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Priority Club PointBreaks List Announced

According to this thread on FlyerTalk, Priority Club has announced their new PointBreaks list of hotels that can be booked through January 31st. This is huge news because PointBreaks hotels can be booked for $35: How to Book Any PointBreaks Hotel for $35/night.

PointBreaks hotels can be booked for 5,000 points, which can represent a huge savings. Some Intercontinental properties normally cost 50,000 points per night, so 5,000 is a 90% discount. If you are flexible with your dates or a hotel on the list coincides with your travel plans, there are some great deals to be had.

The list, found here, usually contains some hidden gems, but seems a bit sparse this time around. There are no African properties, no Australian properties, and only a few in Central and South America as of the time of this writing. Still, the opportunity to book a hotel room for a mere 5,000 points represents a great value.

Scott wrote up a great tutorial on PointBreaks hotels and how to book them cheaply. For more information, check out his post, How to Book Any PointBreaks Hotel for $35/night.

Delta Selling Discount One Day Sky Club Passes

According to this thread on FlyerTalk, Delta is now offering 4 SkyClub passes for $99. Purchases can be made through December 31st, but they must be made in person. The normal purchase price for four SkyClub passes is $200, so this deal represents over 50% savings.

Why is Sky Club access so valuable?

As I’ve written before, airline clubs in general can be a haven for frequent flyers. They typically offer snacks throughout the day as well as complimentary beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Delta Sky Clubs also provide complimentary wi-fi which is typically faster (and more secure) than internet access in the main terminal.

Also, membership can pay for itself when you are stuck at an airport in bad weather or your flight experiences delays or cancellations. While most people rush the ticket counter and inundate the gate agents, you have the ability to get personalized assistance from the agents inside Sky Clubs instead. Lines are usually shorter, and they might be able to reroute you on options you didn’t consider.

Can I buy the four passes for $99 online?

No. This appears to be an in-person promotion by Delta. You will have to visit a SkyClub location to purchase the passes. If the SkyClub is located airside, you will need to clear security before being allowed to enter. Keep this in mind if you don’t have travel plans at the airport you plan to make the purchase.

Are these passes eligible for one visit or one day?

A blog post on FlyerTalk points out that these are one day passes, not to be confused with one visit passes. If you are traveling Los Angeles to New Orleans connecting in Memphis, you will be able to use a pass to visit the Sky Club in both Los Angeles and Memphis, provided all travel takes place on the same day.

Delta has sold one visit passes via Groupon before. In the case of the sample itinerary above, you would need two one-visit passes to visit both the Sky Club in Los Angeles and Memphis. One visit passes have much less value to travelers, especially those with a lengthy itinerary or multiple stops in Delta hubs.

Has Delta promoted this offer in the past?

They have, but the deal was better. Last year, Delta actually sold five one-day passes for $99, so this year’s promotion is actually a bit worse.

Besides this deal, what are the best ways to gain access to Delta SkyClubs?

American Express Delta Gold and Platinum card members actually receive access to Sky Clubs for $25. Per the terms and conditions listed here, card members must pay with their Delta credit card. The $25 charge is for one visit and not one day. If you flew to another city with a Sky Club, you would need to pay an additional $25 to gain access.

Scott and I have written extensively about the American Express Platinum card, which provides lounge access with Delta, American Airlines, and US Airways. Note that to gain access to Delta or American lounges, you must be flying those airlines the same day. US Airways lounges can be entered regardless of which airline you are holding a ticket. The Platinum card comes with a host of other benefits, including $200 credit on your preferred airline and a reimbursement for the $100 Global Entry fee, which drastically cuts down on immigration queues when returning to the United States. For more reading, make sure to check out our posts below on the Platinum Card:

Best Credit Card Offers by Absolute Value

Master Thread of Which Airline Gift Cards American Express Platinum Reimbursement

Elite Status Offers: for Delta Club Memberships

You can also sign up for an American Express Delta Reserve credit card which allows access to most Sky Clubs, even if you are flying another airline. The card has a steep $450 annual fee, but comes with 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM). These MQM can be a huge boost towards qualifying for coveted elite status, so the card could make sense for frequent Delta travelers.

Recap

The Priority Club PointBreaks list is out for bookings through January 31st. The best (nicer properties and those in more traveled cities) hotels are usually booked quickly, so act fast if you see a hotel on the list that matches your travel needs.

If you have flexible travel plans, PointBreaks hotels can represent a great value, especially if you take advantage of Scott’s trick on booking them.

Holiday travel is picking up steam which means more travelers and the higher likelihood of poor weather, mechanical issues, and cancelled flights. Delta’s end of the year special on Sky Club passes could be a boon, especially if you are traveling with family. The ability to escape the crowded terminals can be a real plus, especially if you need to rebook an itinerary after unexpected delays.