Skyguide Executive Privilege Club: Lounge Access for $30/yr.

[Updated to notate changed terms - 04-Dec-12]

Introduction

The Skyguide Executive Privilege Club is a good way for those who fly less frequently to get airport lounge access without paying for lounge memberships or expensive credit cards. For as little as $19.99 per year, Skyguide Club will reimburse you for up to 12 airport club/lounge day passes. At $50 each, that's $600 of reimbursements for less than $20!

The following information is from my personal experiences signing up, getting reimbursed, calling to resolve issues, and canceling memberships. As they say, YMMV.

How Does It Work?

First, you sign up for an annual membership using one of the links below. Then, you pay for day passes at the airport lounge of your choice (or online ahead of time) and submit the receipts to SkyGuide Club via certified mail. Reimbursement checks usually arrive in about a month.

Why Is This a Good Deal?

• It works for many domestic and international lounges including those operated by United, AA, Alaska Airlines, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Virgin America, Delta, US Airways, and Servisair (non-airline). A number of the covered lounges are not covered by credit card programs or Priority Pass.
• You don't need to be flying on the airline that operates the lounge, so you can pick your favorite lounge at the airport.
• If you run into trouble, they have telephone customer service with nice agents.
• They also provide reimbursement of health club passes (12 per year at $25)!

What's The Catch?

• Only 12 reimbursements per year. Limited to one per month as of January 1, 2013.
• Some signup links will auto-renew you at higher rate after your first year (to get around this, you can turn off auto-renewal online).
• The lounge you visit may need to be on their list, available here (can someone confirm if "unlisted" lounges are still eligible?): http://www.skyguideclub.com/?Obj=LoungeAndGym
• You must send your receipts individually via certified mail.
• The receipts/passes must be in your name -- no paying for family members or friends.
• They sell your personal information: http://lists.the-dma.org/market?page=research/datacard&id=214431, http://lists.the-dma.org/market?page=research/datacard&id=312300

How Do I Sign Up?

The sign up links below are from various sources, and may include extra "perks" such as companion passes or restaurant.com gift certificates. I have verified the links personally (or through family/friends), and they should work even if they say they are expired.

$19.99 per year with no auto-renew (may take 1-2 weeks for enrollment to go through):
https://subscription.timeinc.com/storefront/site/cy-fb0811.html?link=1005217

$2.99 for the first two months, $29.95 for the first year, auto-renew at $89.95 (may not be working):
https://secure.customersvc.com/servlet/Show?WESPAGE=OrderPages/amex/cy/1110/order_1501.jsp

What are the Official Terms?

See the SkyGuide site: http://www.skyguideclub.com/?Obj=LoungeAndGym

What's an Airport Lounge/Club?

Many airlines have private clubs, usually located in the "hub" airports they serve. They usually serve basic snacks and complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, along with access to a private service desk to resolve flight issues. Some offer showers. Be aware that not all clubs/lounges offer day passes, especially those operated by non-US airlines. Some links:

Delta SkyClub:
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/airport_information/delta_sky_club/

United Club:
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,52673,00.html

AA Admiral's Club:
http://www.aa.com/admiralsclub

What Are Some Tips/Tricks?

• Remember/bookmark this URL: https://secure.customersvc.com/servlet/Show?WESPAGE=am/home.jsp&MSRSMAG=CY . If you sign up using one of the customersvc.com links above, you can go to this URL immediately after registering (in the same browser window) and it will show you your member number and other account information. There may be a slight delay if you use one of the timeinc.com links.
• This URL can also be used to cancel your membership (for a refund) or stop auto-renewal. Use the "cancel" link for both.
• If you use a customersvc.com signup link, your membership will start immediately. You can even sign up when you're at the entrance to the lounge! There may be a delay if you use a timeinc.com link.
• Buy your passes online ahead of your trip if you don't want the hassle at the lounge entrance. Be sure to save a printed copy so you can send it in.
• Because your membership isn't tied to any specific credit card, you can use day pass purchases to meet minimum spend requirements across multiple cards or accumulate points/miles.
• Please don't abuse the program or commit fraud by purchasing passes for others or reselling passes. You'll just ruin it for everyone else.

What if Something Goes Wrong?

• If you don't send in a proper dated receipt that says "day pass" or "one time pass" on it, you probably won't be reimbursed (or hear anything back, for that matter). You can call them and try to fight it, but it's likely you'll be turned down. They'll play by the rules if you play by the rules.
• If you decide you want to cancel, even mid-term, they'll send you a full refund. In my experience, it was really simple to cancel online, and the refund check arrived quickly.
• There are reports of people sending receipts through normal (non-certified) mail, and they have been "lost". Others report that using standard USPS mail isn't a problem. Keep copies of your paperwork, and be prepared to call if your request is "lost".

Who Are You?

I'm just a random guy. I've been a member of Skyguide Club off-and-on for a few years, and most of my family/friends are also members. The information above is from my experiences signing up, getting reimbursed, calling to resolve issues, and canceling memberships. As they say, YMMV. For all I know, all of the information posted above is wrong.

