A Tasty Perk Delta Could Add To Its Cobranded Credit Cards

I recently wrote about an interesting promotion running now at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) Delta Sky Club lounges.

All premium (non-complimentary) alcoholic beverages are 50% off through May 31, 2024. This applies to purchases made with cash (or card) or SkyMiles.

50% is a huge discount. It makes me wonder if there was some major over-ordering at MSP, and Delta needs to move stock ASAP. Or if Delta is trialing some kind of new promotion to run elsewhere.

But while visiting the gorgeous G18 club a couple of weeks ago and noting the 50% off sale, I was reminded of a great benefit that United Airlines’ cobranded Chase cards offer — but Delta’s don’t.

Drink Discounts at Airline Clubs

Nearly every cobranded airline credit card offers members at least 20% statement credit for eligible onboard purchases, mainly food and alcoholic beverages.

But all six United MileagePlus cards go two steps further than most others airline cards:

• First, they offer 25% statement credit for those purchases (as opposed to the “industry standard” 20%)
• Second, the feature extends to purchases made at United Club lounge bars.

What if Delta added Sky Club bar purchases to their premium SkyMiles® American Express cards (Gold, Platinum, and Reserve)? After all, Delta seems to have invested a lot of time, money, and effort into its bar program. Some of their craft cocktails are very good. (My wife and I love the Flower District Margaritas. When made correctly, the Strawbery Spire is absolutely delicious.)

Sky Club complimentary wines, beers, and spirits are fine. (Consider, though, that American Express Centurion Lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges offer better selections as part of their complimentary beverages.) I understand that Delta wants us to buy better booze than the stuff they serve for free.

But unless I visit a Sky Club during a “special” trip (big vacation, celebrating something, etc.), I rarely purchase the upgraded liquor. But if there were a discount or statement credit my Delta Amexes offered, that might entice me to splurge more often.

Then again, maybe enough people with Delta Amexes pony up for premium drinks — and it wouldn’t make sense for Delta to include a discount or statement credit for Sky Club bar purchases. But if they’re selling booze at a 50% discount (albeit at one airport), maybe there’s something here?

It cracks me up, though, that the United cards offer the benefit — yet Delta doesn’t.

Final Approach

Each of United Airlines’ cobranded credit cards include airport lounge bar purchases as part of their statement credit offerings. With Delta’s 50% off promotion at the MSP Sky Clubs, I’m surprised they don’t feature something similar on their Delta Amexes. For an airline that puts so much into its premium bar program, I think this is a great way to introduce more travelers to the good stuff.