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, 8:01 am
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,352
Sorry for quoting myself.
What really burns me is that I can't even bring my wife in with me with a $450 yearly fee.
Shoot, less than a decade ago, I paid about $600 for a 3-year membership with NW.
I think this will drive me to cancel my DL Reserve and I'll probably do it next week when I return home.
I'm the first one to mention it at the MKE SkyClub. I was polite about it and she feels there will be a significant backlash.
Good on you, Delta. Keep serving third-rate liquor and raising your prices.
What really burns me is that I can't even bring my wife in with me with a $450 yearly fee.
Shoot, less than a decade ago, I paid about $600 for a 3-year membership with NW.
I think this will drive me to cancel my DL Reserve and I'll probably do it next week when I return home.
I'm the first one to mention it at the MKE SkyClub. I was polite about it and she feels there will be a significant backlash.
Good on you, Delta. Keep serving third-rate liquor and raising your prices.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:01 am
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Interesting decision. Though I'm starting to dread every time DL sends me an email as I'm expecting yet another devaluation.
Anyway, I do think the SC's are crowded. But honestly as much as it's been a zoo it's been tolerable. Having less guests probably will be a nice thing. And though I rarely ever used the guest perk, it would be nice to have.
Nevertheless, if DL does this and wants exclusivity, then they should upgrade their food/drink offerings from the paltry same old stuff they have. Nearly every other ST lounge internationally serves more and better stuff than DL does.
Anyway, I do think the SC's are crowded. But honestly as much as it's been a zoo it's been tolerable. Having less guests probably will be a nice thing. And though I rarely ever used the guest perk, it would be nice to have.
Nevertheless, if DL does this and wants exclusivity, then they should upgrade their food/drink offerings from the paltry same old stuff they have. Nearly every other ST lounge internationally serves more and better stuff than DL does.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:01 am
#108
Formerly known as fsa_ea
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS/1MM,AS 75k,NK GLD,AA 2MM,DL 2MM,LH FT,AY PLT,IC RA,FMT LT PLT,HYT GLB,HLT DIA,MRT GLD,HRTZ PC
Posts: 2,229
Refund?
@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?
Jan 10, 2014, 8:01 am
#109
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 43
DLCorpGal, could you please clarify, for Amex Platinum card holders does the $29 fee apply to immediate family members (i.e., spouse and children) or just other "guests"?
Jan 10, 2014, 8:02 am
#111
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: DL PM, Hertz Gold Plus, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,049
I don't have a problem paying more for equal quality to cut down on crowding, but jacking up prices in light of the MANY recent cost cutting moves by DL is just plain skeevy.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:03 am
#112
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Delta Kryptonium Medallion, National Executive
Posts: 1,889
Do you seriously want to go there on a flyertalk message board?
How about you put yourselves in our shoes for a moment?
My wife and I travel over 200,000 miles a year on DL. We travel with our kids at most once a year, during which we frequent the lounge. Our alternative is to have them out there with the unwashed masses
while we're in an over-crowded restaurant or food court where some creepy dude can stare at them from a distance (or wait.. maybe that's you in the club? 
).
How about you put yourselves in our shoes for a moment?
My wife and I travel over 200,000 miles a year on DL. We travel with our kids at most once a year, during which we frequent the lounge. Our alternative is to have them out there with the unwashed masses
while we're in an over-crowded restaurant or food court where some creepy dude can stare at them from a distance (or wait.. maybe that's you in the club? ).
Jan 10, 2014, 8:03 am
#113
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: 16,273
Yes, nice things should cost money. If you think the club offerings will improve, I've got a bridge to sell you.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:04 am
#114
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
Jan 10, 2014, 8:05 am
#115
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Southwest CT
Programs: DL Diamond and Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 7,618
Jan 10, 2014, 8:06 am
#117
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MBS
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM HH Gold Marriott Gold IHG Spire
Posts: 183
Jan 10, 2014, 8:07 am
#118
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SAV
Programs: Atlanta's hometown airline. A bunch of hotel programs. PetSmart PetPerks.
Posts: 2,531
Can I 'buy' my husband a Club membership w my miles, or would I have to transfer them to his account first (w a fee)? I have an AMEX Plat to get in & plenty of miles to burn to get around the fee to guest him in...though my guess is it's not as easy as 'paying' w my miles or others would have suggested it as a work around.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:07 am
#119
[INACTIVE] Company Representative - Delta Air Lines
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 150
Centurion, Platinum and Delta Reserve card holders will still receive complimentary access for themselves and there will be a $29 per guest visit fee (max 2 guests).
Jan 10, 2014, 8:07 am
#120
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416