Where Can I Find More Reviews?

Million Mile Secrets:
http://millionmilesecrets.com/2012/03/01/executive-privilage-club/

View from the Wing:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewf...ounge-visits-for-20-at-your-choice-of-lounge/

Travel and Credit:
http://travelandcredit.com/blog/hot...m-gift-certificates-all-for-only-32-94-total/

That "other" Site:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...skyguide-executive-privilege-club-merged.html

Updates/News

• As of October, 2012, the long-standing customersvc.com enrollment form may not be working anymore. If anyone has received the $29.99 membership lately, please post.
• As of January, 2013, pass reimbursement will be limited to one per calendar month. This actually matches the terms and conditions from a couple of years ago, but is quite a bit more restrictive than the "12 per month" terms used in 2012.

Does this work on all Amex cards or only ones with a high annual fee? Very good info if you can use for a low/no fee card. I just got the Plat Amex, so I'm covered for a decent amount of lounges currently.

It should work with any amex AFAIK. The reimbursement comes in the form of a paper check, so the program isn't really tied in with your card. I don't even think you need to pay the skyguide club fee with an amex card.

A definite advantage to this vs. amex platinum is that it will work with any airline lounge. The amex platinum is limited to a few airlines (and will be even more limited once Continental drops out).

Of course, you could combine this program with your platinum card and use the skyguide reimbursement for lounges that aren't covered by your card.

Can you fax the receipts instead of paying $5.50 each for certified mail, return receipt?

That would save some $ and should provide proof that the receipts were sent. Also follow up with a phone call if a check doesn't come.

Thanks, will definitely look into this.

There is no fax number. I'm sure they want to make the claim process as difficult as possible while still making good on their offer. After all, they don't make money writing checks. There are reports on other sites that receipts sent normal postal mail were "lost", but they were reimbursed after talking with customer service. Others report that standard mail worked just fine. YMMV.

You shouldn't need return reciept. If you have a tracking number and it shows as delivered, that should be good. I had a package I wanted a refund on and they said if I gave them a tracking number that shows it was delivered, I would be credited. And I was.

Any American Express card, including Amex-network cards issue by Bank of America, Citi, Barclay's or other banks, but it cannot be another network (Discover, MasterCard or VISA).

Any ideas/experience with buying two SkyClub day passes at $25 each for me and a companion (with the AmEx DL discount) and claiming them as one?

I was pleased to see a link to this thread on FT, which apparently doesn't yet have an equivalent thread.

I love this program. Combined with the Amex Plat $200 reimbursement, you can get paid for going into the UA RCC

Can you buy passes in bulk online (I am pretty sure UA lets you do this) so you don't have to mail in each time they are used?

I

I'd be interested to know this as well, but I suspect they will expect a receipt that appears to have actually been issed at a lounge, per what the terms and conditions state. Anyone have any experience with this?

Next time I'm at a RCC, I thought I might check to see if it's possible to buy RCC day passes for future yes--something that might also help with this issue.

Just received a promotion in the mail, sounds like a great deal! In addition to 2 months free membership they're now giving two $100 restaurant gift cards!

Just a quick note that the annual renewal fee is now $90 (past the first year). Because I didn't want to pay the new fee, I called to cancel a few days after the fee posted to my card, and the agent politely refunded the entire amount without any hassle.

Excellent customer service!

Supposedly the new united club passes don't have names on them since they are transferrable. Have you been to get a refund for those? Could you photoshop your name onto it before printing and mail that in?

Any idea if a Canadian-issued Amex would work?

The enrolment forms only seem to accept US addresses (no Canadian provinces or country=Canada). Would be interesting to know whether Canadians could enrol with a Canadian Amex and a US address.

Yeah that was my question. I live in the US now but don't have any US-issued Amex yet.

I guess I could just try it, but I'd hate to buy an AC MLL pass and then just not be reimbursed.

one more question. can i use the gym passes anywhere or only when travelling
ie can i use at a gym close to my home??

Just to be clear: If I want to try this for the free two months plus the first year at $30, when do I call to cancel? Right after the $30 is charged, or at the end of the year after I've used all the passes?

This deal looks good. Do you know if you can submit 2 different day passes on the same date? For example, if someone had a multi-segment itinerary.

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edit:

I found the answer on Delta's web site:

This Delta Sky Club One-Day pass grants access to any Delta Sky Club location worldwide and is valid for a single day of travel. Itineraries that include a date change between origin and destination are treated as the same day of travel.

I've got an unusually high amount of international travel occurring within the next few months, so this would be awesome...BUT:

Does this service reimburse you for the international transaction free incurred when buying lounge access (with an AmEx) at foreign airport lounges?

thanks for posting. I will give this a go and report back on my experiences. thanks again

so if I buy the day passes online, what do I submit for reimbursement? Never bought online before, so not sure what kind of receipt or info on receipt is provided...