Delta SkyClub Lifetime Membership
#91
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Programs: AA 4MM EXP; Starwood Lifetime Plt
Posts: 2,498
Pan Am
I bought mine in the 60's or 70's from Pan Am. It was in the $400 range as far as I remember. Delta took it over with WorldPass and other Pan Am liabilities.
#92
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sarasota, FL
Programs: Northwest Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador, National Executive Elite
Posts: 613
Curious
I’m curious how many lifetime membership still exist out there? I thought about it today when I used it to get in a Delta sky club when I was not flying Delta. I totally forgot about that perk. I bought mine over 25 years ago. One of the best investments I ever made. Although $2500 at the time was a lot of money for me
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
I’m curious how many lifetime membership still exist out there? I thought about it today when I used it to get in a Delta sky club when I was not flying Delta. I totally forgot about that perk. I bought mine over 25 years ago. One of the best investments I ever made. Although $2500 at the time was a lot of money for me
$999 in 1995
#94
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: None that I am proud of anymore
Posts: 571
I got mine back in the 70's from Western Airlines merged with Delta sometime in I believe '87 ?
Grandfathered Lifetime renewal ever since that time - a terrific bargain windfall.
But it is not like the ole days when the clubs were no where near crowded and with all those new restrictions.
Still yet it is some sort of haven with better beverages and food than the past.
Grandfathered Lifetime renewal ever since that time - a terrific bargain windfall.
But it is not like the ole days when the clubs were no where near crowded and with all those new restrictions.
Still yet it is some sort of haven with better beverages and food than the past.
#96
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BSB
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 4,914
Price varied if you were Platinum, Gold or Silver Elite
Just prior to combining, NW still sold a lifetime club membership while DL did not. Lifetime for NW was a little over $2800. 0n 9/2009 NW credited unused portion of a 3 year membership fee leaving a net cost of $2415. This became a lifetime DL admission plus 2 guests. To date, cost per each admission is $6.80 and still falling. One of my better buys.
I was Platinum Elite (recieved the $2,800 overall cost) and used remaining credit for a 3 year membership and $2315 cash for my NWA WC lifetime membership. When the merger was complete it transfered over as a Skyclub Lifetime membership.
RC
#97
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver,AS 100K 22-24, AS 75K 15-21
Posts: 4,278
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
I purchased mine as a NW lifetime in the 2000’s for $2500 as a Gold member.
Keep in mind, that in those days, even the best of domestic clubs had nothing more than nuts and drinks. There was no buffet bar or anything like that.
I remember in the 90’s when I lived in Cincinnati (when I had a three-year Crown Room Membership), I would drive to the airport and sit in the club for hours writing my thesis. To get online (AOL), I would go to the phone kiosk and unplug the corded phone, attached the cord to my laptop, and dial the local AOL number from my modem.
Keep in mind, that in those days, even the best of domestic clubs had nothing more than nuts and drinks. There was no buffet bar or anything like that.
I remember in the 90’s when I lived in Cincinnati (when I had a three-year Crown Room Membership), I would drive to the airport and sit in the club for hours writing my thesis. To get online (AOL), I would go to the phone kiosk and unplug the corded phone, attached the cord to my laptop, and dial the local AOL number from my modem.
#100
Join Date: Feb 2024
Programs: Delta
Posts: 6
My husband and I purchased our lifetime memberships back in 1985. When purchased there were no restrictions whatsoever. We could use the club whether not we flew Delta. We could use it regardless of what type of fare we purchased. We only had to show our lifetime membership cards. We don't travel that much anymore but a few times per year down to our place in Arizona and back. Yesterday we went to the Sky Club in Seattle and were turned away because we had not purchased Main Cabin fares. When we were turned away it was a bit embarrassing and I have to say the employee was not very nice about it. It would have been a little face-saving if she had said something kind or at least looked sympathetic but we got none of that. We left without argument but then we wondered: this must mean that we must fly Delta and can't fly other airlines! Again, when we purchased these lifetime memberships there were no restrictions whatsoever. How can they change that contract now - after the fact? Seems to us they have a fiduciary responsibility to honor the contract that they agreed to when we purchased it. So we called Delta Customer Service and were told we could fly other airlines as long as we did not fly Basic fare (or the equivalent). Really? So this means I could fly United or Alaska, their competitors, at business or first class - thus giving their competititors the business, and they would reward me by allowing me into the Sky Club?! But if I am loyal and purchase a fare on Delta - even though it's basic - they will not allow me that. How does that make any sense??
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,043
My husband and I purchased our lifetime memberships back in 1985. When purchased there were no restrictions whatsoever. We could use the club whether not we flew Delta. We could use it regardless of what type of fare we purchased. We only had to show our lifetime membership cards. We don't travel that much anymore but a few times per year down to our place in Arizona and back. Yesterday we went to the Sky Club in Seattle and were turned away because we had not purchased Main Cabin fares. When we were turned away it was a bit embarrassing and I have to say the employee was not very nice about it. It would have been a little face-saving if she had said something kind or at least looked sympathetic but we got none of that. We left without argument but then we wondered: this must mean that we must fly Delta and can't fly other airlines! Again, when we purchased these lifetime memberships there were no restrictions whatsoever. How can they change that contract now - after the fact? Seems to us they have a fiduciary responsibility to honor the contract that they agreed to when we purchased it. So we called Delta Customer Service and were told we could fly other airlines as long as we did not fly Basic fare (or the equivalent). Really? So this means I could fly United or Alaska, their competitors, at business or first class - thus giving their competititors the business, and they would reward me by allowing me into the Sky Club?! But if I am loyal and purchase a fare on Delta - even though it's basic - they will not allow me that. How does that make any sense??
You don't need be on DL or partners, nor in a certain cabin to enter, nor is BE an issue. Quite common mistake. Ask for club manager or airport station manager if they continue to deny.
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,063
They can't. The agent likely didn't understand you have Lifetime membership. These haven't been sold in nearly 2 decades.
You don't need be on DL or partners, nor in a certain cabin to enter, nor is BE an issue. Quite common mistake. Ask for club manager or airport station manager if they continue to deny.
You don't need be on DL or partners, nor in a certain cabin to enter, nor is BE an issue. Quite common mistake. Ask for club manager or airport station manager if they continue to deny.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/delta-sky-club/access
#103
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 2,005
Had this happen so often that I finally printed the terms from DL's website and now carry this printed copy with me to present to SC desk agents who are ignorant of LT SC member rules. This is regarding flying other carriers, not flying BE
#105