As of February 1, Delta Air Lines has implemented significant changes to its Sky Club access policy, affecting SkyMiles members who use cobranded American Express credit cards for lounge entry.
These adjustments mark the final phase of Delta’s sweeping loyalty program overhaul, first announced nearly 18 months ago, aimed at reducing overcrowding in its Sky Club lounges and restructuring its Medallion elite status program.
Previously, certain American Express cardholders enjoyed unlimited Sky Club access. Under the new rules, lounge visits are now capped annually based on card type. For those with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex Card or Business Amex Card, 15 visits per year are allotted. Meanwhile, those with the American Express Platinum Card or Business Platinum Card are allotted 10 visits per year.
Delta has introduced some key exceptions to soften the impact of these changes:
- Multiple same-day visits count as a single entry: Travelers making multiple lounge visits within 24 hours on the same itinerary will only be charged one visit against their annual allotment.
- Spending $75,000 annually restores unlimited access: Cardholders who spend $75,000 within a calendar year on any of the four eligible credit cards will regain unlimited Sky Club access for the remainder of the current year and the following year.
- Lounge access after reaching the limit: Once a cardholder exhausts their annual Sky Club visits, they can still purchase lounge access at $50 per visit ($25 for grab-and-go locations).
- Combining visit allotment: Frequent travelers with multiple eligible credit cards can combine their visit allotments.
While the number of annual visits has been limited, other Sky Club access policies remain the same:
- Same-day Delta ticket required: Cardholders must be traveling on a same-day, Delta-operated (or Delta Connection) flight to access the lounge.
- Guest policy unchanged: A maximum of two guests can enter with a primary cardholder, with a $50 fee per guest, per visit.
- Delta Medallion memberships and premium cabin access remain unaffected: Travelers who purchase an annual Sky Club membership or qualify for Sky Club access as a Medallion Choice Benefit will see no changes. Similarly, Delta One passengers and select SkyTeam premium cabin travelers will still have unrestricted access.
Why Delta Is Tightening Sky Club Access
The new restrictions are part of Delta’s broader effort to ease overcrowding in its lounges, as frequent travelers have long encountered packed seating areas and long wait times at major hub locations.
To further alleviate congestion, Delta is expanding its lounge network, with eight new or upgraded Sky Clubs set to open nationwide in 2025. This includes a new Delta One Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and one of the airline’s largest-ever Sky Clubs at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
With these changes, Delta aims to balance exclusivity and accessibility, ensuring its most loyal customers can continue to enjoy premium lounge experiences without excessive crowding.
