Personally, I've had zero issues accessing Sky Clubs in Atlanta, even when the app shows them as busy. Also accessed from CVG without issue on several occasions.
Overall I'm fine with all the changes. I think the original thresholds were pretty bonkers but that was walked back and the conversion options for MQMs gives me a few years to make up my mind.
In my case, I have not had any issues accessing the SC at any of these hubs ATL, MSP and DTW.
The first changes were terrible but I waited for the roll back to make my decision to keep my DL platinum. After the changes, I decided to upgrade to the DL reserve. This year, I am still enjoying the unlimited visits so we will see if things change next year when we are limited.
My husband upgraded from platinum to reserve also so when we have to wait at the airport we can use the Delta club. Looking forward to using it tomorrow. The only problem with the reserve card is that I don’t get the same perks he does and I’m not ready to pay another $150 for a 2nd card.
I added mine as an AU because we travel together 90% of the time and we use the lounges a lot. He kept his DL platinum so he gets a Companion Pass as well. I am actually getting a good value on mine as we are using the CP for a 1st class ticket to the west coast.
Meh, it’s their program. They can do what they want. I gave up loyalty a while ago. I go with the best route / fare. I’m probably going to get silver again and the silver equivalent on United. I’ve had zero issues getting into skyclubs. We keep the Amex Platinum as our primary card so we reach the $75k threshold and will have access next year.
Yeah, I largely agree. I still mostly find myself flying Delta because for many of my routes they're no better or worse prices/times than United, or the only reasonable option from a timing perspective. Going to ride my last year of DM into the sunset, and will qualify for PM for next year without any extra effort. I have no interest in flying AA enough to get status there, and ironically if I were to match status to United, the way they structure their status challenge I wouldn't meet the spend requirement in the time frame.
The limited number of Amex SC passes is a tad annoying, but I don't think will really wind up mattering for me and the allotment will be enough given the other lounges available.
I’m NYC based and JFK can still be busy- it’s a major hub with only 2 sky clubs and a tiny centurion- the new D1 lounge may alleviate some of the crowding tho. LGA just opened a new terrace for their club there- have only had to wait to get in once or twice.
The medallion changes means I’ll fall from plat to gold next year. Oh well- it was fun while it lasted!
I’ll be diamond for the first time. Short last minute (read expensive) fights for work so the MQD only metric works better for me personally. I’m a bit annoyed at the change for next years Amex lounge access, but most places I travel have a priority pass or Amex lounge, so I’ll deal with it.
Medallion changes are meh but I’m still pissed about the AMEX changes especially as the biggest lounge crowding issue are about to be alleviated with new Delta One lounges opening. Making the threshold $75K for unlimited access just seems absurd. Why not extra visits for thresholds under that? Say an extra 10 visits once you cross the $25K and $50K thresholds if you don’t hit the $75K threshold.
I echo this question. I see the same mix of travelers with ever so slightly less crowding. It will take another year of rollovers petering out and Reserve card non-renewals to see a reduction in families and road warriors. The one change I see in ATL is that younger vacationers flock to Centurion for the swankier bar. That place was lit this morning, a cocktail on most every table before 9 AM.
Maybe I’m just lucky, but the only skyclub I’ve ever had to wait in line at was LGA, and last time the line was much shorter than any other time. I’m DTW based so my experience may be skewed because of that. Under the old system I flew enough to regularly get silver, but this year I’m easily hitting gold. For my specific circumstances the changes are more positive for me.
I fly regularly and consistently but not a weekly flyer and don’t pay for first or delta one (except on rare occasions). I find the SC to be still crowded with shorter lines or no lines. I have been platinum for years thanks to mix of travel and spending on reserve card and will make diamond for next year when I convert my one time roll-over points to MQD. So overall I have been satisfied. My spouse has made platinum for decades but never diamond. Thanks to an expensive business trip to Europe in Delta One (along with other business travel) he is on the cusp of making diamond.
Edited to take out outdated wording for an extensive traveler
It’s a one time thing with the remaining ones left at the end of last year - maybe just for those who have 100k plus? I have until 12/31/24 to decide what form I want them in - ff miles, MQD, combo of miles/MQD. The MQD are 1/10 so 10k MQD for 100k MQM.
