I'm not disagreeing with you, but I wonder what you mean by "limitations based on day of travel"? To my knowledge, all methods of entry except grandfathered lifetime memberships require same day travel on a Delta flight (or certain international SkyTeam flights).

It's a little bit of a specious argument to suggest that cost should be used to manage capacity (the Disneyland solution - jack up the prices until only those who can *really* afford it can get in). In reality, Delta should be either expanding capacity to support the number of passengers that they are extending access to - or limiting the number who have access.

Yes...with regard to same day of travel, that's what I mean. It is a good thing that travelers must be traveling with Delta at the time that they enter the club.

In referring to my point of view which is subjective as "specious" (therefore not wrong or misleading), you've got me stumped. Generally like it or not, airport lounges are meant to be somewhat exclusive, otherwise everyone would be lining up for free champagne and snacks. Heck, in Germany, Lufthansa has increasingly exclusive lounges based on class of service. For a very long time I was unable to afford the annual fee for the Red Carpet Club until my company started paying for it. I was okay with that. Airlines can only expand capacity so much before they run out of room. The lounge at JFK is huge and it still can't support the number of people that enter every day. So...yes, I support raising the prices especially for guests.

As far as Disneyland is concerned (not the best comparator), that is a whole different story. It should not be limited to those with means, corporate sponsored beneficiaries, etc. There are lots of other ways to control crowds to theme parks. I agree with you there.

1) there's only a finite amount of space in most airports
2) why is using cost to manage capacity bad but "limiting the number who have access" ... not bad?

1) Space can be added at airports (expansion), many Skyclubs are getting more space now or next year. Seattle seems like a cramped airport but the Skyclub is cavernous.

2) I would say limiting access would be more beneficial for those that still have access because it would be all upside. Increasing costs would mean those that still have access would now be paying more, and there is no guarantee it would work (Disney was a good example, now it costs a fortune and is still packed). So "bad" in this case depends on which side of the limited access determination you fall.

And of course one way to "limit the number who have access" is... wait for it... COST!

Not saying I'd pay continued cost increases, but it's a very legitimate way to control demand.

Contrary to another posters comment, not all airports are going to invest in a capital expansion just because an airline club has become overcrowded. It might be possible at some airports, particularly if an expansion is already in the works, but the idea that airports should just "expand" because FTers want to get into uncrowded airport lounges cheaply, probably isn't in the cards.

Regards

I guess my point is that I would prefer to hear Delta say "We have too many people in the Sky Clubs! We currently grant access in 10 different ways. Let's eliminate one of those and see what happens", rather than "We currently grant access in 10 different ways. Let's make everyone pay $50 for every entry...see if that thins things out a little". (as an example)

But if the goal is to make the place *even more* of an upper-middle-class-white-guy-club, then by all means....

At some, sure. But even where it's possible, it's not instantaneous.

uh, well, yeah, obviously

How crowded do you think disney would be if they lowered prices? You can't just say "Well it's crowded" and conclude "raising prices has no effect on demand"

People who get access to the clubs are already paying quite a bit in some way (tickets, membership, elite flyers, entry fees) or they are affiliated with AmEx, Delta’s key partner. None of those ways to get access is that easy, not everyone can get an AmEx plat, and they pay AmEx a lot directly or indirectly, the club fees have gone up a lot, the benefits down, similarly getting elite status is much harder than it used to be...
Despite this the Clubs remain overcrowded, at this point I think a lot has been done to increase the cost to the user but not enough to increase the service. A crowded club for me is not really worth it and if I see this issue perpetuating I simply will not care about it, it won’t be a reason for me to pursue elite status or pay for business class, etc. DL should be well aware that the club offering is less valuable than it used to be.
First and foremost the club should be spacious, second the food and drink offering should be good... fighting through a crowd to get a glass of plonk and cold noodles in a paper plate is not a valuable experience.

Yea, sorry that dog doesn't hunt with me. There are plenty people of all shades, sizes, and types that are able to afford club membership, flying in paid business, etc.

Regards

I like the SkyClub changes. Good move.
 

As usual, this is a case of "Delta needs to tighten up on access, but not the access method *I* personally use, it's the other access methods that are out of control"

​​​​​​
You asked. No need to be snarky.

I didn't say it would have no effect, however I was saying that it may not make a noticeable difference because people may just pay more. In contrast to eliminating an access would probably have a more meaningful impact. Not saying either is feasible or a good idea, but your question was why is one bad and not the other. For example eliminating access via AMEX Platinum would have a drastic impact vs raising fees by 25%. I believe most people would just pay more, however less likely most Amex Platinum would then go get a Amex Delta Reserve.

Agreed, pretty standard NIMBY philosophy. Everyone wants the new highway to reduce congestion until they want to put it in your back yard. We shouldn't be surprised by this reaction, especially on the internet.

Many airports are doing a terrific job at improving amenities. In some cases now, the concourse experience is better than the sky club. Especially when the club is overcrowded - I'm looking at you JFK and SLC. I've discovered I'd rather sit at the restaurant by my gate at DTW than walk all the way to the sky club to fight thru the crowd to make my own cocktail.

In case it wasn't mentioned, Lifetime Skyclub Members still have access when flying ANY airline (not just DL or partners). I'm posting this here because I didn't realize this and was pleasantly surprised to stumble on it (https://www.delta.com/us/en/delta-sky-club/house-rules).

I like making my own cocktail. There are four clubs in DTW

I got so frustrated with the Skydeck not being opened at JFK in 2018 that I have avoided JFK in 2019; I've gone through LGA instead.

The new club at SLC is supposed to open next year.