Gold flying Delta while in the states

[Milefest]

Hi, flying VA to the US and flying Delta to various cities within the US. Haven't been to the US in years and interested to hear everyone's experience with Delta.

Having never held any status with VA before what should I expect? Priority boarding/luggage allowance/lounge access are all available? Are points and SCs also acquired with Delta?

I haven't booked yet as I'm still sorting out work circumstances..

 

[mmchow]

I'm Gold myself and heading to the States early next year. Prior booking any of my few domestic flights, I queried the exact same to Virgin (call centre). Points & SC are earn on all Delta flights except codeshare flights (you'll get more info on the Velocity website on the codeshare flights) and you'll have access to their Sky Club, priority baggage and screening but no excess allowance on baggage.

When you showed up at check-in and the lounge, remember to present your membership card with the Visa side facing down. There have been a few incidents whereby Delta staff thought what am I suppose to do with a debit card (tips from Flyertalk).

 

[Seriously?]

Hi, as a purely leisure traveller (with a son in the U.S.) Delta internal flights are basically what I use to maintain gold status. Booked several months in advance the first class fares are great value for SC's. Upcoming trip for US$1,300 will net 360 SC. I'm not sure if the gold will get you priority boarding as the FC seats have been all I've book. You will get lounge access, the only place I've ever had it questioned was in ATL, they simply pulled out a laminated card and confirmed. The lounges are very basic

 

[mmchow]

Speaking of which, they had some crazy awesome deal lately. Managed to score myself a F ticket from San Antonio to Miami, transiting in Atlanta for US$250 (100SC) and New Orleans to Las Vegas, transiting in Atlanta for US$381 (120SC). Suggest google flight as your starting point as I have been using it to look for all my domestic flights. Happy searching!!

 

[blueturkey]

I had a good experience recently with Delta traveling VA SG to LAX-SEA-SFO-LAX-LAS-LAX. The booking was direct with Delta and had Sky Priority on all my flights. Lounge access was granted at every port when i showed my SG card. My fare didn't included luggage, but Delta recognised the complimentary SG 2 bag allowance. Also scored free upgrades to economy comfort on all my flights using online check-in 24 hours before.

 

[drakcir]

I'm VA Platinum and recently booked several domestic legs in the U.S. on Delta for next month. I logged in again tonight to check something and noted that I'm now listed as their version of Platinum and can choose priority seats etc. If you look up Delta on the Velocity website you will see the extras available to you (inc comp'd upgrades < 24hr before flying for Gold, to what we know as prem economy, subject to availability). SC's depend on the fare type purchased.

 

[Milefest]

I appreciate everyone's input

 

[Denali]

My points and SCs went to my VA account very quickly when flying Delta.

I was reasonably happy with Delta but Im a sit down, shut up and just get us there flyer.

I will say keep checking their J flight prices and also consider Virgin America. I would pick VX over Delta.

 

[Milefest]

I will say keep checking their J flight prices and also consider Virgin America. I would pick VX over Delta.

Will be booking tickets soon and missed this reply, why would you pick VX over Delta? After looking at the lounge access I will be entitled to, it seems that I'll only have access to the virgin america loft. Delta Sky Club I'll have access throughout most major airports.

 

[Warks]

Missed this post while away. Delta exceeded expectations for me as a VA SG. Got priority baggage (which came out first) - they even have some guarantee of 2500 points if your bags don't turn up within 20 minutes (printed on back of boarding pass), priority boarding (after FC), lounge access (with one hiccup) and generally a good experience with relatively new planes and staff under the age of 70. Oh and it's $US25 a bag for the general public but SG got me two bags per person for the family for free. Paid for itself there.

Flew VX last year and got nothing - treated like lowest scum on boarding - almost last. Still otherwise not that bad - I've flown with other US airlines...

See this thread:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ocity/how-get-your-velocity-status-68578.html

 

[Denali]

Will be booking tickets soon and missed this reply, why would you pick VX over Delta? After looking at the lounge access I will be entitled to, it seems that I'll only have access to the virgin america loft. Delta Sky Club I'll have access throughout most major airports.

True. The lounge access and available routes is the only win over VX but our last trip, we didn't get to spend a lot of time at the airports so I didn't miss the lounge. I even found the LAX TBIA 1st lounge underwhelming (Star Alliance I think). But for seats, flights, staff ect - I was really impressed with VX BUT, we were flying first.

 

[flying_duck]

I have to add, having flown Delta quite a bit, you can also make same day flight changes. We were due to fly out of SDF to EWR via DTW in the afternoon. I was really sick (and tired of the in laws) so we called at ten past midnight, and changed it to a 6am flight at no cost. You MAY have to argue with them and speak to a supervisor, but it is possible if you need to get out of somewhere in a pinch. This was April 2015.
Also, Delta treated me better than Virgin as a SG. Now a WP.

 

[serfty]

... you can also make same day flight changes. We were due to fly out of SDF to EWR via DTW in the afternoon. I was really sick (and tired of the in laws) so we called at ten past midnight, and changed it to a 6am flight at no cost. ....

You can actually do this online from 24 hours before the first flight in your booking. It's termed "Same Day Confirmed" change.

If in the main cabin, your original booking class (fare bucket) needs to be available on the new flight(s). If in a premium cabin a seat in the same cabin class needs to be free.

Just click check-in on delta.com then select "change flights" on the next screen. You will be presented with a list of options ... a WP should see some for "free" or perhaps a few bucks in additional tax. I once saw options asking for -$31, one of which I selected ... never did get the refund.

FWIW there's a $50 USD fee for this but is waived for Skymiles "Diamond Medallions" ... and it seems for VA WP ...

 

[flying_duck]

Thanks for the extra info serfty. I never really figured out too much about it, just called them and cried til they fixed it so knew it was possible and a handy thing to have in your back pocket.

 

[MH_fan]

I have to add, having flown Delta quite a bit, you can also make same day flight changes. We were due to fly out of SDF to EWR via DTW in the afternoon. I was really sick (and tired of the in laws) so we called at ten past midnight, and changed it to a 6am flight at no cost. You MAY have to argue with them and speak to a supervisor, but it is possible if you need to get out of somewhere in a pinch. This was April 2015.
Also, Delta treated me better than Virgin as a SG. Now a WP.

Wow. The in/out-laws must've been bad!