cheap white liquors, 2 of which are undrinkable (vodka/gin) and two brown liquors, one of which is also cheap crap (scoresby) and the other is whiskey NOT burbon. Not going to touch beer that we used to get in kegs for Beirut parties, and no way in hell am I going to pay the $7 or whatever for a bottle of "luxury bar" beer.
I wonder if the bartenders are going to see their tips drop. Personally I'm not giving a tip for a drink made with swill.
I love the corporate line about customer feedback also. Show me anyone who asked for this reduced and downgraded selection of spirits and beer, coupled with higher annual fees.
May 14, 2013, 5:57 pm
#356
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
Most curious is the decision to retain Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, which costs considerably more than (read: double) the new low-rent brands and isn't owned by Diageo. Bulleit Bourbon would seem to be the logical Diageo-owned alternative. (I would have appreciated the addition of the same distiller's rye whiskey as well.)
May 14, 2013, 6:04 pm
#358
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: KANSAS CITY
Programs: DL DM, MARRIOTT AMBASSADOR LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 453
Atleast they could have gone with Svedka vodka!!!!!!!!! If another airline would create a business model taking care of their customers, there would be a mass exodus of customers willing to pay the price for good service and quality product. It could be done. Delta took the low road. They are becoming Southwest airlines. Actually worse.
May 14, 2013, 6:07 pm
#359
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: halfway between JFK and LGA
Posts: 976
Thanks for this interesting—and, for Delta, damning—information. I'd also be interested to see the prices of Dewar's and Scoresby, since the scotch offering seems to have dropped the most in quality (not that Dewar's was good to begin with). Scoresby? Really? I still can't get over the sheer tackiness of it.
this booze downgrade is seriously petty and really shows how much delta values their skyclub customers.
i think that we can judge from the lack of interaction in this thread from the delta reps on FT that they could not care less about our opinions.
however, i've been to a few united red carpet clubs lately, and i gotta tell you that things are not better over there. this is all about scaling service down to the level of the competition. if their product is garbage, too then there is no reason to change loyalty based on it. smart business move, i guess.
May 14, 2013, 6:10 pm
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
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I guess the bean counters saw lots of ham in the sandwiches in the SC so are extracting all they can there too. I think the ham was replaced with spam.