How to get into Delta Sky Club lounges

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In an effort to curb overcrowding, Delta has announced big changes to the options for entering Sky Clubs in the future.  Basic economy flyers will no longer be welcome.  Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cardholders will still be welcome, but only a handful of times per year.  Full details of these changes can be found here: Delta announces big Sky Club access changes for 2024 and beyond.  In this post, I’ve rounded up all of the various options for entering Delta Sky Clubs, along with information about when various options will change.

a group of people in a room with a long couch and tables
Delta Sky Club at Reagan National Airport (DCA)
people sitting in a lounge area
Delta Sky Club Seattle (SEA)

Methods for entering Sky Clubs

In all cases, to enter a Delta Sky Club you must be flying Delta or a Delta partner same-day.  Below you’ll find information about entering Sky Clubs with credit cards, memberships, class of service (e.g. book Delta One), and elite status…

Credit Cards

When flying Delta same-day in any cabin other than Basic Economy (as of 1/1/24), you may enter the club if you have one of these cards:

Sky Club Membership

When flying Delta same-day in any cabin other than Basic Economy, you may enter the club if you have one of these memberships:

Only Delta elite Medallion members may purchase club memberships.  Membership gives you Sky Club access only when flying Delta or a partner airline on the same day.  Further, those flying Basic Economy (E) fare tickets (or similar “Light” or “basic” tickets issued by a Delta partner) do not have access to the Delta Sky Club.

At the time of this writing, Delta’s website shows the following membership options:

  • Executive Membership: Unlimited Club access for the Member and up to two guests (or their spouse/domestic partner and children under 21) per visit.
    • $1,495.00 or 149,500 miles.
  • Individual Membership: Unlimited Club access for the member only. Members may bring up to two guests to the Club at the rate of $29.00 per guest per visit.
    •  $695.00 or 69,500 miles

Diamond alternative: Another option for getting membership is to earn Delta Diamond status and to use Choice Benefits for a Sky Club membership:

  • Individual Membership: Requires 2 Diamond Choice Benefit selections
  • Executive Membership: Requires 3 Diamond Choice Benefit selections

Fly Delta One or Sky Team business or first class

a man sitting in an airplane
Greg enjoying Delta One Suites

Delta One is Delta’s business class which typically offers lie-flat seats.  When flying Delta One internationally or within the U.S., you’ll get Sky Club access same-day.  Sky Club access is also granted when flying a Sky Team partner in business or first class.

Elite Status

Depending upon what type of flight you booked, you may be able to enter Sky Clubs if you have Delta Gold Medallion status or higher, or SkyTeam Elite Plus or higher with another airline.

Delta Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion Status

If you have Gold or higher status with Delta, you plus one guest can enter a Sky Club if you’re flying internationally and are ticketed into one of the following cabins:

  • International Premium Select (guest must also be flying Premium Select)
  • Delta One (guest must also be flying Delta One)
  • First Class to Canada, Mexico, or Central America (guest must also be flying First Class)

Note that flights between the US and the Caribbean are not included.

Sky Team Elite Plus

If you have Sky Team Elite Plus from a SkyTeam airline other than Delta, you plus one guest can enter Delta Sky Clubs when flying same day in any cabin on an international SkyTeam flight or on a domestic flight connecting to an international flight.

This benefit is provided only at the departure airport and not on arrival (except when you are continuing onward on a SkyTeam flight on the same itinerary)

Note that this appears to be the only way to enter Sky Clubs when flying Basic Economy.

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