Delta’s “refresh” of their co-branded American Express cards kicked in early today. One of the major changes involves Sky Club access.
Some Delta Amexes received guest passes. Several saw hikes in entrance fees for cardholders and guests. Two cards completely lost lounge access.
So which American Express cards provide entry (complimentary or otherwise) to Delta Sky Club airport lounges?
Let’s break it down.
Complimentary Admission to Delta Sky Clubs
These cards give cardholders free admission to Delta Sky Clubs on days you fly Delta Air Lines marketed or operated flights. (I’ve never had a problem getting into lounges at 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM when taking midnight or 1:00 AM-ish flights.)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Authorized/additional users may access Sky Club lounges when flying Delta — provided they’re added as paid, “full-fledged” cardmembers (i.e. they’re not “free” authorized users).
Cardholders of co-branded Platinum Cards from American Express (i.e. Charles Schwab, Mercedes, etc) also receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs. As do, of course, Amex Centurion Cardholders.
Can I Bring Guests?
Yes! However, your guests must also be flying on same-day Delta marketed or operated flights.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles/delta-reserve-american-express-card-qsoffer
® Reserve Business American Express Card now receive two Sky Club guest passes each year. After those are used, cardholders may bring up to two guests — for $39 each.
Platinum Card® from American Express or Business Platinum Card® from American Express members may bring “up to two guests for an additional fee.” (My daughter incurred a $29 charge last month before the rate hike.)
If Delta is your Amex Platinum Card® from American Express or Business Platinum Card® from American Express‘ preferred airline, the Sky Club guest fee should credit back to your $200 incidental allowance.
Delta Platinum Amex Cards — $39 Entrance Fees
Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card can access Sky Clubs on days they have a Delta or partner airline itineraries for $39 per entry.
They may also bring up to two guests for $39 each.
Again, each guest must be traveling on a Delta or partner airline flight.
(Primary cardholder and guest entry fees were $29 but increased to $39 today.)
Sorry, Delta Gold Amex Cardholders
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (See Rates and Fees) and Delta SkyMiles®Gold Business American Express Card no longer receive access to Delta Sky Clubs through their cards.
More Ways to Access Delta Sky Clubs for Free
If you don’t have an eligible American Express card or Sky Club membership, there are still a couple of ways to get into Delta’s airport lounges.
Delta One
Passengers flying in domestic or international Delta One marketed cabins may access Sky Clubs. Remember, though, just because a plane has Delta One seats doesn’t necessarily mean you’re flying the Delta One product.
For reference, Delta says international travel includes customers “traveling to/from Europe, Asia, South America, Central America, Africa, Canada and Mexico.” Travel to/from the Caribbean, Guam, Palau, and Saipan are excluded.
Partner First or Business Class
On days you’re confirmed in first or business class on a Delta partner airline, you may access Sky Clubs free of charge.
Sky Team Elite Plus
Something we mention in many international Delta mileage run posts is “SkyTeam Elite Plus.” This applies to:
- Diamond Medallions
- Platinum Medallions
- Gold Medallions
SkyTeam Elite Plus members and one guest enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and select partner lounges on days they fly international trips.
For example, a friend and I enjoyed Sky Club access at LAX, SLC, and PDX when we flew to London a couple of years ago. He had no status or Amex cards.
Questions? Data Points?
Ask or share in the below Comments section!
As the kids say: see you in da club.
— Chris
🔺 Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards
- Save 20% on inflight food and beverage purchases made during Delta flights
- Bonus SkyMiles on each Delta Air Lines purchase
- Main Cabin 1 boarding
- Free first checked bag for you and up to eight others on your itinerary!
- Complimentary Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access for Reserve cardholders
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
- Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card (See Rates and Fees)
Terms apply.
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Based on the crowds in most Delta clubs, it would appear one can gain access using a library card, index card, or any of the raw materials that go into making a card. I’ve seen boarding gates with less people!
They’re there. They are buried with the drink passes.
I have two cards that grant access, Business Platinum & Delta Reserve. Can I tell the Delta desk agent that want entry using Business platinum so I can pay for my wife with that card to get the charge credited back as airline incidental?
@Greg – Yes. You can pull whatever card you want out at check-in to gain access.
“ SkyTeam Elite Plus members and one guest enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and select partner lounges on days they fly international trips.”
Not necessarily so. Speaking from personal experience, and after talking to a customer service rep to confirm, select domestic (USA) Delta clubs will not admit Gold Medallion eliteplus when traveling on international tickets (e.g., Nashville, Atlanta, and JFK). No problem getting in with Detroit, or clubs overseas.
@DT – The rep was wrong. Departing and connecting cities that have Sky Clubs (or Skyteam lounges – think Korean club LAX) gives you access. Arriving city – no.
Having said that, reps often get the rules wrong. Matt from Live and Let’s fly had just such and issue in the LAX Sky Club and blogged it. Delta apologized and said they would train reps better.
I believe she was wrong, but this was not a call in rep. This was a specialized customer rep responding to my written complaint. I tried to reference the specific points on the Delta website, but she wasn’t having it. Then she got belligerent and said I wasn’t listening to her.
And as I have said, I’ve been refused admission to the clubs indicated while traveling on international tickets. Their responses vary; have to be on business or first class ticket, does not apply, we don’t do that. Not just the club agents, but the ticket counter agents. I even show them my “red” multi-million miler tag.
On the other hand Detroit has never been as issue gaining access, or the international terminals. That’s why we try to align our international flights through Detroit. That, and less problems if delays.
@DT – Sigh and wow.
The new redesigned DL AMEX cards are now being made from metal instead of plastic like the non branded AMEX Platinum.
@Bryce: Yep. We have a post about that this afternoon!
If I have a Reserve Card, can I get 4 people in (2 paid and 2 with free guest pass) during a single visit? Or will they limit it to 2 regardless?
@Ryan: That’s a good question. I’m thinking they’ll limit it to two guests. The verbiage reads, “Card Members may also bring up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21 years of age) at the exclusive per-visit rate of $39 per person, per location.” It sounds to me like the guest passes are simply used in place of the $39 fee. But who knows? Maybe a Sky Club rep will take pity and let a group of four in. Stranger things have happened, I suppose.