What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into the Delta Sky Club?

Delta Sky Club lounge access generally requires flying in a Delta One premium cabin or buying an annual membership as a top-tier Delta SkyMiles elite member. Unlike other airlines, Delta doesn’t sell day passes to the Sky Club, making access relatively exclusive.

But the right credit card will also let you access the Sky Club lounge and amenities that include complimentary cocktails, snacks, hot meals and showers (amenities may vary on location).

Here are the credit cards that get you into the Delta Sky Club lounge.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card provide cardholders with 15 day passes to the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight. Cardholders flying on a SkyTeam partner airline can access the Sky Club lounges for a per-visit rate of $50 per person per location. Cardholders who spend $75,000 per year get unlimited access to Sky Clubs.

Guest policy: Cardholders get four one-time guest passes each year. After those are used, you can bring up to two guests at a cost of $50 per person per visit — unless visiting a Grab and Go club, which has a $25 per person per visit guest access fee. Terms apply.

Other lounge access: You’ll also gain limited access to certain AmEx Centurion Lounges, but there are restrictions. Cardholders will need a same-day Delta boarding pass and can only access certain Centurion Lounge locations, including domestic lounges, Hong Kong and London. Terms apply.

More about the card: The drawback to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the high annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees), but it offers a number of benefits beyond lounge access, including this welcome offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

» Learn more: Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve AmEx card worth its annual fee?

The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express and the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express are premium cards with perks and benefits to match. The $695 annual fee on each card might seem intimidating at first, but the benefits can easily be worth more than that (see rates and fees).

Cardholders get 10 free visits to Delta Sky Clubs. After spending $75,000, cardholders get unlimited access. Terms apply.

Guest policy: Up to two guests can visit the lounge with you for a per-visit rate of $50 per person per location. Terms apply.

Other lounge access: In addition to the Sky Club lounges, cardholders can access AmEx’s Centurion Lounges and the Priority Pass lounge network (enrollment required). Terms apply.

More about the card: Platinum cardholders gain a bevy of other travel benefits to make traveling easier beyond just lounge access. After selecting a participating airline each year, cardholders receive $200 in statement credits. Cardholders can also choose between a $100 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every four and a half years or $120 for Global Entry every four years. American Express has also partnered with Uber to offer cardholders free rides in the U.S., up to $15 each month, plus a $20 bonus in December. Enrollment required; your card must be added to your Uber account and used to pay for your purchase. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Benefits of the Platinum Card from American Express

The Centurion® Card from American Express and the Business Centurion® Card from American Express

The Centurion® Card from American Express and the Business Centurion® Card from American Express are available by invitation only. That means there isn’t a lot of public information about them.

But we do know that cardholders of either card receive similar Sky Club lounge access as holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, including the same guest policies. Terms apply.

» Learn more: 5 things (we wish we knew) about the AmEx Black Card

Delta SkyMiles Diners Club Card Visa Card

Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles Diners Club Visa Card receive three visits annually to Delta Sky Clubs. You must be traveling on a same-day flight operated or marketed by Delta or a Delta partner (excluding basic economy tickets).

» Learn more: What is a Diners Club Card?

Delta SkyMiles TRUST CLUB Gold Visa Card and Delta SkyMiles TRUST CLUB Platinum Visa

Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles TRUST CLUB Gold Visa Card receive three visits annually to Delta Sky Clubs while cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles Diners Club Visa Card receive six visits annually. You must be traveling on a same-day flight operated or marketed by Delta or a Delta partner (excluding basic economy tickets).

The bottom line

For frequent Delta flyers, these cards provide the easiest way to access Delta Sky Club lounges for non-elites that don’t travel in premium cabins. Simply ask yourself how often you are flying on Delta and if the card’s annual fee is worth paying to get access to amenities like complimentary alcoholic beverages, showers to freshen up before the next leg of your journey, comfortable seating, and a variety of food options.