Sky Club Access questions (June 2022 onward)
May 4, 2022, 8:12 pm
#166
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
Please downgrade your card to the fee free Delta Blue card - get your AF prorated credit first then cancel the card anytime!
May 4, 2022, 8:12 pm
#167
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: DL Platinum, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 139
The real slap in the face here is that they acknowledge the benefit of a quick visit to the Sky Club after a red eye by waiving the arrival rules for domestic D1 passengers, but won't waive it for any other member coming off a red eye, regardless of whether or not the red eye flight has a D1 cabin.
May 4, 2022, 8:17 pm
#168
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
Current definition of "Most Loyal" = Most Cash today -> that is why Delta One is more loyal than the rest
Hey the singular experience quote from DL that someone posted upthread a bit referred to D1 passengers as being the most loyal. I find it surprising that DL considers one D1 segment as constituting loyalty while those of us who travel for business are kicked to the curb.
May 4, 2022, 9:16 pm
#169
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL DM & 5MM, WN
Posts: 1,451
As one based in ATL, it seems unfair. We do not connect as much, so we don't have to wait for a connection. These are not billed as connection lounges —or something that is somehow priced into a connecting ticket. Indeed, many single segments out of Atlanta are priced higher than connecting routes from other cities that feed onto the exact same flights.
ATL business travelers often enter the airport later than connecting flyers. So we tend to not use the club as much when we depart, instead we sometimes enter an outlying club when we arrive. For the many reasons mentioned n this thread.
Policies like this are what we see more of in the business world these days. Too many Teams calls between people that don’t actually travel, guessing what they think is happening out in the world and imagining what they wish will be better.
I remember when Crown Rooms were advertised as a spot for members to hold meetings and job interviews as they travelled around the country! And when you could pick up from a little stand a printed list of Crown Room direct phone lines for every location, so you could prebook a free conference room. (The one in SLC still worked in 2019!)
But this was back when Delta, alone among the airlines, never failed to make a quarterly profit. Nowadays they are much smarter and far more focused.
ATL business travelers often enter the airport later than connecting flyers. So we tend to not use the club as much when we depart, instead we sometimes enter an outlying club when we arrive. For the many reasons mentioned n this thread.
Policies like this are what we see more of in the business world these days. Too many Teams calls between people that don’t actually travel, guessing what they think is happening out in the world and imagining what they wish will be better.
I remember when Crown Rooms were advertised as a spot for members to hold meetings and job interviews as they travelled around the country! And when you could pick up from a little stand a printed list of Crown Room direct phone lines for every location, so you could prebook a free conference room. (The one in SLC still worked in 2019!)
But this was back when Delta, alone among the airlines, never failed to make a quarterly profit. Nowadays they are much smarter and far more focused.
Last edited by Justin026; May 4, 2022 at 9:35 pm
May 4, 2022, 10:03 pm
#170
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,601
Hey the singular experience quote from DL that someone posted upthread a bit referred to D1 passengers as being the most loyal. I find it surprising that DL considers one D1 segment as constituting loyalty while those of us who travel for business are kicked to the curb.
Letting them keep arrivals access is just keeping a fairly world wide standard. My guess is they expect AA/UA to follow along for the domestic side but certainly wouldn't see airlines world wide fallow along in banning international business arrivals. JMO
edit to add, I wonder too if D1 is keeping access with the D1 coming to JFK/LAX and likely a few other hubs (ATL/SEA/DTW would be my guess for sure) That would mean hubs (and SFO) that see limited D1 wont see a ton of D1 arrivals in the SCs
May 4, 2022, 10:32 pm
#172
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
The three-hour departure rule might get adopted, but not this arrival rule.
Just how crowded has it got at the SkyClubs? AA has its issues (Charlotte C-D is closed currently for renovations, being the main problem), but its lounges are otherwise all operational. Just went through five of them last week -- no waiting, lots of soup, plentiful cheap wine.
May 4, 2022, 10:36 pm
#174
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,601
I doubt AA will follow suit-- AA sells a lot of transcon travel, from LAX, SFO, SEA, and PHX plus some minor stations -- those passengers expect arrival Admirals Club access, and I just cannot see that disappearing because Delta did it.
The three-hour departure rule might get adopted, but not this arrival rule.
Just how crowded has it got at the SkyClubs? AA has its issues (Charlotte C-D is closed currently for renovations, being the main problem), but its lounges are otherwise all operational. Just went through five of them last week -- no waiting, lots of soup, plentiful cheap wine.
The three-hour departure rule might get adopted, but not this arrival rule.
