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| Lounge access |
| by Brian Kelly |
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There’s been one consistent theme when it comes to airport lounges the last few years: overcrowding, due to the proliferation of credit cards and a plethora of elite status members coming out of the pandemic.
The good news is that there is a host of brand-new luxury lounges opening across the country to help ease the overcrowding. One of the newest is the Delta One Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which just opened this week.
It’s a stunning 40,000-square-foot space featuring multiple dining options, workspaces and a spa. Check out my Instagram reel to get a glimpse of the space.
Access is available to Delta One passengers, whether you’re flying domestically or internationally. No credit card will get you in. You could also get access two additional ways: via invitation-only Delta 360 status or by flying on one of Delta Air Lines’ select partners.
Overall, the lounge was really gorgeous and will hopefully help alleviate the overcrowding at JFK’s lounges since, as reported by Zach Griff, Delta is going to funnel all its business-class passengers to this new lounge, which will open up space in the existing lounges.
Delta’s lounge access policy is generous compared to United Airlines’ policy for its Polaris lounges, which are strictly for international business-class passengers.
Clearly, the race is on for the premium consumer, and I applaud these new lounges because the competition is elevating the travel experience for everyone.
Cards that can get you lounge access and closer to elite status
I value lounge access when traveling, and three credit cards right now that have limited-time, elevated welcome offers also come with lounge access and elite status boosts as cardholder perks.
So, if you are trying to reach elite status with an airline, one of these cards might be a good fit for you and help you close the gap while you also enjoy elite travel perks.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines’ top-tier card has a best-ever offer of 100,000 bonus miles (after you spend $10,000 within the first three months of account opening) and comes with Admirals Club access. The bonus alone is worth $1,700, according to TPG’s June 2024 valuations, and the Admirals Club membership is valued at $850.
Need ideas for how to spend those bonus miles? You could book a business-class award flight from the U.S. to Asia for 60,000 miles (or first class for 80,000 miles) on American’s partners like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
Cardholders also receive a boost of Loyalty Points each year (after meeting qualifying thresholds), which can help you reach an elite status tier. You only need 40,000 Loyalty Points to reach Gold status and 75,000 to reach Platinum status.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
New cardholders can earn 95,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends July 17.
Delta Air Lines is the top airline in the U.S., according to TPG’s annual Best U.S. Airlines report — based on a number of factors like customer service and reliability. A few months ago, Delta made changes to its cobranded cards; Delta Reserve cardmembers receive a head start toward elite status of 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year, and also earn 1 MQD toward elite status for every $10 in eligible purchases charged on the card — the highest earning rate of any Delta-cobranded American Express credit card.
The card also includes a companion certificate each year, good for one round-trip flight, and cardholders can enjoy access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. Beginning February 1, 2025, Delta Sky Club access will be limited to 15 visits per year.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
This premium travel card includes United Club membership (a $650 value), which includes access to the airline’s airport lounges as well as those of some of its Star Alliance partners. New cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
But cardmembers also receive day-of-travel perks such as Premier Access for priority service at the airport, free checked bags, and even a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit worth up to $100 once every four years.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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| Photo Credit: WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY. |
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