We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
As someone who has boarded more than 100 Delta flights in the last year, I have to say that Delta Sky Club access is one of my favorite travel perks. Whether I’m grabbing breakfast before an early morning flight, escaping a crowded terminal during a delay, kicking off a vacation with fun cocktails, or simply getting some work done between connections, having Delta lounge access completely changes the travel experience!
One of the questions that I get asked most often by family and friends is which credit card they should get for Delta Sky Club access. Most of them don’t have Delta status and often fly in the main cabin, so they’re looking for a credit card that gives them access to the Delta lounges when traveling.
The good news is that there are currently only four American Express cards that include Delta Sky Club access. While they all get you (the cardholder) through the door, they aren’t identical. They have different visit limits, guest policies, benefits, rewards programs, and travel credits.
I actually have all four of these cards, so I can share firsthand experience here. That said, none of them are my primary everyday spending cards. Instead, I keep them because the travel benefits and perks more than justify the annual fees when I use them strategically.
New to the points & miles world? Read my Ultimate Points & Miles Guide to get started!
When available, Matt and I are using our credit card referral links in this post.
Airport Lounge Access
First, I want to note that there are many airport lounge networks today, including Capital One Lounges, Chase Sapphire Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and more.
You can read my Guide on How To Access Airport Lounges for the full picture, including all airlines, banks, and clubs.
In this guide, though, I am focusing specifically on Delta Sky Club and American Express Centurion Lounge access because all four American Express cards that include Delta Sky Club access also provide access to Centurion Lounges. If you’re trying to decide which card is right for you, it’s important to compare them side by side.
So, let’s go!
Which Credit Cards Give You Delta Sky Club Access?
There are currently four American Express cards that include Delta Sky Club access when you’re flying on an eligible, same-day Delta flight (not basic economy).
- American Express Platinum Card
- American Express Business Platinum Card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
All four cards also include access to American Express Centurion Lounges, so I will briefly cover that below.
There are important differences in visit limits and guest policies between both the credit cards and the two airport lounges. Additionally, there are differences in the annual fees, points, and additional travel benefits.
But at the end of this post, you should be able to easily figure out which credit card is best for you to access Delta lounges. Two of them are business credit cards. So if you aren’t a business owner, you essentially have only two options!
That said, don’t automatically rule out the business versions. If you own an Airbnb, small business, online store, or even a profitable side hustle, you may qualify for a business credit card.
This topic can feel confusing if you are new to the credit cards points and miles world. So, I highly recommend you read my Ultimate Guide to Points & Miles as well.
And, to help make this easy to follow, to structure this post as follows:
- Delta Sky Club Access Info
- American Express Lounge Access
- Membership Rewards vs Delta Miles
- Fees & Benefits for all 4 Cards
- FAQS & More Helpful Tips
Short on Time?
If you primarily fly Delta and want access to Delta Sky Club, I’d recommend the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.
It includes 15 Sky Club visits, four guest passes, a Companion Certificate, and Delta-specific perks that I think make it the easiest card to justify. Keep reading to see whether one of the Platinum Cards might be a better fit for your travel style.
All About Delta Sky Club Access
Airport lounges are one of those perks that so many travelers don’t even know about. But once you gain access to them, you can’t believe you used to travel the old way. You know, spending hundreds of dollars on airport food and sitting on the floor near the gate because all seats were taken.
How Do You Access Delta Sky Clubs?
In most cases, it’s through one of four premium credit cards!
That said, one of the biggest changes in recent years is that Delta now limits the number of Sky Club visits included with these cards. Fortunately, one “visit” now includes unlimited entries to Delta Sky Club for 24 hours, which is especially helpful if you have connecting flights.
Here is a quick overview of the two main types of cards, along with their annual fees. I will go into more depth on all four credit cards later in this post.
Option 1: American Express Platinum Card & Business Platinum Cards ($895)
- 10 Delta Sky Club visits each year
- No complimentary guest passes
- $50 guest access available
- Eligible same-day Delta flight required
Option 2: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card & Business ($650)
- 15 Delta Sky Club visits each year
- 4 complimentary guest passes annually
- $50 guests (max 2 or immediate family)
- Eligible same-day Delta flight required
When Can You Access the Delta Sky Club?
