COYG

Today I'm flying from CDG - LAX - SJC, ticketed by Delta. The first segment is in J operated by AF, and the second one in F by DL.

After landing in LAX I was heading to the SC, got my boarding pass scanned, and was denied access. The SC agent insisted on asking me to provide the physical card of Amex Reserve which I did not bring with me, but stored in Delta website as a payment option.

This is very weird to me. According to my itinerary I should have SC access from three different angles:
- Skyteam EP (I'm DL DM) traveling with same day international segments.
- International business class.
- Amex Reserve

I never had any issue on SC access until today, which is pretty awkward. Maybe I can still get access by arguing more, but I was in a short layover and just hoping to get something to drink, so I gave up.

CatchFlightsNotFeelings

write in and complain. Thats triple BS, especially denying the first two reasons for entry.

GW McLintock

IME they can't access stored forms of payment, but the other two reasons are 100% valid for entry. I agree, this is something to complain about since you didn't receive something you paid for.

-J.

xliioper

Skyteam Elite Plus does not get arrival access unless connecting to an onward Skyteam international flight (same-day international flight is not sufficient). But same-day Skyteam J or DL Reserve card should have been sufficient.

WillBarrett_68

Incorrect:

https://www.skyteam.com/EN/about/faq/lounge-access

MarkCron

I've never had problem as STE+ getting arrival access in DTW, MSP, ATL.
And at least in the past, the cc access (DL Reserve) was stored in my profile (don't have card anymore).

I think this is a LAX issue, as I've had problems there as well using STE+ on connecting international flights.

LoganFlyer

That is false:

https://www.delta.com/eu/en/delta-sky-club/access

In the section under SkyTeam Elite Plus, note the part where it says "a SkyTeam domestic flight connecting to/from a same day international flight" qualifies for SC access. That said, I've found the scanners at DL SkyClubs often don't recognize this if I use a domestic BP to enter. In those cases, I've had to show the international BP to the dragon. But I've never been denied entry once I showed the international BP.

xliioper

Okay, I was looking at the disclaimer section below about no access on arrivals. I now see connecting to domestic Skyteam should be "qualifying" and you shouldn't need an onward Skyteam international. However, it is true you don't get access simply for same-day international with Skyteam Elite Plus (you need to be either departing or connecting somewhere on onward Skyteam flight). It could be systems are programmed to look for onward Skyteam international and are rejecting because they don't consider the domestic to be qualifying. Note they first say connecting "to/from" same day international, and then later just say connecting domestic "to" international (with no "from").

"Note: Skyteam Elite Plus benefits are provided only at departure airport and not at arrival airport unless connecting to a qualifying Skyteam flight"

flyerCO

No one said it didnt require onward flight. Just that the onward can be domestic after international, as was case of poster.

I'm betting DL system didnt register an AF flight. Thus agent did realize OP was inbound international. I always show the international BP to prevent this problem .

Often1

While it is great when the system functions in the background, it is ultimately up to the passenger to "prove" access. Credit card or BP would have done the trick here.

For further background, storing a card number in your profile does nothing vis-a-vis front line employees. All that does is create a token which approves a charge should you use the card. This is basic security protocol for merchants worldwide.

You might write in to DL as the SC agent probably should have told you what she required if she was unable to locate it herself.

TTT

My Amex platinum charge card is a stored method of payment on my Delta profile and my only SC access. I no longer need to present the physical card when accessing a SC.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thepoin...ub-access/amp/

It doesn't look like the reserve card works this way though.

Billy Mumphrey

I had the same issue at LAX. They would let me in because I had the Reserve, but not my wife. We were traveling D1 LAX-DCA, and the agents insisted that LAX-DCA is not a D1 route (only the JFK flights and international are D1 according the the lounge agents). No amount of arguing, including showing D1 on the reservation, could convince them otherwise. Eventually gave up for the same reason you did. If we had a longer layover I would have charged it to my card and asked Delta for a refund later.

WillBarrett_68

You should absolutely file a complaint on this

WillBarrett_68

LAX definitely pops up a LOT more than other clubs when these types of problems are reported.

Duke787

What boarding pass did you use? Domestic or international?

I've been questioned on my free +1 as STE+ on international flights when I've given them my onward domestic boarding pass instead of my inbound international.

Not sure why their screens don't show the inbound flight in this scenario.

The card angle is weird though -- since AMEX Plat at least is now linked to accounts so you only need a BP and not the physical card.