Eye of the Flyer
Jul 14, 2022, 8:39 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,601
OP been here since 2000 and still can't hot link.....
Here you go
Jest of it, Executives didn't say crap out the over crowding, but did say they are trying to grow the amount of people that have Delta branded AMEXs that are also SkyMiles members.
From that, blogger mental gymnastics into no more AMEX plats in SkyClubs (not happening) or stupid ideas like you can have an AMEX plat but need to spend 50K a year type of stuff, also not happening.
So basically its a big nothing burger with a LARGE jump of off Delta trying to get SkyMiles members to to get co-branded AMEX cards and an even larger jump that a large portion of those people will go reserve and ignoring that a lot of people who are SkyMiles members who don't have a card (that would jump to reserve) don't already have SkyClub access.
I would bet a lot of the Skymiles members that do not have a Delta branded card either A) are going to be low tiers that would go Gold MAYBE Delta Plat, neither of which are likely to drive a ton of people into SkyClubs B) are either Diamonds/360 that get SkyClub access or at Skymiles members that have the plat card.
But one of the big benefits of the plat card for US members is the SkyClub membership, absolutely no way AMEX is giving that up, IMO.
Here you go
Jest of it, Executives didn't say crap out the over crowding, but did say they are trying to grow the amount of people that have Delta branded AMEXs that are also SkyMiles members.
From that, blogger mental gymnastics into no more AMEX plats in SkyClubs (not happening) or stupid ideas like you can have an AMEX plat but need to spend 50K a year type of stuff, also not happening.
So basically its a big nothing burger with a LARGE jump of off Delta trying to get SkyMiles members to to get co-branded AMEX cards and an even larger jump that a large portion of those people will go reserve and ignoring that a lot of people who are SkyMiles members who don't have a card (that would jump to reserve) don't already have SkyClub access.
I would bet a lot of the Skymiles members that do not have a Delta branded card either A) are going to be low tiers that would go Gold MAYBE Delta Plat, neither of which are likely to drive a ton of people into SkyClubs B) are either Diamonds/360 that get SkyClub access or at Skymiles members that have the plat card.
But one of the big benefits of the plat card for US members is the SkyClub membership, absolutely no way AMEX is giving that up, IMO.
Last edited by Dawgfan6291; Jul 15, 2022 at 2:39 am
Jul 14, 2022, 8:45 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,601
This seems like pure speculation, but if Delta club access is restricted to Amex Plat cardholders with the exorbitant fees that we're paying for it, I see no reason to keep the card.
We've already seen ridiculous devaluations from Amex (Priority Pass restaurants at airports) that has contributed to more crowded Centurion and Plat lounges. I'd choose a restaurant over a lounge in most instances if I was still able to.
We've already seen ridiculous devaluations from Amex (Priority Pass restaurants at airports) that has contributed to more crowded Centurion and Plat lounges. I'd choose a restaurant over a lounge in most instances if I was still able to.
more importantly, you'd probably see the vast majority of plat holders (that are Delta SkyMiles members, aka the people using the SkyClubs) just switch over the reserve at that point which does absolutely nothing to fix the issue.
The only ones I can see Delta pulling access from either Delta plats or reserve/AMEX plat guests. Short of that, the only answer they have is to increase club space.
Jul 14, 2022, 8:50 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: I've gone underground!
Posts: 4,603
This article is dumb and unfortunately the author is creating clickbait with his admitted speculation.
Amex pays DL for the club admissions. It’s all negotiated as part of their overall master agreement. DL can’t just unilaterally exclude classes to deny entry. Additionally, Delta gets $X for every entry, the amount varying by class of member. You’d be out of your mind to think Amex is paying DL full price for the membership that goes along with the reserve card. DL and Amex don’t particularly care about the lines; they’d be building out more lounge space if they really thought it was a problem. Until people drop their credit cards and memberships, DL and Amex win. No additional cap-ex and additional annual fees.
Amex pays DL for the club admissions. It’s all negotiated as part of their overall master agreement. DL can’t just unilaterally exclude classes to deny entry. Additionally, Delta gets $X for every entry, the amount varying by class of member. You’d be out of your mind to think Amex is paying DL full price for the membership that goes along with the reserve card. DL and Amex don’t particularly care about the lines; they’d be building out more lounge space if they really thought it was a problem. Until people drop their credit cards and memberships, DL and Amex win. No additional cap-ex and additional annual fees.
