patrickATX

This is not meant to be a rant about changes or a threat to change things or I am leaving Delta. However, with the SkyClub change, I am considering options other than Delta. I wanted to get people’s input or suggestions.

Reasoning of why I am looking elsewhere:

The SkyClub membership went up dramatically a few weeks back. I actually like the changes and love the future Individual membership level. However, it is not available yet and my SkyClub membership just expired. I asked Delta when Individual memberships would be available and was told “stay tuned.” I pay for SkyClub out of my own pocket and can’t justify spending on the Executive level membership since I am the only one that ever uses it, no guests. Poor planning on their part for people like me that expire between the increase and the Individual membership being available. 10 years as a Platinum and paid SkyClub since it stopped being a free perk and I am finally at the point of considering leaving Delta.

My situation:

I am primarily flying out of Austin, TX. I travel a lot to New York, San Francisco, Atlanta and Chicago. I am about to book a lot of travel in the next two months, including at least two trips to major cities in Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt, or Berlin – not sure which yet). Club access is important to me and I am not going to book without knowing I will have access. Redeemable mileage accrual is not very important to me at the moment.

Who here flies out of Austin and what do you recommend as far as the other airlines? Right now there is an American and United club in Austin (club access in Austin is not as important to me) so I am leaning towards them. (Side note, I had a really bad experience about 10 years ago with American and rarely fly them since then so there is a tad of bias there.)

Thoughts?

davetravels

Delta - X

AA - X

US - Soon to be AA - X

All that's left is UA

. . . . and of course, WN, whose lounge is ALWAYS open to the public - AKA McDonald's.

Welcome to the world of airline mergers and consolidation, where it'll mean MORE CHOICES for the traveling public!

us2

There's always AMEX; either Platinum (regular charge card) or Reserve will get you SC access. The charge card costs $450 a year but comes with an annual $200 toward fees on the airline of your choice. That brings the cost down to $250 a year, or $125 over the Gold card or $155 over the green card. If you're already an AMEX charge card holder, the math works pretty well. You can't guest anyone in anymore, but that doesn't seem to be a factor in your case.

As far as other airlines go, the grass is not greener at UA and nobody knows what the AA/US merger will bring. You can also fly WN.

patrickATX

Definitely not WN. I like my upgrades and they do not go to Europe.

I totally spaced out on the AmEx. I have an Amex Gold charge card and a Delta AmEx gold credit card. I will look into Platinum and access. Thanks.

WheelsFirst

The Plat AMEX is probably the way to go unless you will often find yourself wanting to use the Skyclub without being on Delta, as flying DL is a requirement to get lounge access with the AMEX. The AMEX will also give you Priority Pass (minus United) which sometimes comes in handy with random lounges. The $200 credit make the AF effectively $250 so a better deal than buying a membership.

The AA club at AUS is really nice, I'd consider switching to AA but you should really pick what airline is best for your travel patterns. If you go this route, not surprisingly it's a better bet to get the AA Citi Exec card, as is has a $200 statement credit the first year so only $250 for a year of Admirals Club (vs $450 + $50 new member fee).

Also, I'm not 100% sure you can't renew your SC membership now. I think you just renew what you have and it will convert into an Individual membership when the change goes through in May?

irishPirate

I fly out of Austin and the clubs here are not a concern for me. I'm more about clubs at the hubs, ATL, DTW, SLC. If mileage redemption is not an issue, can you burn some miles to purchase the skyclub membership? The bean-counters around here will balk at that suggestion, but you know.... they're bean-counters.

There's always the Club One option at Austin. No-frills peace and quiet while waiting for your delayed flight. I think I'm the only one who knows about it.

patrickATX

I tried and they said that I could only purchase an Executive level Sky Club membership.

I hate to ask, but... Club One?

us2

Glad to be able to help. I toss away more than $200 a year on drinks and food in flight, so the effective cost for me was $125 a year for SC access when I upgraded to Platinum from Gold a few years back which strikes me as a pretty good deal; it was an even better deal when the booze was drinkable, but I digress... As long as your payment history with them is good, upgrading the card shouldn't be an issue; I was mailed a new platinum card and had it within a week. You can keep the same card number, which helps if you run a lot of your monthly recurring household bills through your account.

worldwidedreamer

I'll be the first to admit that UA has its own quirks but the combination of a club in AUS along with non-stops to your favorite cities make it a very logical choice.

mattp1987

I second (or third) the Platinum card suggestion. You get SC access when flying Delta plus Priority Pass can be very nice. I very much prefer The Club at ATL over the SCs there. Priority Pass can also be useful for your trips to Europe once the third-party lounge changes take place (assuming you're flying coach). I'm not too familiar with lounges in NYC, Chicago, or SF; however, I see Priority Pass options at LGA, JFK, ORD, and SFO.

Additionally, the $200 credit can be used for food/booze or for e-certs in $50 increments or you could pick a different airline if you occasionally have to fly one and pay baggage fees and such. The card also refunds the cost of Global Entry which is well worth the time it takes to fill out the application and go for an interview if you have international travel coming up.

GRALISTAIR

My company has a plant at New Braunfels so can use AUS or SAT - do you have an SAT option or is it just too far?

32767a

I was on 130 and saw the BA 787 landing last week.. OP could always use BA for their European travels.

Otherwise, I'm still a DL fan.. I mean, doesn't everyone want to go MDT-MEM-AUS all on CRJ200s?

xliioper

Pretty sure there's never been MDT-MEM service (even back in the NW hub days).

32767a

My mistake, I was looking at several flights for that trip.
it was PIT-MEM-AUS. Still all on sardine cans though.

Spiff

The AUS Admirals Club is one of the best in the system. I highly recommend AA out of AUS.