Delta Air Lines’ New Sky Club Access Limits Take Effect This Week

The long-awaited—and long-dreaded—changes to Delta Air Lines’ SkyClub access are just days away.

The changes, announced in September 2023 by Delta, include strict limits on the number of annual visits to Delta’s Sky Clubs by American Express cardholders, a move that caused a significant reaction at the time. Despite that reaction, and even with some adjustments to the original announcement, Delta is moving forward with the new rules starting Feb. 1, 2025.

For Delta frequent fliers who are American Express cardholders, here are the main changes:

• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card holders will be limited to 15 SkyClub visits per year.
• American Express Platinum or American Express Business Platinum Card holders will be limited to 10 SkyClub visits per year.

Multiple visits in a single day will only count as one visit toward the annual limit.

Delta made the changes because of overcrowding at SkyClubs after the pandemic. At the time of the announcement, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the number of Diamond status fliers had doubled since the pandemic began, creating a need for the new rules.

The changes were initially slated to be even stricter—Delta first announced that SkyMiles Reserve and SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders would be limited to 10 visits per year and would have to pay $50 per visit beyond that. The airline later rolled back the limits to those going into effect this week after the significant backlash from its members and travel advisors.

At the same time, Delta has opened Delta One Lounges, which, while pitched as another premium offering, are also expected to ease the crowds at SkyClubs. Delta One locations are already open at Boston Logan (BOS), Los Angeles International (LAX), and John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and are available exclusively to Delta One passengers with a same-day Delta One ticket.

Delta earlier this year during its keynote at CES in Las Vegas, announced that SkyMiles members will able to earn points on rides and deliveries through Uber starting this spring.