GagaPilot

A few years back (maybe 2018?) the Delta Amex Gold card allowed access to be purchased for around $29 at the door. It was the elimination of that perk, as well as elimination of the MQD waiver for that card too, that caused me to finally upgrade to the Delta Platinum Amex.

VFR

Limiting guests is tough because for a lot of people, their guest is going to be a spouse.

In my opinion, the primary solution is to build bigger lounges. I realize that it's tough to get space at certain airports, but it's necessary to keep selling the Sky Club experience as part of flying Delta.

Opening D1-exclusive lounges should relieve crowding too (though it won't help at LGA).

DCAproducer

What I find I find interesting is how better the experience is at some SkyClubs over others. At DCA we’ve had three renovations in the past 10 years. With the current setup, we got real dishes, cutlery, much nicer restrooms. The food has been good. The club can get busy, but I’ve yet to see it near pre-pandemic levels. Granted, we’re missing a lot of business travelers. SFO, SEA are also great clubs.

ATL always makes me laugh because they remind me of a free buffet at a Las Vegas Casino. The big club in B is a prime example. I’ve seen people swarm the staff when they wheel out a cart to restock the buffet and take food before it’s even been set out. The restrooms are way too small for the capacity. Although I do like T and since that’s where most DCA flights go out, it’s where I often end up.

The new club at DTW is great, when it’s not packed. ORD is always terrible. JFK T4 was great when it first opened, but has since gone downhill.

TomMM

I made that observation to a friend last week. It can be entertaining watching the feeding frenzy.

StayingHomeIsBetter

Last Friday, ATL B club, about 11:00 am.

After finally getting past the check-in counter in the club (Mrs. SHIB had lost her Reserve card and I had to show the email stating that a replacement card was on the way), we were met by a DL staff member who actually asked "Would you like a table for two?" and escorted us to a table.

When we left, there was a Red Coat at the bottom of the elevator vestibule, letting one person in for every person leaving.

Are there similar issues at the other ATL clubs, or is this primarily a problem at the B Bus Station and Bar?

DrMilano

I can't wait until the $75k guest policy goes into effect, as hopefully it will thin the hearts. AmEx is also getting rid of the military access in 2023, that is what I have been told at the CLT club.

Delta heavily promotes the co-branded credit cards. Over 10 years ago the per swipe fee that AmEx paid DL was around $35, but that has probably changed with the current contract.

What is interesting is that AmEx is expanding into ATL. Hopefully soon Chase will expand Sapphire Lounges.

Goodoldflyer

First I'm hearing of that. But I think that would thin the herd a bit.

jamesteroh

I wish Am Ex would open a lounge in DTW, but I dont remember ever having to wait to get in a DTW skyclub, even though they are usually packed.
Is AmEx going to start charging an annual fee to military or are they going to continue to waive it and take away lounge access for those card holders? Seeing American gives lounge access to all active military, I don't think this wll help much. May help with spouses and family members who have their annual fee waived not being able to access the skyclubs but don't see it making a huge difference.

I'm surprised with the big AmEx platinum fee increase they aren't raising the AU annual fee and doing it per person. If AmEx did that, I think that would make a noticeable difference in the clubs.

xliioper

There's no real justification for Amex lounge because if you are in McNamara, you are almost certainly flying DL and Amex cardholders will already have access to Sky Clubs. North Terminal LH lounge provides PP access and doesn't really have enough pax to justify separate Amex lounge. DTW Sky Clubs can get crowded, but other than new club (where main club is easy option if full), they don't really ever seem to get near to standing room only.

123run

I wonder how much of the overcrowding is due to covid travel and the ever changing requirements and document inspections. People arrive earlier than previously just to make sure they have time to redo testing, print stuff, etc. If they fly thru this then they sit longer in the clubs. Also, there are many longer connection times so again more are utilizing the clubs for longer times periods. With a shorter CT they might not even enter the club.

Adelphos

Unlikely given the much higher percentage of domestic travel

Xeno

I have not kept pace with this thread so am just reporting.
Last Thursday I flew D1 FCO-ATL-OKC. We arrived at F but my connecting flight was out of B.
I should have stayed at F as B had a line where the wait was at least 20 minutes. My boss, who was flying domestic, was at the head of the line and anxious to talk to me. I went to the rear of the line curled around the corner and eventually got a few minutes with him.
I remember the days of BE(prior to D1 name change) when we had BE dedicated lounges at ATL. But having flown 11.5 hours from FCO and then waiting in line is more than a disappointment. I wonder what it will be like on my return flight from ICN.

123run

Is domestic travel above pre-covid levels? Something has to account for the increase numbers in the club., besides an increase in Amex users. The only time I had more than a few minutes wait pre covid to get in occurred during major bad weather delays. I know I’ve now been sitting in clubs for longer stretches due to longer connection times.

Adelphos

Domestic leisure travel is above pre-Covid levels, business travel is not. So in terms of total dpomestic travel, depends on any given market. For example a poster a bit earlier stated that DCA is not near pre-pandemic levels of crowds in the club, likely due to lower overall travel. But it seems like FLL has more travel than pre-pandemic, leading to a more crowded club. I also think there are more Amex users.

dtwlarry

Good points. If I may interject an oddball item...are there "fewer seats" than there were previously? To my eyes, DTW A38 had a lot more seating prior to trying to social distance 2 years ago, and even a month or two ago, it didn't seem like A38 was as packed (like sardines, or cheek by jowl, you choose your alliteration) as it was in 2019, where it was kneecaps in aisles, all over. Are the ATL lounges at similar seating quantities as they were 2019?
As stated, the Florida lounges are absolutely slammed with spring breakers, etc. I've seen a bunch of different stories and articles about the hordes invading the Magic Kingdom, etc. Figures the FL lounges are PACKED!