How to get your Velocity status recognised by Delta ground staff?

[serfty]

...

I've had problems every time I use DL in MSP, first it was the no VA on card issue, the last few times I got refused access to the priority check in line as the sign only had DL & VS & Skyteam logos, the woman said she had never heard of VA before and as it wasn't on the sign I wasn't getting in. I fed that back to VA who couldn't care less, now I book AA.

Surly your boarding pass had "SKYPRIORITY" written on it.

I went through MSP four times in transits over the last week but never came in via security.

 

[jpk]

Surly your boarding pass had "SKYPRIORITY" written on it.
I went through MSP four times in transits over the last week but never came in via security.

This was for check in - didn't have a BP yet at that stage. The business check in area is a decent walk from the normal checkin, and has a dragon guarding it, you can't even get to the kiosks in that section without going past the dragon. It sounds like a small thing, but on a Friday afternoon the wait to drop bags in the normal line was about 30 mins. It was one of those days where you realise we have it pretty good in Australia
I've also had issues there with baggage allowance in the past.

Airside MSP is great however, and it's one of the better lounges on the network.

 

[serfty]

The are two Skyclub lounges at MSP; one is pretty standard with a bar; the other has self service beverages.

The delta app and/or website are both great for OLCI ... no need to approach the check in areas unless having bags and by then you'd still have the SKYPRIORITY to show ...

 

[Warks]

I wonder if having a print-out of this page would help!

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/airline-partners/delta-air-lines/

If you expand the Virgin Australia section on this page the word 'Velocity' does appear in the fine print.

Delta Flight Partners | Delta Air Lines

 

[Warks]

Found my luggage tag (well one anyway) but also found my old Velocity card which has Virgin Australia on it so will carry that too just in case. Of course it should be an issue as my number and "Sky Priority" is on the Delta booking.

Will let you know in a couple of weeks how it goes.

 

[peakhour]

The are two Skyclub lounges at MSP; one is pretty standard with a bar; the other has self service beverages.

The delta app and/or website are both great for OLCI ... no need to approach the check in areas unless having bags and by then you'd still have the SKYPRIORITY to show ...

Dear All

Sky Priority has nothing to do with lounge access...

I've taken maybe 30 flights with Delta in the past 18 months, and every single time when I go to the lounge they have to look up the system using my Velocity card before they let me in.

I have tried a number of times just handing over the boarding pass and the only place that let me in without the card, was LAX when I got the same lounge angel at the front desk and she remembered me.

The Sky Priority on the BP will get you the shorter security line, and priority boarding.

I will try it out again next week in the US and see if they let me in without the card and just using the BP, things change quickly in travel so you never know.

Happy travels.
peakhour.

 

[serfty]

I used SKYPRIORITY in that post only in relation to accessing the check-in area.

Certainly it has little to do with lounge access.

To confirm regarding the card, I was informed on one of my MSP visits while searching for my card that it was necessary for it to be presented to gain access.

 

[peakhour]

I used SKYPRIORITY in that post only in relation to accessing the check-in area.

Certainly it has little to do with lounge access.

To confirm regarding the card, I was informed on one of my MSP visits while searching for my card that it was necessary for it to be presented to gain access.

Yeah sorry, I re-read it after I posted and realised my tired eyes had failed me.

One way or the other, the thing we all agree on, is that Delta has some way to go to be a seamless partner for Velocity.

Would be great if Velocity took up these points on our behalf so that we can all be talking about what is good rather than what is frustrating!

Cheers
peakhour

 

[pythonisman]

Last year on status renewal I was sent the global currency card; I called up and requested the other, got sent another global currency card, called up and requested the plain one, was told it didn't exist any more, and a week later got one in the mail.

This year's renewal, when my new platinum card came it's just the standard, non-GCC VA Velocity membership card. No complaints here. Incidentally with DL, in my experience the lounges in SLC and ATL I (plus one guest) was waved in without any real querying last year, always presented boarding pass + membership card and smiled when checking in.

Was handy in SLC when our flight was delayed by 90 mins to have a quiet drink, though the food in the Sky clubs (and pretty much any domestic US lounges) is basically non-existent. (Though still better than AA I found - at least DL had free booze?)

 

[Nexus9]

Yep I dropped that Velocity GCC like a bad habit as soon as I experienced the difficulties trying to use it with partner airlines OS.
Without any Virgin Australia logo, you have to argue with just about every person you run into to get your benefits. Totally negates the value of a frequent flyer program if it is making your flying experience more stressfull than a no status passenger. So much hassle that it is not worth the plastic it is printed on imho.

 

[justcallmeryan]

I just use my luggage tag as my card at the desk - has the logo and name, no Visa to confuse the staff.

That's a very good idea!

 

[serfty]

... (Though still better than AA I found - at least DL had free booze?)

Admilas Clubs do have complimentary booze; moreover, those accessing AA lounges using QF credentials get chits for "premium" drinks.

 

[newmarket]

I think that you're making it too hard. The absolute worst case is that DL staff at the sky club have to look up the agreement. It takes 30 seconds. Sorry, but VA is just not that exotic.

