Oct 18, 2023, 2:25 pm
Last edit by: audidudi
Thread Wiki created based on 18 October 2023 Program and SkyClub access updates
Greater Flexibility for Delta Sky Club Access
Select Card Members will benefit from increased access to Clubs during their travel days as well as the option to purchase Club access after exhausting their allotted Club entries. Starting Feb 1 2025 (except where noted eg Jan 1 2024)…updates include:- Redefining Club visits: A Delta Sky Club visit now includes all entries within a 24-hour period after first Club entry, including your departure city, connecting airports and arrival at your destination. If you are traveling on a same-day roundtrip and use the Club on your outbound and return flight, both would be included within the same visit.
- Adding Club visits: Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business Card Members will now receive 15 visits per year (up from 10). Card Members with the Platinum Card® and the Business Platinum Card® from American Express will receive 10 visits (up from 6).
- As previously announced, Members can unlock unlimited Club access after spending $75,000 on their eligible Card in a calendar year and will have unlimited club access for both the remainder of the current program year and the following program year.
- Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business American Express Card Members and those customers traveling in Basic Economy, regardless of card type, will no longer be eligible for Club access.
- Additional flexibility to purchase Club access: Delta will also introduce the ability for Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business Card Members, as well as Card Members with the Platinum Card® from American Express, to purchase Club access at a per-visit rate of $50 per person after exhausting their allotted Club visits. Medallions will also have the option of purchasing an annual individual Delta Sky Club membership for $695.
SkyClub Access Changes in 2024
Sep 13, 2023, 4:56 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Washington,DC
Posts: 1,822
If you fly (For example) MEM to ATL to LGA you could use your entire allocation in 1 Round trip
Sep 13, 2023, 5:02 pm
#32
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Marriott LTT, DL FO
Posts: 185
Documenting for posterity's sake. The current public offer for DL Amex Reserve is 60,000 bonus miles for $5,000 spend in six months with a $550 annual fee. Individual Sky Club membership is $695.
I have the DL Amex Plat, and my private upgrade offer to go from that to Reserve is 15,000 miles for $2,000 spend in six months. Not that I would upgrade; I'd just apply outright for the Reserve if I want it.
My card renewed fairly recently, so I'll be holding on to it for a while before canceling. There's a chance a larger sign up bonus, the BOGO first class ticket, and (limited) Sky Club access still makes it a net positive value option for me to consider next year. I definitely wouldn't be putting any meaningful amount of spend on it beyond the sign up bonus threshold.
I can certainly see how the calculus changes for someone that already has the Reserve and won't be eligible for a sign up bonus. Totally understandable if the BOGO isn't enough to justify the Reserve, especially if the individual Sky Club membership cost stays the same and doesn't have any visit limits.
I'm also interested to hear what kind of retention offers people with the Reserve and DL Amex Plat will be getting, and if they are intriguing enough to keep the cards even with reduced benefits.
I have the DL Amex Plat, and my private upgrade offer to go from that to Reserve is 15,000 miles for $2,000 spend in six months. Not that I would upgrade; I'd just apply outright for the Reserve if I want it.
My card renewed fairly recently, so I'll be holding on to it for a while before canceling. There's a chance a larger sign up bonus, the BOGO first class ticket, and (limited) Sky Club access still makes it a net positive value option for me to consider next year. I definitely wouldn't be putting any meaningful amount of spend on it beyond the sign up bonus threshold.
I can certainly see how the calculus changes for someone that already has the Reserve and won't be eligible for a sign up bonus. Totally understandable if the BOGO isn't enough to justify the Reserve, especially if the individual Sky Club membership cost stays the same and doesn't have any visit limits.
I'm also interested to hear what kind of retention offers people with the Reserve and DL Amex Plat will be getting, and if they are intriguing enough to keep the cards even with reduced benefits.
Sep 13, 2023, 5:03 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Sep 13, 2023, 5:06 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat-ist, Bonvoyyyyyyed, Hilton $15 Daily F&B Receiver, Food Lion MVP
Posts: 1,203
It seems for the weekly (or semi-weekly) PM traveller who wants unlimited access and isn’t able to spend $75K on a personal credit card, they’re steering us to buying memberships rather than accessing by card? I’m sure this will have a sizable impact at the hubs but do places like MCI or IND become deserted?
imagine what 75k can do
Sep 13, 2023, 5:07 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM; Hyatt Globalist; etc
Posts: 540
CSR has an insanely low AF for what it is. $550 but you get a $300 travel credit, which anyone on Flyertalk spends easily. Ends up being a fraction of the Amex Plat in actual $ out of the bank.
Sep 13, 2023, 5:10 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
I think CSR is probably a better value proposition, unless there's a CL in one's home airport. The one thing Chase can't match with Amex is the proprietary airport lounges, at least not thus far.
Sep 13, 2023, 5:15 pm
#38
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Washington,DC
Posts: 1,822
Sep 13, 2023, 5:16 pm
#39
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,528
https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-...ccess-changes/
From the TPG article-Beginning on Feb. 1, 2025, Delta will limit how many times you can visit a Sky Club in each program year, as follows.
From the TPG article-Beginning on Feb. 1, 2025, Delta will limit how many times you can visit a Sky Club in each program year, as follows.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express — six annual visits.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — six annual visits.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card — 10 annual visits. (Two annual guest passes will still be provided.)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card — 10 annual visits
Sep 13, 2023, 5:18 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Nothing like hosing your most loyal flyers twice. Now you are expected to spend $35K a year for diamond and you only have access to the clubs 10 timesa == a yeear? Wonder if you can use the guest passes for yourself for visits.
Sep 13, 2023, 5:18 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: DTW, IST, ESB
Programs: AF/KLM Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 425
let's not forget the Amex Plat's 5x points on Airfare and Amex travel reservations, the FHR hotel program (elite-like benefits across the board); access to way more lounges than the CSR (Plaza premium, Centurion, Lufthansa, SkyClubs). I would also argue that Amex's customer service is miles ahead of Chase.
Sep 13, 2023, 5:37 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,202
DL really outdid themselves walking off the cliff with this one. 75k for unlimited visits is a kick to the teeth and beyond insulting. Sorry, who in their right mind is going to direct that much spend to the card for the SC?
Also, 10 visits per year is a total JOKE. That can be gone in a few roundtrips with connections.
Hoping for a massive backlash of cancellations. Would not be surprised if many skyclubs end up being empty from this and no longer having sufficient revenue generation to sustain themselves.
Also, 10 visits per year is a total JOKE. That can be gone in a few roundtrips with connections.
Hoping for a massive backlash of cancellations. Would not be surprised if many skyclubs end up being empty from this and no longer having sufficient revenue generation to sustain themselves.
Sep 13, 2023, 5:45 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
DL really outdid themselves walking off the cliff with this one. 75k for unlimited visits is a kick to the teeth and beyond insulting. Sorry, who in their right mind is going to direct that much spend to the card for the SC?
Also, 10 visits per year is a total JOKE. That can be gone in a few roundtrips with connections.
Hoping for a massive backlash of cancellations. Would not be surprised if many skyclubs end up being empty from this and no longer having sufficient revenue generation to sustain themselves.
Also, 10 visits per year is a total JOKE. That can be gone in a few roundtrips with connections.
Hoping for a massive backlash of cancellations. Would not be surprised if many skyclubs end up being empty from this and no longer having sufficient revenue generation to sustain themselves.