Jan 10, 2014, 3:20 pm
Last edit by: bgriff
Summary of Changes and Frequently Asked Questions
These changes are effective May 1, 2014
This topic is a prime candidate for Wikipost. Let's see if we can't pull one together incorporating the details of the changes, as well as DLCorpGirl's responses to some of our questions.
SkyClub membership has been split into two tiers: Executive and Individual.
Executive members may guest two individuals, or immediate family (spouse + children under 21) without additional charge. Executive members may guest up to 2 additional individuals for $29 each per visit.
Individual members must pay for all guests. Individual members may guest up to 2 individuals, or immediate family (spouse + children under 21) for $29 each per visit.
Lifetime Memberships will be converted to Lifetime Executive Memberships, per DLCorpGal.
30 Day Skyclub Pass - this has been discontinued per Delta contacts.
American Express Delta Reserve and American Express Platinum or Centurion Card (not American Express Delta Platinum co-branded credit card, but American Express non-branded Platinum Charge Card) members may guest up to 2 individuals, or immediate family (spouse + children under 21) for $29 each per visit.
The fee for the Delta Gold American Express and Delta Platinum American Express cardmembers will increase to $29 per visit, per DLCorpGal.
Diamond Medallions may upgrade to an Executive Membership as a Choice Benefit or by using miles or cash to pay the difference. No confirmation on miles, but the cash difference is confirmed to be $145 if done by 3/1/15 per DLCorpGal. NOTE: Diamond Medallions have Executive Membership until 2/28/15. After this date, they will have Individual Membership by default.
Alaska Board Room membership is a workaround as of 1/15/14 for $450 1 year - $1050 3 years and includes 2 guests FREE or family. Note, however, that the AS/DL relationship isn't as good as it used to be and there's no guarantee that the Board Room/SkyClub reciprocity relationship will continue as it currently exists. -- As of February 2015 AS club membership no longer includes guests at Delta lounges.
These changes are effective May 1, 2014
This topic is a prime candidate for Wikipost. Let's see if we can't pull one together incorporating the details of the changes, as well as DLCorpGirl's responses to some of our questions.
SkyClub membership has been split into two tiers: Executive and Individual.
Executive members may guest two individuals, or immediate family (spouse + children under 21) without additional charge. Executive members may guest up to 2 additional individuals for $29 each per visit.
Individual members must pay for all guests. Individual members may guest up to 2 individuals, or immediate family (spouse + children under 21) for $29 each per visit.
Lifetime Memberships will be converted to Lifetime Executive Memberships, per DLCorpGal.
30 Day Skyclub Pass - this has been discontinued per Delta contacts.
American Express Delta Reserve and American Express Platinum or Centurion Card (not American Express Delta Platinum co-branded credit card, but American Express non-branded Platinum Charge Card) members may guest up to 2 individuals, or immediate family (spouse + children under 21) for $29 each per visit.
The fee for the Delta Gold American Express and Delta Platinum American Express cardmembers will increase to $29 per visit, per DLCorpGal.
Diamond Medallions may upgrade to an Executive Membership as a Choice Benefit or by using miles or cash to pay the difference. No confirmation on miles, but the cash difference is confirmed to be $145 if done by 3/1/15 per DLCorpGal. NOTE: Diamond Medallions have Executive Membership until 2/28/15. After this date, they will have Individual Membership by default.
Alaska Board Room membership is a workaround as of 1/15/14 for $450 1 year - $1050 3 years and includes 2 guests FREE or family. Note, however, that the AS/DL relationship isn't as good as it used to be and there's no guarantee that the Board Room/SkyClub reciprocity relationship will continue as it currently exists. -- As of February 2015 AS club membership no longer includes guests at Delta lounges.
Updates to Delta Sky Club membership Options
Jan 10, 2014, 8:25 am
#166
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,276
Why not MSP? Also ATL already has The Club in F which is in PP, so a Centurion lounge would be somewhat superfluous. At SEA, LAX, and a few other airports, the AS Boardrooms are currently a good alternative.
Realistically Centurion and similar clubs are unlikely to apprear at airports like LAX, JFK, and LGA that aren't connected airside.
Realistically Centurion and similar clubs are unlikely to apprear at airports like LAX, JFK, and LGA that aren't connected airside.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:26 am
#167
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,063
Jan 10, 2014, 8:26 am
#168
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 110
I think this is a net loss. I often travel with one adult companion (either my girlfriend on personal travel, or a work colleague for business), and now in most cases we will not be going in the lounge as a result (which may be good news to those of you who have an issue with overcrowding.)
I sense that I am in the minority here, but I do not have an issue with overcrowding, and I've paid multiple visits to lounges in ATL, JFK, LGA, LAX, SEA, MSP and others. Sure, less people in some cases would provide a slightly more tranquil experience, but I'm always able to find a seat, get a drink/snacks, charge my devices etc. without issue.
I sense that I am in the minority here, but I do not have an issue with overcrowding, and I've paid multiple visits to lounges in ATL, JFK, LGA, LAX, SEA, MSP and others. Sure, less people in some cases would provide a slightly more tranquil experience, but I'm always able to find a seat, get a drink/snacks, charge my devices etc. without issue.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:26 am
#169
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
I'm one of the biggest critics of the cheap booze switch, but this, WITHOUT A DOUBT will make it nicer in the club. I wish they'd raise it to $1000 for membership. Those would be MQD's, right? =-)
Jan 10, 2014, 8:26 am
#170
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, AA EXP, UA Silver, former DL DM
Posts: 2,001
IME the AmEx Plat kids are the best of the bunch, then DM offspring and Reserve card families are about the same, then SC member offspring, and the worst are the GroupOn bunch. Maybe the problem is that those who plan to travel with large families are most likely to buy the SC membership versus the elite credit cards having financial requirements and other benefits beyond SC use by the whole gang.
