Im heading to the US in February and am a bit confused about the Delta Sky Club access. Reading both the rules on Delta's website and Virgin's website it says the passenger must be traveling on a international itinerary. Delta says same day but Virgin just says on itinerary. My itinerary does include a flights to/from Canada but most of it's within the US. (Delta Comfort cabin "W" class)
Does anyone have any experience when it comes to lounge access with Delta?
I’ve had no issues at all in entering Sky Club when going from domestic to domestic. However, Delta staff in smaller airports that don’t see too many Velcoity members sometimes need convincing that you are actually allowed in the Club ...
Flying Delta anywhere will get you into the skyclub as long as you're Gold or Platinum VA. The staff sometimes get confused looking up Virgin Australia as I think it's under Velocity in their system.
I believe Delta FFs are only allowed in the VA lounge when travelling on an international itinerary so that might be the confusion.
Despite having Platinum VA status, the last time I was in the US the Delta staff would only let me into their lounges (at several different airports) after I showed them an onward flight itinerary back to Australia with Virgin Aus/Delta. They were particularly pedantic in Atlanta, their hub. They weren't bothered that the return leg was on a different day though.
I had access to the Skyclub on a LAX - DEN return flight (no international legs) with VA Gold.
You will have to be able to show your Velocity card (we used the apps), because even though our status was printed on the tickets they needed to see the card.
You're allowed access to SkyClub as a gold or plat Velocity FF before and after any Delta flight. The confusion arises because many of Delta's own FFs and their SkyTeam partners FFs are only allowed access if connecting to or from an international service. This is not the case for Velocity elites.
I had access to the Skyclub on a LAX - DEN return flight (no international legs) with VA Gold.
You will have to be able to show your Velocity card (we used the apps), because even though our status was printed on the tickets they needed to see the card.
That's interesting: I've admittedly only used the Delta Sky Club lounges at LAX and New York JFK, but in both cases my boarding pass with "VA GOLD" (or similar) printed on it was all that was required, plus a photo ID as is their usual policy when entering the lounge.
I recently travelled from ATL-COS , DEN-LAX both with Delta on DL flight numbers. One was a straight domestic flight, they don't require you to have an international connection.
As a velocity gold, I was able to enter without hassle, however did need to present my card on both occasions. I was also able to bring in one guest. Did not matter that I was flying economy.
Despite having Platinum VA status, the last time I was in the US the Delta staff would only let me into their lounges (at several different airports) after I showed them an onward flight itinerary back to Australia with Virgin Aus/Delta. They were particularly pedantic in Atlanta, their hub. They weren't bothered that the return leg was on a different day though.
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That's very strange, I've flown through Atlanta a number of times without having an onward flight internationally and have had no problem. I'm based in NY and always have to show the membership card as well as my boarding pass though no matter what city I'm in.
This is directly from the Delta website.. Maybe the same day rule only applies to business class passengers, not VA gold or platinum:
"Virgin Australia Club access
Virgin Australia/Velocity VIP Platinum card, Platinum card or Gold card members traveling on a flight operated by Delta or Virgin Australia Airlines must show membership card for lounge access. Virgin Australia Business class passengers must show same-day business class boarding pass for lounge access."
I've had no issues at any Delta lounge in the US as a Platinum, even when flying domestically on a single one-way fare (ie not attached to an international leg).
But, the lounges aren't everywhere and they may be small so you could be denied access if it's full. Plus, as already mentioned, have your physical card with you as they swipe it. Not every place has scanners.
Tip - If you're going to NYC, the lounge at JFK is awesome. There is an outdoor terrace where you can sit and watch the airport buzz.
I was initially refused admission to Delta Sky Club in Atlanta earlier this year (I was flying domestically). Showing my VA Gold membership card drew a blank, but I think this was because they searched up the wrong term on their system (either Velocity or Virgin Australia, not sure which). Anyway, I went back and politely showed them the relevant webpage on my phone (https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/) and was then allowed entry.
it should say 'sky plus' on your ticket from memory. This is super handy for priority security (the 'sky plus' they seem to understand at security) at somewhere like LAX, it saved me 50min in line which was spent in the lounge. make sure you show your card at check in!
I'm Velocity Plat and have been able to access lounges in LAX, Denver and JFK with no issues, even on US domestic flights. Make sure you have your Velocity card with you if possible, especially if it doesn't say Sky Priority on your boarding pass.
Like all things airport though, I think it can depend on whether the relevant staff member is having a good day or not!
it should say 'sky plus' on your ticket from memory. This is super handy for priority security (the 'sky plus' they seem to understand at security) at somewhere like LAX, it saved me 50min in line which was spent in the lounge. make sure you show your card at check in!
You're thinking of 'Sky Priority' which is a SkyTeam-wide designation. Works a treat most of the time!
