Last edit by: mnbp
As of May 1, 2014, Delta no longer provides status-based access to third party lounges (lounges operated neither by Delta nor by a SkyTeam partner) for passengers departing on a Delta-operated flight. Based on reports in this thread, this does not apply to passengers departing the airport they're in on a flight operated by a SkyTeam partner: all other SkyTeam partners continue to provide status-based access to third-party lounges to all SkyTeam Elite Plus members, including Delta elites. Access to third-party lounges is determined by the policy of the operating carrier of the flight departing the airport.
Nothing has changed for passengers flying in business or first class on Delta.
From the link provided in the OP:
SkyTeam Benefits
Third party-operated Lounges:
Latin America & the Caribbean:
Bogota, CO (BOG)
Caracas, VE (CCS)
Lima, PE (LIM)
Quito, EC (UIO)
Europe/Africa/Middle East:
Accra, GH (ACC)
Arlanda, SE (ARN)
Athens, GR (ATH)
Barcelona, ES (BCN)
Brussels, BE (BRU)
Copenhagen, DK (CPH)
Dakar, SN (DKR)
Dubaij, AE (DXB)
Dublin, IE (DUB)
Dusseldorf, DE (DUS)
Frankfurt, DE (FRA)
Lagos, NG (LOS)
Madrid, ES (MAD)
Malaga, ES (AGP)
Malpensa, IT (MXP)
Manchester, GB (MAN)
Moscow, RU (SVO)
Mumbai, IN (BOM)
Munich, DE (MUC)
Nice, FR (NCE)
Pisa, IT (PSA)
Roberts, LR (ROB)
Shannon, IE (SNN)
Tel Aviv, IL (TLV)
Zurich, CH (ZRH)
Asia Pacific:
Bangkok, TH (BKK)
Beijing, CN (PEK)
Fukuoka, JP (FUK)
Guam, GU (GUM)
Hong Kong, HK (HKG) access to VS (partner) lounge. This lounge IS available to STE+, despite VS not being a SkyTeam partner.
Nagoya, JP (NGO)
Osaka, JP (KIX)
Saipan, MP (SPN)
Shanghai, CN (PVG)
Singapore, SG (SIN)
Sydney, AU (SYD) (no longer relevant after opening of SkyTeam lounge in Dec 2014)
Tokyo (Haneda), JP (HND) DL promotion provides access to two TIAT lounges at HND through Oct 31, 2017. Promotion includes any SkyClub member traveling on any airline same-day flight, and all GM, PM and DM members traveling on any DL flight. Extension of Haneda Lounge Access Promotion
Nothing has changed for passengers flying in business or first class on Delta.
From the link provided in the OP:
SkyTeam Benefits
LOUNGE ACCESS
Effective May 1, 2014, all Delta third-party operated international lounges will become Business lounges. (6)
Effective May 1, 2014, all Delta third-party operated international lounges will become Business lounges. (6)
- On or after May 1, 2014, Delta SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers flying in the economy cabin will only have access to DL Sky Clubs and SkyTeam Lounges.
- Passengers must be traveling in Business Class to have access to Third Party Lounges.
Third party-operated Lounges:
Latin America & the Caribbean:
Bogota, CO (BOG)
Caracas, VE (CCS)
Lima, PE (LIM)
Quito, EC (UIO)
Europe/Africa/Middle East:
Accra, GH (ACC)
Arlanda, SE (ARN)
Athens, GR (ATH)
Barcelona, ES (BCN)
Brussels, BE (BRU)
Copenhagen, DK (CPH)
Dakar, SN (DKR)
Dubaij, AE (DXB)
Dublin, IE (DUB)
Dusseldorf, DE (DUS)
Frankfurt, DE (FRA)
Lagos, NG (LOS)
Madrid, ES (MAD)
Malaga, ES (AGP)
Malpensa, IT (MXP)
Manchester, GB (MAN)
Moscow, RU (SVO)
Mumbai, IN (BOM)
Munich, DE (MUC)
Nice, FR (NCE)
Pisa, IT (PSA)
Roberts, LR (ROB)
Shannon, IE (SNN)
Tel Aviv, IL (TLV)
Zurich, CH (ZRH)
Asia Pacific:
Bangkok, TH (BKK)
Beijing, CN (PEK)
Fukuoka, JP (FUK)
Guam, GU (GUM)
Hong Kong, HK (HKG) access to VS (partner) lounge. This lounge IS available to STE+, despite VS not being a SkyTeam partner.
Nagoya, JP (NGO)
Osaka, JP (KIX)
Saipan, MP (SPN)
Shanghai, CN (PVG)
Singapore, SG (SIN)
delta cutting access to many of the international lounges
#601
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: 26,954
Since the consensus here is that operating carrier is the determining factor on lounge access and third-party lounges should be OK if not flying DL, I'd like to share my experience of being denied lounge access in Manila three times in a row as DL GM when ticketed on and flying KLM in Y class (yes, as in expensive).
#602
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
This doesn't match my experience with KL - access to third party lounges for STE+ in Y is one of the only things they manage to usually do right. Have you reached out to KLM via Twitter or Facebook Messenger to complain? They tend to actually be really responsive through those channels and perhaps you could get an explanation for why the lounge access was denied.
My Priority Pass only gets used when flying DL
#603
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,332
It's generally good practice to ask about a lounge invitation during check in. You should also carry your physical FF elite card (and PP, AmEx, etc.) with you when traveling internationally as some lounges or individual dragons will demand the physical card.
#605
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: TK Elite Plus, QR Platinum, KL Gold
Posts: 200
Thank you for the comments and suggestions, everyone.
