For those who frequently fly Delta Airlines and are interested in airport lounge access, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve is a great option. It comes with a number of different lounge access benefits but how exactly do these benefits work and what are the limitations?
In this article, I will break down all of the details related to Delta SkyMiles Reserve lounge access, including things like the guest policies.
Table of Contents
Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve overview
- Solid welcome bonus available at times
- 3X on Delta
- 1X on all other purchases
- Delta Sky Club access
- Centurion Lounge access
- Escape Lounge access
- Companion certificate
- Status boost
- Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check credit
- Upgrade priority
- First checked bag free (learn more)
- Priority boarding
- 20% discount on in-flight purchases
Related: Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum Review
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Lounge access policy
Like many other credit cards with a high annual fee, one of the core benefits of this premium card is airport lounge access.
Over the past couple of years we have seen the lounge access for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve expand to include more options, thus bringing more value to cardmembers.
As a cardmember you are now given access to the following lounges:
- Delta Sky Clubs
- Centurion Lounges
- Escape Lounges
However, there are a lot of terms that apply to your entry and to any guests you may want to bring along. So keep reading below for more details.
Related: Delta SkyMiles Value Guide
Delta Sky Club access
Delta Sky Clubs are the branded lounges for Delta Airlines that you can find in many locations. With the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, you will be granted two different types of Delta Sky Club access: 1) complimentary entry and 2) one-time guest passes.
Complimentary entry
Delta SkyMiles Reserve receive complimentary Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
This access is only for the individual cardmember which includes the primary cardholder and also authorized users.
Card members traveling on a Delta partner flight that is not marketed or operated by Delta can still access the lounge but at an exclusive per visit rate of $39 per person, per location.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve members can also bring up to two guests or immediate family members at the exclusive per visit rate of $39 per person, per location. (Children under 2 years of age may accompany the card member for free.)
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card must be used as the payment method to receive the exclusive per-visit rate.
Also, guests must be flying on same day Delta or Delta partners.
In order to gain entry you must present your card, same day Delta or Delta partner boarding pass, and your government issued ID. The name on your boarding pass must match the name on the card.
Also, individuals must be at least 18 years of age to access the Delta sky club and 21 years of age to access locations with a self-service bar, unless they are accompanied by a supervising adult who has access to the club.
Guest passes
As a Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardmember, you will also receive two one-time guest passes when you open up your account and each account anniversary after that.
This means that you can bring a guest with you for free up to two times every year.
You will be able to find these guest passes in your Wallet in the Fly Delta app and in My Profile on delta.com under Certificates, eCredits, and Vouchers.
These guest passes will expire within one year from the date of issuance. If your account anniversary month changes your passes will be issued within your new renewal month.
In order to use this guest pass, you must present your card, same day Delta or Delta partner boarding pass, and your government issued ID.
Something super important to note is that the Basic Card Member must be present in order to use the one-time guest passes. Also, the guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
You can only use two one-time guest passes per visit.
Centurion Lounge access
Amex Centurion Lounges are some of the nicest lounges found in the US.
They are known for having some of the best food, service, and decor especially when compared to the lounges offered by the major domestic carriers. They are usually associated with Platinum Cards but access was opened up to certain Delta cards relatively recently.
When you book your Delta flight with the Reserve card, you can get complimentary access to Amex Centurion lounges. This applies to both the basic card member and the authorized users.
Note: the eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express charge or credit card.
You can also bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person but guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
To get access you will need to present your card, a boarding pass showing a reservation for Delta Airlines, and a government issued ID.
A card member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or legal guardian. If there is a self-service bar, the cardmember must be of the legal drinking age in the jurisdiction to enter without a parent or guardian.
Escape Lounge access
Escape Lounges offer complimentary food, drinks (including alcoholic beverages), high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations, and areas to relax and enjoy some comfortable space away from the crowds. Many of these lounges are found at smaller airports but you can also find these at bigger airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
They now go by the new name “Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner.”
It sounds a lot fancier but as far as I know this was just a re-brand of the name and nothing substantive about the lounges has changed as of yet.
However, one thing that did change with the re-brand is that access was given to Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders.
The key thing to note here is that access was given to card members when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
This is the big distinction between the Platinum Card which offers access regardless of which airline you’re flying on.
To access these lounges you will need to present your Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, a boarding pass showing your reservation for same-day travel on Delta, and also your government-issued ID.
If the cardmember is under 21 years old, they may need a parent or guardian to be with them for some lounges.
Something else to note is that the eligible flight must be booked on a US issued American Express credit card.
This means that you could still use the Platinum Card to purchase your airfare as long as you still had your Delta SkyMiles Reserve on hand.
As far as guests go, the terms state that card members may bring up to two guests at a per visit rate equal to the guest fee of the Escape Lounge location. You should also note that guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
Final word
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve continues to receive more lounge benefits and it is quickly becoming one of the best cards for lounge access. I would still go with the Platinum Card above this card for lounge benefits not to mention all of the other perks but the value is definitely starting to rack up in the lounge department for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.