Time to limit SkyClub access
Oct 17, 2011, 5:19 pm
#76
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AA
Posts: 441
I'll get bashed here probably, but I think DL should take away the free SC benefit for DMs. That will help alleviate some of the over crowding in the domestic lounges.
For NRT, they need to expand the clubs. They are full of paid J passengers with many flights departing around the same time.
For NRT, they need to expand the clubs. They are full of paid J passengers with many flights departing around the same time.
Oct 17, 2011, 5:27 pm
#77
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
I hear you! I hardly have room to shave, let alone clip my toenails in the Sky Clubs any more. Plus, they're so loud now I have to practically shout whilst on a call to my buddies when I brag to them I'm on my 4th double Dewar's.
Oct 17, 2011, 7:11 pm
#78
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CVG
Programs: Delta - PM / MM, UA 1K Starwood-Gold
Posts: 451
One precocious 4 yr old actually had the nerve to look me directly in the eye !!!!!
Whatever happened to boarding schools ???
Oct 17, 2011, 7:22 pm
#79
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Hopefully you will be wearing your Diamond Medallion hat for all photos... (at least the ones that get posted on the internets...)
Oct 17, 2011, 7:36 pm
#81
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MLB
Posts: 445
I usually fly DL, but prefer AMEX access instead of purchasing SkyClub membership partly because when I don't fly DL I can often still get lounge access. Which raises the point - AA and US accept AMEX, but are rarely crowded, in my experience. UA/CO does not accept AMEX any longer, but their clubs still seem to be crowded (at least the CO ones). So my guess is that the real problem is not the AMEX, but that DL has actually been successful in recruiting a lot of passengers, including those interested in entry to the SkyClub.
Oct 17, 2011, 8:02 pm
#82
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Northwoods
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 705
As to overcrowding in the Sky Clubs:
3) The current program of club remodeling is geared towards a more open floor plan that allows for the "attract the masses and to hell with the experience" paradigm that is in favor with DL management right now. The DTW clubs, for those of you who appreciate them, are scheduled to be similarly reamed out. Ask the staff there... they are concerned.
3) The current program of club remodeling is geared towards a more open floor plan that allows for the "attract the masses and to hell with the experience" paradigm that is in favor with DL management right now. The DTW clubs, for those of you who appreciate them, are scheduled to be similarly reamed out. Ask the staff there... they are concerned.
Oct 17, 2011, 8:44 pm
#83
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM, 4MM, SC, AmEx Reserve, UA Plat, SPG/Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,383
I have been a Crown Room/SC member for many, many years and I have watched the product be diminished year after year and am quite frustrated with the decline in what we get in return. Just completed my challenge to diamond with Hilton this week and have spent less with Hilton this year than DL and the Hilton executive lounges are frequently a much better product than airline lounges. I recognize it's a different product but the point is that the quality of the product can be maintained and apparently can be achieved at a relatively low cost per entry. I would like to see DL implement a stratified entry system. Paid SC members get first shot, followed by DMs, followed by paid day pass sales, followed by AmEx cardholders, etc. Most importantly, I'd like to see them begin limiting "lower" categories of entry as the clubs fill up. What's wrong with saying "this lounge is at capacity to provide an exclusive product, there's another lounge on the E concourse (ATL) you can try." That way you can keep the benefit out there for all but guarantee entry to those who pay for it and help with the overcrowding issue. If a ST partner lounge can disallow entry to a partner based on "overcrowding" why can't DL disallow entry to a partner (AmEx) based on overcrowding?
Oct 17, 2011, 9:15 pm
#84
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: The District
Programs: DL,AA SPG Plat
Posts: 352
I have been a Crown Room/SC member for many, many years and I have watched the product be diminished year after year and am quite frustrated with the decline in what we get in return. Just completed my challenge to diamond with Hilton this week and have spent less with Hilton this year than DL and the Hilton executive lounges are frequently a much better product than airline lounges. I recognize it's a different product but the point is that the quality of the product can be maintained and apparently can be achieved at a relatively low cost per entry. I would like to see DL implement a stratified entry system. Paid SC members get first shot, followed by DMs, followed by paid day pass sales, followed by AmEx cardholders, etc. Most importantly, I'd like to see them begin limiting "lower" categories of entry as the clubs fill up. What's wrong with saying "this lounge is at capacity to provide an exclusive product, there's another lounge on the E concourse (ATL) you can try." That way you can keep the benefit out there for all but guarantee entry to those who pay for it and help with the overcrowding issue. If a ST partner lounge can disallow entry to a partner based on "overcrowding" why can't DL disallow entry to a partner (AmEx) based on overcrowding?
It really comes down to we cant have our cake and eat it too. We cannot have numerous Skyclub locations and free booze based solely on the fees from actual SC members. There needs to be alternative sources of revenue and AMEX is it.
Oct 17, 2011, 9:28 pm
#85
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 223
I would like to see DL implement a stratified entry system. Paid SC members get first shot, followed by DMs, followed by paid day pass sales, followed by AmEx cardholders, etc. Most importantly, I'd like to see them begin limiting "lower" categories of entry as the clubs fill up....That way you can keep the benefit out there for all but guarantee entry to those who pay for it and help with the overcrowding issue. If a ST partner lounge can disallow entry to a partner based on "overcrowding" why can't DL disallow entry to a partner (AmEx) based on overcrowding?
How do you arrive at who is a 'lower' category of entry?
If pax A pays $450 outright to use the club, does he have right of first entry? He has generated only $450 in income for the year to DL.
If pax B obtains access as a DM, does he have right of first entry? He has potentially generated tens or maybe hundreds of thousands dollars in revenue for DL, and granting him access as a small token of appreciation is a small price.
If pax C pays $50 for the day, does he get first right? He has paid more directly to the club than anyone else for a single use.
If pax D accesses the club via his AMEX PLAT or CENT card, and uses the clubs very often then he can possibly generate more revenue to the club directly than any of the others, and as a group (all AMEX access combined) definitely more than the others.
Your stratified system is built on a false premise that some customers are some how more entitled than others to use a product that they are all paying for.
This of course does not apply to guest access, and I think we can all agree that this is an area that needs to be addressed.
Oct 18, 2011, 7:28 am
#87
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AA
Posts: 441
AA and US clubs = pay for alcohol (except cheap house wine in some US clubs at certain hours of the day).
Period!
Oct 18, 2011, 9:03 am
#89
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Varying levels of elite and non-elite across several vendors.
Posts: 71
Actually Priority Pass just expanded their relationship with United Clubs. PP members can now access almost ALL United lounges (all but KIX for whatever reason).
Oct 18, 2011, 9:17 am
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
I think you are a bit out of date. UA and AA offer the same free alcohol as DL (Well liquor, wine and beer). This is why it is important to have other airline experience on these boards. You can be making decisions based on old data. A great example is the new Platinum tier at UA. Many folks still think a Plat match to UA will = Gold (Prem exec). Not so any longer. Not endorsing UA Plat as I have no idea how it lines up just making a point that this stuff is always changing.