Originally Posted by
AUDirt
I am absolutely sure that this has been discussed elsewhere, but I'll go ahead and toss it out anyway:
Is it possible that the uptick in visitors at the SkyClubs, particularly in ATL, is just the product of the NWA merger? I'm sure the free access to DMs increases traffic slightly, but honestly I think there are way fewer DMs than most FTers estimate.
Between DL's normal routing preferences and their decision to slightly decrease traffic at the NW legacy hubs (MSP, MEM) I have to think there are way more elites transiting through ATL than in the past. I think I've read about SC renovations, but those have practical limits.
I'm new to the SkyClub scene and am happy with the service thus far. But I haven't encountered anything remotely like what's being described here, and I'm really not eager to experience the zoo-like atmosphere everyone is describing.
For many years, I got "free" Crown Room access being a Plat. There were less rooms in ATL and they were at times crowded. I am talking back to the 90s here. When Delta got in $ trouble, they closed down rooms in places like BHM and started to charge PLats for membership. They were still pretty crowded at times.
It seems about that time, all of a sudden, anyone with a CC could get in... it came accross as less exclusive and certainly less about a spot for road warriors...
When Diamond came around, I got in "free" again.
Frankly, it started out as an exclusive place for Delta's best customers. Now, it is not.... but it is what it is and I like that they are spending $ on them and making them nicer.
At the end of the day, I hope Delta remembers their roots here and how the Crown Room concept was a big part of how they built loyalty among their core Biz travellers....