For departing flights, you can generally enter a Delta Sky Club beginning three hours before your scheduled departure. If you’re connecting on the same day, that three-hour rule typically does not apply, allowing you to visit during your layover. You can even enter the Delta Sky Club at your final destination if it’s within that 24-hour lounge visit window.
How Many Times Can You Visit the Delta Sky Club?
The number of visits you are allowed each year depends on which card you have. And the number of visits only applies to you – the cardholder! Both lounges allow you to pay for guests, and the Delta cards also include 4 guest passes each year.
It’s worth noting that whether you have an Amex Platinum or a Delta Reserve card, your complimentary Delta Sky Club visits (and guest passes) reset on February 1 each year, not on your card renewal date. Any unused visits expire on January 31, so it’s worth using them before they disappear.
For your initial set of lounge visits and guest passes, you will receive those shortly after signing up for the card and paying your first annual fee.
Also, if you spend $75,000 in eligible purchases during a calendar year on one of these specific card accounts, you will have unlimited Delta Sky Club access. But it does not provide unlimited complimentary access to the Delta lounge for your guests. The exception is the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum, where spending $75,000 also unlocks two complimentary guests at American Express Centurion Lounges.
Can You Bring Guests into the Delta Sky Club?
One of the biggest differences between these cards and the two lounges is how they handle guests.
When visiting the Delta Sky Club, guests are charged $50 each (ages 2+), and there are limits to how many guests you can bring into the lounge.
Delta’s guest policy allows you to bring either:
- up to two adult guests, or
- your immediate family
Immediate family includes your spouse or domestic partner and children under age 21. Children under age 2 are admitted free to Delta Sky Clubs.
American Express Centurion Lounge Access
All four cards also include access to American Express Centurion Lounges, but their guest policies differ from those of Delta Sky Clubs. So, I just want to go over that really quickly and then keep the focus of this post about the Delta lounges specifically.
The Platinum and Business Platinum cards provide the broadest overall lounge benefits, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection and Priority Pass Select.
The Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business cards also include American Express Centurion Lounge access when you’re flying Delta (excludes basic economy), but they do not include Priority Pass membership.
Unlike Delta Sky Clubs, American Express Centurion Lounges don’t include complimentary guest passes with any of these cards. Instead, guests generally pay the current guest fee ($50 adults, $30 kids 3-17) unless you’ve unlocked complimentary guests through American Express Platinum Card spending.
Your airport lounge needs may vary depending on your home airport or the destinations you fly to most frequently. Personally, I visit Delta Sky Clubs far more often than Centurion Lounges simply because of where I fly.
Living in Dothan, Alabama, almost every trip starts with a quick flight to Atlanta. We have three daily Delta flights from DHN to ATL, and from there I can get almost anywhere in the world.
Atlanta has a Delta Sky Club in every concourse, including the beautiful, newer lounge in Concourse D. The Centurion Lounge is located in Concourse E. Unless I’m already flying internationally, it’s usually easier for me to stop at a Sky Club.
Personally, I rarely use the Priority Pass lounges domestically because Atlanta’s participating lounge is very small and located in the international terminal. But we do use quite a few Priority Pass lounges at international airports (especially in Europe).
Earning Membership Rewards vs. Delta SkyMiles
Before I break down all four cards, I want to point out the biggest difference between them. This is the type of rewards they earn. One is flexible, and one is fixed!
One of the biggest strategies in the Points and Miles world is getting a big sign-up bonus when you first sign up for these premium credit cards. So, you need to know what types of points you are earning and how much you have to spend to earn that valuable welcome bonus!
>> The American Express Platinum cards earn American Express Membership Rewards points. These can be transferred to a variety of airlines and hotels.
>> The Delta Reserve cards earn Delta SkyMiles, which you can only use with Delta.
Generally, because of their flexibility in being transferred to various partners to maximize point redemptions, American Express Membership Rewards are worth more. For example, I frequently transfer mine to Air France and KLM Flying Blue and to Virgin Atlantic to book flights via their rewards programs.
Click here to learn all about fixed vs transferable points!
Although Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio, American Express charges a small excise tax offset fee when transferring points to Delta (up to $99). SkyMiles tend to be worth less, so it’s not a very popular Amex rewards redemption choice.
It’s also important for you to know that I really don’t use any of these cards for everyday spending. There are far better options, but none of those get you into the Delta Sky Clubs, which is what we are talking about today!
