How do most SkyClub visitors get access?
Feb 11, 2019, 10:31 am
#76
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: 100,399
To me, the 30,000 MQMs (and rollover) are valuable, even if only as an insurance policy.
Feb 11, 2019, 12:15 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,230
That's fair enough, the post I responded to only referenced not missing out on the RDMs, which struck me as unusual. I'm not actually that familiar with the other benefits of the DL Reserve card.
Feb 11, 2019, 1:05 pm
#78
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc etc etc
Posts: 2,341
I burst through the doors and loudly announce I am here, I then proceed to put in my airpods and have several loud conversations with my feet up on the table and shoes off.
That is just me though, and I guess no Sky Club employees have dared challenge my bold entrances to ask if I belong there or not.
It also helps that I wear my DM luggage tag around my neck with a diamond chain.....
That is just me though, and I guess no Sky Club employees have dared challenge my bold entrances to ask if I belong there or not.
It also helps that I wear my DM luggage tag around my neck with a diamond chain.....
Feb 11, 2019, 2:07 pm
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I'm another exception. DM with Reserve and unbranded Plat. No reason for me to choose SC access. There are also plenty of DMs who can expense club memberships/entry fees.
I also put DL tickets on my Reserve card early in the year, at least until I'm sure I'll be hitting the $60k threshold. Usually not a problem, but suppose I spend $10k on DL tickets before I switch over - I'd trade 30k MR for 30k MQM any day of the week. (Yes, I know the opportunity cost isn't exactly that straightforward, but the point is I'm okay with that price for a little extra piece of mind. I also have a CSR and will put other travel expenses on the Reserve even though it means trading 3x UR for 1x DL RDM. The only thing I use CSR for early in the year is places that don't take Amex and car rentals for the primary insurance.
I also put DL tickets on my Reserve card early in the year, at least until I'm sure I'll be hitting the $60k threshold. Usually not a problem, but suppose I spend $10k on DL tickets before I switch over - I'd trade 30k MR for 30k MQM any day of the week. (Yes, I know the opportunity cost isn't exactly that straightforward, but the point is I'm okay with that price for a little extra piece of mind. I also have a CSR and will put other travel expenses on the Reserve even though it means trading 3x UR for 1x DL RDM. The only thing I use CSR for early in the year is places that don't take Amex and car rentals for the primary insurance.
Feb 11, 2019, 3:56 pm
#82
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dayton, OH/CVG
Programs: DA Diamond(1 MM), Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador/Charter Ambassador, Hyatt Glob, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 880
[QUOTE=gooselee;30765969]I'm another exception. DM with Reserve and unbranded Plat. No reason for me to choose SC access. There are also plenty of DMs who can expense club memberships/entry fees.
DM here: i am one of the lucky ones who's company allows us to expense an airline club membership every year. I expense the regular membership and then use one of my choice rewards to upgrade to an executive membership. I like to be able to bring my wife in with me when we travel together or colleagues traveling with me.
DM here: i am one of the lucky ones who's company allows us to expense an airline club membership every year. I expense the regular membership and then use one of my choice rewards to upgrade to an executive membership. I like to be able to bring my wife in with me when we travel together or colleagues traveling with me.
Feb 11, 2019, 4:20 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,043
Feb 11, 2019, 5:28 pm
#84
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HHonrs Diamond
Posts: 1,336
I burst through the doors and loudly announce I am here, I then proceed to put in my airpods and have several loud conversations with my feet up on the table and shoes off.
That is just me though, and I guess no Sky Club employees have dared challenge my bold entrances to ask if I belong there or not.
It also helps that I wear my DM luggage tag around my neck with a diamond chain.....
That is just me though, and I guess no Sky Club employees have dared challenge my bold entrances to ask if I belong there or not.
It also helps that I wear my DM luggage tag around my neck with a diamond chain.....
You seem to be in half the SkyClubs at ATL at the exact same time that I travel. But sometimes you are a little older, or a little fatter, or you are wearing scrubs barking about how much money you just made off of some unsuspecting hospital.
I use the Reserve card as the extra MQM matters for me and I rarely fly another airline where I might have convenient access to the DL club instead. And the first class companion pass works great if you have enough advance notice, and don't pick too competitive of a route.
Feb 11, 2019, 5:39 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,346
If a DM has a Reserve Card or AmEx Platinum, there's little reason to choose a SkyClub membership, especially with the change that even if one has a SC Membership, they have to be flying DL or a DL partner that day to gain access (same rules as the Reserve and AmEx Platinum). If I were to reach DM, I would NOT choose the SkyClub membership as one of my 3 choices because I don't need it - I already have access via a CC (I probably wouldn't even select the "upgrade to Executive Membership" either). I would venture to say that quite a few reaching the DM ranks already have access to a SC via a DL Reserve AmEx or AmEx Platinum card.
Feb 11, 2019, 7:13 pm
#86
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
If a DM has a Reserve Card or AmEx Platinum, there's little reason to choose a SkyClub membership, especially with the change that even if one has a SC Membership, they have to be flying DL or a DL partner that day to gain access (same rules as the Reserve and AmEx Platinum).
I personally see no reason why any person would buy a Sky Club membership with the requirement to be flying DL and the loss of so many partner lounges. I suppose if your company pays for it then that's fine, but I believe that many companies who do this will, alternately, pay the annual fee on a card that provides club entrance. I think DL prefers that people have the cards, which are likely far more profitable than an annual membership.
Feb 11, 2019, 7:51 pm
#87
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,079
• Reserve card holder
• Amex Platinum holder
• Int’l J traveler
• Ability to expense membership
• 360 member
Feb 11, 2019, 7:55 pm
#88
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: 100,399
If you can't get one of the right credit cards, for example because you've never beeen a USA resident, it might make sense to get a SC membership if you fly DL a lot since SCs aren't included in PP.
Feb 11, 2019, 9:04 pm
#89
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,893
None of these require you to put Delta flights on the Delta Reserve
Feb 12, 2019, 6:55 am
#90
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MKE
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 904
