SkyTeam alliance guide: Member airlines, elite status benefits and more
Editor's Note
The SkyTeam alliance connects 624 million passengers annually to more than 1,000 destinations in 160 countries. The alliance began in 2000 with Delta Air Lines, Air France, Aeromexico and Korean Air.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the SkyTeam airline alliance members, status tiers, benefits and lounges.
SkyTeam alliance members
The airlines making up the SkyTeam alliance include:
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- China Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Middle East Airlines
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Saudia
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Xiamen Airlines
You’ll notice that Aeroflot is missing from the above list, as the airline and SkyTeam agreed to suspend Aeroflot’s SkyTeam membership after Russia invaded Ukraine. Additionally, ITA Airways exited SkyTeam and joined Star Alliance earlier this year.
Related: The best websites for searching SkyTeam award availability
SkyTeam alliance status tiers
The SkyTeam alliance rewards frequent flyers of its member airlines with two SkyTeam alliance status tiers: Elite and Elite Plus. If you have elite status with a SkyTeam airline, you’ll also have Elite or Elite Plus status with the whole SkyTeam alliance. Here’s a look at both tiers.
SkyTeam Elite
If you have SkyTeam Elite status, you’ll get the following perks when flying SkyTeam airlines:
- Priority reservation waitlist (if your fare permits it)
- Priority check-in counters
- Priority boarding
- Extra baggage allowance
If you have the lowest tier of elite status with a SkyTeam airline, you likely also have SkyTeam Elite status. For example, one way to get SkyTeam Elite status is by having Delta Silver Medallion status.
SkyTeam Elite Plus
In addition to the benefits offered to SkyTeam Elite members, SkyTeam Elite Plus members also get the following perks when flying SkyTeam airlines:
- Ability to book a full-fare Y-class reservation on sold-out long-haul flights (if you book at least 24 hours before departure)
- Access to select airport lounges worldwide with a guest
- Priority baggage handling on arrival
- Extra baggage allowance
If you have Delta Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion status, you’ll also have SkyTeam Elite Plus status. Likewise, the top tiers of elite status with other SkyTeam airlines most likely coincide with SkyTeam Elite Plus status.
Caveats for SkyTeam elite benefits
The benefits of SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus status sound great, but know that certain exclusions apply to the benefits. For example, preferred seating may not be available if you are traveling in basic economy.
In practice, SkyTeam is usually believed to be worse than Oneworld and Star Alliance when it comes to all member airlines consistently honoring elite benefits.
Related: How to get airline elite status
SkyTeam lounges
SkyTeam has more than 750 lounges worldwide. In theory, you should have access to these lounges on international SkyTeam flights if you have Elite Plus status or are traveling in a qualifying premium cabin.
However, each SkyTeam lounge has a unique access policy, so I recommend referring to the SkyTeam lounge finder for information on access policies. Some SkyTeam lounges only accept passengers flying select SkyTeam airlines.
For example, despite being a Delta Diamond Medallion elite member traveling on a coach ticket on Korean Air during a recent trip from Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea, TPG's principal spokesperson, Clint Henderson, was not allowed into the only Sky Club outside the U.S.
You can bring one guest into the lounge as an Elite Plus member when you’re traveling on a qualifying flight. Your guest must travel internationally on a SkyTeam airline, and, as of April 1, they will need to be on the same flight as you.
Related: 5 ways to ensure you have lounge access before your next flight
Elite status now gets you access to some domestic lounges
As of April 1, SkyTeam now offers lounge access to some Elite Plus customers traveling on domestic flights as an additional benefit.
Domestic lounge access will initially be available at select Air France, China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM, SAS, Saudia, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Airlines lounges.
Note that this does not include Delta Sky Clubs, and there are other restrictions.
Also new in 2025? There is a three-hour time limit on lounge access.
"To help deliver a more relaxing pre-flight experience for eligible Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers on departure, a 3-hour lounge access will be introduced at more lounges," SkyTeam noted in a press release. "Elite Plus customers transferring between two SkyTeam-operated flights will continue to enjoy same-day/24-hour access at the point of connection."
Bottom line
The SkyTeam alliance offers useful benefits to elite members. However, it’s important to temper your expectations, as your benefits as an Elite or Elite Plus member will vary in practice depending on the airline you’re flying.
It’s best to check with the carrier you’re traveling with before assuming you’ll receive additional perks like extra baggage allowance if you have SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus status. Likewise, check the SkyTeam lounge finder before heading to the airport if you plan to use a lounge.
Related reading:
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.