No Result
View All Result
Eye of the Flyer
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
    • Bad or Poor Credit
    • No Credit
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
    • Bad or Poor Credit
    • No Credit
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

What is the Best Amex Card for Delta Sky Club Lounge Access?

Chris Carley by Chris Carley
April 4, 2022 - Updated on November 30, 2022
in Credit Cards
6
Delta Sky Club ATL Atlanta Concourse B Review by RenesPoints blog
Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.


Airport club lounges are great places to recharge (yourself and your electronic devices!). You can relax, get some work done, grab a quick bite to eat, and enjoy a beverage.

Four different co-branded Delta American Express cards — and two different Amex Platinum cards — give members admission privileges when flying Delta. Is one is of those cards the “best” for getting you into Delta Sky Clubs?

First, think about how often you use Delta Sky Clubs and want to bring guests with you. And how important bonus MQM, Companion Certificates, discounted onboard drinks and food, and free checked first bags are to you.

Ready? Let’s take a quick look.

A coffee station is seen inside the Delta Sky Club at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, New York.
Delta Sky Club inside John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York

Which Cards Get You Into Delta Sky Clubs?

These American Express cards grant complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a same-day, Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express — $695 annual fee (Terms apply. Rates and Fees)
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — $695 annual fee (Terms apply. Rates and Fees)
  • Delta SkyMiles Reserve® American Express Card — $550 annual fee (Terms apply. Rates and Fees)
  • Delta SkyMiles Reserve® Business American Express Card — $550 annual fee (Terms apply. Rates and Fees)

Both the primary cardmember and any paid additional cardholders may enter for free when flying a same-day Delta marketed and operated itinerary. By “paid” additional cardholder, we mean an additional card that carries an annual fee. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express members can add up to three additional cardholders for $175 total. (Terms apply. Rates and Fees)

The Centurion American Express card and co-branded Platinum Cards (i.e. Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab, etc) also receive the benefit.

A view of the fireplace and adjacent seating area inside the Delta Sky Club on the C Concourse at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Delta Sky Club on the C Concourse at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)

Two other cards offer admission to Delta Sky Clubs — but for $39 per person, per visit. (This rate increases to $50 per guest as of February 2, 2023.) The primary cardholder is not exempt and must pay also pay the admission fee. (Terms apply.)

  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card — $250 annual fee (Terms apply. Rates and Fees)
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card — $250 annual fee (Terms apply. Rates and Fees)

If you don’t value any of the Amex Platinum benefits, couldn’t care less about the Delta Reserve cards’ perks, and just want to pop into the Delta Sky Club every so often, either of the Delta Platinum cards should be fine.

As long as you don’t rack up more than six total visits during an entire year, you’re OK. (Seven visits at $39 each = $234.)

But those expenses can quickly add up.

For example, airlines consider my now-five-year-old to be an adult — and that goes for airport club lounge access. Say you’re a parent traveling with a spouse/partner/etc., and a child. One Sky Club visit is going to cost $117 for the three of you.

And that’s just at the first airport on your journey.

Have a connecting flight and want to stop at that airport’s Sky Club? There’s another $117.

A child enjoys the Delta Sky Club airport lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California.
$39 for this kid to load up on cheese, cookies, carrot sticks, and nibble on an apple. (We cleaned the seat after she put her feet on it, don’t worry! 🙂 )

If you’re going to rack up at least eight Sky Club visits a year, then you’re much better off with one of the Reserve cards or Amex Platinum cards.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Learn how to apply for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve® Credit Card from American Express

You can bop into Sky Clubs to your heart’s content.

Better for Sky Club Access: Reserve Card or Platinum Card?

The four premium cards (the Amex Platinums and Delta Reserves) waive the Sky Club entrance fees for the primary cardholder. So if you’re a frequent-ish Delta traveler, you should consider one of those.

But which one?

This depends on what Delta status benefits you crave, how often you visit Delta Sky Clubs, and if you bring guests.

If you don’t need MQM or a Companion Certificate, then The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express are solid ways to go. Some people buy first class or use miles. They can afford to pay for companions and don’t need to play the complimentary upgrade lottery. Some people don’t even care about airline status! 😉  (If you want access to Centurion Lounges, too, the Platinum cards are a much better option than Delta Reserves, which also offer the perk.)

Entrance to the Delta Sky Club at Atlanta (ATL)'s international "F" terminal.
Entrance to the Delta Sky Club at Atlanta (ATL)’s international “F” terminal.

But if you like spending your way to bonus MQM, using Companion Certificates, etc, then I’d recommend the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

The Platinum Card® from American Express
Learn how to apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express

But Don’t the Reserve Cards’ Guest Passes Give Them an Edge?

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. offer two, one-time guest passes for Delta Sky Clubs.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Sky Club guest passes in the Fly Delta app's "My Wallet."

So that’s a potential additional savings of $78 per card account year. (Guest admission is, of course, $39 per person, per visit.)

But if you like guesting people into Sky Clubs (and Centurion Lounges, at least through January 2023), check out either The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Here’s why.

