Airport lounges offer a convenient location to get some work done, enjoy a complimentary snack or drink, or relax before heading to the gate.

With more than 50 locations around the world, Delta’s Sky Clubs are among the best lounges anywhere. Sky Club amenities vary by location and can include free Wi-Fi, complimentary cocktails and snacks, hot meals and, in some locations, showers.

In 2023, Delta implemented some changes to its Sky Club access to reduce overcrowding. Unlike other airlines, Delta doesn’t sell single visit passes to its lounges. So how can you get inside a Sky Club before your next flight? We’ll cover the six ways to get in Delta’s lounge locations.

1. Fly in first or business class on Delta or one of its partners

Is access to a Delta Sky Club free with a first class ticket? No, Sky Club lounge access is only included in your ticket if you fly Delta One for domestic and international travel.

If you’re traveling one of Delta's 18 partner airlines in the SkyTeam alliance, you can only get in if you're traveling internationally in first or business class for all flight segments.

All SkyTeam alliance premium cabin passengers, including passengers on Delta, get access to the SkyTeam network of more than 750 lounges across the world — even if you paid for your ticket with miles.

2. Fly internationally as an elite member of Delta SkyMiles

You can access Delta Sky Clubs if you fly internationally in first class, Delta One or premium economy (called Premium Select on Delta) and have at least Gold elite status with Delta. However, the benefit is not extended to Delta Silver members.

One guest is permitted as long as that guest is also traveling in first class or premium economy.

If you’re flying to Mexico, Canada or Central America, you can only get in if you’re flying in first class and have Gold, Platinum or Diamond status with Delta. One guest is allowed but they must also be traveling in first class.

Delta elites (with at least Gold status) cannot get into Sky Clubs if they are flying in economy (called Main Cabin or Delta Comfort Plus), but they can visit Delta partner-operated lounges or SkyTeam airline lounges.

Since Delta is a member of SkyTeam, having status with Delta will also provide benefits on other SkyTeam airlines. For example, if you have Gold status with Delta, that maps to SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which also offers lounge access on international flights.

3. Fly internationally as a SkyTeam Elite Plus member

If you hold elite status with a SkyTeam airline and that status qualifies for SkyTeam Elite Plus status, you can visit Delta Sky Club if you are flying internationally. Unlike the premium cabin requirement for Delta elites, SkyTeam Elite Plus members can visit the lounges regardless of cabin class.

One guest is permitted, and the access policy excludes flights between the U.S. and the Caribbean.

4. Hold elite status with LATAM, Virgin Atlantic or WestJet

If you have elite status with LATAM, Virgin Atlantic or WestJet, you can access Delta Sky Clubs if you’re traveling on a same-day international flight (any cabin) or connecting to a same-day Delta international flight. One guest is allowed and must accompany the elite to access the lounge. The following elite status levels are permitted:

LATAM Platinum, Black and Black Signature.

Virgin Atlantic Gold.

WestJet Gold and Platinum.

5. If you have Delta elite status, you can purchase a Sky Club membership

Those with Delta elite status can buy an annual membership to access Delta Sky Clubs. A standard membership costs $695 (or 69,500 miles) and lets you enter a Sky Club lounge every time you fly Delta. You can bring up to two guests for an extra $50 per guest (or 5,000 miles) per visit. An executive option priced at $1,495 (or 149,500 miles) lets you bring two guests free of charge every time you visit.

Since NerdWallet values Delta miles at 1.2 cents each, using your miles to purchase a membership is not a great value, since you’d be redeeming your miles at 1 cent each, which is below the baseline value of the miles.

For many travelers, skipping the paid annual membership and signing up for aDelta credit cardwith lounge access may be more cost effective.

6. Carry the right card

Editor's note: Over the next two years, SkyClub access benefits will be changing for some of the cards discussed below. You can read about those changes and others coming to Delta's SkyMiles program here.

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

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Rates & Fees

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card provide cardholders with access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta operated or Delta marketed flight. If you’re flying on a SkyTeam partner airline, you can access the lounges for a per-visit rate of $50 per person per location.

Cardholders of these two Delta cards can bring 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.