American Should Consider Lounge Line Skipping for CK (Delta Piloting)
Jun 7, 2022, 10:07 pm
#16
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Yes. DL also offers SkyClub access as one of their choice benefits for Diamonds. That's probably the largest contributor to DL lounge crowding. That, and the fact that the new DL lounges are actually worth spending money to visit. Unlike most Admirals Clubs (or United Clubs).
I'm sure that there are more Amex Plat holders then Diamonds
Jun 7, 2022, 10:24 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DCA
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There were between 50-60k EXPs before the pandemic and a similar number of DL Diamonds. Some reports say there are well over 1M Amex Platinum cardholders in the US alone. It isn't hard to figure out why DL lounges are crowded.
Jun 7, 2022, 10:32 pm
#18
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There's also a Delta co-branded Amex Plat that gives access. But it doesn't have many of the benefits as the regular Amex Plat.
Of course the Amex Plat is more popular than the Citi AA Exec. The Citi Exec is basically a discounted lounge membership and not much else. It's only useful for one airline. The Amex Plat is (IMO) the best travel credit card out there by a wide margin. You are not linked to getting benefits when you fly one airline. You get 5 pts per dollar on any airfare booked through an airline, and the points are transferable to a lot of airlines (including a few very valuable ones), you get lounge access in many airports regardless of the airline you are flying, and the IAP saves a lot of money if you buy international premium cabin tickets. There are also some hotel benefits that honestly I never use, but some people get good value there. You can also get discounts on just about any AA ticket.
Of course the Amex Plat is more popular than the Citi AA Exec. The Citi Exec is basically a discounted lounge membership and not much else. It's only useful for one airline. The Amex Plat is (IMO) the best travel credit card out there by a wide margin. You are not linked to getting benefits when you fly one airline. You get 5 pts per dollar on any airfare booked through an airline, and the points are transferable to a lot of airlines (including a few very valuable ones), you get lounge access in many airports regardless of the airline you are flying, and the IAP saves a lot of money if you buy international premium cabin tickets. There are also some hotel benefits that honestly I never use, but some people get good value there. You can also get discounts on just about any AA ticket.
Jun 7, 2022, 10:57 pm
#19
Formerly doc4science
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Yep. The co-branded Amex Delta Plat gives access for $39 (DL does not sell day passes to everyone anymore--you need the card) and the Amex Delta Reserve gives complimentary access.
Jun 7, 2022, 10:57 pm
#20
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So what? By definition, Diamonds tend to fly Delta, and frequently. Amex Plat holders may be flying any carrier, and when they do, will tend to access the CL, where they can guest their buddies for free. I'm sure many aren't even aware of the SkyClub benefit.
Jun 7, 2022, 11:38 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2019
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2. Even if most Amex Platinums are flying other airlines (I feel Amex Platinum cardholders skew away from the likes of Southwest, Allegiant/Spirit/Fronteir, but whatever), just 10% who regularly fly DL amounts to about double the amount of Delta DMs.
3. Delta SKs are much more numerous than ACs and they still have awful crowding problems. This is primarily due to them selling access to Amex.
4. There are 4x as many SKs as there are CLs. Most SK airports don't have CLs, so Amex Plat holders will "tend to access" SKs.
Jun 8, 2022, 5:44 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,263
We don't need a skip-the-line for CK. It's rarely a problem so we don't need a solution for it.
That said, I have had an agent open up a meeting room for me when the lounge was jammed, similar to how Amex has some reserved tables for Centurion members (well, at least they used to).
That said, I have had an agent open up a meeting room for me when the lounge was jammed, similar to how Amex has some reserved tables for Centurion members (well, at least they used to).
Jun 8, 2022, 6:12 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
We don't need a skip-the-line for CK. It's rarely a problem so we don't need a solution for it.
That said, I have had an agent open up a meeting room for me when the lounge was jammed, similar to how Amex has some reserved tables for Centurion members (well, at least they used to).
That said, I have had an agent open up a meeting room for me when the lounge was jammed, similar to how Amex has some reserved tables for Centurion members (well, at least they used to).
It's the little things and proper customer service gestures that make flying frequently either (1) a non-issue or (2) downright pleasant or (3) less miserable, depending on your particular situation and outlook towards travel. Nobody's asking for a private jet BBJ/G650 experience here (okay, some may recommend you do that when they have no clue about the cost difference, but still), it's a great willful gesture of AA.
Onto the thread's initial topic: I usually book flights for "off" times that don't always have busy FL or AC, so I can't really comment on the issues with lines that some of the posters here have dealt with. And since the B/C admirals club is closed in CLT at this time, I grab a bite elsewhere in the terminal and enjoy my time there without worrying about club access.
Long post / wall of text / but I hope that makes sense.
Very interesting read on this thread, for sure.
Jun 8, 2022, 7:21 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 264
You mean the RDM multiplier? Because the Citi Exec card is still only getting you 1x LP per dollar spent, even if it’s on AA. So you’re missing out on an additional 1x LP, but that’s it. (And personally, I’d always take 5x MR over the 2x AA RDM from the Citi card or the 3x from the Barclays Silver. If an AA card gave 5x RDM then I’d probably use that sometimes, though.)
Jun 8, 2022, 10:01 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2017
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From these forums (and much of the bloggers), I've been under the impression that flying was some version of gaining various levels of membership within a (not very private) club. Doesn't matter where I am going. What matters is that I get Krug in F served by a flight attendant wearing white gloves before the plane goes weeeeee.
Jun 8, 2022, 11:09 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2008
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There's also a Delta co-branded Amex Plat that gives access. But it doesn't have many of the benefits as the regular Amex Plat.
Of course the Amex Plat is more popular than the Citi AA Exec. The Citi Exec is basically a discounted lounge membership and not much else. It's only useful for one airline. The Amex Plat is (IMO) the best travel credit card out there by a wide margin. You are not limited to getting benefits when you fly one airline. You get 5 pts per dollar on any airfare booked through an airline, and the points are transferable to a lot of airlines (including a few very valuable ones), you get lounge access in many airports regardless of the airline you are flying, and the IAP saves a lot of money if you buy international premium cabin tickets. There are also some hotel benefits that honestly I never use, but some people get good value there. You can also get discounts on just about any AA ticket.
Of course the Amex Plat is more popular than the Citi AA Exec. The Citi Exec is basically a discounted lounge membership and not much else. It's only useful for one airline. The Amex Plat is (IMO) the best travel credit card out there by a wide margin. You are not limited to getting benefits when you fly one airline. You get 5 pts per dollar on any airfare booked through an airline, and the points are transferable to a lot of airlines (including a few very valuable ones), you get lounge access in many airports regardless of the airline you are flying, and the IAP saves a lot of money if you buy international premium cabin tickets. There are also some hotel benefits that honestly I never use, but some people get good value there. You can also get discounts on just about any AA ticket.
Jun 8, 2022, 1:52 pm
#27
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Jun 8, 2022, 3:37 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, DL Platinum
Posts: 597
I remember when lounges were supposed to be a refuge from all the lines at the airport.
Clearly, we need a members-only club for travelers who want to get away from the chaos of the Admirals Club.
Clearly, we need a members-only club for travelers who want to get away from the chaos of the Admirals Club.
Jun 8, 2022, 4:28 pm
#29
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As Yogi Berra once said, "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
Jul 11, 2022, 6:39 am
#30
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While a nice thought has anyone encountered long lines at AA lounges? I've dealt with a big line at the ATL B SC but not once have I waited in a line to enter an Admirals Club or FL this year at any airport.