Why Delta's new skyclub rules are a good thing for us Italian travelers
In the past few days I published the news of the redesign of the loyalty program of the American comapgnia Delta. A 360-degree revamp [...]
Delta
SkyTeam
In recent days I published the news of the redesign of the loyalty program of the American comapgnia Delta. An all-encompassing revamp that starting Jan. 1, 2024, will change the rules behind the program, how it is accumulated, and the benefits for all frequent flyers of the company based in Atlanta, the world's busiest airport.
In this article:
Today, however, I want to focus on how these changes will positively impact, in my opinion, the average Italian traveler.
The problem of thelounge crowding in the U.S. has now reached a point of no return, endless queues outside the main waiting rooms form from the early morning hours and go on without diminishing until late in the evening. This situation has not changed much despite companies and managers Have updated the rules for lounge access e Made the 3-hour rule increasingly immovable.
First it was American Express in andlimiting the benefit of the free companion for American Platinum cardholders, unless you spend a minimum of 75k $ each year. Then it was Delta's turn which repeatedly changed the rules, until the September 14 announcement. Panacea that did not solve and indeed did not change anything.
Unlike all other measures, I believe these new rules will bring about the desired result, namely making SkyClubs more accessible, although those who will rejoice in this situation will be passengers who fly little with Delta.
There are no Skyclubs in Europe, but Italian passengers to date have been able to take advantage of the Skyteam alliance and agreements between Alitalia/ITA and Delta to enter these lounges around the world. For example at Tokyo Narita first and to Haneda now. In addition to the American ones at T4 at JFK or the beautiful lounge at Los Angeles airport
An average Italian traveler, at most, makes a couple of flights to the U.S. per year and therefore having unlimited admissions or 6 admissions per year means pretty much the same thing. However, if today you find even 50 people in the queue, from next year, things for us, may change for the better.
Here's to traveling in ultra basic economy, you will have easier access than today to these lounges, obviously when you fly Delta, because contrarily if you travel with a Skyteam carrier you will have access to the lounge as provided by the alliance, so if you fly ITA from Los Angeles you will be able to get in because of your status or ticket, but not by taking advantage of the Platinum Amex.
The reason is that fewer U.S. passengers will have access and/or may choose wisely when to use the 6 entrances and when to head to a different, albeit less beautiful lounge than the recently opened SkyClubs are.
I don't see the risk of it going in this direction in Italy (or Europe), at least until companies really push co-branded credit cards, in the U.S. this market has grown and shows no signs of slowing down just think that it is estimated that on Delta-branded cards the equivalent of 1% of the GDP of the entire U.S. is transacted each year.