My American Express Platinum Card is primarily used to purchase airfare because it earns 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines.
I keep my Delta Reserve cards because of the Companion Certificate, MQD Headstart, Sky Club access, Delta Stays credit, and other Delta-specific travel perks.
So, now let’s break down the annual fees and credits for all four cards. This is what will likely help you decide which Delta lounge access credit card is best for you!
Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve: Annual Fees & Credits
At first glance, the annual fees on these cards can seem expensive at $650-$895!
Personally, I look at them as a travel coupon book. If you intentionally and strategically use the included credits throughout the year, they can offset the annual fee and more while unlocking travel benefits that I genuinely use.
In this section, I am mainly going to hit on the larger credits. There are additional benefits, such as travel insurance, elevated point-earning categories, elite status with hotels, etc., and it’s best to review all the credits once you receive your card to maximize every single benefit. Some benefits and credits do require enrollment or additional activation in your American Express account before use.
I pay every credit card balance in full every month. These cards only make financial sense if you’re avoiding interest charges. So, if you struggle with credit and credit card debt, I do not recommend any of these cards!
It’s also worth mentioning that eligible active-duty U.S. military members may have the annual fees on these cards waived under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and other applicable American Express military benefit programs. If you or your spouse are serving in the military, it’s worth checking with American Express to see whether you qualify, as this can make these premium travel cards an even better value!
Also, one other side note. There is also a Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. This is one step down from the Reserve card, does not include Delta Sky Club access, and should not be confused with the American Express Platinum Card!
So, let’s break down the annual fees and benefits of all four credit cards that offer Delta lounge access. The credits listed in the four sections below are the ones that actually matter to me!
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card comes with an $895 annual fee but also offers the longest list of travel and lifestyle credits to help offset it. But you must make sure you are using these!
Some of my favorite benefits include:
- $75/quarter Lululemon
- $300 Amex hotel credit 2x year
- $100/quarter Resy credit
- $25/month digital entertainment
- $200 airline incidental credit
- Walmart+ Membership
- $120 Uber One Credit
- $15/month Uber Cash
- $219 CLEAR credit
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
These credits alone get me back almost $ 2,000 on things I usually use anyway. That said, the hotel credit applies to select properties in Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection. I tend to get the best value on those credits in Europe.
It also includes bonuses such as Hilton Gold status, Marriott Gold status, LHW Sterling Status, and higher Hertz status.
And the airline incidentals fee is valid for one airline you choose annually and applies only to things like checked baggage/bag fees, seat selection fees (not upgrades), change or cancellation fees, in-flight purchases, and lounge access (yay!). It does not cover airfare, which makes it harder to use.
One of my favorite tips is selecting Delta as your airline for the annual airline incidental credit. Eligible incidental charges, including qualifying Sky Club guest fees, may help offset the cost of bringing friends or family into the lounge!
The signup bonus on this card is always generous and often requires $8,000-$12,000 in spend during the first few months to earn the welcome offer.
Click here to learn more about the American Express Platinum Card!
American Express Business Platinum Card
The American Express Business Platinum Card also has an $895/year annual fee. If you own a business, Airbnb, consulting business, or even a profitable side hustle, it’s definitely worth considering.
That said, these credits on this card are harder for most people to use. So, this likely wouldn’t be the best choice if you are only looking for Delta lounge access.
Some of my favorite benefits include:
- $300 Amex hotel credit 2x year
- $150/year Dell credit
- $300 year on ChatGPT Business
- $10/month wireless credit
- $200 airline incidental credit
- $50/quarter Hilton credit
- $219 CLEAR credit
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
As you can probably see, these don’t add up to nearly the same value in benefits as the Personal American Express Platinum Card for most average people. As with the consumer card, the hotel credit applies only to select properties in Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection.
This card also includes the same Hilton Gold status, Marriott Gold status, LHW Sterling Status, and higher Hertz status.
Again, if you choose Delta as your airline for the $200 airline incidental credit, that will cover your Sky Club guest fees as a statement credit.
The signup bonus on this card is often the highest but typically requires around $20,000 in spend within the first 3 months to earn the welcome offer.
Click here to learn more about the American Express Business Platinum Card!
