8 things I'd love to see in Delta's business-class-only Sky Clubs
If the latest round of rumors turn out to be true, it won't be too much longer until Delta opens its first premium lounge dedicated to international business-class passengers.
Over the past few weeks, there's been renewed talk of Delta opening a network of premium-only lounges (including locations in Detroit and New York-JFK), similar to American's Flagship Lounges and United's Polaris Lounges.
These outposts would be more exclusive than a traditional Sky Club and include several elevated amenities. While the airline hasn't shared any official plans, it can't hurt to dream about what would we'd expect to see in these spaces.
Restaurant-style dining experience
If Delta is serious about competing in the premium lounge game, then it'll likely need to offer a dine-on-demand restaurant-style concept for its business-class lounges.
United's Polaris lounges have both a buffet and a sit-down dining area, which offers a traditional restaurant-style culinary experience with servers, menus and cloth napkins.
Meanwhile, American's Flagship Lounges offer a much-improved buffet experience compared to the standard Admirals Club, but they don't offer a sit-down restaurant. (American's restaurant-style dining experience is limited to its Flagship First dining facilities.)
It'd be great to see Delta invest in a restaurant-style dining offering. The airline has already brought a revamped buffet experience to its standard Sky Clubs, so it's definitely seems to set it up to raise the bar with a premium lounge.
Premium cocktails galore
Delta's newest Sky Clubs are outfitted with beautiful bars that offer both standard cocktails and a slew of premium beverages for an additional cost. You can even purchase a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne with SkyMiles.
The airline has already invested significantly in its liquor selection across its lounge network, and its premium lounges should offer many of these drinks included at no additional cost.
Elevated shower suites
Many long-haul business-class travelers value easy access to a shower during their travels. Both American and United have done a great job of installing a plethora of shower suites in their premium lounges, and Delta should do the same.
More than anything, there should be enough showers to minimize any possible waiting list, and the shower suites could even offer complimentary pressing — a premium amenity that's usually reserved for first-class lounges.
To-go snacks
Most airport lounges bar you from taking food and drinks outside of the premises. However, for those premium passengers with short layovers or who arrived close to boarding, having access to a selection of quality takeaway food can be a welcome differentiator.
Look no further than Capital One's first lounge in Dallas/Fort Worth, which offers travelers a fridge stocked with to-go sandwiches, salads, grain bowls, juices and more.
Some business-class passengers might even prefer to take a snack for the road, especially if the lounge is crowded during peak times.
Private phone booths
Delta's new flagship Sky Club in Salt Lake City offers plenty of private phone booths for its business travelers.
These sound-proofing cubicles are great for those making important calls in the lounge. They're also a welcome investment for all the other travelers who don't need to listen to their neighbor's calls.
United has done a great job of outfitting its Polaris Lounges with plenty of phone booths, and hopefully, Delta will do the same in its premium lounges — should they come to pass.
A plethora of napping pods
When crossing time zones, it's nice to have a private, dark napping area available in the lounge to catch up on some sleep.
If Delta is looking for inspiration, it could build something similar to Amex's moonrise room in the Los Angeles Centurion Lounge. There, the issuer has a completely dark room with a handful of napping pods, perfect for looking to rest.
Access before premium domestic flights
United's Polaris Lounges are some of the most exclusive spaces in domestic airports. They're primarily open for those confirmed in the Polaris cabin on long-haul flights. Unless you're connecting to a long-haul flight, those traveling in Polaris on United's premium transcon routes or on long-haul Hawaii routes can't access the Polaris Lounge.
American's Flagship Lounges admit premium transcon and business-class passengers traveling long-haul to Hawaii.
Hopefully, Delta's access rules will be more similar to American's than to United's.
Good views
This one will likely be limited by the space available in its hub airports, but having access to natural light (and good plane spotting opportunities) would make Delta's premium lounges feel even more luxurious.
The airline has already done a great job at offering Sky Decks are several of its domestic Sky Clubs, so hopefully, the airline will add something similar to its premium lounges as well.
Bottom line
Delta is once again rumored to be building out a network of premium lounges dedicated to its long-haul Delta One business-class passengers.
While the airline hasn't (yet) confirmed the plans, that's not stopping us at TPG from dreaming about what these outposts could look like.
From a sit-down restaurant to a plethora of shower suites, Delta's most premium flyers will hopefully have lots to get excited about.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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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
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- 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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
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
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.