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Delta's new Sky Club access restrictions are now in effect: What to know about the changes
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
February 1, 2025 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
Delta has implemented new annual visit limits for Sky Club lounge access for certain cardholders, effective February 1.
Cardholders who previously enjoyed unlimited access now face a cap of 10 or 15 visits per year, depending on the specific card.
Multiple lounge visits within a single travel day count as only one visit toward the annual limit.
Spending a high amount within a calendar year on eligible cards can unlock unlimited lounge access for the remainder of that year and the next.
What to consider
Once the annual visit limit is reached, additional lounge access is available for a set fee per visit or at a reduced rate for grab-and-go locations.
Holding multiple eligible cards allows cardholders to combine visit allotments for more annual lounge entries.
Access is only granted when flying on a same-day, Delta-operated flight, and the guest policy and other access rules remain unchanged.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for maximizing limited lounge visits and how the new rules impact frequent travelers' lounge routines.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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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.
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
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
15
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
15
The Platinum Card® from American Express
10
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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.
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.
Delta's new Sky Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
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.
Delta One cabin on a brand-new Airbus A350. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
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.
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.
"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.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
