Reminder: Big changes to who can access Delta Sky Clubs start Thursday

It's officially the new Delta Air Lines Medallion elite status year, and the big Delta Sky Club access changes announced last November go into effect this week.

Starting Thursday, it will harder for some travelers to access Delta Sky Clubs. Specifically, the following travelers no longer have access to Sky Clubs:

• Any Sky Club member flying on a basic economy ticket unless they have an eligible American Express card with Sky Club access.
• Elite members on international flights in Main Cabin or Comfort+ unless they have a Sky Club membership or an eligible American Express card.

In short, Gold, Platinum and Diamond elite members can only access Sky Clubs on international flights when flying in Premium Select or Delta One. In the past, these members would get Sky Club access on long-haul Main Cabin and Comfort+ tickets.

Of course, if any Delta flyer holds The Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or their business equivalents, they can still enter the lounge regardless of cabin class. Additionally, all members flying in Delta One or long-haul business class on another SkyTeam carrier can continue to access Sky Clubs and other SkyTeam lounges before departure.

It's also worth noting that these restrictions do not apply to SkyTeam Elite Plus members from other airlines, who will still be able to access Sky Clubs on long-haul flights when flying in Main Cabin and Comfort+.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Changes to Sky Club memberships and paid access

Delta stopped selling Sky Club memberships to those without elite status Jan. 1, and raised the price of memberships drastically.

Now, Silver Medallions and above can purchase an individual Sky Club membership for $695 (or 69,500 SkyMiles) per year or an executive membership for $1,495 (or 149,500 SkyMiles) per year. This is up from $545 and $845 per year for an individual or executive membership, respectively.

Additionally, Delta will raise the cost of a Sky Club pass from $39 (or 3,900 SkyMiles) to $50 (or 5,000 SkyMiles) for those with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and those bringing a guest into the lounge with an eligible American Express credit card, like the Amex Platinum. This goes into effect Thursday.

Related: Delta was 2022's most on-time airline, new study shows

Diamond Medallion Choice Benefit changes

There are some changes for Diamond Medallion elite members, too.

Last year, the Atlanta-based airline announced Choice Benefit changes. These are benefits that high-tier Delta elite members choose after qualifying for status.

In the past, Diamond Medallions could select an individual Sky Club membership, an executive Sky Club membership that included guest access or a guest pass that allowed Diamonds with a qualifying American Express card to bring up to two guests into the Sky Club.

Starting with the 2024 Medallion year (which is earned based on flying activity in the 2023 calendar year), Diamonds seeking lounge access can only select an executive Sky Club membership using all three of their Diamond Choice Benefits. In the past, the executive membership cost two Choice Benefits — leaving one spot for another selection like upgrade certificates. In addition, the individual membership and guest pass options will no longer be Choice Benefits if you qualify (or requalify) for Diamond status this year.

However, if you qualified for Diamond Medallion in 2022 and thus unlocked 2023 Choice Benefits, all of these options are still available to you. Just note that those Sky Club access privileges will expire Jan. 31, 2024 — regardless of when you select them.

Related: Delta upgrades 4 of its newest transatlantic routes

Bottom line

It's getting harder to access Sky Clubs, but you can still enter the lounge with the right credit card. Cards that include access are:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
• Centurion Card from American Express.

The information for the Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

These changes are being introduced to combat lounge overcrowding, an issue many airport lounges have faced since even before travel started recovering from the coronavirus pandemic. With fewer members eligible for Sky Club access, we should see shorter lines to access these lounges. At the same time, many credit cards offer Sky Club access, so only time will tell how big of a difference these changes will actually make.

Regardless, this is a devaluation for all Delta elite members who don't carry a premium Delta cobranded card or an Amex Platinum. Gold Medallion (and above) members can no longer access the Sky Club before a long-haul international flight in economy.

This is even more puzzling when you consider that SkyTeam Elite Plus members from other alliance airlines are not subject to these restrictions.

Likewise, the Diamond Choice Benefit changes make it harder for Delta's most loyal customers to share the perks of their status with loved ones. As a Diamond Medallion myself, I have always selected the guest pass as one of my Choice Benefits, as it lets me take friends and family with me to the lounge when traveling together.

Starting next year, I have to hope they have their own premium card (or are willing to fork over the $50 guest entry fee), as three Choice Benefits is a tall ask for an executive Sky Club membership, especially since I already have access with my Amex Platinum.