 

[pythonisman]

Admilas Clubs do have complimentary booze; moreover, those accessing AA lounges using QF credentials get chits for "premium" drinks.

Good to know. I was really confused/tired when I went through LAX in March, the desk was busy and didn't really give an explanation. As it was 7am I wasn't after a beer but it would have been useful for some other flights I'd taken.
Ah well I know now - thanks for the info!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I think that you're making it too hard. The absolute worst case is that DL staff at the sky club have to look up the agreement. It takes 30 seconds. Sorry, but VA is just not that exotic.

Exactly the opposite experience in LGA this morning. Agent had no idea, looked up the card and then told me I had to be on an international flight for access. Also stated that those types of credit cards weren't accepted. I queried it and she was adamant that I was incorrect. I politely asked for a Supervisor to check it for me.
Supervisor agreed with me.
Process took considerably longer than 30 seconds and was far from seamless.
By contrast I'm in ATL now and the staff there had heard of VA and were aware of the lounge access rules via computer.
It's very much a YMMV as far as my experience today goes.

 

[Princess Fiona]

OT but I have to say that the in-flight experience with DL is actually pretty good. Having just done numerous sectors with AA and having a long history of AA but little DL experience in F, I'm reasonably impressed.
ATL-LGA this evening Dinner flight

Dumplings were actually pretty decent for airplane food. The table covers and even the tray add to the presentation.

 

[pythonisman]

OT but I have to say that the in-flight experience with DL is actually pretty good.

<OT>
I have to say I agree. I flew about 8 DL F sectors mid last year and was pretty impressed with the service and attentiveness of the staff. AA wasn't bad, but DL were surprising, given everything that I'd heard about them to the negative. I haven't compared them to VX F but value for money wise I couldn't fault them.

 

[Caversham04]

<OT>
I have to say I agree. I flew about 8 DL F sectors mid last year and was pretty impressed with the service and attentiveness of the staff. AA wasn't bad, but DL were surprising, given everything that I'd heard about them to the negative. I haven't compared them to VX F but value for money wise I couldn't fault them.

I flew Delta in J LAX-SJO-LAX-SFO-LAX last month - the LAX <-> SJO legs were on a 757 and LAX <-> SFO on a 737 (from memory).

Delta were significantly cheaper in economy for my specific itinerary - on top of this, I was travelling with 2 check-in bags for an extended diving trip, and while booking, it quickly became clear that it was a no-brainer to fly in J as the baggage charges in Y meant that the incremental cost for J for the whole itinerary was only approx. US$300 (check-in bags were free for J). I reckon I flew in J for close to or less than any other airline was charging for economy, and the "check the cost for J including baggage" would be my top tip for others who are looking at booking flights with DL (or any other US airline, for that matter).

The lounges in LAX and SFO (no lounge in SJO) were a pleasant surprise, with plenty of space + snacks + free "standard" alcohol, along with the opportunity to pay for "premium" wines and spirits. Would rate them on a par with VA lounges in Oz and not too far below Qantas (driven primarily by the more limited food selection)

Seats on the plane were ho hum - for all the flights, they were similar to QF / VA domestic 737 J seats, which was more than fine for the short LAX-SFO-LAX legs, but disappointing (to say the least) for an overnight 5+ hour flight to Costa Rica.

In-flight food and service - generally tolerable (but no more than that), with the exception of the spectacularly surly chief stewardess for SJO - LAX. Not sure if she was having a bad day, or it was just her normal modus operandi (she was French ). I should have complained, but didn't have time while in LAX / SFO, and then CBA kicked in once I got back to Oz........

Would I fly with Delta again? Yes........

Were they value for money for the flights I needed? Absolutely......

 

[Warks]

A follow up now we're home. Can't fault Delta on this. Flew LGA-MCO and they gave the whole family free baggage (mind you I'd done online check-in first). Check-in staff had no issue probably because Sky Priority was on the BP. Couldn't get lounge access though - was told that if I was flying onwards internationally with VA I could though. Didn't matter much at that stage. Bags were also the first out in MCO so all excellent.

From MCO-LAX everything worked the same. What was great is that I could check all our bags through to SYD even with a ten hour layover in LAX. The bookings were made directly with each airline but as I'd added my Velocity number to my Delta booking it worked. The check-in staff member couldn't book the bags through without our VA flight details though so luckily we had a hard copy so he just entered them and voila. We were arriving in LAX at 1220 pm so would have had to wait until 330pm to check in for VA2 at 2220. This made it a lot easier to simply head out to Santa Monica for a few hours of sun. Also I was able to get lounge access in MCO for myself and one visitor. One of the biggest clubs I've been in (although small compared with QF in T3) - a reasonable array of food. Got to board straight after First Class as well so it's all pretty seamless. Good aircraft with entertainment - free pretzels or those lovely 'biscotti' with 'Delta' embossed on them plus free non-alcoholic drinks. No meals though which is a little stiff for a five hour flight but I'm not complaining.

Would fly DL again for sure.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Apart from the lack of lounge access at LGA sounds like a good experience.
The agent in LGA was wrong BTW. You were entitled to lounge access there.