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The blogosphere and Twitter/X have been buzzing for weeks about potential changes to Delta Sky Club® access rules and those specifically tied to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. Like the initial details around qualification requirements, some of the details around Sky Club® access have also been leaked on FlyerTalk.
As suspected, those carrying the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card are about to be severely limited and those with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card are going to be cut altogether. From the Delta post:
Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Card Members will receive 10 Club visits per Medallion Year starting Feb. 1, 2025. Members can earn unlimited Access after spending $75K on their eligible Card in a calendar year and will have unlimited Club Access for the remainder of the current Medallion Year and the following Medallion Year. Tracking begins Jan. 1, 2024, for the 2025 Medallion Year. Effective January 1, 2024, eligible Card Members with Basic Economy (E) fare tickets (or similar “Light” or “basic” tickets issued by a Delta partner) will not have access to the Delta Sky Club.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business American Express Cards will no longer provide Club Access. There will be no changes to how SkyMiles Members earn and redeem miles, the changes only affect the way they qualify for Medallion Status.”
With these changes, I see tons of cancellations coming Amex’ way. This guts the value proposition of the card and makes it way too expensive to keep for most holders. In order to get more than 10 passes for the Sky Club®, cardholders will need to spend over $75,000 on the card. This is in line with what American Express instituted for its Centurion Lounges last year.
The Points Guy added to the initial report with news around The Platinum Card® from American Express. The card will be limited to six visits per year (it looks like the $75,000 spend waiver for unlimited entries will also apply here).
Anthony’s Take: This will definitely cut down on the crowding issues at Delta Sky Clubs®, but it’s also going to cost American Express and Delta a ton in lost cardholders. I hit the spend threshold this past year and will have to make sure I keep that spend over $75,000 in the future.
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