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Delta Sky Club access is becoming more expensive — and more exclusive. There’s still a way you can get in on the cheap, though.
Brady MacDonald/Insider
Delta Sky Clubs are a popular oasis away from the hectic airport terminal for many Delta flyers.
Beginning in 2023, it will become harder to gain access to Delta Sky Clubs.
If you’ve got a qualifying Amex card, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, you don’t have to worry about these new rules.
Read Insider’s guide to the best credit cards for airport lounge access.
Acquiring airport lounge access is the single greatest way you can instantly elevate your travel experience. It turns the necessary evil of commuting through the airport into an event that you might even look forward to.
Delta operates its own network of (usually) high quality airport lounges, currently with more locations than any other legacy US carrier. Delta Sky Clubs are extremely popular. But its membership rates are about to increase significantly — and Delta will even restrict eligibility to purchase access to a select few.
Both of these things are bad news for most Delta flyers. But they’re excellent news for anyone with a flavor of The Platinum Card® from American Express or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Here’s why.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Delta Sky Club Access will soon be harder to get (unless you have the right Amex card)
One of the big complaints of airport lounge membership holders (no matter which lounge network you’re a part of) is the tendency to crowd. Airport lounges are a welcome respite from the bustle of the airport terminal, with comfy seats, plenty of outlets, and often free food and alcohol.
However, the lounge becomes about as enticing as your gate if the comfy seats and outlets are all taken and there’s only standing room to drink a beer.
Delta is taking two drastic steps to prevent overcrowding and maintain a quality experience for everyone who enters its lounges.
1. Rates are increasing (wildly)
Here are the current annual rates for Delta Sky Club membership versus the rates that will be enforced on January 1, 2023.
Membership typeIndividualExecutiveCurrent price$545 (or 54,500 miles)$845 (or 84,500 miles)Price in 2023$695 (or 69,500 miles)$1,495 (or 149,500 miles)BenefitBring up to two guests (or spouse/domestic partner and children under 21) for an additional fee per visit.Bring up to two guests (or spouse/domestic partner and children under 21) for free.
As you can see, this represents an increase of between 27% and 77%, depending on which membership you’re after. Delta is making lounge access more prohibitive than ever, particularly for those who expect to bring frequent guests.
2. Only Delta elites can purchase an annual membership
The new rates should be enough to remove off a portion of the overcrowding. But beginning January 1, 2023, only those with Delta Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion elite status are even allowed to buy membership in the first place.
While this should theoretically eliminate another demographic of Delta customers overcrowding the lounges, it doesn’t seem likely that a casual Delta flyer would pay for a Delta Sky Club membership, anyway. Time will soon tell if this strategy is an effective one. After all, you can earn Delta’s lowest-tier elite status by flying as little as 15 qualifying round trips and spending $3,000 on Delta flights.
3. Basic Economy restrictions
Beginning February 2, 2023, Delta Basic Economy customers cannot enter a lounge with a purchased Sky Club membership. As we’ll cover below, those with a qualifying American Express card can still access Delta lounges (and bring guests — for a price) regardless of the fare type you book.
These are the cards that can still get you Sky Club access
If you hold the following American Express credit cards, the above changes mean little to nothing to you:
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express CardThe Platinum Card® from American ExpressThe Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressAmerican Express Centurion Card
These cards will give you access to Delta Sky Clubs as long as you’ve got a same-day Delta boarding pass. You don’t have to pay for membership and you don’t need to have Delta elite status. You will not have guest privileges, however — you’ll have to pay for those.
One change that will affect Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cardholders is when bringing a guest. Previously, you could purchase a guest pass for $39, but it will increase to $50 beginning February 2, 2023.
Day passes will also increase to $50 for those with cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Even if you are an elite member and are considering purchasing an individual membership, these American Express cards are more enticing than ever. For example:
The Platinum Card® from American Express charges a The Platinum Card® from American Express annual fee (the exact same price you’ll pay for an annual membership). By opening this card instead, you’ll get the same Delta Sky Club lounge privileges, plus access to more than 1,300 other lounges worldwide. The card also comes with thousands of dollars in annual statement credits. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card charges a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card annual fee ($145 cheaper than purchasing an annual membership). The card comes with excellent Delta-focused perks, such as an annual Delta companion certificate, complimentary upgrades, free checked bags, and more.
Anyone in the market for a Sky Club membership will do far better by opening one of these cards.
Bottom line
In addition to the above changes, Delta is enforcing other entry rules for its Sky Clubs in the near future. For example, beginning February 2, 2023, elite members flying anything below Premium Economy won’t receive complimentary access for international flights.
There’s quite a lot to remember, but here’s the short of it: If you’ve got a qualifying American Express credit card, namely an Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve, it’s business as usual. For anyone who isn’t a cardmember, these 18-gram slabs of metal are an easy way to simplify your Sky Club access.