Delta's new Sky Club access restrictions are now in effect: What to know about the changes
Big changes are now in effect at Delta Air Lines’ network of Sky Clubs. As of Feb. 1, SkyMiles members who get Delta lounge access via a cobranded credit card have a set number of annual club visits they can make.
It’s the final piece of sweeping loyalty program changes the Atlanta-based carrier set in motion nearly a year and a half ago; it's part of an effort to thin out its crowded airport lounges and Medallion elite status tiers.
Many of the measures have already occurred: Just over a year ago, Delta loyalists who carry the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card lost Sky Club access. All SkyMiles members flying on a basic economy ticket did as well.
Pro tips: The biggest mistakes people make with travel rewards credit cards
Now, credit card holders who still have access face new limitations.
New Sky Club access restrictions
As part of the new Sky Club access rules, certain cardholders who previously had unlimited access will now be limited to 10 or 15 visits, depending on the card.
Here’s a rundown:
| Credit card | Annual visits allowed |
|---|---|
15 | |
15 | |
10 | |
10 |
Other Sky Club policies to know about
There are a few additional notes and caveats to know about.
Multiple visits in 24-hour period count as one trip
Perhaps the most important: Multiple visits over the course of a single travel day itinerary will not count twice against you.
Let’s say I’m traveling from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Dayton International Airport (DAY) by way of Delta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) hub.
Thanks to my Amex Platinum, I could visit the RDU Sky Club before my first flight and then visit another club in Atlanta later that day during my layover. That would count just once toward my annual allotment of 10 visits.
$75,000 in spending unlocks unlimited visits
If you carry one of the four cards noted above, you can unlock unlimited Sky Club access by spending $75,000 on purchases within a calendar year. The unlimited access would apply for the remainder of that year and the following year.
Note that spending $75,000 on an Amex Platinum unlocks complimentary guest access during visits to Amex’s Centurion Lounge network.
What happens once you use up all your Sky Club visits?
In lieu of spending $75,000 on your eligible card, once you use up your annual allotment of permitted Sky Club visits, you’ll no longer be able to access the clubs for free.
However, you will be able to access the lounges at a fee of $50 per location, per visit (or $25 for grab-and-go locations).
Yes, you can get more visits with more cards
If you're a Delta and Amex loyalist with multiple credit cards that technically earn you Sky Club access, you're in luck. Each card carries its own allotment of visits.
Let's say you're a frequent Delta flyer who carries the SkyMiles Reserve Amex consumer card but also carries the Amex Business Platinum for a small business or side gig.
You'd be entitled to 25 annual lounge visits: 15 with your Delta Reserve and 10 more with your Amex Business Platinum.
Other access rules remain unchanged
While Delta has limited the number of annual visits for SkyMiles Reserve and Amex Platinum cardmembers, other rules for accessing Sky Clubs generally remain unchanged.
For instance, travelers with each of the four above cards must be flying on a same-day, Delta-operated (or Delta Connection) flight in order to access its clubs; you can't enter a Sky Club while flying on a United Airlines ticket.
The guest policy remains the same for those credit card holders, too: A maximum of two guests can enter with the primary member when flying on a same-day, Delta-operated itinerary at the cost of $50 per visit, per club.
Access rules also remain unchanged for Medallion loyalists who purchase an annual membership and for high-level Delta elites who select Sky Club access as a choice perk.
There are also no changes to the access policies for travelers flying on a premium cabin ticket with Delta or one of its SkyTeam partners.
You can read more about Delta's Sky Club access policies in our complete guide.
These rules also do not affect the growing Delta One Lounge portfolio; access to those high-end clubs is limited to travelers flying on a Delta One-marketed ticket (or on comparable tickets with certain SkyTeam partners).
How I'll approach Sky Club access in 2025
As a traveler who carries the Amex Platinum, I'll make a few adjustments to my Sky Club approach now that these new access rules are in place.
With just 10 annual visits allowed, I'll likely save my lounge trips for cases when:
- I have a long layover and need somewhere to relax for an extended period of time.
- I want a full meal and don't want to pay for it on the airport concourse.
- I really need to get some work done in a quiet place with good Wi-Fi and more ample space.
I'll likely skip visiting the lounge when I just want a quick cup of coffee or when I have only 15 or 20 minutes to sit there.
Read more: Sneak peek — On board the first Delta Air Lines jet sporting its all-new cabin look
I'll also probably avoid getting to my home airport a little early to visit the Sky Club; I'll have breakfast at home and save those visits for when I really need them out on the road.
Why Delta is cracking down on Sky Club access
Delta first warned travelers about these Sky Club access limitations in the fall of 2023 as part of an overhaul to its loyalty program and lounge rules.
It came as travelers frequently encountered packed clubs and crowded Medallion tiers, which threatened to water down the perks for its elite status members.
Read more: Delta Sky Club crackdown is coming: Looking to the future of the popular lounge network
"In some cases, when you have greater demand than you have the capacity to serve, you’ve got to figure that out," Delta chief communications officer Tim Mapes told me in a recent interview.
"If you want to be a premium, elevated experience, how do you do that for the very top of your customer base," Mapes added. "Because those are the people paying the most to be in there in the first place."
In 2025, the carrier hopes to continue spacing out Sky Club crowds by opening and expanding more than a half dozen lounges across its network.
Last month, Delta announced eight new, expanded or upgraded outposts nationwide — including a new Delta One Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and one of its biggest-ever Sky Clubs at its Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) hub.
Related reading:
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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.