Delta Sky Club access: Your guide to lounge entry and amenities

Certain premium Delta credit cards let you enter exclusive Delta Sky Club airport lounges for free.
You can also enter Delta lounges with other premium Amex cards, although the annual fees are higher.
Delta and Amex credit cardholders no longer have unlimited Sky Club access, though.

Introduction to Delta Sky Club access

Delta Air Lines is one of the most popular U.S. carriers in the consumer airline industry and is one of the "Big 3" airlines, alongside American Airlines and United Airlines.

Like many major airlines, Delta Air Lines has its own network of airport lounges called Delta Sky Clubs. With dozens of locations throughout the U.S., Delta Sky Clubs offer travelers somewhere to relax and enjoy quiet privacy at the airport, along with free snacks, drinks, and WiFi before their flights.

Here's what you should know if you want to visit a Delta Sky Club on your next trip.

Overview of Delta Sky Clubs

Delta Sky Clubs have an air of contemporary luxury and can be found in dozens of airports throughout the U.S. Most locations offer travelers complimentary food, drinks, alcoholic beverages, and quiet rest areas or spaces to work while waiting for your next flight. Some even feature showers.

How to gain access to Delta Sky Clubs

Delta Sky Club lounge access is normally restricted to passengers traveling in business- or first-class seats on Delta and SkyTeam partners; certain travelers on qualifying flights who hold Delta elite status; or travelers who have purchased a Sky Club membership.

Sky Club membership options

There's quantifiable monetary value to Delta Sky Club access — Sky Club memberships begin at $695 per year, but can be worth significantly more for frequent Delta travelers.

You can also enter Delta Sky Clubs through complimentary lounge access from certain credit cards, which we'll discuss in more detail below.

Credit cards with Sky Club access

With the right credit card, you can access Delta Sky Clubs for free on many flights. The best credit card with Sky Club lounge access will depend on your other travel goals and spending habits. Here's a rundown of the differences between these cards to help you choose.

Delta credit cards with Sky Club access

The $650-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card () and the $650-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card () both offer 15 visits to Delta Sky Club for the primary cardholder when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Terms apply.

Cardholders can unlock an unlimited number of visits after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their card in a calendar year.

Delta Reserve cardholders are also eligible to bring in up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21 years of age) at a cost of $50 per person, per visit, provided the guests are traveling on a same-day Delta or Delta partner-operated flight. Terms apply.

You'll separately receive four one-time Sky Club lounge guest passes each year: when you first open your card, and each following year on your account anniversary. These can be used by guests traveling with you, as long as they're also flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Terms apply.

While the annual fees on these cards are higher than the cost of buying a Delta Sky Club lounge membership outright, a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card credit card can still provide you with more value considering all the other perks you receive. These cards are also a good choice if you want to boost your Delta SkyMiles account balance by earning miles on everyday spending. Terms apply.

Along with a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta, cardholders also get access to Amex Centurion lounges when they fly Delta and use the card to pay for their ticket. Both Delta Reserve cards also come with an annual Delta companion certificate, Global Entry and TSA Precheck credit after you apply through any authorized enrollment provider, access to complimentary upgrades and upgrade priority, and a slew of other travel and purchase protections. Terms apply.

Read our Delta SkyMiles Reserve card review and Delta Reserve Business card review to learn more.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card no longer offer discounted Sky Club access for eligible travelers, although they still come with a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, along with other travel perks.

These cards also come with an increased annual fee. So if you want Sky Club visits as part of your card benefits, you may get more value out of the premium-tier Reserve cards or Amex Platinum credit cards.

You can find out more in our Delta SkyMiles Platinum card review and Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card review.

Amex Platinum card Delta Sky Club access

If you want Delta SkyClub access but don't want to lock yourself into a Delta co-branded card and/or earning Delta miles, the Amex Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card are also excellent choices. Both cards allow 10 Delta SkyClub visits for the primary cardholder (unlimited visits after spending $75,000 in a calendar year) — again only if you are flying Delta that day. Terms apply.

With both cards, you're also eligible to bring in up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21 years of age) at a cost of $50 per person, per visit, provided the guests are traveling on a same-day Delta or Delta partner-operated flight. Terms apply.

With a $695 annual fee (), the Amex Platinum Card is pricier than either of the Delta Reserve cards. But in return, cardholders receive more comprehensive lounge access and a generous suite of perks that can more than offset the annual fee, including (Terms apply.):

Up to $200 per year in airline incidental fee credits** on one qualifyingairline of your choice
Up to $200 in Uber cash annually** ($15 per month plus a $20 bonus in December), which you can use toward Uber Eats orders
Up to $200 per calendar year toward prepaid hotelsthat are part ofFine Hotels & ResortsorThe Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay).
Up to $300 annual credits to Equinox**
$300 in statement credits when youuse your card to buy a SoulCycle at-home bike
Up to $240 in annual digital entertainment credits(divided into monthly increments of up to$20)** toward Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal
Up to $155 in annualstatement credits toward Walmart+ (divided into monthly increments of $12.95)**.
Up to $100 in annualcredits toward Saks Fifth Avenue (divided into $50 increments — the first to be used between January and June, and the second to be used between July and December)**

**Enrollment required

If you're a small-business owner, the Amex Business Platinum Card with a $695 annual fee () could be a better fit. It offers the same airport lounge access as the personal Amex Platinum Card, and comes with slightly different benefits that include (Terms apply.):

Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for checked baggage fees, lounge day passes, and more at one selected airline.
Up to $400 in statement credits toward U.S. Dell purchases** each calendar year once you enroll your card (divided into two $200 credits: up to $200 between January and June, and up to $200 between July and December)
Up to $10 per month in statement credits toward purchases made from any US wireless telephone provider (up to $120 per calendar year)
Up to $360 per year in Indeed credits** (up to $90 per quarter)
Up to $150 per calendar year** in statement credits toward select Adobe purchases, including business subscriptions of Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Pro DC.

