Overcrowded SkyClubs...A Thing Of The Past?
Feb 1, 2019, 10:39 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Possibly, although I imagine that the vast majority of people are MQM-constrained and not MQD-constrained (especially those who pay for a Reserve card), so I would assume that most people would actually use it for the MQM boosts and less the MQD waiver (although, of course, MQM boosts mean that people are more likely to become MQD constrained.. but that's somewhat circular since the waiver hits about the same time as the MQMs).
Feb 1, 2019, 10:40 am
#17
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
Oh, guess I assumed that the lounge attendants would actually look at what they were scanning to see if it was an actual airline BP. Sounds like they didn't really enforce the same-day flight requirement rule.
Feb 1, 2019, 10:49 am
#18
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,944
I know people who decided not to renew their SC membership as a result of the same day DL or partner flight requirement. They'll largely be gone from the lounge (unless they acquire credit cards for access when flying DL or pay for single entry passes) but so will their annual membership fees.
Maybe Delta’s reimbursements from Amex for my visits will be more valuable to them than the extra 25k SkyMiles they had to give me as a choice benefit and the revenue they’re missing out in from having me not select a DL cobranded card, but it seems unlikely to me.
If they’d preserved same day access when flying other airlines - a benefit I used super infrequently - I probably wouldn’t have done any of this and would still be a Delta Amex and SkyClub member. I’m not mad - I’m better off now than before thanks to the kick in the pants to change my card strategy. But I’m definitely a little befuddled.
Given that they spent the time building the ability to check into the SkyClub without swiping your card if it’s in your profile this year, I imagine I’m not the only one that has gone this direction...
Feb 1, 2019, 12:41 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northern Minnesota, US
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG/MR Plat, Kimpton IC, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 659
Based on my sample size of one datapoint. Iexpedt way less crowded Clubs this year. The DCA club was unusually quiet this morning. It may have been due to the snow but I’m willing to generalize from this one data point.
Feb 1, 2019, 1:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,298
When I was in the MCO SC a few weeks ago on a Monday afternoon, it was basically standing room only and I ended up leaving. There is some construction/renovations going on in the back of the club which may have been some of the reason for it but other than this experience, I haven’t seen any other overly crowded clubs this year yet.
Feb 1, 2019, 1:32 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
When I was in the MCO SC a few weeks ago on a Monday afternoon, it was basically standing room only and I ended up leaving. There is some construction/renovations going on in the back of the club which may have been some of the reason for it but other than this experience, I haven’t seen any other overly crowded clubs this year yet.
Last edited by BusTrav8yrs; Feb 1, 2019 at 1:37 pm
Feb 1, 2019, 2:13 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,277
Well I think it's indirectly implied if you were past security you had a same day flight; short of being a contractor or airport employee. But in the grand scheme of things it's probably relatively few people taking advantage of that, so in the grand scheme not worth the hassle/delay in check-in to actually verify you have a same-day flight even if it wasn't on Delta. And after all if someone really wanted in, surely they could have just bought a fully refundable ticket to have a same day BP, then refund the ticket.....in fact I think there's a youtube video out there of some guy bragging about doing exactly this..
Feb 1, 2019, 2:29 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,298
When I was here this particular day, I didn’t see too many large families, although I have before multiple times in the past. Typically late afternoon is the worst time to fly out of MCO as VS has several 747s departing around the same time so the lounge can get quite crowded. It is typically not too bad however in the morning time.
Feb 1, 2019, 7:12 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,944
I've appreciated them tightening up the guest policies over the years, and I feel like the under-21 exemption is a leftover benefit from a prior admission philosophy that's outlived its appropriateness.
Feb 1, 2019, 7:23 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
Feb 1, 2019, 7:33 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
If I could vote on "top 10 enhancements I want Delta to make", charging a guest fee for every guest who enters the club would be on my list. Every soul other than your own that enters the club on your entitlement up to a maximum of four costs $29. Each club member with an Executive membership or the guest option can effectively have two of those fees waived per visit. I'd be fine with any infant-in-arms, conforming to the usual ticketing rules for that, being admitted for free.
I've appreciated them tightening up the guest policies over the years, and I feel like the under-21 exemption is a leftover benefit from a prior admission philosophy that's outlived its appropriateness.
I've appreciated them tightening up the guest policies over the years, and I feel like the under-21 exemption is a leftover benefit from a prior admission philosophy that's outlived its appropriateness.
Last edited by readywhenyouare; Feb 1, 2019 at 8:10 pm
Feb 1, 2019, 7:52 pm
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,369
My 2019 experience is that MSP F/G is a zoo, as usual, but the AmEx Plat/Centurion Escape lounge is pleasant and tranquil as usual. At HND, the DL contract lounge was very empty, although it's a bit depressing except for the window view from my seat onto the top of the aircraft I'm about to board. [Some idiot there was watching a video at full volume without headphones but a complaint to the reception desk resulted in a very tactful offer for the offender to move into a small conference room.]