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- BREAKING: Delta has backtracked on arrival access and restored what is in place now (however the 3 hour before departure rule STANDS as of 1JUNE2022). See Access & Policies page here!
I have been flying Delta (and Northwest before that) for a very long time. I miss some of the things of days passed– like how the names of Sky Clubs were “World Clubs.” And so many other things.
You know — like stopovers on award tickets.
And real, fixed award charts.
Oh, to dream of what was.
Because I do not live in a Delta “hub” city I will rarely be impacted by the you-cannot-visit-a-Sky-Club-on-arrival new rule change. But on a mileage run, it will be a major bummer to not get a shower or quick snack on arrival.
Something we used to gripe about all the time was the pathetic and anemic wifi speed in the Sky Clubs. This seems to have improved. During a recent visit to the MSP main club at 8AM in the morning (with a ton of folks already inside) the download speed was OK and the upload speed very impressive. I need both to be fast as I use remote controlled software to run my home PC remotely when on the road.
What else has improved?
Food choices have, for the most part, returned to what they were before COVID began — and maybe even a bit better (depending on the station you are flying out of). I popped in to the Amex / Escape Lounge while in MSP. The food choices were simply awful. I turned on my heels and went to the Sky Club.
Drink choices are still nowhere near as good as Centurion or Escape lounges (especially so for house wines) but I have hopes they will make some changes one day.
With all of the above in mind, are the changes “good enough” to pardon the nasty changes to both arrival time at the Sky Clubs as well as the removal of the arrival visits?
Nope!
I really have to say I am more and more thrilled to be a free agent going forward (see this post). I have found I am flying American Airlines more than ever and will continue to do so unless they follow Delta down the rabbit hole of cuts. I already hold no Delta Amex cards and plan to expand my American Airlines card portfolio.
Delta just “Keeps Descending” on just about every aspect of the my frequent flyer experience and after 10 years are dogged loyalty I think the downgrade of the Global Upgrade Certificates paired with the nasty Sky Club changes will drive a ton of folks away from always picking Delta when it comes to their travel plans.
The big question is will Delta care? I doubt it. In this post COVID travel world, they have hooked enough leisure travelers that it will take a long time until any departures of folks like me will have any real impact on the bottom line. – Rene
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I found it ironic that you became a free agent and find yourself flying American more because I am in the exact same boat. Left Delta after a ton of issues during the pandemic while they preached how they were here for their most loyal customers and then add to it the changes to the GUC that in my book make them worthless (I priced out paying more for PS to upgrade to D1 than buying business directly on a competitor that frankly has a nicer product).
Ive enjoyed my time as a free agent trying new aircraft and products and its been a blast to see what others offer. While I keep the Amex Plat in my Wallet to get me in the lounge if a Delta flight works out I am no longer going out of my way to just fly Delta
How is that “KEEP CLIMBING” working out for Delta… I am a 2 million Miler, Diamond and NOT PLEASED about their re-entry policy set to take affect soon. I wrote to Delta and Low and behold NO response. Maybe being a free agent can work for me.
@Jeff – I applaud you for trying to share your thoughts by reaching out to Delta. In the end do that and then speaking with your wallet will the the only thing Delta listens to.
ATL based and with the retirement of so many Delta employees during the pandemic, I have noticed that the level customer service of ATL Delta representatives is “awful”. I don’t blame the employees, I blame Delta.
Too May incidents to mention but I find a general lack of initiative in all areas. I, too,!have chosen to be a “ free agent” especially when competitors are charging 1st Class/Business fares equivalent to Delta’s Main Cabin.
By the way, now that Delta Flight Attendants will be compensated during boarding, will “Pre-Departure” drinks be served?
@Bridge – On the two flights I was on this week – no PFB was offered. Also still the ultra tiny Delta water vs the old larger quality Dasani ones.
I haven’t seen pre-departure beverage service since the pandemic began with the last being on a DTW to LAS flight in mid March 2020. I fly almost weekly, both short flights and to the coasts.
Whatever you do, DO NOT ask for one, you’ll be treated like a “leper” for the remaining flight, even avoidance with the statement “Oh, I thought I’d saw you sleeping and didn’t want to bother you”.
I still can’t believe that the you-can’t-come-in-here upon arrival is going to alleviate overcrowding.
First of all if you checked a bag, you’re not hitting the Sky Club unless it’s to use the rest room and grab a coffee (all of which may take 5 mins tops). No one is going to go in there while their bag spins around the bag claim aimlessly.
Second, most people get to their destination and get on with it. I am certain there are a few who wait out traffic, etc. But, my experience tells me it’s not enough to make a difference.
I’ve posted this before…it’s the AMEX Platinum holders (again…no judgement here!). My solution stands:
If an airport has a Centurion, the Plats should have free access to that club and maybe the $39.00 charge for the Sky Club. Vice Versa for the Sky Miles Reserve Card. Free for the Sky Club…$39.00 for the Centurion. My intuition tells me that’ll fix the “problem”.
Last thing…got off Delta on Monday afternoon Terminal B at EWR. The terminal was literally mobbed…people everywhere. Just to do a quick check, I ducked into the EWR Sky Club. It was “semi-busy”…not crazy. Granted EWR is not a hub…but just goes to my point that not as many people have lounge access as we here in the “travel bubble” think. I said in a previous post, I don’t know anyone of my family or friends that has lounge access.
Seems like Delta just reversed the revised arrival policy for Delta Skymiles.
I meant Skyclubs and not Skymiles
Looks like enough members wrote to Delta (or maybe just me :-)), but they’ve revised the access-on-arrival policy… got this email just now: “Revisions to Latest Delta Sky Club Access Policy…. Arriving customers – with or without a connection – will be able to enjoy the Club upon arrival, as you do today. “
Looks like they *just* rolled back the change and will admit gusts who have just arrived!
Delta Million Miler here. Changed to be a “free agent” back when the MQDs were introduced. Mostly (but not always) fly AA now, and have been quite happy. (Side note: Flying AA out of Atlanta is a dream as the club is not very crowded, and upgrades were easy to get. The downside of course is you need to connect to many places unless you are flying to an AA hub, which wasn’t a huge deal for me.). I live near MCO now so flying AA is the same as flying DL here. AA has had a consistently better experience than DL for a while. One exception: DL is better at keeping their seat back entertainment systems. However as for the club experience, lately AA wins every time. Upgrade certificates? AA, partner choices? AA. Also in the early days of the pandemic, I was in Manila as the world was locking down. Suddenly I found myself in a world where no country would let me transit thru their country go get home. There was a real possibility I’d be stuck there. AA bought me a ticket on Philippine airlines (not a partner) to get me a direct flight Manila to Los Angeles. I was forever thankful for that.
But short version: After over a decade of being insanely loyal to DL (and NWA), their changes have made it so it was no longer beneficial to be loyal. I’m actually enjoying having choices now. There’s not enough of an advantage to chasing status or miles anymore.
Arrival policy is reversed. Give them credit…the blowback must hae been huge and they noticed. Good on us customers.
@Ellis:
That is a great story regarding your -almost – issue in Manila. That really was AA stepping up for you in a big way!
It was indeed. Considering how things turned out (How bad the pandemic got), I could have been there for a VERY long time. I’m still grateful they got me home.
One other note: Someone earlier mentioned they miss the name “World Clubs”. I do as well. To me Sky Club has always sounded like a sandwich.
“To me Sky Club has always sounded like a sandwich.”
That’s funny! What ingredients would be in the Sky Club sandwich? (Delta: you must give credit to Ellis when you decide to use this idea! 😉 )
@Michael Karpiel – Yep. Update is at the top of the post!