When Delta Airlines made sweeping changes to its loyalty program in September 2023, cutting Sky Club lounge access benefits from American Express cards, the public didn’t remain quiet. In fact, the reaction was so loud and strong that the airline walked back some of the changes citing customer feedback.

CNBC Select breaks down the latest changes and explains how they will affect American Express cardholders — as well as how to still receive access to lounges when you travel.

For many Delta SkyMiles cardholders, as well as Delta loyalists with other eligible American Express cards, Delta Sky Club access (or the ability to Purchase it) is an essential benefit. It’s no wonder that the prospect of losing this perk caused such a negative response from the airline’s customers.

Delta acknowledged the response and softened the updated policies. However, some of the initial changes stayed intact.

Which changes were altered?

A few premium American Express credit cards currently offer unlimited access to Sky Club lounges. Unfortunately, once the changes take place in February 2025, Delta will enforce an annual limit to lounge visits. To soften the blow, the airline increased the number of visits from previously announced caps.

Delta is also redefining what it considers a single lounge visit. Initially, each visit would count against the annual cap. For example, if you had a connecting flight and stopped at two Delta lounges along the way, you’d be out of two visits.

Now, the airline will count each visit in day increments. This means all lounge visits you make in a 24-hour period will count as one. Once you use all the stops available to you, you can purchase more. One visit costs $50 per guest. Alternatively, you can purchase an individual membership for $695 per year or get unlimited access after spending $75,000 on an eligible card in a calendar year.

Which changes remained?

Delta hasn’t walked back all of its new policies — and the ones the airline is sticking with might still deal a significant blow to some cardholders.

These policies will become active starting in 2024.

If you’re keeping your Delta SkyMiles or Amex Platinum card exclusively for airport lounge access, you might consider whether paying annual fees is still worth it. This is especially true if your strategy is to save on flights by booking economy tickets while enjoying the premium perks your card gives you.

If Delta is your preferred airline and Sky Club lounge access is crucial, keeping a Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Reserve card might still make sense. You can opt to buy a membership and you’ll need Delta Medallion elite status of any level to do it. Your credit card can help you earn it faster, especially with the new boost offer.

On the other hand, the Amex Platinum provides plenty of value outside of Delta lounge access. Besides, you’ll still have plenty of lounges where this card will open the doors for you, such as Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (after enrollment), Plaza Premium lounges and more.

That said, if you don’t mind exploring lounges outside of Delta Sky Club network, you can also look into cards with lower annual fees, For example, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card charges $395 per year and offers unlimited access to Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Capital One lounges. Plus, it’s easy to offset the card’s annual fee, thanks to the $300 annual travel credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth $100 in travel).

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is another excellent option to consider. At $550 per year in annual fees, it also offers a $300 annual travel credit that automatically applies to all eligible purchases. Cardholders get unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges.

While Delta Airlines softened some of its policy changes, it’s hard to argue the airport lounge benefits on the affected American Express cards will lose a significant portion of their value. This is especially true for Basic Economy flyers who will lose lounge access altogether. There’s still time before these changes kick in and it might be a good idea to evaluate whether keeping your card is worth it — or a different card can possibly offer more bang for your buck.

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