It’s been several years since I’ve been able to enter a Delta SkyClub. First I canceled my AMEX Platinum Card and then Delta stopped letting passengers buy single-day passes.
For a while, you could buy a day pass if you had either a Delta co-brand Gold or Platinum card. That changed in 2020 when Delta removed that co-brand Gold card benefit, leaving only Platinum cardholders with the ability to buy a day pass.
Flash forward and once again I have an AMEX Platinum card. One of the things I remembered from when I previously had the card was that you needed to have the physical card to enter the club. This rule burned me in the past and I’m making sure not to repeat it.
When I wrote about the passengers in line ahead of us being denied access to the LAX SkyClub, I mentioned needing the physical card. Several readers reached out to me to say that it’s no longer necessary to have the card with you. However, you have to do some things beforehand for this to work.
I depend on data points since there’s no official webpage explaining the process. According to reports, you can access the Delta SkyClub without your American Express Platinum card if you’ve added the card to your Delta Digital Wallet. You can add the card either by using the Fly Delta app or by logging into your Delta account on the website.
Some people say if you’ve done this, you’ll be recognized as a Platinum cardholder when you scan your boarding pass without showing your card. I’ve had others say that you need to have used the Platinum card to purchase the Delta ticket besides having the card in your Delta digital wallet.
Whichever the case, I’d strongly recommend bringing your AMEX Platinum card with you when you’re traveling to get access to the Delta SkyClub or any of the other clubs you can enter with the card. But in case you forget, it’s good to have this as a plan B.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
25 comments
Confirmed – you just need the card saved in your Delta profile. I use a Delta AMEX Platinum to purchase my flights, but also have my (non-Delta) AMEX Platinum just saved in my account. I don’t even carry the card and have never had an issue getting into Sky Clubs.
Giving people a benefit for having a card they don’t carry or use makes sense to airlines.
Delta gets a lot of money from AmEx to allow club access and gets nothing from your use of the card. Delta couldn’t care less if you carry it or use it.
Also confirming that all you need is it added to your Delta Account, that is literally the only thing that matters. A SkyClub agent informed me about it last year, and I have used it quite a few times at a number of different SkyClubs without issue.
In all but one of the cases I didn’t buy the ticket with the Amex Platinum, and I’ve done it both with an AU card and with my own Amex Platinum acocunt.
Gale
I fly with Delta more then 25 years. When I buy my first class tickets I don’t want have a headache thinking about getting to Delta Club and pay additional money for that. I rather switch to any other aircompany and will travel with all comfort, confident and respect to the passengers.
I would still carry the card with you. I have twice had it mysteriously “fall out” of my digital wallet. Either through an app update or some other crazy cyberspace issue.
The physical card is required if you are a Secondary AKA Authorized User. If you are the primary account holder then no physical card is required.
Also if you have the Reserve with guest passes, those may only be used by the primary account holder with a guest. Guest passes may not be given to others without the primary present.
It doesn’t matter if you are an authorized user. I started using it as an AU on a Amex Platinum and had no issues.
Matt is correct. I flew through Atlanta on 3/16 and both my wife and son (secondary users) had to show their physical cards to gain access to the lounge.
Frank. I’m the primary on our personal AX Platinum card. My wife is an AU. I have my Plat card in my digital wallet in the DL profile and my wife has her AU card in her digital wallet in her DL profile. We both just have to have them scan our BP and no physical card is required to be shown.
Do you have to be flying delta to access the lounge?
Yes (unless if you purchased a Lifetime SkyClub membership)
I work in the delta sky club, if you are the primary card holder you can add it to your wallet . Everything must match(name wise) with your skymiles account with the card or it will not accept it into the digital wallet. If you are a secondary card holder you will always have to swipe the card. We always suggest carrying the card with you no matter what. Glitches happen!
@CJ Rosine This is not correct. I have DL Reserve card saved to my profile, and my wife is an AU on an Amex Plat account. I saved her Plat Amex to her profile, and my Reserve Card is in mine. She used to have to swipe her Plat card until an agent suggested adding it to her Delta profile… We’ve flown together 20 times since then and she has never taken out the Plat card again
David – I agree. My wife is an AU and I have her card in her profile. We have been doing this many times for 3+ years and she just has to scan her BP on entry to a SkyClub
Never been to one but would love to go to one eventually.
Can I get into delta sky club in the airport even K don’t buy my ticket with delta
Not exactly sure what you’re asking. It doesn’t matter if you purchssed the ticket from Delta or from a third party (OTA, travel agent.) As long as you’re on a Delta operated flight, it will count to get into a SkyClub if you’re eligible.
So your “new” way is basically the old way of having a Amex Platinum??
I have access but wouldn’t likely use the Sky Club. It’s certainly nothing special and hardly worth this much discussion.
Sky club is a great plus, when hit and miss to few to none available seats to rest while awaiting at your gate for your flight,
sky club works.,
But, when you finally make it there , show your cards go through the door, I have to honestly say 3 different times &
Intl. airports we have been met with a sign saying ” They are sorry , or
“At this time..,
Yada ,Yada yada..
Sorry for the Inconvenience thank you for flying Delta.”
Only to have to go back Out, to get drinks or service. With all do respect, 1 of our cases ,: was remodeling and building to improve, other was Covid
so that’s understandable..
*********
Now to the plus:
I will say AE / pltm. 100% has its wonderfull perks.
from ; points , airfare, pre board. Baggage fees , snacks on board, and yes
(sky club when it is staffed and Open).
No. I was at the Club in ATL Sunday and yesterday, and now they have “kiosks” where you first scan your boarding pass. Then you are required to swipe your AMEX through a card reader. {When I tried this yesterday, it wouldn’t read the card, which stumped a frustrated employee].
So are you saying with just a Platinum Amex I can get into the Sky Club or with a Platinum Amex I can buy a day pass?
With a Platinum AMEX, you can access the SkyClub. If you have a Delta Platinum AMEX co-brand card, you can purchase a day pass.
Why would you have a Amex Platinum Card and not bring it? I don’t leave my house without it…