Delta Air Lines will restrict access to its Sky Club airport lounges as it faces overcrowding

Delta Air Lines is set to implement significant changes to access to its Sky Club airport lounges due to concerns over overcrowding. Starting on February 1, 2025, Delta will impose limits on entries to its Sky Clubs for holders of the American Express Platinum Card and the Delta Reserve American Express Card. Holders of the Platinum Card will be granted six visits annually, while those with the Delta Reserve Card will have the privilege of 10 annual visits.

Furthermore, beginning on January 1, 2024, individuals who have booked a basic economy ticket will no longer be eligible to access Delta’s lounges, irrespective of whether they possess a Platinum Card or any other premium credit card. This announcement initially surfaced on a Portuguese-language website and has since been officially confirmed by a spokesperson from Delta Air Lines.

This development may not come as a surprise to frequent Delta customers who have encountered lengthy queues to enter Sky Clubs at major hubs like JFK Airport and Atlanta. In response to this congestion, Delta is preparing to inaugurate a second lounge in Terminal 4 at JFK Airport, aiming to alleviate the strain on the original club.

The American Express Platinum Card has gained immense popularity, particularly among Millennials and Gen-Z, despite its steep annual fee, largely due to its travel perks. Access to Delta’s Sky Clubs has traditionally been a compelling incentive for American Express cardholders, justifying the card’s annual fee. Consequently, these changes may prompt American Express customers to reevaluate the value of their card memberships.

For individuals without a premium AmEx card, access to the lounge was previously reserved for those traveling in business or first-class or those willing to invest $695 per year in a membership, a considerably higher amount than the median spending of typical AmEx cardholders. Premium AmEx cardholders, on the other hand, will continue to enjoy unlimited lounge access.

In tandem with the adjustments to lounge access, Delta is revising its criteria for achieving status within its SkyMiles program. Rather than earning status based on the number of miles flown with Delta, passengers will now attain status exclusively based on the monetary amount they spend with the airline. This shift marks a fundamental change in how Delta rewards its loyal customers.

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More about airport lounge access restrictions

• Delta Air Lines to Limit Lounge Access
• American Express Platinum Card
• Delta Sky Club Locations
• Delta SkyMiles Program