Your ticket to the Delta Sky Club | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep290 | 1-17-25
Jan 17, 2025
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Discover four key ways to access Delta Sky Clubs, from premium credit cards to elite status perks. Uncover a hot tip for a free stay at Atlantis in the Bahamas, ensuring you maximize travel rewards. Dive into the recent Air France/KLM Flying Blue devaluation, which has rattled loyal travelers. Tune in as the hosts share insights on navigating hotel upgrades and the complexities of airline loyalty programs, along with a brief tale of a resolved glitch with United's TravelBank.
Delta Sky Club access will be restricted for premium cardholders starting February 2025, emphasizing the need for awareness of changes in access policies.
A notable reader tip highlights the utilization of the Amex Platinum card's $200 hotel credit, particularly for prepaid stays at Atlantis.
Air France KLM's Flying Blue program faces criticism as award prices increase drastically despite claimed improvements in award availability.
Deep dives
Changes to Delta Sky Club Access
Delta Sky Club access will undergo significant changes starting February 1, 2025. Premium credit card holders will face new visit limits, with Platinum card holders allowed only ten visits per year and Delta Reserve card holders permitted up to fifteen visits. For frequent Delta flyers, Sky Clubs are recognized for their superior amenities compared to competitors, emphasizing the importance of understanding access options for those who wish to enjoy these benefits. Various methods of accessing Sky Clubs are available, including premium credit cards, flying Delta One, elite status, and purchasing a membership.
Complimentary Stay at Atlantis
A valuable tip for holders of Amex Platinum consumer cards is the ability to redeem $200 annually for prepaid stays at fine hotels, including a notable option at Atlantis in the Bahamas. Recent findings indicate there have been challenges in using this credit effectively, particularly with Hilton properties, where hotels now require a deposit instead of a full prepayment, sometimes leading to confusion among users. A workaround shared involves having an Amex agent book hotels as prepaid reservations, enabling travelers to benefit from the credit correctly. For those planning travel, it is crucial to act quickly to secure these benefits as Amex Platinum cardholders can book stays that extend beyond the expiration of their Caesars Diamond status.
United Airlines Technical Error
A frustrating technical glitch affected United Airlines travelers using their travel bank credit, leading to unexpected charges on their credit cards. Customers reported being charged twice—once from their travel bank and once from their credit card—leaving them concerned about overpayments for flights. Fortunately, United acknowledged this issue and reassured customers that they are working to reverse incorrect charges. This incident highlights the importance of monitoring account transactions closely, especially when using multiple forms of payment for ticket purchases.
Air France KLM Flying Blue Devaluation
Air France KLM’s Flying Blue program announced award price increases aimed at potentially expanding award inventory, yet many travelers are experiencing a lack of availability in key categories. Economy awards from North America to Europe have risen from 20,000 to 25,000 miles, while business class tickets have similarly increased, leading to a disappointment among frequent flyers. Although the changes were purported to increase low-price award availability, actual outcomes remain uncertain, leaving consumers skeptical about the overall benefit of these devaluations. The dynamic pricing structure adds frustration since it lacks transparency regarding when and how availability will be adjusted.
Accessing Delta Sky Clubs: Various Approaches
There are four primary methods to access Delta Sky Clubs, each with specific requirements. The first method involves using premium credit cards, such as the Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve cards, which not only provide lounge access but also have different visit limits and costs for bringing guests. The second way is through flying Delta One or a business class seat with any Sky Team airline, which guarantees access regardless of the loyalty program used. Lastly, attaining elite status or purchasing a Sky Club membership can offer unlimited access, although membership typically carries a hefty fee, making card options potentially more viable for infrequent travelers.
In this episode, Greg and Nick will look at 4 ways to access Delta Sky Clubs, they'll reveal a hot reader tip for a free stay in Atlantis in the Bahamas, and they'll discuss the Air France / KLM Flying Blue devaluation. Check out the full episode below.
(01:28) - It seems like a lot of people are running into issues lately with using the $200 platinum credit for Fine Hotels and Resorts.
(07:03) - United TravelBank glitch (now resolved) [Reported on Reddit]
(09:50) - Air France KLM Flying Blue award prices increase by 15-25% to/from Europe
(55:16) - Many times when I'm booking stays, there's only availability for standard rooms. How do approach getting an upgrade if there's no availability?
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