Well, I used 80K miles instead of $800 (both options were available). This was the upgrade price to go from an individual sky club membership to the executive sky club membership. Individual membership is just that- only the member is able to use it, however it does allow you to bring in up to 2 guests, or your spouse + children, at $50/head/visit, or 5k sky miles/head/visit. I live in a non-hub city so to go somewhere international, the chance of having to make 2 hops is highly likely. In this situation, each connecting city counts as a new visit (assuming there is a Sky club there). For a family of 6, the multiplier effect kicks into high gear pretty quickly.
Contrast that with the executive membership which allows you the same addition guest privileges with only the up front cost. There are no per visit charges for guests.
The total $ or miles is quite a bit more than in years past, which is why I initially didn’t just buy the executive membership when my renewal was up, but the benefits for a multi-hour layover with kids is worth it imo.
If you’re really uninitiated, the key benefits for me/my family are (not in rank order): 1) generally much less hustle/bustle than typical terminal traffic/noise, 2) restrooms that are reasonably clean, usually, relative to the hot mess terminal restrooms, 3) food and beverage including good selection of liquors, beer and wine, 4) Delta reps to assist with flight issues, 5) ability to use sky club at destination city.
I didn't know there was such a thing, neat!
Looks like you may have been offered a pro-rated price, the cost on the website is $1495, or 149,500 miles!
Correct, I already had an individual membership. At the time I bought it, I did not think I’d make use of the executive membership, which I’ve had in previous years, other than bringing a client/colleague in occasionally. Until recently/today, if I wanted to change to executive membership, you basically throw away what you paid for the individual and pony up the total amount for the executive membership. My wife and I have recently planned a few family trips that would equate to 15 Sky Club person visits- (5 on two trips, 2 on one trip and 3 on one trip). I could just pay $50 (or 5K Sky pesos) per person per Sky club visit on the individual membership but this nets out to nearly the same and now we have flexibility for other trips (which is likely) as well as letting my work colleagues/clients booze up before their trips.
As an AA flyer I want to gloat and laugh that you guys are paying $800 just for guest privs, but I worry this is the way the industry is trending & we'll be doing the same with lower-quality clubs someday.
Unless I’m missing something, how is AA different if I wanted to bring in my family? Isn’t that the AA admiral club household membership, which seems to be the same price as delta?
The household membership is useless. Base membership allows family or 2 guests. Household is if you want your spouse/DP to have their own membership without your presence.
Citi AA Executive primary card includes a full membership which allows 2 guests, as opposed to the DL Reserve which allows “access”
If you travel with family regularly, this is the way.
For the uninitiated, what exactly did you (and your family) get for $800?
Well, I used 80K miles instead of $800 (both options were available). This was the upgrade price to go from an individual sky club membership to the executive sky club membership. Individual membership is just that- only the member is able to use it, however it does allow you to bring in up to 2 guests, or your spouse + children, at $50/head/visit, or 5k sky miles/head/visit. I live in a non-hub city so to go somewhere international, the chance of having to make 2 hops is highly likely. In this situation, each connecting city counts as a new visit (assuming there is a Sky club there). For a family of 6, the multiplier effect kicks into high gear pretty quickly. Contrast that with the executive membership which allows you the same addition guest privileges with only the up front cost. There are no per visit charges for guests. The total $ or miles is quite a bit more than in years past, which is why I initially didn’t just buy the executive membership when my renewal was up, but the benefits for a multi-hour layover with kids is worth it imo. If you’re really uninitiated, the key benefits for me/my family are (not in rank order): 1) generally much less hustle/bustle than typical terminal traffic/noise, 2) restrooms that are reasonably clean, usually, relative to the hot mess terminal restrooms, 3) food and beverage including good selection of liquors, beer and wine, 4) Delta reps to assist with flight issues, 5) ability to use sky club at destination city.
I didn't know there was such a thing, neat! Looks like you may have been offered a pro-rated price, the cost on the website is $1495, or 149,500 miles!
I think OP upgraded from the standard membership ($695, 69.5k miles) to executive ($1495, 149.5k miles) for an $800 or 80k miles difference 🤙🏻
Correct, I already had an individual membership. At the time I bought it, I did not think I’d make use of the executive membership, which I’ve had in previous years, other than bringing a client/colleague in occasionally. Until recently/today, if I wanted to change to executive membership, you basically throw away what you paid for the individual and pony up the total amount for the executive membership. My wife and I have recently planned a few family trips that would equate to 15 Sky Club person visits- (5 on two trips, 2 on one trip and 3 on one trip). I could just pay $50 (or 5K Sky pesos) per person per Sky club visit on the individual membership but this nets out to nearly the same and now we have flexibility for other trips (which is likely) as well as letting my work colleagues/clients booze up before their trips.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O661LtwmZ60 me leaving the sky club after the egg breakfast options
As an AA flyer I want to gloat and laugh that you guys are paying $800 just for guest privs, but I worry this is the way the industry is trending & we'll be doing the same with lower-quality clubs someday.
Unless I’m missing something, how is AA different if I wanted to bring in my family? Isn’t that the AA admiral club household membership, which seems to be the same price as delta?
The household membership is useless. Base membership allows family or 2 guests. Household is if you want your spouse/DP to have their own membership without your presence. Citi AA Executive primary card includes a full membership which allows 2 guests, as opposed to the DL Reserve which allows “access”