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- If you want access to Delta Sky Club lounges, certain Delta credit cards can get you in for free.
- This is a better deal than paying for a Sky Club lounge membership outright.
- However, you can also get access with other premium Amex cards, although the annual fees are higher.
- Read Insider's guide to the best airline credit cards.
Like the other major US airlines, Delta has its own network of airport lounges, called Delta Sky Clubs. With dozens of locations in the US, Sky Clubs offer a place to relax and enjoy amenities including free snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi before your flight.
Normally, Delta Sky Club access is restricted to passengers traveling in eligible premium cabins on Delta and SkyTeam partners, certain elite members on qualifying flights, or those who have purchased a Sky Club membership. Membership prices start at $545 per year, but if you have the right credit card, you can access Delta Sky Clubs at no charge.
The best credit card with Sky Club lounge access for you depends on your other travel goals and spending habits. Here's a rundown of the differences between these cards to help you choose.
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 credit card access
If you have the
But even if you don't want to commit to opening a Delta co-branded credit card, there's a way to get into Delta Sky Clubs for free.
- Amex Centurion Lounges (some of the best airport lounges in the US)
- Priority Pass** (more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide)
- Plaza Premium lounges
- Lufthansa lounges (when flying Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, or SWISS)
Delta credit cards with Sky Club access
The
Cardholders are also eligible to bring in up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21 years of age) at a cost of $50 per person, per visit, provided the guests are traveling on a same-day Delta or Delta partner-operated flight.
In addition, when you first open your card and each year on your account anniversary, you'll receive two one-time Sky Club lounge guest passes. These can be used by guests traveling with you, as long as they're also flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
The annual fees on these cards are just a smidge higher than the cost of buying a Delta Sky Club lounge membership outright, so opening a card is a better value considering all the other perks you receive. These cards are also a good choice if you want to boost your Delta SkyMiles account balance by earning miles for your everyday spending.
Along with a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta, cardholders also get access to Amex Centurion lounges when they fly Delta and use the card to pay for their ticket. The Delta Reserve cards also offer an annual Delta companion certificate, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit after you apply through any authorized enrollment provider, access to complimentary upgrades and upgrade priority, and a slew of other travel and purchase protections.
Amex Platinum card Delta Sky Club access
If you want Delta SkyClub access but don't want to lock yourself into a Delta co-branded card and/or earning Delta miles, the
With a
- Up to $200 per year in airline incidental fee credits** on one qualifying airline you choose
- Up to $200 in Uber cash annually** ($15 per month plus a $20 bonus in December), which you can use toward Uber Eats orders
- Up to $200 per calendar year toward prepaid hotels that are part of Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay).
- Up to $300 annual credits to Equinox**
- $300 in statement credits when you use your card to buy a SoulCycle at-home bike
- Up to $240 in annual digital entertainment credits (divided into monthly increments of up to $20)** toward Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+, SiriusXM, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal
- Up to $155 in annual statement credits toward Walmart+ (divided into monthly increments of $12.95)**.
- Up to $100 in annual credits toward Saks Fifth Avenue (divided into $50 increments — the first to be used between January and June, and the second to be used between July and December)**
If you're a small-business owner, the
- Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for checked baggage fees, lounge day passes, and more at one selected airline.
- Up to $400 in statement credits toward U.S. Dell purchases** each calendar year once you enroll your card (divided into two $200 credits: up to $200 between January and June, and up to $200 between July and December)
- Up to $10 per month in statement credits toward purchases made from any US wireless telephone provider (up to $120 per calendar year)
- Up to $360 per year in Indeed credits** (up to $90 per quarter)
- Up to $150 per calendar year** in statement credits toward select Adobe purchases, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Pro DC
Another way to get discounted Delta Sky Club access
If you're not willing to commit to a card with a $500+ annual fee but still want to enjoy occasional Delta Sky Club access, consider the
While these cards don't offer complimentary Sky Club access, cardholders can get a reduced rate of $50 per person per visit when they use the card to pay and are flying Delta or a Delta partner airline that day. The rate also applies to up to two guests or immediate family traveling with you. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.
You can find out more in our Delta SkyMiles Platinum review and Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business review.
Bottom line
Delta Sky Club airport lounges can make your travels more comfortable and save you money on expensive airport food and drinks. And you don't have to be flying first class or have elite status to get access.
You can always pay $545 or more per year for a Delta Sky Club membership, but frequent Delta flyers can get a better deal by opening one of four cards that offer Sky Club access when you have a same-day Delta flight:
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card *Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card *The Platinum Card® from American Express The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve card members will receive 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Alternately, the