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Delta Amex Benefit Idea: 20% Back on Sky Club Drinks

Chris Carley by Chris Carley
June 6, 2023
in Travel Related
15
Inside Delta’s New MSP G Concourse Sky Club! (Our Review and Photos!)
Advertiser Disclosure: 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. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.


While writing this post for our sister blog, Frequent Floaters, I noticed something interesting about Chase’s co-branded United Airlines MileagePlus credit cards.

They offer 25% in statement credit for onboard purchases such as WiFi, food, and beverages on United-operated flights. That’s fairly standard for airline credit cards (though rates vary between 20-25% and WiFi isn’t included on all airline cards).

But this part stood out: the 25% benefit also applies to United Club premium drinks charged to the card.

Delta Sky Clubs and Premium Drinks

Delta Air Lines puts a lot of time and effort into the premium drink programs at its Sky Club airport lounges.

A full service bar is seen during a visit to the Delta Sky Club Salt Lake City inside Terminal A of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). (Photo ©RenesPoints.com)
One of the bars at the Delta Sky Club SLC

Like nearly all lounges, they offer complimentary beer, wine, and spirits. Some lounges (the Chase Sapphire Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, American Express Centurion Lounges, etc.) charge nothing for their premium alcoholic drinks.

Woodford Reserve at Salt Lake City Delta Sky Club bar.

Others (Delta Sky Clubs, United Clubs, etc.) offer lower-shelf booze for free but charge for the good stuff.

At nearly all of the Sky Club previews I attend, I see bartenders put under rigorous training. Like, Jon Taffer-Bar Rescue-style stuff. I’ve seen and heard Delta’s resident mixologist and trainer issue a terse, “Nope! Dump it out and start over!”

I’ve written, well, not exactly glowing reviews of some Delta Sky Club premium cocktails. At some lounge previews, I’m instructed to sample the bartenders’ sample cocktails and provide feedback. (Apparently, I’m slightly critical or have a reputation or something 😉 .)

But Delta creates some very good signature drinks. My wife and I love the Flower District Margarita.

A placard advertising the Flower District Margarita is seen inside the Delta Sky Club Austin airport lounge at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Austin, Texas. Photo © Chris Carley / PointsLounge

The Flower District Margarita signature cocktail drink is displayed at the Delta Sky Club Austin airport lounge at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Austin, Texas. Photo © Chris Carley / PointsLounge
The Flower District Margarita signature cocktail drink is displayed at the Delta Sky Club Austin airport lounge at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Austin, Texas.

When made properly, the Strawberry Rye Spire cocktail is fantastic.

But here’s the thing: those aren’t complimentary. My wife and I occasionally treat ourselves during special trips. But we’d rather not spend the money or SkyMiles.

Similarly, Delta serves Old Forester bourbon — which is fine. It’s not great. Just fine. I certainly wouldn’t store it in my bar at home unless it’s to mix with cola. (And even then, Jack Daniel’s is the way to go.) Occasionally, though (like, once or twice a year), I’ll buy a Woodford Reserve or Buffalo Trace just because they’re so much better.

a bar with a counter and a bar with a man standing behind it

I occasionally see and hear people upgrading their beer, wine, and liquor.

But I wonder how Sky Club guests don’t bother trying the premium drinks simply because of cost?

Add a Sky Club Drink Discount to the Delta Amexes

Why not give people some incentive to try the good stuff?

I think the eligible, cobranded Delta SkyMiles® American Express cards – that come with perks such as first checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 boarding — should also incorporate a discount on Sky Club drinks. We’re talking about the:

Give it the same 20% discount as we get for eligible onboard purchases. (To be fair, I can only assume this has crossed Delta’s mind a few times.)

But unless a lot of Sky Club visitors are already purchasing premium drinks, I can’t imagine this would put a major dent in Delta’s lounge profits. If anything, I think it’d give people incentive to try the specialty cocktails or upgrade their hooch to the good stuff.

What do you think?

Advertiser Disclosure: 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. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. 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.

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Chris Carley

Chris Carley

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

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Comments 15

  1. Berk says:
    6 months ago

    I know I would buy more premium drinks with the 20% discount. Uncle Nearest 1856 is a particular favorite of mine. Like you I prefer their higher end bourbons. Unlike you I love Old Forester and drink it neat all the time. I have just about all of their offerings in my home bar with the exception of Birthday. On occasion the lounge will even have the 100 proof available which I quite enjoy. And, of course, the only thing Old #7 is good for is to be mixed with Coke – lots of Coke.

    Reply
  2. Bridge Haven says:
    6 months ago

    Very disappointed that the First Class Airline known as Delta Airlines stopped serving Jack Daniels as the “House” Bourbon in their Sky Clubs

    Reply
    • Larry says:
      6 months ago

      Jack Daniels is not bourbon.

      Reply
      • WB says:
        6 months ago

        C’mon Larry…JD is only NOT bourbon because its made across the river in Tennessee!

        Reply
  3. DLPTATL says:
    6 months ago

    +1 to the 20% discount. I still miss the promo a few years ago that I think they were calling “treat yourself” where you could get a for purchase glass of wine or drink during each visit for free during the holiday travel season.

    Reply
  4. SamFromQueens says:
    6 months ago

    So agree, definitely need an incentive to use my Delta Reserve card in the club!

    Reply
  5. Jerry says:
    6 months ago

    I’m surprised they don’t have an up-charge for their most loyal card caring members.

    Based on all the other things they have done to devalue Delta memberships stay tune.

    As a diamond member for the last 20+ years I used to flight Delta 99% of the time. Now its whomever, Delta doesn’t care why should we.

    Reply
  6. Wayne says:
    6 months ago

    To hell with 20%. Get thee to a Centurion Lounge and let an expert mixologist wow you.

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      6 months ago

      If only there were as many of those as there are Sky Clubs…

      Reply
  7. Stan Ferris says:
    6 months ago

    +1 to the 20% discount

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      6 months ago

      I better get free premium drinks for life in Sky Clubs if Delta adopts this 🙂 .

      Reply
  8. Bridge Haven says:
    6 months ago

    ONLY if Jack Daniels is brought back as “complimentary”.

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      6 months ago

      I love Jack and Coke. But on its own? I think it’s fine but I’m far from loving it. That said, I agree that Jack should be complimentary in Sky Clubs.

      Reply
  9. Barry Graham says:
    6 months ago

    I don’t drink alcohol except for Kiddush wine on Friday and Saturday! I know there are people that do, but I’d rather see a benefit I am likely to use – like 20% off upgrades!

    Reply
  10. dee says:
    6 months ago

    Way back the $200 airline credit worked with the DOM in the SC lounges!!

    Reply

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