markbb99

Didn’t see this posted elsewhere but just arrived at LHR and there were additional staff to make sure customers knew the new rules starting today for accessing the Virgin Clubhouse.

Only DL PM and DMs traveling in VS Premium or DL Premium Select now have access to the Clubhouse - if you’re in Econ you are relegated to the Club Aspire lounge.

skchin

This announcement was made few months back. Very disappointing in my opinion but, what can you do?

VFR

It looks like Flying Blue Platinum members have to be flying in W as well. VS also no longer lists an access policy for STE+.

Flying Club Gold continues to get access in any cabin.

flyerCO

Looks like there's no more Skyteam policy on lounges anymore. (The ST webpage now specifically states lounge depnds which airlinev flying) Other than one needs be provided, you don't get to use any ST lounge simply cause STE+. ie GRU only STE+ flying on AM/UX get access to the new ST lounge.

ohhleary

Must have missed this announcement back when it was made. As someone who usually flies JFK-LHR 6+ times a year, access to the Clubhouse was one of the biggest benefits of keeping my PM status. I was already on the fence about sticking with Delta for next year, so this is pretty much the nail in the coffin for me. Does anyone know if they have plans to apply rules like this to the Revivals Lounge as well? Virgin's website suggests that hasn't happened, thankfully.

erik123

Not great but I think you can use the No. 1 or Aspire lounge?

tennessetom

Access rules have changed for the club several times in the 10 years or so delta has used terminal three at LHR, while I can see people not liking the change I appreciate Virgin trying to keep the club as a pleasant place, unlike let’s say a few or maybe every skyclub these days, the last two times I was in the club for the first time ever it was overcrowded and unpleasant

ohhleary

I don't see how they couldn't have accomplished this by changing the guest policy, which always seemed too generous to me (though oddly, the new policy still doesn't allow Delta One passengers without PM/DM status to bring a guest, despite VS Upper Class passengers receiving that benefit). At least give an incremental approach a shot before full-on shutting out loyal customers because of the cabin they're booked in (which I have no choice in when returning from LHR due to company travel policy).

The Aspire Lounge was already overcrowded and unpleasant, and now it's going to be utterly useless.

Duke787

This does seem like a change from what was originally announced but it shouldn't be surprising to anyone because it lines up with the current DL SkyClub rules.

As someone who is currently splitting time between UA and DL at the moment, I find these types of moves by DL/ST very interesting because on paper it puts them significantly behind what UA/*A offer to their mid-tier elites in any cabin

Brandinho1

I argue that *A Gold status is the most valuable of mide tier status between alliances.

MCO Flyer

Can PMs/DMs still check in/get dropped off at the Upper Class wing even if flying Y? Will be taking a trip to LHR later this year but will be in PS on the way back so a moot point for me was just curious for future reference.

rylan

DL struck first when it gutted skyclub access and also made it significantly more expensive and/or difficult to bring in guests with the elimination of the guest option as a choice benefit, and the increase of exec membership to all 3 choice benefits for a DM.
Not surprising to see this also hit partner lounges.
Basically as a DL pax with STE+ status it no longer really means anything except a free bag.

audidudi

With STE + status you can still access the Clubhouse at SFO, without flying in Premium or UC on VS, DL or any SkyTeam International flight.

ND76

When I was GM 8 years or so ago I used the Number One lounge in LHR. It took them 20 minutes or so for the staff there to decide whether to admit me, even though it was a posted benefit on the Delta website and I had my passport and GM card with me. The lounge itself was OK, nothing great, nothing terrible, and it did have free adult beverages.

I'm not going to switch airline alliances over this. I am going to look at creative ways of exiting Europe and flying back to the USA. I realize that the way I travel is not for everyone, but I had a good time doing it. I took the train (including a rail replacement bus for 20 miles of the trip) from London to Harwich International port station, and connected with the Stena Line overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland, entering the Netherlands (and confusing the heck out of the crack Marechausee at the immigration checkpoint there), exiting the terminal, walking across the street to a station on the Rotterdam metro, taking the train to Schiedam Centrum, then connecting to the NS national rail system for the trip up to Schiphol, then flying Delta AMS-BOS-CLE, availing myself of the KLM Crown Lounge 52, which is almost as nice as the VS Clubhouse in LHR (minus the outside deck and the pool table).

You can also take the Eurostar from London St. Pancras to CDG and fly home from there. The high speed rail also serves BRU. I wish Delta had service from some of the smaller UK airports such as BHX. You can use AF by means of LCY, NCL, EDI or ABX; and KL out of GLA. I'm thjnking about trying a two stop connection to LCY via CDG on my next trip over the pond, just to do it.

Duck1981

If one tries to qualify via LH Sen then *A Gold doesn't really come across as mid tier