Delta Lounge Access - when it may be difficult to 'prove' Velocity status

[Horatio]

Hi

I am a long-time member, but shamefully irregular poster. My wife and I are going to the US on 13 October for a couple of weeks. We are travelling SYD-DFW-BNE with QF, but doing some internal flying with Delta once there (also with AA). I need some advice if possible on Delta lounge access issues; we will be flying with Delta from SAN and SLC. I know there have been some similar posts on US domestic lounge access recently, but there are some specific circumstances in this case.

I am currently a Velocity Gold member and understand that provides access with a guest to Delta owned and operated domestic US lounges. I dropped from Platinum on 7 September, but my card says (as no doubt others do) that it is valid for another month. I rang Velocity today and asked if the new Gold card could be expedited, but the operator said it couldn’t and that it would arrive sometime in the 14 days after 7 October (so there’s a fair chance that it won’t arrive in time). She also said that Velocity would no longer send a letter confirming membership status and my best bet is to print a screen shot of my login page showing status for the lounge staff.

My wife is currently Gold and will drop to Silver on 9 October, meaning her card is notionally valid for the duration of our trip. WhatI’d like to know is whether:

- people think the screen shot showing my status will be suitable evidence for lounge staff (I've seen that can be a problem even for card holders).
- my wife is a better chance of gaining entry with a status that that lounge staff may consider to be expired/no longer valid due to the stated review date.
- if others have had similar experiences.

As it happens, we are flying on very cheap first class tickets with Delta; I assume this won’t have any impact on whether we could access the lounges.

Thanks and regards,

Horatio

 

[Jousams]

Hi

I am a long-time member, but shamefully irregular poster. My wife and I are going to the US on 13 October for a couple of weeks. We are travelling SYD-DFW-BNE with QF, but doing some internal flying with Delta once there (also with AA). I need some advice if possible on Delta lounge access issues; we will be flying with Delta from SAN and SLC. I know there have been some similar posts on US domestic lounge access recently, but there are some specific circumstances in this case.

I am currently a Velocity Gold member and understand that provides access with a guest to Delta owned and operated domestic US lounges. I dropped from Platinum on 7 September, but my card says (as no doubt others do) that it is valid for another month. I rang Velocity today and asked if the new Gold card could be expedited, but the operator said it couldn’t and that it would arrive sometime in the 14 days after 7 October (so there’s a fair chance that it won’t arrive in time). She also said that Velocity would no longer send a letter confirming membership status and my best bet is to print a screen shot of my login page showing status for the lounge staff.

My wife is currently Gold and will drop to Silver on 9 October, meaning her card is notionally valid for the duration of our trip. WhatI’d like to know is whether:

- people think the screen shot showing my status will be suitable evidence for lounge staff (I've seen that can be a problem even for card holders).
- my wife is a better chance of gaining entry with a status that that lounge staff may consider to be expired/no longer valid due to the stated review date.
- if others have had similar experiences.

As it happens, we are flying on very cheap first class tickets with Delta; I assume this won’t have any impact on whether we could access the lounges.

Thanks and regards,

Horatio

I don't do a lot of US domestic flying but I would think flying first class would entitle you to lounge access regardless of VFF tier?


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[pshepvic]

I don't do a lot of US domestic flying but I would think flying first class would entitle you to lounge access regardless of VFF tier?


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

No it doesn't. Generally US airlines only allow paid lounge members access (eg. AA & Delta don't even allow top tier FF's or First class pax to use the lounge without paid lounge membership - at a discounted rate).


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Mak404matt]

I don't do a lot of US domestic flying but I would think flying first class would entitle you to lounge access regardless of VFF tier?


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

Not in the US

Edit: Not quick Enough

 

[Gremlin]

Ring up Velocity and ask if they can write you a letter stating you status and circumstances surrounding you not having your card.

 

[Fruitcake]

Ring up Velocity and ask if they can write you a letter stating you status and circumstances surrounding you not having your card.

Horatio is ahead of you on that one:

I rang Velocity today... She also said that Velocity would no longer send a letter confirming membership status and my best bet is to print a screen shot of my login page showing status for the lounge staff.

Although it does seem strange they won't provide the letter.

For what it's worth when using DL Sky Clubs myself there wasn't a detailed physical examination of the card - the staff members swiped it through a mag reader. So that either means they have access to VA systems (in which case it should tell them your current status ie Gold), or the information they want to see is encoded in clear text in the magnetic stripe (in which case it will probably indicate that the expiry date has passed). Not a game I'd be too keen play - but if they won't provide a letter a printout is really the best you can do.

 

[Gremlin]

I'd ring back and be quite insistent about a letter. You're entitled to the benefits.

 

[moa999]

I just got a new Plat card (was a late Aug expiry), so hopefully yours might arrive a bit early.

 

[Horatio]

Thanks all - I appreciate the prompt responses and info. Moa999, I will retain my optimism for the time being based on your recent experience, and keep an assertive phone call up my sleeve if nothing has arrived a few days out. Fruitcake, we'll have our cards with us, so I am hopeful that at least one and (depending on how Velocity's timing really works vis-a-vis the month 'grace' on the card) perhaps both of us will show up Gold and gain entry. And I'll have the printout with me.

Cheers, Horatio

 

[juliusg]

Whatever the Delta access rules, the lounge agent first scans your card then spends minutes reading the rules. They knocked me back a couple of times (June), but having already been Lounged (Plat Velocity plus discount Delta First domestic ticket) I knew they needed to read more. The Velocity access rules are way more generous than Virgin Atlantic, so 'encourage' your agent to keep checking and eventually you should be OK.....

 

[Horatio]

The good news (for me) postscript to this was that my new Gold card arrived in the mail this afternoon. With a combination of good luck and efficiency from Virgin, the potential lounge accesss issue has been averted. So even if the lounge staff are unsure of the rules, at least I'll know I'm on solid ground.

Regards, Horatio