**Enrollment required

Amex Centurion card Sky Club access

If you have an eligible invite-only Amex Black Card (also known as the Centurion card), you can access a Delta Sky Club when traveling on a same-day ticket for a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight.

You can bring either two guests or immediate family in with you if they are also traveling on an eligible same-day ticket. There's a guest rate of $50 per person, and you must use your valid card as the payment. Note that there are some additional exceptions, like you can't be flying on a Basic Economy ticket.

Delta Sky Club amenities

Delta Sky Clubs are known for contemporary comfort, with tasteful meals, snacks, drinks, and beverages, as well as thoughtfully designed spaces. Here's what you can expect from most locations.

Food and beverage offerings

Delta Sky Clubs typically serve two sets of buffet-style offerings: Breakfast foods including pastries, hot items, cereal and milk, followed by lunch and dinner dishes around 11 a.m. every day. You may also find grab-and-go snacks such as fresh fruit, nuts or trail mix, and desserts.

Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included in your Sky Club access, although some locations may charge a small fee for premium drinks or top-shelf liquor. You can typically expect coffee, tea, still and sparkling water, several types of carbonated drinks, and a full bar including a variety of wines, beers, and different types of liquor.

Business facilities

Many Delta Sky Clubs are relatively new or freshly renovated, and you can typically expect at least one power outlet at or near each seat. Most lounges have at least one dining area, a higher bar or two, some lounge seating, and more office-like areas for workers with desks or conference table facilities.

Relaxation and shower facilities

Some Sky Clubs have designated quiet areas or phone booths for people who need to take virtual meetings, while others feature kids' rooms or nap spaces for weary travelers to unwind over long layovers.

If the Sky Club you're visiting has shower facilities, speak with the check-in agents to see if you need to put your name down for a reservation. Some locations may allow you to walk in as needed, while others may require that you book a time slot in advance. If your layover is relatively short, it's a good idea to book your shower time as soon as you arrive to ensure you can finish up before it's time for you to board.

Tips for maximizing your Sky Club experience

In recent years, Delta has experienced significant overcrowding in Sky Clubs across the U.S., leading to stringent rules on guests, unlimited access, and other restrictions. Most lounges only allow guests to access the facilities within three hours of their upcoming flight's departure; in other words, you can't arrive at the airport at 8 a.m. and spend a full 12 hours in the Sky Club awaiting an 8 p.m. flight. But there may be some exceptions: If you visit a Sky Club during a long layover on Delta- or partner-operated flights, the Sky Club may allow you to enter if the facility isn't full.

It can be hard to predict the "best" times to visit a Sky Club, but common sense typically applies: If there are a number of weather-related flight delays, there will likely be more fellow travelers taking advantage of free cocktails alongside you.

Enhancing your travel with Delta Sky Club access

Delta Sky Club airport lounges can make your travels more comfortable and save you money on expensive airport food and drinks. And you don't have to be flying first class or have elite status to get access.

You can always pay $695 or more a year for a Delta Sky Club membership, but frequent Delta flyers can get a better deal by opening one of four cards that offer Sky Club access when you have a same-day Delta flight:

Check for credit card offers

Delta Sky Club access FAQs

How can I get into Delta Sky Clubs?

Access can be obtained through various means, including purchasing a SkyClub membership, holding certain credit cards that offer lounge access as a benefit, or achieving elite status with Delta.

Can I bring guests into the Delta Sky Club?

Membership and credit card access typically include a specific guest policy. It's important to check your membership or credit card benefits for guest access rules.

Do Delta Sky Club passes have an expiration date?

Yes, single-visit passes typically have an expiration date. Check the terms and conditions of your one-day pass for details. Note: The single-visit pass is discontinued. However, any single-visit passes already issued to guests will be accepted until its expiration date.

Who is allowed at Delta Sky Clubs?

Access is granted to passengers traveling in Delta One or Premium Select cabins, Delta Medallion members with certain Choice Benefits, holders of eligible credit cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express, and those with a Delta Sky Club membership.

Is it worth paying for Delta Sky Club access?

Whether it's worth paying for Delta Sky Club depends on your travel habits and preferences. For frequent Delta travelers who value amenities like complimentary food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and a quiet environment, a membership or a qualifying credit card offering lounge access can enhance the travel experience. However, for occasional travelers, the cost of membership ($695 per year) may not justify the benefits unless you travel regularly with Delta.

The post Delta Sky Club access: Your guide to lounge entry and amenities appeared first on Business Insider