Just how crowded has it got at the SkyClubs? AA has its issues (Charlotte C-D is closed currently for renovations, being the main problem), but its lounges are otherwise all operational. Just went through five of them last week -- no waiting, lots of soup, plentiful cheap wine.
I would bet on United and America cutting them off other than transcon business/first
May 4, 2022, 10:38 pm
#175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
I doubt Delta thinks D1 pax are "most loyal"
edit to add, I wonder too if D1 is keeping access with the D1 coming to JFK/LAX and likely a few other hubs (ATL/SEA/DTW would be my guess for sure) That would mean hubs (and SFO) that see limited D1 wont see a ton of D1 arrivals in the SCs
edit to add, I wonder too if D1 is keeping access with the D1 coming to JFK/LAX and likely a few other hubs (ATL/SEA/DTW would be my guess for sure) That would mean hubs (and SFO) that see limited D1 wont see a ton of D1 arrivals in the SCs
May 4, 2022, 10:42 pm
#176
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
I don’t think that AA/UA will follow suit. They both still allow two complimentary guests for members (including memberships from credit cards).
The Amex Platinum is the only unbranded credit card that provides lounge access for a major US airline. Amex has sold a lot of Platinum cards, and the amount of club space hasn’t kept up.
The Amex Platinum is the only unbranded credit card that provides lounge access for a major US airline. Amex has sold a lot of Platinum cards, and the amount of club space hasn’t kept up.
May 4, 2022, 11:49 pm
#177
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
I don’t think that AA/UA will follow suit. They both still allow two complimentary guests for members (including memberships from credit cards).
The Amex Platinum is the only unbranded credit card that provides lounge access for a major US airline. Amex has sold a lot of Platinum cards, and the amount of club space hasn’t kept up.
The Amex Platinum is the only unbranded credit card that provides lounge access for a major US airline. Amex has sold a lot of Platinum cards, and the amount of club space hasn’t kept up.
May 5, 2022, 2:46 am
#179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Something that I didn't see addressed was how this applies to people flying on a partner airline with Skyclub access. Do the same rules apply to them? Does the three hour rule apply at a KLM or AF lounge? A lot of people get to the airport really early on an international flight back to the US if they can't get their info into flysafe.
I have a flight in September on AF metal DTW/CDG in business class. Unless my flight time changes or my friends changes I'll be getting to the airport more than three hours before the flight time. My friend is booked on the non-stop DL DTW/CDG flight and I was going to hitch a ride to the airport with them and guest them in (they had the flight booked a couple months before mine and booked a lot of my GUC's and inventory was only available on the AF flight). Wondering if I'll have issues accessing the skyclub since it'll be more than three hours before my departure time, I know if I was in D1 that wouldn't be an issue but not sure since I'm in Busienss class on AF.
I have a flight in September on AF metal DTW/CDG in business class. Unless my flight time changes or my friends changes I'll be getting to the airport more than three hours before the flight time. My friend is booked on the non-stop DL DTW/CDG flight and I was going to hitch a ride to the airport with them and guest them in (they had the flight booked a couple months before mine and booked a lot of my GUC's and inventory was only available on the AF flight). Wondering if I'll have issues accessing the skyclub since it'll be more than three hours before my departure time, I know if I was in D1 that wouldn't be an issue but not sure since I'm in Busienss class on AF.
For arrival access, one trick mentioned on the OMAAT comments for the article referring to this news is to book an onward ticket so you can access the SkyClub as a connecting rather than arriving passenger before cancelling within the 24-hour window. That seems awfully risky for little marginal benefit, especially if DL catches wind of it.
I understand why DL is making this change but agree it'll have little impact. I only very sparingly use arrival access for the reasons already mentioned, especially for showers after red-eyes, some quick work, or to meet someone arriving later. I have friends who use it much more. Anecdotally though, outside of large SCs such as JFK, I've noticed the SC agents react with annoyance more often these days when I access on arrival. But I'll miss saying a quick hello to my favorite SC bartenders and staff on arrival for sure.
I understand why DL is making this change but agree it'll have little impact. I only very sparingly use arrival access for the reasons already mentioned, especially for showers after red-eyes, some quick work, or to meet someone arriving later. I have friends who use it much more. Anecdotally though, outside of large SCs such as JFK, I've noticed the SC agents react with annoyance more often these days when I access on arrival. But I'll miss saying a quick hello to my favorite SC bartenders and staff on arrival for sure.
May 5, 2022, 3:45 am
#180
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: DL DM, FB Gold
Posts: 296
And then Delta retains Amber Heard’s attorneys for the aggressive questioning
“You just booked this flight to take a dump in the Skyclub, did you not?”
“So there is no document to prove that you really had to fly to Raleigh-Durham, correct?”