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a $650 annual fee and, of course, credits to help offset that! Plus, when you hold a Delta credit card, you save 15% off award flights, helping your points stretch furthur.
This is where I personally think the value really starts adding up for frequent Delta flyers. And in my opinion, this one is easier to use because you only have a couple of actual credits to keep track of and use.
Plus, the four guest passes come in really handy. Just like the regular visit, those are good for 24 hours starting with your first visit. So, if you have multiple connections during your travel day, you only need to use one.
Benefits include:
- Companion Certificate
- $200 Delta Stays credit
- 4 Delta Sky Club guest passes
- $10/month rideshare
- $20/month Resy
- 2500 MQD Headstart
- Free checked bag (2 domestically)
- Zone 5 boarding
- Upgrade Eligible
Honestly, the first three are the only ones you probably need to really consider, but I find a lot of value in them!
The Companion Certificate alone has often saved me enough money to cover most or all of the annual fee. It is valid on eligible flights in Main, Comfort, or First class within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America. You do not earn this until your 1-year anniversary, and you earn it on your renewal date each year.
Just this week, I booked tickets for Matt and me to Grenada for a sailing trip in October. I used my companion ticket, and instead of paying $835 each, I paid $835 for mine, and Matt was free. Well, almost free! You do have to pay taxes and fees on the companion ticket, which were $129 since it’s international. But it saved us $706, which is even more than the annual fee!
Plus, I always find it easy to use the Delta Stays credit because the hotel options are essentially the same as those on Expedia. So, great for random one- or two-night stays all over the world.
I recently used a Delta Stays credit in Cagliari, Italy, after my trip to Sardinia’s Sulcis region. My 5-star hotel, the Palazzo Tirso, cost $275, so only $75 out of pocket after the statement credit. Because of my Delta Platinum status, my stay also came with a 40-euro spa credit, so I booked a massage at their L’Occitane spa!
The Delta Sky Club passes are an easy $200 value. So, you can see how I can easily get back over $1000, which is well beyond the $650 fee. So, I think this is the best option for someone who wants a credit card just for Delta Sky Club access.
This card comes with free checked bags and makes you eligible for the Delta flight upgrade list without holding any level of Delta Medallion status (at the very bottom, though).
Plus, the sign-up bonus on this card is usually 80,000-100,000 Delta SkyMiles and typically requires a more reasonable $ 6,000 in spend within the first 6 months to earn the welcome offer. And, you absolutely want to earn that! 100,000 Delta SkyMiles can mean multiple free round-trip tickets!
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card!
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card has a $650 annual fee. It includes many of the same Delta-specific benefits as the card above while allowing business owners to earn Delta SkyMiles on eligible purchases.
On both of these Delta credit cards, the 2500 MQD boost is just a head start or boost toward the next level of Delta status, which is another reason I hold both versions of the card.
You will notice that the benefits are almost identical to those of the consumer version including th 15% discount on points redemptions.
Benefits include:
- Companion Certificate
- $250 Delta Stays credit
- 4 Delta Sky Club guest passes
- $10/month rideshare
- $20/month Resy
- 2500 MQD Headstart
- Free checked bag (2 domestically)
- Zone 5 boarding
- Upgrade Eligible
For this Delta Reserve Business card, the sign-up bonus is usually around the same 100,000 Delta SkyMiles. However, the business card often requires around $15,000 in spend within the first 6 months to earn the welcome offer.
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card!
Which Delta Lounge Access Credit Card Should You Choose?
Well, if you mostly fly Delta and often go through Delta hubs like Atlanta, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card makes a lot of sense. It includes 15 Delta Sky Club visits and 4 guest passes.
The annual fee is $250 lower than the American Express Platinum Cards, and there are fewer coupons/credits/benefits to keep track of. You can use your Delta Stays credit and Delta Companion Pass each year, get free checked bags, go to the lounge, and feel good about it.
And the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card often offers the easiest path to that generous welcome offer when you factor in the spend requirements and the window in which to earn it.
The American Express Platinum offers many benefits and perks beyond Delta flights and lounges, and if you use your credits strategically, they can be a great asset for travel.
That said, once you hit your signup bonus, I wouldn’t necessarily use these as everyday spend cards. Just hold them for the benefits they offer and make sure to take full advantage of those!
So, you can easily stop here and make the choice for yourself!
