Any folks on here have a membership to the skyclub? $450 a year for a more comfortable layover when commuting/delayed? From what I understand, employees can't go in uniform, but that doesn't mean you can't change and be a regular "customer."

Additionally, what about delta credit cards for the same purpose/occasional need for guaranteed ticket for you or friends/family?

Thanks

 

I flew with a captain who was really into his travel and he highly recommended the Platinum Amex card: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...cards/platinum

Annual fee of $450 but a guy who does a lot of nonrevving or DHing would likely get more than that back in benefits. Not sure if that's the same $450 you were talking about in the OP .

 

Yeah that's in part what I was referring to. I know you can also buy a yearly membership for JUST the sky club for $450 too. Do Delta employees get any sort of discount on that? (I'm assuming no)

Thanks for the reply!

 

Hilton gold is a nice benefit, especially if you layover at Hiltons regularly. Some won't honor your status while on layover, some honor the status but don't give credit for the stay, and a few (Chicago comes to mind) honor your status and give you credit for the stay towards platinum status. The global entry rebate doesn't suck.

 

The Executive membership (I think) allows you to take up to 2 guests with you for free. If you have a significant other that likes to travel with you it is a better deal than the AmEx card because that doesn't allow any guests. They can buy a day pass, but they are pretty expensive and the difference would be paid for in just a few visits. If you are only going to be using it by yourself, and taking a guest no more than 2 or 3 times/year, the AmEx might be the better deal, but my wife goes with me a LOT and we save a bunch by just having the membership. The SkyClub is pretty nice now. Most of them have pretty good food and free drinks. I highly recommend the NRT club if you are DH out of NRT. (you get to go in if you have a Delta One boarding pass on international) They have a beer machine there that you have to see to believe, and sushi.

 

We do get a discount, but it is significantly more than that. I don't remember what I paid, but read my other post on it for more info.

 

Does the Amex platinum card annual fee include use of the sky club?

I also saw something about needing to show a boarding pass to use so you can't use on a long break?

 

Yes it includes skyclub access along with a bunch of reciprocal lounges via the priority pass network.

To get into a sky club you have to show the Amex and a delta boarding pass (seat request card works.)

To get into other lounges you show your Priority Pass card, which you are eligible for with the AMEX Platinum, and a boarding pass.

If you travel a lot or have a lot of downtime before commutes it is definitely worth it.

As for spouses, you can add up to 3 additional cards for $75 and they all get lounge access. I put my wife and both of my parents on and then used each of the 4 cards to pay for global entry for me, my wife and my 2 kids. That's $400 right there before you even get to all the other benefits that have been covered above.

And finally, it goes without saying, but blend in and don't be that guy that ruins it for everyone. The sky clubs are a good place to hang out and it would be nice to keep it that way. I've seen pilots and FA's up there barely out of uniform (pilot with epaulets off, etc)...nuff said

 

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

change your damned shirt.

 

Amex offers a 400 bonus offer with spending limits to sign up. This seems like a pretty good deal.