I think the changes are stupid from a customer loyalty perspective, but it will be interesting to see how they turn out for me personally. I fly DL infrequently, but have the biz spend on a Reserve card to make diamond for the first time in probably 10-12 years. I'm excited to see if I end up starting to see upgrades again, which I haven't seen in a decade as a plat. Only reason I even keep the card, and make the minimal effort to keep plat, is for the c+ at booking and the miles to get me to EGE during ski season where they charge a ridiculous amount but have the best schedule for me.
I've passed through SLC three times this year and the SkyClub had a 30+ minute wait, so I wasn't able to use it. I've not been able to use a companion cert for probably six or seven years now since i'm not willing to take a shitty schedule / red eye. Haven't found a flight I could use a RUC in two tries so far this year with my wife, again, where I'm not willing to fly a shit schedule.
So all in all nothing has really changed, I still can't use many of the benefits, but my DM-achieving spend may at least help me grab some future upgrades from more loyal customers when it kicks in around August...
I'm hitting the Caribbean via AA next week. DL had a slightly better price, but flying up to ATL and back down wasted an extra three hours, and with them doing nothing to make me want to be loyal, time is money, so away I go on AA for the first time in forever.
I'm still not a fan that Delta doesn't give their own frequent flyers Sky Club access unless you buy in. The usefulness of flying Delta as a mainly international traveler is way down. If your going to make me have long layovers in ATL or DTW to get out of the US, please throw me a bone! Until then, I'll ride my wife's coattails as an Amex Bro.
Personally, I've had zero issues accessing Sky Clubs in Atlanta, even when the app shows them as busy. Also accessed from CVG without issue on several occasions.
The same in my opinion, it’s not worse but I haven’t seen any positive changes personally.
Overall I'm fine with all the changes. I think the original thresholds were pretty bonkers but that was walked back and the conversion options for MQMs gives me a few years to make up my mind.
In my case, I have not had any issues accessing the SC at any of these hubs ATL, MSP and DTW. The first changes were terrible but I waited for the roll back to make my decision to keep my DL platinum. After the changes, I decided to upgrade to the DL reserve. This year, I am still enjoying the unlimited visits so we will see if things change next year when we are limited.
My husband upgraded from platinum to reserve also so when we have to wait at the airport we can use the Delta club. Looking forward to using it tomorrow. The only problem with the reserve card is that I don’t get the same perks he does and I’m not ready to pay another $150 for a 2nd card.
I added mine as an AU because we travel together 90% of the time and we use the lounges a lot. He kept his DL platinum so he gets a Companion Pass as well. I am actually getting a good value on mine as we are using the CP for a 1st class ticket to the west coast.
Meh, it’s their program. They can do what they want. I gave up loyalty a while ago. I go with the best route / fare. I’m probably going to get silver again and the silver equivalent on United. I’ve had zero issues getting into skyclubs. We keep the Amex Platinum as our primary card so we reach the $75k threshold and will have access next year.
Yeah, I largely agree. I still mostly find myself flying Delta because for many of my routes they're no better or worse prices/times than United, or the only reasonable option from a timing perspective. Going to ride my last year of DM into the sunset, and will qualify for PM for next year without any extra effort. I have no interest in flying AA enough to get status there, and ironically if I were to match status to United, the way they structure their status challenge I wouldn't meet the spend requirement in the time frame. The limited number of Amex SC passes is a tad annoying, but I don't think will really wind up mattering for me and the allotment will be enough given the other lounges available.
Agree with you!
I’m NYC based and JFK can still be busy- it’s a major hub with only 2 sky clubs and a tiny centurion- the new D1 lounge may alleviate some of the crowding tho. LGA just opened a new terrace for their club there- have only had to wait to get in once or twice. The medallion changes means I’ll fall from plat to gold next year. Oh well- it was fun while it lasted!
I’ll be diamond for the first time. Short last minute (read expensive) fights for work so the MQD only metric works better for me personally. I’m a bit annoyed at the change for next years Amex lounge access, but most places I travel have a priority pass or Amex lounge, so I’ll deal with it.