Both of those Amex Platinum cards offer a $200 airline incidental credit per calendar year. (Enrollment and airline selection required.) Airport club lounge fees count toward that credit. So the airline incidental credit could buy you up to five guest visits at Delta Sky Clubs and still give you $5 leftover.

I value and use (that’s important) the benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — and hold all three. It’s certainly one way around the decision-making conundrum. 

Final Approach

Several different American Express cards offer access to Delta Sky Clubs. If you often travel with companions, it’s probably worth getting The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and using their $200 airline incidental credit to offset guest passes.

But if you rarely travel with guests and/or want to take advantage of Delta-heavy benefits, then the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card are solid options.

 

To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured above, please visit the following links:

  • 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)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (See Rates and Fees)
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (See Rates and Fees)
Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.


Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Related

Previous Post

Delta A321neo’s First Seat Map Now Online

Next Post

Do You Know About Your SkyTeam Elite Benefits?

Chris Carley

Chris Carley

Chris Carley is the owner, editor, and lead writer of Eye of the Flyer (formerly known as Rene's Points).

Next Post
SkyTeam Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Do You Know About Your SkyTeam Elite Benefits?

Comments 6

  1. Enjoy Fine Food says:
    2 years ago

    Cute kid, Chris, and well-behaved it would appear. Thanks for cleaning the seat, but I wasn’t worried. Due to COVID, I’ve stopped eating off the seats.

    BTW — nice explanation of a very complex set of admission rules.

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      2 years ago

      Ha, thank you!! She has her moments.

      Reply
  2. Steve Weisbart says:
    2 years ago

    Last year I downgraded my Delta Reserve card to Blue and then recently upgraded it back to Delta Platinum when I got a a nice upgrade offer. I recently got the non-Delta Platinum Business card which I will be using for all future lounge access.

    I still have a bunch of active guest passes from the old Reserve card sitting in my Delta Wallet. Do you know if they will let me use those for guests even though I no longer have the Reserve card?

    Reply
    • René says:
      2 years ago

      @Steve W – I am in the same place and the terms tell us both no since we no longer hold a Reserve card:

      Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes
      Upon account opening and each year upon account renewal, a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Basic Card Member will be issued two one-time guest passes for complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club. The one-time guest passes will be available to view in the Card Member’s Wallet in the Fly Delta app and in My Profile on delta.com under Certificates, eCredits, and Vouchers. Please allow up to 72 hours for deposit. On rare occasions (for example, when the name on your SkyMiles account doesn’t match the name on your Amex account), the timing of the deposit could be delayed. The one-time guest passes expire within one (1) year from the date of issuance. If your account anniversary month changes for any reason (for example, due to a card replacement), your passes will be issued within your new renewal month. To redeem, the Card Member must present his or her valid Card, same-day Delta or Delta partner boarding pass, and government-issued I.D. to the Delta Sky Club ambassador. The Basic Card Member must be present in order to use the one-time guest passes and all eligibility rules of the Delta Sky Club benefit apply. The guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. The Card Member may only use two one-time guest passes per Delta Sky Club visit. One-time guest passes are non-transferable, cannot be assigned or sold, and have no cash value. Benefit valid only at Delta Sky Clubs. Partner lounges are not included. All Delta Sky Club rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/skyclub. Benefit and rules subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

      Reply
  3. DEE says:
    10 months ago

    We were traveling with a 6 month old and 2 -2year olds and had to pay for both with Plat Amex even tho we had been traveling internationally??crazy they both slept thru our time there so did not utilize anything for the $$$

    Reply
  4. Greg says:
    2 months ago

    For me the biggest slap to Medallions, is the exclusion of international travelers who aren’t flying in premium cabins? What? Why?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

➤ Search Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

GREAT Travel and Cash Back Card Offers!

Eye of the Flyer may receive a commission from the links below. See our Privacy Policy

See CardRatings’ Top Credit Cards for This Month!

Ink Cash Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Limited-time promotion: BEST EVER OFFER! Earn $900 bonus cashback (90,000 points) after spending $6,000 in purchases within three (3) months of card membership approval. Learn here how to apply.

Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Limited-time promotion: BEST EVER OFFER! Earn $900 bonus cashback (90,000 points) after spending $6,000 in purchases within three (3) months of card membership approval. Learn here how to apply.

Learn how to apply for the NEW Capital One Venture X card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the new must-have “it” card for travel lovers! Earn 75,000 bonus points (worth at least $750 in travel) after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval. Plus, enjoy up to $300 annually in statement credits for travel purchased through Capital One AND 10,000 bonus points every year, after the first anniversary. The $395 annual fee can EASILY be earned back (here’s how) — and then some! Learn now how to apply!

The Ink Business Preferred cardEarn 100,000 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on purchases during the first three months of being an Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card member! Earns 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. (Earn 1X per $1 on all other purchases.)

  Earn cash back with Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) Earn cash back with TopCashback! RebatesMe Earn cash back with DOSH!

✍ Editors Disclaimer | lock, login, protection, secure icon Privacy Policy | $ Advertisers Disclosure

 

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2021 Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
    • Bad or Poor Credit
    • No Credit
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2021 Eye of the Flyer

Cleantalk Pixel

Subscribe To Our Newsletter


Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!