X kids are the best since their parents have to meet "financial requirements", whereas Y kids are the worst since their parents use Groupon...? Your contempt for lower-income families is showing.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:27 am
#171
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 647
Separately, I guess I one could use the AMEX Plat $200 credit for these fees, but consider that for a family of 4, it's $87 each way (assuming no connection!), so $174 of the $200 on just one RT.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:27 am
#172
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Atlanta/DC
Posts: 297
Wow. For those complaining about overcrowding or out of control children running wild through the lounge, this is excellent news.
OTOH, those who use their membership to guest in friends and family will take a hit, especially the family with spouse and a few children. Now the entrance cost for them will be like the fee to get into a Disney park.
OTOH, those who use their membership to guest in friends and family will take a hit, especially the family with spouse and a few children. Now the entrance cost for them will be like the fee to get into a Disney park.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:27 am
#174
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Spam; SPG Gold; other randoms
Posts: 198
THIS!
I hardly use the clubs anymore, even though I'm entitled to them with my J tickets. When Heineken is the "best" complimentary beverage on tap I'll pass. (I'm still bitter about losing the NW craft and local beers in air and at clubs). Add to that the fact that public restaurants in the terminal are quieter and enforce keeping children in check FTW.
Maybe if the reduction in people increases the product I'll check it out again.
I hardly use the clubs anymore, even though I'm entitled to them with my J tickets. When Heineken is the "best" complimentary beverage on tap I'll pass. (I'm still bitter about losing the NW craft and local beers in air and at clubs). Add to that the fact that public restaurants in the terminal are quieter and enforce keeping children in check FTW.
Maybe if the reduction in people increases the product I'll check it out again.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:28 am
#175
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
I believe that there was something in the old T&Cs about this as well. I have never once seen that enacted/enforced though.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:29 am
#176
[INACTIVE] Company Representative - Delta Air Lines
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 150
Jan 10, 2014, 8:29 am
#177
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
The email I received noted the following (bold formatting is by me):
Diamond Medallion® members will continue to enjoy complimentary Executive Membership through the 2014 Medallion year. If you qualify for 2015 Diamond Medallion status, you will receive a complimentary Individual Membership beginning March 1, 2015. And, if guest access is a priority, you may upgrade to an Executive Membership as one of your Choice Benefits or by using miles or cash to pay the difference.
This suggest that next year we can upgrade with cash. How much? Would it be $695 minus the $100 Platinum discount minus the $450 value of the individual membership?
Diamond Medallion® members will continue to enjoy complimentary Executive Membership through the 2014 Medallion year. If you qualify for 2015 Diamond Medallion status, you will receive a complimentary Individual Membership beginning March 1, 2015. And, if guest access is a priority, you may upgrade to an Executive Membership as one of your Choice Benefits or by using miles or cash to pay the difference.
This suggest that next year we can upgrade with cash. How much? Would it be $695 minus the $100 Platinum discount minus the $450 value of the individual membership?
@DLCorpGal -- I am a DM, but part of my 5 years or so of "prepaid" membership was paid with cash (before DM was introduced). I will no longer be getting what I paid for (access for friends, family), so I assume I am eligible for a refund. How do I obtain said refund?
Especially since up to 3 additional platinum cards costs $175. Would make it very attractive in some cases.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:29 am
#178
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAX - san fernando valley, CA
Programs: DL PM, Alaska Gold MVP, Expedia Elite Plus, Amex Reserve.
Posts: 1,156
I believe this blog should stay open for the sole purpose of the Amex cards and companions fees to come.
This blog is 50% DL and 50% Amex.
You will still received admission but will have to shell l out 29 dollars to bring in a companion.
This blog is 50% DL and 50% Amex.
You will still received admission but will have to shell l out 29 dollars to bring in a companion.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:29 am
#179
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,079
They've added cover charges. What effect that will have on the demographics and crowding remains to be seen. They've also made it even more of a cover charge for Reserve Card holders since they cannot buy an unlimited cover charge upsell for $250 like other people who have a regular membership.
That's about it despite all the drama about children and spouses and procreation rights.
That's about it despite all the drama about children and spouses and procreation rights.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:29 am
#180
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,775
Just one more kick in the n%#s from DL.
I access the SkyClubs with my DL Reserve and if I have a guest it's a business colleague or client. I'll just cash in some SkyBonus points for day passes now. After that if I have a client with me I'll pay for them to get in.
Nice of DL to charge more for their stale bagels, unhealthy snacks, and crappy free booze. There better be some real value add improvements to keep club members around.
I hope AMEX expands their lounges as well as Airspace. I'd much rather spend my time in one of their lounges of a PP lounge than a SkyClub.
Is it just me or has it been one downgrade after another from DL over the past 12 months? What have they really done for Medallion members that is a positive?
I access the SkyClubs with my DL Reserve and if I have a guest it's a business colleague or client. I'll just cash in some SkyBonus points for day passes now. After that if I have a client with me I'll pay for them to get in.
Nice of DL to charge more for their stale bagels, unhealthy snacks, and crappy free booze. There better be some real value add improvements to keep club members around.
I hope AMEX expands their lounges as well as Airspace. I'd much rather spend my time in one of their lounges of a PP lounge than a SkyClub.
Is it just me or has it been one downgrade after another from DL over the past 12 months? What have they really done for Medallion members that is a positive?