Click below to see what the current welcome offers are:
- American Express Platinum Card
- American Express Business Platinum
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card
Extra Tips & FAQS
We could stop here, but the one thing about the Travel Hacking world is that it’s anything but easy!
So, here are additional tips and answers to follow-up questions you may have about Delta Sky Club access in 2026!
Can You Buy a One-Time Delta Sky Club Pass?
No. Delta no longer sells one-time Sky Club day passes.
Can You Buy a One-Time American Express Centurion Lounge Pass?
No. American Express does not sell one-time day passes to Centurion Lounges.
What About Authorized Users?
If you regularly travel with the same spouse, partner, or child, adding them as an authorized user for $175-$195 may actually save money compared to paying guest fees on every trip. Or, have your spouse get their own card!
For example, I added my daughter Abby as an authorized user on my American Express Platinum Card for $195/year because we travel together frequently. She gets 10 Delta Sky Club passes of her own this way.
On the Delta Reserve cards, your authorized user gets their own 15 lounge access passes,
Note that the authorized user does NOT get the free guest passes or the general card credits/benefits of the main cardholder.
When Can You Access a Delta Sky Club or Centurion Lounge?
In most cases, you can access a Delta Sky Club beginning three hours before your scheduled departing flight. If you’re traveling on a same-day connecting itinerary, the three-hour rule generally does not apply, so you can visit the lounge during your layover.
One of my favorite recent changes is that a single Delta Sky Club visit now includes unlimited entries within a 24-hour period. For example, if I’m flying from Dothan to Atlanta and then connecting to Europe, I can visit multiple Delta Sky Clubs during that 24-hour travel period, and it still counts as just one visit.
Delta Sky Clubs also generally allow arrival access after you land, as long as you’re traveling on an eligible same-day Delta itinerary and otherwise meet the lounge access requirements.
American Express Centurion Lounges generally allow entry beginning three hours before your departing flight, but they do not permit entry upon arrival. If you’re connecting to another flight the same day, you can still visit a Centurion Lounge during your layover with your same-day boarding pass.
Because lounge policies can change over time, I always recommend checking the latest Delta and American Express access rules before your trip.
RELATED POST: My Favorite Airport Packing Hack
Avoid Basic Economy Tickets If Lounge Access Matters
One mistake I occasionally see travelers make is booking the cheapest Basic Economy fare and assuming they’ll still receive Delta Sky Club access because they have one of these credit cards.
In many cases, Delta Basic Economy tickets are not eligible for Delta Sky Club access, even if you carry an eligible American Express card. If lounge access is important to you, I recommend booking at least a Main Cabin fare and reviewing Delta’s current access policies before your trip.
Are There Any Other Ways to Get Delta Sky Club Access?
Yes. While this guide focuses on the four American Express credit cards that include Delta Sky Club access, they aren’t the only way to get into a Sky Club.
Depending on your itinerary, you may also qualify for Delta Sky Club access with:
- A Delta Sky Club Membership (available for purchase by eligible Medallion Members)
- An eligible Delta One ticket
- A qualifying premium cabin ticket on a SkyTeam partner airline
- SkyTeam Elite Plus status on a qualifying international itinerary
- Certain Delta Medallion elite travelers flying in eligible premium cabins on qualifying international routes
For comparison, an Individual Delta Sky Club Membership costs $695 per year (available only to Medallion members). Since the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card has a similar annual fee and includes a Companion Certificate, Delta Stays credit, MQD Headstart, and other Delta perks, I think the card offers significantly more value than purchasing a standalone membership.
For most travelers, though, one of these four American Express cards is the easiest and most consistent way to enjoy Delta Sky Club access year-round—without having to purchase a membership or book a premium cabin every time you fly.
RELATED POST: Top Cities for Your First Family Trip to Europe
More Travel Tips & Inspiration
If you are someone who enjoys booking flights, I highly recommend signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts. They make finding the best flight deals so easy!
You can set it up so that you only see deals from your home airport or on the airlines you like to fly, which I assume is Delta for you. You can also receive notifications about rewards flights you can book with points from your signup bonus!
Browse all of my travel blog posts for firsthand travel tips, photo-rich travel inspiration, and more.
And make sure to follow our travels on social media to see where we are headed next!
Pin Delta Sky Club Access Credit Cards
