Used to get in with a first class ticket, then that changed to first class international only. Platinum Card didn’t work all the time either.
I quit flying in 2012 with almost a million miles on Delta. Got tired of the TSA BS and passengers turning into the Greyhound bus crowd.
At one time I had over 1 million frequent flyer miles, around 700,000 on US Air, 300,000 on Delta and maybe 150,000 on what was Continental.
Every couple of months I would look into getting a membership in one of these clubs, it never seemed like a good deal, I only went into one of the clubs when I got a promotional award that offered a free visit to try the place out.
I use to spend plenty of time in airport bars which were usually more convenient because they are everywhere versus the Sky Clubs, etc....
Just my opinion.
Starting with the radical security ramp up after 9/11, I got increasingly frustrated at the hassles and increased time from point A to point B. Most of my traveling would be multiday at a client's location. Each travel day would typically eat up a full day. Home to airport, park at a remote lot, ride shuttle, check in luggage, slog thru security, check in at gate, board, eventually up in the air, air time, land and taxi to gate, wait for luggage, shuttle to offsite car rental, drive to destination, check into hotel.
What made the grind bearable for me during the heavy travel years was a liberal courtesy 1st class upgrade and automatic upgrade at booking if on a Y-class coach ticket.
In the early 2000s, my air travel radically decreased. I evolved to driving instead of flying if a destination was within 500 miles or so and spending a couple of days onsite. If a destination was <1000 miles, I'd drive if I was spending a full week. Mostly though, I was flying on day trips of round trip from ATL, rental car and a few hours at client's location. Leave home at 5AM and get back at 9PM.