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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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, you can access Delta Sky Clubs if you’re traveling on a Delta flight that same day. These cards also come with day-of-travel benefits on Delta flights, including a free checked bag and priority boarding for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation.
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. The Platinum Card® from American Express
and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
also come with Sky Club lounge access if you’re flying on a same-day Delta flight — in addition to offering complimentary entry to other lounges in the Amex Global Lounge Collection, including:
- 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
Regular APR
17.24% – 26.24% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent
- Annual companion certificate benefit, which is valid for domestic first class and Comfort+ as well as the main cabin
- Access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges when you’re flying Delta
- Earns 3x miles on Delta purchases
- Very high annual fee
- Doesn’t offer bonus miles on non-Delta purchases
Read Our Review
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
- Earn up to 60,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) With Status Boost® per year. After you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 15,000 MQMs up to four times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- When you apply for a Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you can choose your Card’s design: limited edition Boeing 747 metal*, classic metal or 70% reclaimed plastic. *The Boeing 747 design is made with 25% metal from a retired Boeing 747 aircraft.
- Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.*Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Complimentary access into the Delta Sky Club® for you when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape lounges -The Centurion® Studio Partner when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $550 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Regular APR
17.24% – 26.24% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent
- Annual companion certificate that works in domestic first class
- Access to Delta Sky Club and American Express Centurion Lounges when you’re flying Delta
- Earns 3x miles on Delta purchases
- Very high annual fee
- No bonus miles on non-Delta purchases
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 110,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/3/2022.
- The limited edition Boeing 747 design is made with 25% metal from a retired Delta Boeing 747 aircraft.
- With complimentary access into Delta Sky Club®, you can relax before your Delta flight, or find downtime between connections. You’ll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year so you can share the experience with others when you’re traveling together.
- When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
- After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).
- Plus enjoy 3X miles per dollar on all eligible Delta purchases.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to 4x per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- See Rates & Fees
The $550-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and $550-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card come with Delta Sky Club access for the primary cardholder and any additional cardholders when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
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 $39 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.
Read our Delta Reserve card review and Delta Reserve Business card review to learn more.
Amex Platinum card Delta Sky Club access
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent
- Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
- Annual statement credits with Saks and Uber
- Bonus categories leave something to be desired
- One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
Read Our Review
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. And if you fly, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year after you select a qualifying airline and incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership. CLEAR® is available at select airports and stadiums.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Regular APR
15.74% – 23.74% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent
- More travel benefits than you’ll find on any other business credit card
- Generous airport lounge access options, from American Express Centurion Lounges to Priority Pass (enrollment required)
- Complimentary hotel elite status (enrollment required)
- Access to Amex concierge services
- Very high annual fee
- Limited opportunities to earn bonus points
- Annual statement credits won’t be useful for everyone
Read Our Review
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, 0% Intro APR for 12 months from the date of the account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time. After that, your APR will be 15.74% to 23.74% based on your credit worthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in value per year for statement credits on select purchases with your Card, including up to $400 with Dell Technologies, up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases. Enrollment required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
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 Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card are also excellent choices. Both cards allow Delta SkyClub access for the primary cardholder and authorized users, again only if they’re flying Delta that day.
With a $695 annual fee, the Platinum Card is pricier than either of the Delta Reserve cards. But in return, cardholders receive more comprehensive lounge access and a generous suite of perks that can more than offset the annual fee, including:
If you’re a small-business owner, the Amex Business Platinum Card with a $695 annual fee could be a better bet. It offers the same airport lounge access as the personal Platinum Card, and comes with slightly different benefits that include:
- Up to $200 per year in airline incidental fee credits** on your 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
Regular APR
17.24% – 26.24% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Regular APR
17.24% – 26.24% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent
- Annual companion certificate benefit helps you recoup the annual fee
- You can earn MQMs toward Delta elite status by meeting annual spending thresholds
- Application fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Doesn’t earn bonus miles on everyday purchase categories like dining and office supply stores
Read Our Review
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/3/2022.
- You can receive a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Take a friend or family member when you fly Delta. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Earn more miles on big purchases with 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that’s an extra half mile per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta and Hotel Stays instead of 1.5X).
- Delta Sky Club® Access – enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- With Status Boost®, earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to 2x per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- See Rates & Fees
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 Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. These cards have a $250 annual fee and come with a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, along with other travel perks.
While these cards don’t offer complimentary Sky Club access, cardholders can get a reduced rate of $39 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.
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
Alternately, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offer cardholders access at a discounted rate of $39 per visit. Here’s a comparison of the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cards to help choose the right card for you.
