Delta Eliminates SkyClub Access to Medallion Members Travelling in Economy Cabin

[kangarooflyer88]

Yeah, and annoyingly no transborder oneworld lounges anywhere in canada AFAIK

That's where the AmEx Platinum card comes in! What I will say is trans-border is probably the worst experience at any Canadian airport, doesn't matter if you fly Air Canada or Delta. The lounges are cramped (including Maple Leaf Lounge) or non-existent. Yes there are Plaza Premium lounges (which one can access with the AmEx card) but again, nothing to write home about. A good example to highlight this lounge conundrum is the transborder area of Ottawa airport, an area so horrific, so unimaginably kafkaesque that it makes Dante's 9 circles of hell seem like paradise. There is literally one tiny Tim Horton's and a restroom. That's all folks. No lounge nor St. Hubert! And remember, flying trans-border you have to stay there for hours, even if your flight gets delayed since you are now technically on US soil segregated away from everyone else. Keep in mind too Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and one would think that the amount of trans-border traffic to Washington and other locations in the US by government officials, diplomats, etc. would be high.

That being said, it's important to realize that like Australia, Canada's travel market is dominated by one airline and alliance (AC and Star Alliance). We used to have a (founding) OneWorld member airline that had a major stake in the Canadian air travel market: Canadian Airlines and from what I can tell they had a number of Empress lounges. Also their frequent flyer program was coughin' where else could you redeem frequent flyer points to spend an hour in a full fledged flight simulator? No doubt a number of us on the forums would gladly trade our QFF points for that! All of that said, Canadian went belly up in 2001 being acquired by Air Canada after American decided Canadian foreign direct investment laws made major cash infusions to Canadian unviable.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Mattg]

I hope the same rule doesn't apply when flying on SkyTeam partners!

A terrible change. I predict that either the other US airlines will follow, or they won't and the pressure will mount on Delta to reverse this decision.

 

[justinbrett]

I hope the same rule doesn't apply when flying on SkyTeam partners!

A terrible change. I predict that either the other US airlines will follow, or they won't and the pressure will mount on Delta to reverse this decision.

I've never had to wait to enter an AA or AS lounge (beyond 2-3 people in front).

I've seen Admirals clubs pretty full, but no more full than QF clubs - don't see any reason AA would be cutting access. AA Flagship lounges I've never had a problem getting a seat.

From what I understand it's the AMEX deal with DL that's mostly to blame.

 

[terryeveritt]

I'm sure Delta has carefully looked at this and made decisions that improve their bottom line - having their clients move on to American or United just for lounge access just does not make sense. I think other lines will harden up on access, and US airlines seem to have a non-cartel cartel. I gave up on delete status with United and American some time ago and now use Amex Plat as a lounge available worldwide. Status is a big business for airlines, so it does seem strange that they cut out their top flyers from access to the lounge on economy international.

 

[Rick Somerton]

I just did a status match. I was about to make a trip to retain status. Didn’t bother. Lounge access is valuable and the reason to switch.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I just did a status match. I was about to make a trip to retain status. Didn’t bother. Lounge access is valuable and the reason to switch.

Remember though, this doesn't have an impact on non-Delta clubs. So for instance, if you're flying KL to AMS or KE out of ICN, you'll still have access to your lounges regardless of what cabin you're in. Then there's stuff like extra checked baggage, and their partnership with Virgin Atlantic which can be quite lucrative. All of that said, what is crucial is to determine how easy it is to retain status and what the benefits are.

-RooFlyer88