flyerCO

The rules are quite clear. DL is a ST carrier. Trying to say otherwise is being obtuse. Thus is the same wording that was used before. I highly doubt someone at DL believes that DL isn't part of ST, or that people would think it wasn't.

This same argument has been made in past, and Canada has always been included.

xliioper

Once again, here is the old wording that had been there for a number of years (since 2015). You can go back even further and the only difference from the below is that it said BusinessElite instead of Delta One:

"Delta One or Skyteam Premium Cabin Passenger

Customers traveling in Delta One on an international Delta flight or a domestic Delta flight connecting to/from a same-day international Delta flight* in Delta One or travel in international First/Business Class on a SkyTeam-operated flight. "

How is the new text really any different from the old text? In both cases, you are dependent on the the DL flight being considered a "Skyteam-operated" flight for access as there are no international Delta One flights involved.

pvn

yes, in the past canada was included, nobody disputes that. Amazingly, rules can change.

xliioper

Please read the old language from previous web snapshots that I quoted above. How have they changed the text substantively?

mnflyer58

They haven't. If they wish to exclude Delta first class passengers to Mexico and Canada from lounge access, there's a simple 3 word fix to make it crystal clear. The lawyer in me says the language they have now is ambiguous at best. Add the three words, make it clear. (Note: I'm not putting the language here because Delta's cadre of lawyers should be able to figure it out for themselves, if they truly intend to exclude first class passengers)

I had lounge access when I traveled first class to Mexico in October with no issues at all. If, indeed, they are "changing" access now based on the some alleged "new" language (and it really isn't "new"), then it should ONLY apply to tickets purchased on or after the "change." And, I would suggest such if I'm questioned for lounge access for my upcoming flight. When I purchased the ticket, there's no question that lounge access was included. This is a benefit that the fee I paid covers. No fair changing it after I've paid my $$$, right?

AANYC1981

xliioper

The Flagship Lounges are a different product and you didn't answer the question (how is the new wording really any different from the old). DL could perhaps put a different spin on the meaning of "International First" and interpret it to mean a true International First product (like you can find on partners like AF), rather than the FC product found on DL Canada/Mexico flights which are essentially domestic FC.

MSPeconomist

AANYC1981

SamuelS

This is an unfortunate very recent downgrade from Delta it would appear. The wording has indeed changed to make "When flying Delta" distinct from "When flying SkyTeam partners" and the new wording would indicate that while Canada is "International" - only Delta One cabin travel will confer lounge access when flying internationally.

Given that both UA and AC offer lounge access on premium cabin transborder travel, and UA/AC have a much stronger transborder network than DL and their half-baked partnership that's really not a partnership with WestJet, I'm surprised to see Delta move forward with this negative change.

pvn

well in that case maybe I'm wrong

jbb

Thanks everyone for the thoughts on whether Canadian itineraries in first class (with no status) get access to Sky Clubs. I'm going to go with the view that there has been a change and we no longer get access. Whatever the case though, Delta clearly has done a poor job of communicating this as even frequent flyers in the know are vigorously debating the meaning of the rules. This will affect my future flying choice as I know I can get lounge access when flying Air Canada in their business cabin. I may still go with Delta First, but it is a negative factor.

flyerCO

Just visited LAX T2 SC. Per manager on duty nothing has changed in regards to Canada. It's just the normal wonky wording and fact agents have Delta One grilled into their heads.

I also called DL Customer Service who put me on hold for nearly 30 minutes. After first saying never has Canada gotten access, came back and said they learned something today after contacting SC support. They learned Canada FC gets access.

KDCAflyer

jbb

After reading this, I tried the @Delta twitter account again. This time, I was in a direct message chat and they specifically looked up the ticket reservation. They stuck to the "Delta One" language and said that if it's not Delta One, there's no Sky Club access.