Sky club membership refund
Nov 5, 2019, 10:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
Sky club membership refund
I just started a new job where I'll be flying a large portion of the time. My work will pay for half of the cost of a sky club membership. I had thought about just getting the AMEX DL Reserve, since it includes sky club access, but my supervisor says that the company won't reimburse credit card annual fees. He tole me that he has the AA executive card and charges an admirals club membership to the card and it automatically gets refunded about a month later. Any ideas if this (or any other method of getting a sky club fee refunded after being charged) would work with DL?
Nov 5, 2019, 11:48 am
#4
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Wouldn't it be fraudulent to take reimbursement from your new employer for an expense that has been refunded? OTOH, your new boss seems to be telling you how and that he does it.
I'd think about looking for a new job.
I'd think about looking for a new job.
Nov 5, 2019, 12:15 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
You could likely upgrade to the DL executive membership (if that is something important to you) and have your employer cover that added cost since the base membership will be covered by your card.
Alternatively drop the DL AMEX Reserve and switch to another card (either another DL AMEX or non-DL card)
Alternatively drop the DL AMEX Reserve and switch to another card (either another DL AMEX or non-DL card)
Nov 5, 2019, 12:20 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 422
It's definitely weird the manager would be explicit telling an employee how to skirt the rules. My company's T&E rules are really vague about some things and I will approve expenses in those categories my direct reports submit if they are not clearly against the rules, but if they explicitly ask me if an expense qualifies or not where the policy is vague I make sure to get an official written answer from a higher-up.
Nov 5, 2019, 12:48 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA ExPlat, Delta GM, Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 140
As mentioned by MSPeconomist, the Delta Reserve only allows SkyClub access on days when you have a DL flight.
Last edited by dantheflyingman; Nov 5, 2019 at 8:55 pm
Nov 5, 2019, 12:53 pm
#9
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,369
As someone who has said Citi AA Executive MasterCard, there are no charges for the membership to the Admiral's club - rather it is a perk of having the card (and its hefty $450 annual fee).
My understanding is the Delta Reserve also works the same way - you get a membership by having the card, not that the card reimburses you for paying for a membership.
My understanding is the Delta Reserve also works the same way - you get a membership by having the card, not that the card reimburses you for paying for a membership.
DMs formerly got comped SC memberships, butt now they're available as a choice benefit selection, as are some SC passes and the upgrade to Executive (which permits free guests).
Nov 5, 2019, 8:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Tahoe
Programs: Delta DM for now
Posts: 474
How much will you be flying on DL? Other benefits of the DL reserve include the companion certificate and MQM bonuses at certain spend levels. The reserve also serves as a tiebreaker on the upgrade list after upgrade certs, medallion level, and fare code. The DL Platinum also gets a companion certificate but no SkyClub with a much lower annual fee.
Nov 5, 2019, 8:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA ExPlat, Delta GM, Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 140
NO, the DL Reserve card just gives SC access on days when you have a DL or partner flight. It's not a membership.
DMs formerly got comped SC memberships, butt now they're available as a choice benefit selection, as are some SC passes and the upgrade to Executive (which permits free guests).
DMs formerly got comped SC memberships, butt now they're available as a choice benefit selection, as are some SC passes and the upgrade to Executive (which permits free guests).
Nov 5, 2019, 11:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL
Posts: 466
NO, the DL Reserve card just gives SC access on days when you have a DL or partner flight. It's not a membership.
DMs formerly got comped SC memberships, butt now they're available as a choice benefit selection, as are some SC passes and the upgrade to Executive (which permits free guests).
DMs formerly got comped SC memberships, butt now they're available as a choice benefit selection, as are some SC passes and the upgrade to Executive (which permits free guests).
Nov 5, 2019, 11:37 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
Nov 6, 2019, 12:49 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL
Posts: 466
Effective January 1st, 2019:
Effective January 1, 2019, Delta Sky Club members may only use the Club in conjunction with same-day ticketed air travel on Delta or its partner airlines and will no longer have access to partner lounges.
Nov 6, 2019, 6:08 am
#15
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
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I just started a new job where I'll be flying a large portion of the time. My work will pay for half of the cost of a sky club membership. I had thought about just getting the AMEX DL Reserve, since it includes sky club access, but my supervisor says that the company won't reimburse credit card annual fees. He tole me that he has the AA executive card and charges an admirals club membership to the card and it automatically gets refunded about a month later. Any ideas if this (or any other method of getting a sky club fee refunded after being charged) would work with DL?
It's not them that are refunding you but your employer. All DL care about is getting paid for the membership and won't be bothered if the cost is paid back to you via your credit card, employer or your Great Aunt Agatha as a christmas present.
Personally if I was starting a new job and they were refunding me 1/2 the membership cost then I would do it properly and eat the 1/2 I have to pay for and not try and double dip on getting the cost back via my credit card and from them.