I did not mean to insinuate that KLM generally denies access to third-party lounges for DL GM. I meant to report that in MNL I've kind of found a black swan, if you want, an anomaly. In fact, I have no problem on my return trip which also starts at an airport with a third-party lounge. I believe it is significant in this case, that Delta uses the lounge in MNL as well.
I was denied lounge access by local KLM check-in staff as well as staff from the contract lounge. I contacted KLM via social media but not only did it take forever (I took two more intercontinental round-trips from MNL in the meantime) but it also seems to not be going anywhere. At first, the message was that I was of course entitled to lounge access but that has since changed to "DL GM are generally not eligible for third-party lounge access". I tried to suggest they status match me in FB to make the problem go away and keep my business which is well north of 10K in a slow month. Their suggestion was to take the issue up with DL. OK... Well, up to you, I guess...
I certainly feel now that going for status with Delta might have been a mistake. I'm more familiar with *A.
I did not mean to insinuate that KLM generally denies access to third-party lounges for DL GM. I meant to report that in MNL I've kind of found a black swan, if you want, an anomaly. In fact, I have no problem on my return trip which also starts at an airport with a third-party lounge. I believe it is significant in this case, that Delta uses the lounge in MNL as well.
I was denied lounge access by local KLM check-in staff as well as staff from the contract lounge. I contacted KLM via social media but not only did it take forever (I took two more intercontinental round-trips from MNL in the meantime) but it also seems to not be going anywhere. At first, the message was that I was of course entitled to lounge access but that has since changed to "DL GM are generally not eligible for third-party lounge access". I tried to suggest they status match me in FB to make the problem go away and keep my business which is well north of 10K in a slow month. Their suggestion was to take the issue up with DL. OK... Well, up to you, I guess...
I certainly feel now that going for status with Delta might have been a mistake. I'm more familiar with *A.
#606
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 585
Like DL, KLM does not give lounge access in MNL if flying in main cabin regardless of status or fare paid. Been that way for several years.
#607
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,929
I suppose it stands to reason that if DL can restrict access to third party operated lounges to J pax only, so can the other Skyteam carriers. I do somewhat understand the frustration however as KLM does not document this fact anywhere on their website.
On a side note, I was flying on KE DPS-ICN in coach last month and the KE agent gave myself and spouse lounge invitations for the third-party "Premier" lounge. It seemed a bit odd as Skyteam member Garuda Indonesia has a lounge right next door. Why wouldn't KE just direct me to use the Garuda lounge?
On a side note, I was flying on KE DPS-ICN in coach last month and the KE agent gave myself and spouse lounge invitations for the third-party "Premier" lounge. It seemed a bit odd as Skyteam member Garuda Indonesia has a lounge right next door. Why wouldn't KE just direct me to use the Garuda lounge?
#608
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: 26,954
I suppose it stands to reason that if DL can restrict access to third party operated lounges to J pax only, so can the other Skyteam carriers. I do somewhat understand the frustration however as KLM does not document this fact anywhere on their website.
On a side note, I was flying on KE DPS-ICN in coach last month and the KE agent gave myself and spouse lounge invitations for the third-party "Premier" lounge. It seemed a bit odd as Skyteam member Garuda Indonesia has a lounge right next door. Why wouldn't KE just direct me to use the Garuda lounge?
On a side note, I was flying on KE DPS-ICN in coach last month and the KE agent gave myself and spouse lounge invitations for the third-party "Premier" lounge. It seemed a bit odd as Skyteam member Garuda Indonesia has a lounge right next door. Why wouldn't KE just direct me to use the Garuda lounge?
#609
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,332
KE doesn't likely want to pay Garuda what they want to charge. Plenty of airlines don't use the lounges of their alliance partners for their contracted lounge. If you went over to Garuda with your DL card they would have let you in. However DL and not KE would have been paying for the admission.
#610
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: 26,954
In those cases the other carrier is issuing an invitation, thus they're picking up the tab. If you simply show up to the Garuda lounge with just your DM card, DL pays. If you show up with a KE lounge invitation then KE pays.
#611
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
Since the consensus here is that operating carrier is the determining factor on lounge access and third-party lounges should be OK if not flying DL, I'd like to share my experience of being denied lounge access in Manila three times in a row as DL GM when ticketed on and flying KLM in Y class (yes, as in expensive).
#612
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 585
It's because at many outstations a boarding pass is not enough. You need to get a lounge invitation from the check-in desk or the transfer desk if connecting from another flight. If you are not given the invitation, you can ask for it and usually they have a chart with the different Skyteam Elite+ cards.
#613
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
In my experience it has been the opposite. Once you identify yourself as an Elite Plus (as long as you are not flying Delta, of course), you will be given access.
#614
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
I flew PRG-JFK(-LAX) on Delta yesterday (May 14) and was surprised when checking in that I was told I could visit the MasterCard lounge. I asked if I needed a pass but the check in agent just said to show my boarding pass.
So I did, fully expecting to be turned away (the Menzies Lounge across the way was a Priority Pass lounge so that was plan B) but was welcomed in. Perfectly fine lounge and way more comfortable than the holding pen post security...
I don't know if this is a change or they were just confused by the "PREM" on my boarding pass (as a DM).
As it turns out, I did receive an OpUp but while check in agent could have known that was coming, I doubt the lounge guardian would have.
So I did, fully expecting to be turned away (the Menzies Lounge across the way was a Priority Pass lounge so that was plan B) but was welcomed in. Perfectly fine lounge and way more comfortable than the holding pen post security...
I don't know if this is a change or they were just confused by the "PREM" on my boarding pass (as a DM).
As it turns out, I did receive an OpUp but while check in agent could have known that was coming, I doubt the lounge guardian would have.
#615