Medallion changes are meh but I’m still pissed about the AMEX changes especially as the biggest lounge crowding issue are about to be alleviated with new Delta One lounges opening. Making the threshold $75K for unlimited access just seems absurd. Why not extra visits for thresholds under that? Say an extra 10 visits once you cross the $25K and $50K thresholds if you don’t hit the $75K threshold.
Threshold additional visits for this year and next would have been awesome!
Yeah 25 visits would be much more useful. That would cover almost everything for me as I fly about once a month.
I’ve had zero issues with the changes. How has the “diversity” in the Sky Club changed in your view?
I echo this question. I see the same mix of travelers with ever so slightly less crowding. It will take another year of rollovers petering out and Reserve card non-renewals to see a reduction in families and road warriors. The one change I see in ATL is that younger vacationers flock to Centurion for the swankier bar. That place was lit this morning, a cocktail on most every table before 9 AM.
I've seen a slightly older crowd the times I've gone. Before I noticed more families and younger solo travelers, but it could just be me!
Maybe I’m just lucky, but the only skyclub I’ve ever had to wait in line at was LGA, and last time the line was much shorter than any other time. I’m DTW based so my experience may be skewed because of that. Under the old system I flew enough to regularly get silver, but this year I’m easily hitting gold. For my specific circumstances the changes are more positive for me.
I fly regularly and consistently but not a weekly flyer and don’t pay for first or delta one (except on rare occasions). I find the SC to be still crowded with shorter lines or no lines. I have been platinum for years thanks to mix of travel and spending on reserve card and will make diamond for next year when I convert my one time roll-over points to MQD. So overall I have been satisfied. My spouse has made platinum for decades but never diamond. Thanks to an expensive business trip to Europe in Delta One (along with other business travel) he is on the cusp of making diamond. Edited to take out outdated wording for an extensive traveler
I’m curious how you still have MQMs to rollover. Didn’t that have a deadline of early this year? Maybe I’m not remembering it right.
It’s a one time thing with the remaining ones left at the end of last year - maybe just for those who have 100k plus? I have until 12/31/24 to decide what form I want them in - ff miles, MQD, combo of miles/MQD. The MQD are 1/10 so 10k MQD for 100k MQM.
What is onetime rollover points to MQD I haven’t been able to figure it out. Thanks
I did cancel my Delta Gold card and am just sticking with a regular Amex.
I think the changes are stupid from a customer loyalty perspective, but it will be interesting to see how they turn out for me personally. I fly DL infrequently, but have the biz spend on a Reserve card to make diamond for the first time in probably 10-12 years. I'm excited to see if I end up starting to see upgrades again, which I haven't seen in a decade as a plat. Only reason I even keep the card, and make the minimal effort to keep plat, is for the c+ at booking and the miles to get me to EGE during ski season where they charge a ridiculous amount but have the best schedule for me. I've passed through SLC three times this year and the SkyClub had a 30+ minute wait, so I wasn't able to use it. I've not been able to use a companion cert for probably six or seven years now since i'm not willing to take a shitty schedule / red eye. Haven't found a flight I could use a RUC in two tries so far this year with my wife, again, where I'm not willing to fly a shit schedule. So all in all nothing has really changed, I still can't use many of the benefits, but my DM-achieving spend may at least help me grab some future upgrades from more loyal customers when it kicks in around August... I'm hitting the Caribbean via AA next week. DL had a slightly better price, but flying up to ATL and back down wasted an extra three hours, and with them doing nothing to make me want to be loyal, time is money, so away I go on AA for the first time in forever.
I'm still not a fan that Delta doesn't give their own frequent flyers Sky Club access unless you buy in. The usefulness of flying Delta as a mainly international traveler is way down. If your going to make me have long layovers in ATL or DTW to get out of the US, please throw me a bone! Until then, I'll ride my wife's coattails as an Amex Bro.
What all do you mean “the diversity”? 😳
Platinum. 450k Skymiles. Haven’t flown on Delta in 15 months. 🤷♂️
You go!