VA Gold/Platinum should have no trouble getting into DL lounges (on any DL flight) as well as third-party lounges (London, etc.) when on DL flights. Too bad it's not reciprocal. Delta Diamonds as "Partner Platinum" can't use third-party lounges (EY, etc.) when on VA long haul flights out of Aus/LAX/HKG, as VA won't pay. This is even though DL will ultimately get billed for the access. DL says it's a known problem, but VA won't change their ways. I say VA people shouldn't get unrestricted access overseas if we can't get the same on VA long-haul.
deegee93
deegee93
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 27 Jan 2017
Total posts 37
Im heading to the US in February and am a bit confused about the Delta Sky Club access. Reading both the rules on Delta's website and Virgin's website it says the passenger must be traveling on a international itinerary. Delta says same day but Virgin just says on itinerary. My itinerary does include a flights to/from Canada but most of it's within the US. (Delta Comfort cabin "W" class)
mhotchin
mhotchin
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards - Platinum
Member since 18 Jun 2015
Total posts 33
I’ve had no issues at all in entering Sky Club when going from domestic to domestic. However, Delta staff in smaller airports that don’t see too many Velcoity members sometimes need convincing that you are actually allowed in the Club ...
JohnGB
JohnGB
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 11 Jul 2017
Total posts 22
Flying Delta anywhere will get you into the skyclub as long as you're Gold or Platinum VA. The staff sometimes get confused looking up Virgin Australia as I think it's under Velocity in their system.
spacecadet
spacecadet
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 25 Jul 2013
Total posts 33
Despite having Platinum VA status, the last time I was in the US the Delta staff would only let me into their lounges (at several different airports) after I showed them an onward flight itinerary back to Australia with Virgin Aus/Delta. They were particularly pedantic in Atlanta, their hub. They weren't bothered that the return leg was on a different day though.
RealKid
RealKid
Member since 20 May 2014
Total posts 91
I had access to the Skyclub on a LAX - DEN return flight (no international legs) with VA Gold.
You will have to be able to show your Velocity card (we used the apps), because even though our status was printed on the tickets they needed to see the card.
FrequentFlyer
FrequentFlyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Mar 2012
Total posts 198
You're allowed access to SkyClub as a gold or plat Velocity FF before and after any Delta flight. The confusion arises because many of Delta's own FFs and their SkyTeam partners FFs are only allowed access if connecting to or from an international service. This is not the case for Velocity elites.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
You will have to be able to show your Velocity card (we used the apps), because even though our status was printed on the tickets they needed to see the card.
That's interesting: I've admittedly only used the Delta Sky Club lounges at LAX and New York JFK, but in both cases my boarding pass with "VA GOLD" (or similar) printed on it was all that was required, plus a photo ID as is their usual policy when entering the lounge.
AusGirl
AusGirl
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 16 Jun 2015
Total posts 3
I recently travelled from ATL-COS , DEN-LAX both with Delta on DL flight numbers. One was a straight domestic flight, they don't require you to have an international connection.
JohnGB
JohnGB
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 11 Jul 2017
Total posts 22
"Virgin Australia Club access
Virgin Australia/Velocity VIP Platinum card, Platinum card or Gold card members traveling on a flight operated by Delta or Virgin Australia Airlines must show membership card for lounge access. Virgin Australia Business class passengers must show same-day business class boarding pass for lounge access."
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 114
I've had no issues at any Delta lounge in the US as a Platinum, even when flying domestically on a single one-way fare (ie not attached to an international leg).
But, the lounges aren't everywhere and they may be small so you could be denied access if it's full. Plus, as already mentioned, have your physical card with you as they swipe it. Not every place has scanners.
Tip - If you're going to NYC, the lounge at JFK is awesome. There is an outdoor terrace where you can sit and watch the airport buzz.
JRyan
JRyan
Member since 12 Dec 2016
Total posts 2
I was initially refused admission to Delta Sky Club in Atlanta earlier this year (I was flying domestically). Showing my VA Gold membership card drew a blank, but I think this was because they searched up the wrong term on their system (either Velocity or Virgin Australia, not sure which). Anyway, I went back and politely showed them the relevant webpage on my phone (https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/) and was then allowed entry.
thomasindo
thomasindo
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 04 Oct 2017
Total posts 6
it should say 'sky plus' on your ticket from memory. This is super handy for priority security (the 'sky plus' they seem to understand at security) at somewhere like LAX, it saved me 50min in line which was spent in the lounge. make sure you show your card at check in!
gibosity
gibosity
Member since 26 Jul 2011
Total posts 8
I'm Velocity Plat and have been able to access lounges in LAX, Denver and JFK with no issues, even on US domestic flights. Make sure you have your Velocity card with you if possible, especially if it doesn't say Sky Priority on your boarding pass.
Like all things airport though, I think it can depend on whether the relevant staff member is having a good day or not!
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
You're thinking of 'Sky Priority' which is a SkyTeam-wide designation. Works a treat most of the time!
rob747nz
rob747nz
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 30 Sep 2017
Total posts 1
VA Gold/Platinum should have no trouble getting into DL lounges (on any DL flight) as well as third-party lounges (London, etc.) when on DL flights. Too bad it's not reciprocal. Delta Diamonds as "Partner Platinum" can't use third-party lounges (EY, etc.) when on VA long haul flights out of Aus/LAX/HKG, as VA won't pay. This is even though DL will ultimately get billed for the access. DL says it's a known problem, but VA won't change their ways. I say VA people shouldn't get unrestricted access overseas if we can't get the same on VA long-haul.