Jul 14, 2022, 10:31 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 64
This article is dumb and unfortunately the author is creating clickbait with his admitted speculation.
Amex pays DL for the club admissions. It’s all negotiated as part of their overall master agreement. DL can’t just unilaterally exclude classes to deny entry. Additionally, Delta gets $X for every entry, the amount varying by class of member. You’d be out of your mind to think Amex is paying DL full price for the membership that goes along with the reserve card. DL and Amex don’t particularly care about the lines; they’d be building out more lounge space if they really thought it was a problem. Until people drop their credit cards and memberships, DL and Amex win. No additional cap-ex and additional annual fees.
Amex pays DL for the club admissions. It’s all negotiated as part of their overall master agreement. DL can’t just unilaterally exclude classes to deny entry. Additionally, Delta gets $X for every entry, the amount varying by class of member. You’d be out of your mind to think Amex is paying DL full price for the membership that goes along with the reserve card. DL and Amex don’t particularly care about the lines; they’d be building out more lounge space if they really thought it was a problem. Until people drop their credit cards and memberships, DL and Amex win. No additional cap-ex and additional annual fees.
Jul 15, 2022, 2:43 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver,AS 100K 22-24, AS 75K 15-21
Posts: 4,278
While the June 2022 Skyclub access change isn’t further helped with current delta operational problem, I do believe more change is looming. I think the recent change did little to the crowding situation with further action necessary.
As for the American Express side of things, benefit guide of June 2022 access change also include the statement,
“Benefit and rules subject to change without notice”, with “Additional restrictions may apply.”
It is my belief that Amex and Delta is still coordinating their efforts to find the right solution to remedy this problem. it wouldn’t surprise me, visitation frequencies and/or booking class might indeed factor in to future language of access.
Jiburi
As for the American Express side of things, benefit guide of June 2022 access change also include the statement,
“Benefit and rules subject to change without notice”, with “Additional restrictions may apply.”
It is my belief that Amex and Delta is still coordinating their efforts to find the right solution to remedy this problem. it wouldn’t surprise me, visitation frequencies and/or booking class might indeed factor in to future language of access.
Jiburi
Jul 15, 2022, 5:33 am
#22
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 2,001
Typical click bait for this "blog" Used to be called 'Delta Points' and has a long history of these types of 'articles' in an attempt to shill more credit card signups for those fat referral commissions.
Waste of time, don't bother subscribing.
Waste of time, don't bother subscribing.
Jul 15, 2022, 6:07 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,906
Jul 15, 2022, 6:18 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 223
Agreed that this is very click-baity.
This doesn't seem that surprising? There are 4 consumer cards (Blue, Gold, Platinum, Reserve), and I have to imagine that in the grand scheme of things, the 3 commercial cards (Biz Gold, Biz Platinum, Biz Reserve) don't have the cards-in-force that the consumer cards do. So, 1/4 of new cards coming from two of the most popular cards almost feels low. Plus, the Delta Platinum has to pay for access at $39 a pop.
If this article had talked about the change in card membership from 2020/2021 to now, then I could see some reason for speculation. This does just seem like click-bait. Or a thinly-veiled way to publish insider information that he recently received.
1 out of 4 new Delta Amex cards are either Platinum or Reserve high end cards with the latter giving you free access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta.
If this article had talked about the change in card membership from 2020/2021 to now, then I could see some reason for speculation. This does just seem like click-bait. Or a thinly-veiled way to publish insider information that he recently received.
Jul 15, 2022, 6:31 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,041
Jul 15, 2022, 7:22 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: I've gone underground!
Posts: 4,603
I’m ATL based and have experienced it there for midday flights both weekday and weekend. B and D terminals most often.
Jul 15, 2022, 7:26 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
This would make no sense -- it would destroy the value prop of the AMEX Plat (because you already face Centurion restrictions and literally every other AMEX Plat benefit is like a coupon book these days). AMEX didn't shell out all that money to Delta for them to turn around and kill the value of their premium cards.
Don't forget AMEX has started building Centurion Lounges in Delta hubs which is a nod to providing additional lounge space for AMEX members (ATL, JFK, DCA, plus expansions are coming for SFO and SEA)
Don't forget AMEX has started building Centurion Lounges in Delta hubs which is a nod to providing additional lounge space for AMEX members (ATL, JFK, DCA, plus expansions are coming for SFO and SEA)
Jul 15, 2022, 7:33 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 11