Does anyone else think it's ridiculous that DL is offering free T-Mobile access in their clubs to only their own members? NW and CO WiFi is free to all who enter. Should NW and CO retaliate by password protecting access and only giving out the codes to NW and CO members? Is it worth writing a letter to DL?

How childish, but as an exDL supporter...nothing they do surprises me

They are apparently saddled with some long-term T-Mobile HotSpot contracts, which is not a free service. The "free" internet access they are providing their own members consists of 24-hour passes good in any T-Mobile HotSpot, not just in CRC's.

Should Delta provide anyone who walks into a CRC with 24 hours free T-Mobile HotSpot access? I'd guess not.

While it might see "unfair", I think we need to wait & see if Delta doesn't get rid of T-Mobile at some point and set up really free wireless as their partners' lounges have done. It must be costing them a bundle to provide these passes.

Incidentally, not all of have have to pay any extra to use the wireless in CRC's. My primary internet access -- both at home & on the road -- is a Sony Ericsson GC-89 wireless broadband card with service provided by T-Mobile. One of the benefits is free HotSpot access.

If they offer it to their members, then yes, anyone who has the right to be in the lounge should be given the same access. The fact that they've chosen to get in bed with T-Mobile (and probably pay for it dearly) is irrelevant. Whether or not one could use other T-Mobile HotSpots is ancillary.

NW gives free WiFi to CRC members, Plats/SkyTeam E+, Plat Amex members, guests, etc. The only restriction in place is weekly passcodes to deter outside leeching. CO offers similar free connectivity. It should not be below or beyond DL to be on par with its partners.

But they don't even give the passes to their international business-class passengers unless the BE passenger also happens to be a CRC member. What makes you special?

What ever the contract that DL & T-mobile made (probably T-mobile fronted the costs of all the installation), I'm quite sure DL gets a cut of the profits. Probably a bad call on their part.

Seems unfair and another reason not to fly DL

The lounges are nice without the WiFi, I used CRC's for two years without WiFi access. I don't buy tickets based on free WiFi access.

If you really need it, you know how to get it. Eventually DL probably will come around.

Simply put, my airline gives it to them, so I would expect reciprocity.

As with most things for me, it's more about the principle than the actual practice. Yes, I know I can go get an Ericsson card and pay T-Mobile $49.99 a month, but that's not the point. I shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get something they give their regular CRC members and something my airline gives their CRC members for free.

It all comes down to the agreement signed between NW and DL, doesn't it? These kinds of issues should have been negotiated before a deal was signed. For whatever reason, NW didn't push the issue.

Perhaps because DL didn't have its act together and had no plans for complimentary WiFi when they made the agreement? I suppose there could have been an "if" clause in the agreement regarding potential future WiFi, but that would have required foresight from two bankrupt airlines, wouldn't it...?

Honestly, I have yet to be denied a T-Mobile pass even though I am not a CRC member(Lifetime PC member).

However, if I were to be denied, I can always fall back on my broadband card (3.6Mbps Down and 384Kbps Up) which is sometimes faster than T-Mobile network esecpially if many people are using the T-Mobile network.

Dan

I was flat denied a card on 7/11 at one of the B concourse CR clubs in ATL. I am a proud WC member, where all entrants are given the same perks and respect. DL should be ashamed of its discriminatory practices.

NW gives out free 24-hour T-Mobile cards? To whom?

NW doesn't use Tmobile but it's wifi in all of it's clubs are free for all people who enter their lounges

You're trying to split hairs to prove your point? Weak tactic...

NW (my airline) gives DL-members unencumbered free WiFi. I would expect reciprocity. It's just that simple (in my mind, anyhow).

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Now, the fact that DL has decided to do it via free 24-hour T-Mobile cards is of no concern to me. I'm all about the end result. How'd they get to that end result? I couldn't care less. That's why I'm called the end-user. The end result is free WiFi for them but not for me, where in our clubs they get all the free WiFi they can slurp.