Delta Sky Club access: How to visit the lounge with credit cards, elite status and more

1 day ago 2

Delta Air Lines is modernizing and expanding its Sky Club network. However, the airline has taken multiple steps to significantly reduce Delta Sky Club access, including changes set to take effect on Feb. 1, 2025. So, here's what you need to know about the various ways you can get Delta Sky Club access.

Delta Sky Club access via credit cards

One easy way to get Delta Sky Club access is to hold a card that grants access. Here's a look at when you can get access with some of the best cards for Sky Club access:

The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Must be traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight or Delta-marketed WestJet flight starting with a 006 ticket number for complimentary Delta Sky Club access (no access for basic economy fares; complimentary access will be limited to 10 visits per program year starting Feb. 1, 2025)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for complimentary Delta Sky Club access (no access for basic economy fares; complimentary access will be limited to 15 visits per program year starting Feb. 1, 2025)

Luckily, even once Delta starts limiting cardholder visits on Feb. 1, 2025, each visit will include "entry to one or more Delta Sky Clubs or usage of the Delta Sky Club Grab and Go feature, at one or more airports, for a period of up to 24 hours starting upon the first Delta Sky Club entry or Grab and Go usage," according to the terms and conditions. As such, one visit can include access to Delta SkyClubs at several airports within 24 hours.

Note that all the above cards only provide access to the cardmember. You can add authorized users to each of these cards to get access for friends and family members, but each card charges a set fee for authorized user cards. You can also pay $50 per person, per visit ($25 per person, per visit at grab-and-go locations) to bring up to two guests or your immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21). However, basic cardmembers of the Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business also get four one-time guest passes to bring guests into Delta Sky Clubs.

As mentioned above, starting on Feb. 1, 2025, Delta will limit the number of visits cardholders get for Sky Clubs each program year (Feb. 1 through Jan. 31 of the following year). However, you can remove the cap on Sky Club visits through the end of the following Medallion year (Jan. 31) if you spend $75,000 or more during a calendar year on one of the eligible credit cards.

Also, if you have the Delta Reserve or Delta Reserve Business card and travel on a Delta partner airline on flights not marketed or operated by Delta, you can enter a Sky Club for $50 per person, per location or a grab-and-go location for $25 per person, per location.

Delta Sky Club membership

If you have Delta Medallion status, you can purchase a Sky Club membership with cash or SkyMiles. There are two types of Delta Sky Club membership:

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Individual membership: One-year rate of $695 or 69,500 SkyMiles
Executive membership: One-year rate of $1,495 or 149,500 SkyMiles

These memberships provide Sky Club access when flying Delta or select partners if you aren't flying in basic economy.

With an individual membership, only the member can enter the Sky Club. However, the member can pay $50 or 5,000 miles per guest per visit ($25 or 2,500 miles per guest per visit for grab-and-go locations) for up to two guests or immediate family members.

Meanwhile, an executive membership is handy for those who anticipate frequently bringing guests with them into the club. You can bring up to two guests or your immediate family for free and up to two more guests for $50 or 5,000 miles per guest per visit ($25 or 2,500 miles per guest per visit for grab-and-go locations).

Delta Sky Club access via elite status

There are several ways you might get Delta Sky Club access as a benefit of your elite status.

For example, Diamond and Platinum Medallion members get to select Choice Benefits each Medallion year. Some of the Delta Choice Benefits can provide Delta Sky Club access as follows:

Delta Sky Club individual membership: Diamond members can obtain this benefit with two Choice Benefit selections for the 2025 Medallion year (not offered for the 2024 Medallion year)
Delta Sky Club executive membership: Diamond members can obtain this benefit with three Choice Benefit selections for the 2024 and 2025 Medallion years

Delta Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members and up to one guest can also access Sky Club lounges when traveling in Premium Select internationally (excluding the Caribbean) or in Delta One (or an equivalent cabin on a flight operated by a Delta partner). These members may also get Delta Sky Club access with up to one guest when traveling in first class (or an equivalent cabin on a flight operated by a Delta partner) to Mexico, Canada and Central America. However, the guest must travel in a qualifying cabin in both cases.

If you are a SkyTeam Elite Plus member from another airline, you can access Delta Sky Club lounges with up to one guest before you travel on a SkyTeam international flight (excluding between the U.S. and the Caribbean) or a SkyTeam domestic flight connecting to or from a SkyTeam international flight.

There are also a few airlines that give Delta Sky Club access as an elite status benefit, including:

LATAM: Signature Black Emerald, Black Emerald and Platinum Sapphire members and up to one guest get Delta Sky Club access when traveling on or connecting to a same-day international flight operated by Delta or LATAM.
WestJet: Gold and Platinum members and up to one guest get Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a same-day transborder flight between the U.S. and Canada operated by Delta or WestJet

Delta Sky Club access on premium-cabin tickets

Both domestic and international Delta One (which is different from first class on Delta) passengers, as well as anyone flying on a same-day international first-class or business-class ticket on another SkyTeam-operated flight (you must be confirmed in business class or first class for every segment of your journey), get Sky Club lounge access regardless of elite status or membership. You can enter the club even if you're on a domestic Delta flight connecting to or from a same-day international Delta One flight.

Delta defines international travel as Europe, Asia, South America, Central America, Africa, Canada and Mexico (but not the Caribbean) for lounge access.

Additionally, Delta partners with two other airlines to provide Sky Club access to their premium cabin passengers:

LATAM: Business-class passengers can access Sky Club lounges with same-day international travel or in conjunction with a connection to or from an international flight operated by Delta or LATAM.
WestJet: Business-class passengers can access Sky Club lounges with same-day international travel or in conjunction with a connection to or from an international flight operated by Delta or WestJet.

Bottom line

If you regularly fly Delta or live in or travel to a hub city, having Sky Club access can make your travel experience much more enjoyable.

While Delta has tightened Sky Club access rules, there are still some ways to gain access — especially if you avoid booking basic economy fares. For example, top-tier Diamond Medallion members can redeem Choice Benefits for a Delta Sky Club membership, while anyone with Delta elite status can still pay cash or redeem miles for a Delta Sky Club membership.

In addition, some premium credit cards still provide complimentary lounge access, although visits will be capped starting Feb. 1, 2025, unless you meet specific spending thresholds each calendar year.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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