Update 10/21/18: These changes are now outlined officially here. American Airlines recently announced similar changes here.
Delta are making some changes to who can access their Delta SkyClub lounges, these changes do not come into effective until 2019. Changes are as follows via LoyaltyLobby:
- You must be travelling on a same day ticketed Delta or partner flight (previously worked when flying other airlines)
- You will no longer get access to partner lounges (previously you had access to Flying Blue & Virgin Australia lounges)
- American Express Platinum/Centurion cardholders must pay a fee of $29 for guests (previously free and access already required a same day Delta ticket)
- American Express Reserve cardholders get complimentary club access when traveling on Delta marketed or operated flights on Delta ticket stock. Guests must pay a $29 fee and they must be traveling or Delta or partner airlines
- American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold & Platinum card holders can pay $29 to access the club when traveling on Delta or partner airlines (previously any airline)
The 2019 date seems odd, but you need to remember that people have already paid fees for this access well into 2018 and they need to give some advance notice as well.
Didn’t Delta always charge for guests for plat cardholders?
Amex Centurion is going to totally do this in some form. u cant have everybody be “elite”. just doenst work.
so having a paid membership is worth a lot. this actually makes sense and can see other airlines do this. no more of this credit card access for the masses since its been pimped out so much now its useless. Airport lounges should begin calling themselves day care centers.
I think Amex really just has to limit guests. Right now, it’s two guests which I think is okay, but they also have an “immediate family” clause which lets one card holder come in with their spouse and 5 kids. This is really what packs up these lounges.
I had always thought you had to fly Delta or a partner to use the Delta lounge. Didn’t really matter because I had Centurion Lounges available
I had always thought you had to fly Delta or a partner to use the Delta lounge. Didn’t really matter because I had Centurion Lounges available
With all these new restrictions Im going to need a rule book on hand to know when and if I can even access a lounge. Its beginning to feel like the stars have to align.
There’s an app for that called LoungeBuddy
Airlines lounges are in decline… There is no reason for each airline to operate exclusive lounges. PP is taking over.
Lounges are being devalued into a freemium service which is why PP is taking over. This is an attempt to preserve what’s left of the premium lounges. They realized their math on the CC benefit utilizers is not panning out.
The airline branded lounges tend to be head and shoulders superior to Priority pass options in the US, and are usually located after security near the gates that the airline uses.
I would have agreed with you a year ago. Now a lot of major airports have PP meal vouchers at restaurants which are way better than your standard airline clubs. And even if domestic airline clubs are better than PP ones, it’s usually only slightly- a handful of snacks, some soup, a cookie, mediocre booze… whatever.
In my experience Priority Pass is practically worthless within the US. You’re always forced to some mediocre club in a terminal which you aren’t flying from. Maybe this works at a small airport but I’m not showing up 3 hours early so I can have a free cup of coffee and some crummy cheese in Terminal A and then take a shuttle over to Terminal C.
Ontop of that, 75% of the time there’s a sign out saying we’re full go away.
Priority Pass lounges are generally quite lame. There’s a reason every other credit card gives a membership out as a free benefit. It’s because it’s a low cost benefit provided in turn at low cost to the masses that think it’s VIP to sit in a crowded claustrophobic lounge that has free coffee instead of sitting out in a semi-crowded terminal with better food/drink you have to pay for. On most days I find the lounges far more crowded and uncomfortable then the terminals by far. So I end up snagging some nutrigrain bars and a drink before leaving which then makes me feel like someone that takes handfuls of condiment packets home after eating at fast food restaurants. I think this move is designed to get back to lounges being more exclusive/upscale benefits for their best biggest spending loyal customers. It makes sense.
I mentioned that the Aruba Priority pass lounges on reddit and got a ton of down votes. I fly out of Philly when flying to Europe and Centurian Lounge is nice. Priority Pass is the Walmart of lounges.
These seem to only be change for those who have Delta Sky Club membership, right, not to those who gain access to clubs via elite status or the cabin they’re booked in (on international flights), right?
Your article doesn’t make that clear, but I don’t see how they could be eliminating FlyingBlue club access for people flying business class to Amsterdam.
It was already $29 per guest for Amex Platinum members at Delta Sky Clubs…..It’s been this way for a while. https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/benefits/detail/delta-sky-club-access-for-reserve/delta-reserve
“American Express Platinum/Centurion cardholders must pay a fee of $29 for guests (previously free and access already required a same day Delta ticket)”
Unless AMEX plans to drop the annual fee significantly, I won’t be renewing my card next year now. That’s a big benefit to be removing and I’m guessing the annual fee won’t be dropped nor will it be replaced with something better.
Did you ever use the benefit before? If so, you’d know Platinum cardholders already are paying $29 per guest.
My best guess is no lol maybe he just wanted his dramatic moment.
I originally misinterpreted the line thinking that the primary cardholder would have to pay a fee to get in, I’m wondering if Matt thought the same thing.
I think part of the issue here is that William has said “previously free” when in fact, it wasn’t. Guests have always had a fee.
The changes are ridiculous… I don’t know how people could justify buying a Delta lounge membership if they are not allowed in when not flying Delta.
With a United club membership you can enter when flying whatever airlines with 2 guests for free and you can also get into partner airlines lounges for the same price.
People who fly Delta all the time. You know the people who make Delta money.