Dreadful Delta... avoid!

Booked a 'First Class' ticket with Delta for a 2hr flight NYC to Cincinnati. Pricey, (more than an economy to London) but I thought maybe worth it. Nope.

Firstly they cancelled two flights out, due to weather they claimed, but everyone else seemed to be doing fine, so I suspect it was their inconvenience/ finances not a regular rainy day in nyc.
And then, during the 7 hour delay, I had the delight of finding out that buying a full fare first class ticket does *not* get you into their lounge. Amazing. Apparently you need to be high in their Delta program to get that. Or be flying internationally. And no, Virgin Gold doesn't count for a damn thing there.

What a rubbish alliance this turns out to be. Who made the deal that Virgin Atlantic Au's count for nothing with Delta? There can't be that many of us flying domestically in USA, like 2/3% of their elite flyers, if that, so why not extend the lounge welcome?

I doubt I'll fly them again. Sad day for VS to have teamed up with this greedy grasping airline. (Which is apparently the most profitable in the world. It's clear how they do that, by treating their passengers, even premium ones, like sheep)

Grrr !

US domestic first class is not much good on any airline to be honest. But, I can certainly see why you are p155ed off, I would be. And no I am not gonna quote "you should have read the fine print" as there are certain assumptions that ticket price and status should give you. I know I am a 1K with United and the *G gets me into lounges even if I am not on a United ticket but am on a Star Alliance flight, so would expect the same for Virgin/Delta. Sorry to hear it.

Sounds grim...

US domestic First Class is notoriously average, though, with the exception of some transcontinental routes on some airlines, where they are taking a leaf out of their TATL product (flatbed seats, premium service: DL Business Elite is one example).

Unlike for international flights, domestic US lounges tend to reward loyal pax only, not higher cabin choice. It's the same pretty much anywhere.

Finally, now that you know the product, you might opt to book a ticket in Y for short flights as VS Au puts you on the automatic upgrade list for First on DL domestic flights. You won't be as high up as many of those with status on the DL programme, but I've been upgraded to First on the last six flights I've taken with DL domestic US because of my VS Au status.

NYLON

VS Au members can use DL lounges if they have a TATL sector on the same day. Otherwise not, as explained quite clearly (for once) on the VS website.

And yes, short haul domestic first class on most US airlines gets you very little unless you have status. It has always been thus.

I'm amazed that as a gold you don't get access. with the OW alliance BA gold and silver gets you lounge access when flying internally in the US. I can't understand why Delta hasn't enrolled VS into their airline alliance

An Amex Plat card will get you into a Delta lounge ( which is nothing to do with the Priorty Pass supplied as part of the package )

David

I'm amazed that as a gold you don't get access. with the OW alliance BA gold and silver gets you lounge access when flying internally in the US. I can't understand why Delta hasn't enrolled VS into their airline alliance

Yeah, some stunningly bad negotiating on VS's part. It would make zero difference to Delta, quite frankly, and they would have easily granted it.

Remember this is not just another 'Alliance'it is an Equity Partnership, almost 50:50. Quite amazed how VS failed to get more for their most loyal and highest spending customers. Customers that Delta would be much inclined to retain, I would have thought.

Got to agree with you all - It's a shocking "Partnership"
The upgrade list is really a joke as well.
Every single time I have even got on to the list, I have just seen my name slip further and further down the list until it vanishes off the list, not that first on internals is great but on the 5 hour flights that little extra is nice to have.

The only real plus that I can see is that you get free checked bags and the economy plus on short internals is good in the fact you get off quickly the other end of get yourself a seat that has slightly more space.

Come on VS - Let's stick that chest out and move your own loyal flyers up the list.......

I agree. But sadly I doubt VS have much say over it. It's fairly clear who's pulling the strings.

I agree. But sadly I doubt VS have much say over it. It's fairly clear who's pulling the strings.

3 good reasons:

1: Delta Premium PAX wanted access to all VS lounges, and got it for linked international flights - and remember the VS lounge is far, FAR superior to anything Delta offer (and much more expensive for VS to run) so a deal could/should have been struck, for VS AU pax on internal US flights, plain and simple. Delta Elite PAX get in domestically, but not VS ones. Why?

2: If something as commonplace as an Amex Platinum card can get you in, which let's face it any Tom Dick or Harry can get, why not the top of the Flying Club high spending PAX, who might choose Delta domestic in US? Seems a no-brainer to me that you'd want to 'capture' those.

3: BA Elite One World PAX get access to AA lounges for domestic flights, so you think they might want to compete on that front too. Very odd position to allow BA the superior arrangement for domestic US flights