Delta Is Changing Its Lounge Policy: Here’s What That Means for You

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Via View From the Wing, Delta is tightening up their airport lounge policies!

Beginning in 2019, you will need to have a same day flight on Delta or a partner airline to enter a Delta SkyClub lounge.  No matter how you earned your lounge access.  Plus, you will no longer have access to partner airline lounges, like Air France and Virgin Australia.

Here’s more about what this means for you.

Delta Getting Stingy With Airport Lounge Access

Link:   Delta SkyClub

Currently, there are a handful of credit cards that get you into Delta airport lounges, like the Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and The Business Platinum® Card from American Express.

The one catch with these cards is that you can only enter a lounge if you have a same-day Delta flight.  So folks who want unlimited access to Delta lounges, regardless of the airline they’re flying, have had to buy a lounge membership.

However, beginning on January 1, 2019, Delta will no longer let anyone enter their lounges unless you have a same-day Delta or partner airline flight.  No exceptions!

Plus, you will NOT be able to enter Delta’s partner airline lounges, like Virgin Australia and KLM.

What Does This Mean for You?

This new Delta rule makes purchasing a Delta SkyClub membership practically worthless.  Because it’s no better than the access you’ll get from certain premium credit cards.

For example, an Individual Delta SkyClub Membership (no free guests) costs $495 per year.  But you can get the same access to Delta lounges from the AMEX Delta Reserve, which has a $450 annual fee.

And if you pay the AMEX Platinum’s $550 annual fee (See Rates & Fees), you’ll get the same access to Delta lounges, plus TONS more!  The AMEX Platinum cards offer access to more lounges than any other credit card.  You can enter lounges under Priority Pass, AMEX Centurion, Escape, and more.

Bottom Line

Beginning January 1, 2019, Delta will require that anyone entering their Delta SkyClub lounges have a same-day flight on Delta or a partner airline.

This new rule even applies to folks with a Delta SkyClub membership!

Because of this, I do NOT recommend paying for a Delta lounge membership.  But instead, open a card that offers nearly identical Delta lounge access.  Some cards, like the AMEX Platinum, will give you far more lounges to choose from!