Originally Posted by
chipbennett
Delta certainly has the data (and obviously aren't sharing it). I find it hard to believe that people who travel fewer than 15 travel days per year (which is essentially what Delta is claiming about the "vast majority" of cardholders) are going to change their behaviors, but I'm sure I don't think like a normal person. Maybe it really does just come down to a minority who travel far more than 15 days per year and who use Sky Clubs far more than the average card holder. But these people (including me), IMHO, are more likely to pay for additional Visits or purchase SC memberships - so, in the end, there will be no real reduction in Sky Club use by this minority of cardholders. Again, though: maybe I'm the odd one, and Delta has data that tell them this move will significantly change behavior.
I went digging and found the citation I was referring to. It was actually American Express--not Delta--who made this claim. It is possible Delta made this claim as well, but I can't find it. This article is dated September 29, 2023, which is after the initial changes were announced but before Delta rolled some of them back in mid-October 2023.
I agree with you that it'll be a bit of an experiment to see how much people will really change their behavior.
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/tr...y?id=103184655
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A representative for American Express told ABC News in an emailed statement that the changes to Delta Sky Club lounge access are being made "so visitors have a comfortable place to recharge and relax when they travel."
"Based on Card Member data, this number of visits will accommodate the vast majority of Platinum, Business Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members," the statement read. "Card Members will continue to have unlimited access to Delta Sky Club lounges through January 31, 2025.""