As I am sure you are aware, I spend a bit of time in the Delta Sky Club. I debated whether to weigh in on this or not given the bit of attention it’s already received, but I decided to go ahead and opine. First, a little background. Delta has announced a change to its Sky Club complimentary alcohol options. If you liked what they had, you are probably not pleased. Here’s the scoop, courtesy of DLCorpGuy on Flyertalk:
Delta Sky Clubs are changing the selection of both complimentary and for-purchase premium alcoholic beverages beginning tomorrow. Complimentary well-known alcohol brands will still be provided at the Club just as they have been.
Altering our complimentary offerings will enable us to expand our portfolio of premium for-purchase products and maintain complimentary spirits, beer and wine as we continue to invest in the overall Club experience. We review our Club offerings periodically so that we are able to make changes based on customer feedback, financial considerations and other factors including the variety of options we offer our members.
The new offerings are comparable to house/well brands in other airport lounges.
- Complimentary spirits: Vodka – Gordon’s; Gin – Gordon’s; Rum – Myers’s Platinum; Scotch – Scoresby; Bourbon – Jack Daniel’s; Sweet Vermouth – Martini & Rossi; Extra Dry Vermouth – Martini & Rossi.
- Complimentary beer: Budweiser and Miller Lite
- Complimentary wine: no changes to current wine offerings
Other brands will be available through our for-purchase options available through our Luxury Bar. Our goal is to offer members quality products and services at reasonable prices that are competitive with other airport lounges while continuing to provide good value for membership.
While I stick to wine, and rarely imbibe in hard liquors, I’m pretty sure this does not represent a quality increase. However, in contrast to a lot of what I’m reading online, I am indifferent to these changes. It’s Delta’s club product, and we all have the option to join or not, or procure a card product that provides access. At least they are offering some complimentary alcohol. Who else remembers when American and United charged for all alcohol? Truth is, I haven’t consumed the complimentary wine offered in the Sky Club since Luxury Bar first appeared on the scene.
In contemplating Delta’s changes and preparing for this post, I asked myself why I invest in access to the Sky Club? Free booze, as appreciated as it is, did not make the list. The top reasons I continue to pay for Sky Club access are:
- Getting away from the gate
- Personalized attention from experienced agents when needed
- A place to get work done (include power outlets and wi-fi here too)
- Comfortable chairs
- Clean restrooms
As long as I get these things, I will continue paying for Sky Club access, which I consider to be an investment in myself. I don’t mind paying for a glass of decent wine either. And if Delta is interested in knowing, I’d probably pay for some enhanced food options too, as long as they do not ever mess with the olives and cheese. Hint, hint. How do you feel about Delta’s changes to its Sky Club product?
-MJ, May 17, 2013
They have lost a Sky Club customer with me. I like a decent Scotch, craft beers, and Bailey’s. If I have to pay for them I’ll just go to a regular bar. How about making the whole airport clean and quiet, so we don’t need SkyClubs anyway?
i used to be a woldclub member and for many of the same reasons liked the ability to work in comfort. Now i travel less and use day passes. However, agreed with those that paid for their membership with a certain expectation. for instance, a flavorful beer like heineken versus bud/miller. all i can say is that i agree with the disappointment and it’s unfortunate.
While I agree Marshall on the main reasons to join SkyClub I guess the little things do matter more some than others. I want to pay once, and have paid, and be done with it.
Premium, for fee, options are great but not if the core options are hollowed out to nothingness.
I enjoyed seeing and tasting a different local brew in most Skyclub but have zero to low interest in a Bud/Light.
Baileys ‘top shelf’? Jeez. $31 for 1.75L here in the (NH) Liquor store. Cheaper wholesale I should think.
If I have to go to a bar for an interesting draft/food then I am with Wade and might let my membership lapse.
Vino Volo here I come.
Hein.
I’d join you at the Vino Volo!
It is frustrating that Delta did this just months after luring people to renew with the coming increase in fees. They were gradually improving their beer selection and then brought in the Bud/Lite swill. Bad decision by some newly-minted MBA.
I will let my membership lapse. There are some really good alternatives in the airports now. New restaurants with great beer choices.
@Bobo,
I’m not unsympathetic to your point. It’s hard to visit, let’s say..the LH F Lounge and then watch DL switch from Heineken to Miller Lite and be proud of the fact that they have. Where I probably diverge from widespread opinion on this is that I really believe that US mileage programs (and airlines overall) are destined to change and there is no way that it will be perceived by those of us who have learned how to really capitalize on the programs as a good thing. I know I’m mixing Granny Smith Apples with Red Delicious here…but hopefully you at least see the way I feel.
I wrote a post on this a little while back, entitled “On Making Peace with Miles and Points-Seriously It’s Time to Think About Tomorrow.” It didn’t get many comments, but it sure got a lot of attention. http://bit.ly/17WdK4d
Whether you like Delta’s changes or not, it’s hard to argue with money. For right now, I have noticed no exodus from Delta’s planes, clubs, or shares that says to me that they may be on the wrong path. I know that sometimes it can take a while for things to filter through. Maybe Delta will be proven wrong on the changes they’ve made. If so, I’ll admit it right here….and maybe they will relent on something. I just don’t think they are wrong overall, though I admit, the whole lose your miles when you die thing was an extremely curious nit to pick at this time given the totality of other changes they are making.
MJ
It just bugs me that Delta, almost weekly continues to water down their products, whether it be Skymiles or Skyclub, and many, not all bloggers, think it’s just good business, just nauseating to watch this whole thing unfurl.
I only drink Diet Coke and lime in the clubs, so while this change doesn’t effect me, I am sympathetic to the cause.
As a Delta customer, you are perfect for them, sit back and watch your benefits diluted…and seldom say a word. My belief is that if you said something extremely negative about Delta, you might be concerned about your affiliate relationship…just saying
@Bobo,
Not sure I have ever presented myself as a journalist or pushed Delta cards. I have offered my thoughts on making life in a Delta hub more tolerable using Amex products. Whether anyone decides to click on a link and buy that product is their choice. I value all readers whether they choose to use my affiliate links or not, just like I value every comment, yours included.
By the way, I have an affiliate link policy located on my ethics page. Feedback welcome.
MJ
Hard to value your objectivity since you push their credit cards, so many negative changes the airlines promote while many bloggers turn a blind eye or minimize the “enhancements”, as I say you guys are not journalists, merely graffiti writers
As someone with delicate food allergies (gluten and soy), I truly appreciate the baby carrots and hummus. It’s one of the few snacks I can enjoy and not worry about.
The current complimentary snacks in SkyClubs are far superior to what AA has in its Admirals Clubs… hopefully DL won’t downgrade the snacks in the future to be “competitive” with the competition.
@DW, much agreed on the comp snacks in the Sky Club.
I hope they return to the previous snacks. The current cookies in the jar are always broken. They need a better way of serving them or they need to return to the good old chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and oatmeal raisin of PMNW.
The snack mix offerings are adequate for me as well as the olives and hummus.
Gene,
I think a lot of people feel the same way. I’m sympathetic, just have a different take on things than many do.
I find the change to be greedy and short-sighted.
No wonder I didn’t see Dewers in the Philly sky club this week! Up next is for-charge Biscoffs.
I really hope that the current snack offerings remain as is….and complimentary.